Painting

Adeptus Custodes auramite gold and red

Warm auramite gold and red cloth give the Custodes their ceremonial contrast. Dark weapon frames, cool steel blades and selective bright gold reflections keep the armour, fittings and working parts distinct.

◉BrushDojoOfficial guide

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Colours on the model

Letters identify paints. The same letter can appear in several places.

Painting stages

All stages

Stage 1 of 5

Prepare the model

Where to paintWhole model

For this stage

Blackvallejo · 70.602

Detailed instructions · 1

Prime the second Sagittarum
Remove support marks from the caliver and plume, wash the tiny figure and let it dry under cover. Apply Black Surface Primer as a fine mist, turning the model so the broad gun does not shield the chest and hands.
Expected result
The black primer reaches behind the caliver and under the plume while every micro-scale edge stays visible.
Points to watch
Do not compensate for the small size with a wet coat; it will erase fingers and weapon vents.

Read the complete guide · 5

1. Prepare the model

Prime the second Sagittarum
Where to paint: Whole model
Blackvallejo · 70.602
Remove support marks from the caliver and plume, wash the tiny figure and let it dry under cover. Apply Black Surface Primer as a fine mist, turning the model so the broad gun does not shield the chest and hands.
Expected result
The black primer reaches behind the caliver and under the plume while every micro-scale edge stays visible.
Points to watch
Do not compensate for the small size with a wet coat; it will erase fingers and weapon vents.

2. Apply the base colours

Base colour
Where to paint: Gold armour and the side plates of the Adrastus caliver
Retributor Armourcitadel · 21-35
Thin Retributor Armour until it flows from the brush without flooding, then cover each plate from its centre towards the trim. Turn the miniature and finish the undersides of the pauldrons and gun panels as well.
Expected result
The gold is even from every viewing angle; no primer remains around the eagle, shoulder rims or the underside of the caliver.
Points to watch
Keep the black weapon frame, steel muzzle and flexible joints free of gold.
Material detail
Where to paint: Caliver frame, grip and flexible armour joints
Abaddon Blackcitadel · 21-25
Eshin Greycitadel · 22-51
Set the deepest gaps with Abaddon Black, then pull a narrow Eshin Grey line along only the upper ribs and frame corners. Leave black showing beneath every grey mark.
Expected result
The black parts remain dark but their ribs, grip and outer frame can be read separately.
Points to watch
Do not broaden the grey onto the caliver's large gold side panels.
Material detail
Where to paint: Caliver muzzle, magazine and exposed metal details
Leadbelchercitadel · 21-28
Nuln Oilcitadel · 24-14
Lay Leadbelcher along the metal parts with strokes following the barrel. When dry, place Nuln Oil under the cylinder and inside the muzzle instead of coating every surface.
Expected result
The barrel reads as a round cold-metal form with a dark bore and separated fittings.
Points to watch
Keep Nuln Oil off the gold panels; a black tide mark there is difficult to repair cleanly.

3. Build the shadows

Controlled shadow
Where to paint: Gold armour and the side plates of the Adrastus caliver
Reikland Fleshshadecitadel · 24-24
Touch Reikland Fleshshade into one recess at a time and pull the bead along the seam. Wick the brush dry and lift any stain that creeps onto a flat panel before it settles.
Expected result
The ornament is readable at arm's length, while the broad gold panels stay clean and luminous.
Points to watch
Do not wash the whole figure; pooled brown will turn the armour muddy.

4. Build the highlights

Shape and highlight
Where to paint: Gold armour and the side plates of the Adrastus caliver
Liberator Goldcitadel · 22-71
Stormhost Silvercitadel · 22-75
Feather Liberator Gold over the upper third of each curved plate. Finish with tiny Stormhost Silver touches only on the eagle beak, helmet brow and two or three sharp corners facing the light.
Expected result
The head and chest catch the eye first; lower plates retain enough warm gold to support the light transition.
Points to watch
Do not trace every edge in silver or the armour will look chrome-plated.
Shape and highlight
Where to paint: Caliver muzzle, magazine and exposed metal details
Stormhost Silvercitadel · 22-75
Use the side of a fine brush to place one broken Stormhost Silver line along the barrel and a pinprick on each front-facing corner.
Expected result
The steel sparkles at the muzzle and upper edge without losing its darker cylindrical body.
Points to watch
Do not outline the lower barrel edge; it belongs in shadow.

5. Finish the model

Base finish
Where to paint: Ground texture and rim of the base
Abaddon Blackcitadel · 21-25
Dawnstonecitadel · 22-49
Agrax Earthshadecitadel · 24-15
Set the ground dark with Abaddon Black, tint the deepest texture with Agrax Earthshade, then skim Dawnstone across the highest grit. Repaint the rim solid black at the end.
Expected result
The texture is visible without competing with the gold figure, and the rim forms an unbroken black circle.
Points to watch
Do not let the drybrush dust the boots or leave grey fingerprints on the rim.

All paints and materials (11)

Blackvallejo · 70.602

Retributor Armourcitadel · 21-35

Reikland Fleshshadecitadel · 24-24

Liberator Goldcitadel · 22-71

Stormhost Silvercitadel · 22-75

Abaddon Blackcitadel · 21-25

Eshin Greycitadel · 22-51

Dawnstonecitadel · 22-49

Leadbelchercitadel · 21-28

Nuln Oilcitadel · 24-14

Agrax Earthshadecitadel · 24-15

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Adeptus Custodes auramite gold and red

◉BrushDojoOfficial guide

Painting stages

All stages

Stage 1 of 5

Prepare the model

Where to paintWhole model

For this stage

Blackvallejo · 70.602

Detailed instructions · 1

Prime the second Sagittarum
Remove support marks from the caliver and plume, wash the tiny figure and let it dry under cover. Apply Black Surface Primer as a fine mist, turning the model so the broad gun does not shield the chest and hands.
Expected result
The black primer reaches behind the caliver and under the plume while every micro-scale edge stays visible.
Points to watch
Do not compensate for the small size with a wet coat; it will erase fingers and weapon vents.

Adeptus Custodes auramite gold and red

Colours on the model

Painting stages

Prepare the model

For this stage

Prime the second Sagittarum

Expected result

Points to watch

1. Prepare the model

Prime the second Sagittarum

Expected result

Points to watch

2. Apply the base colours

Base colour

Expected result

Points to watch

Material detail

Expected result

Points to watch

Material detail

Expected result

Points to watch

3. Build the shadows

Controlled shadow

Expected result

Points to watch

4. Build the highlights

Shape and highlight

Expected result

Points to watch

Shape and highlight

Expected result

Points to watch

5. Finish the model

Base finish

Expected result

Points to watch

Comments …

Adeptus Custodes auramite gold and red

Colours on the model

Painting stages

Prepare the model

For this stage

Prime the second Sagittarum

Expected result

Points to watch

1. Prepare the model

Prime the second Sagittarum

Expected result

Points to watch

2. Apply the base colours

Base colour

Expected result

Points to watch

Material detail

Expected result

Points to watch

Material detail

Expected result

Points to watch

3. Build the shadows

Controlled shadow

Expected result

Points to watch

4. Build the highlights

Shape and highlight

Expected result

Points to watch

Shape and highlight

Expected result

Points to watch

5. Finish the model

Base finish

Expected result

Points to watch

Comments …