How to paint Games Workshop miniatures? In this tutorial, we will show you a number of painting techniques for decorating your Citadel miniatures. In this special guide we will see which steps to follow to paint the Aragorn model, in particular that of the “The Three Hunters” set!
Welcome back to Painting workshop by techigames! After the previous tutorial on Saruman the White, which you can view on this page, here we are with a new guide in which we will see how to paint your model of Aragorn, and more precisely the one in the guise of Drifter, with very simple techniques using colors Citadel and be able to expand your collection of miniatures Games Workshop than undertake the Strategic Battle Game in Middle-earth.
We remind you that the miniatures, the colors and all the tools for modeling are available on the website www.games-workshop.com.
Special 1: Aragorn (Strider) - How to paint Games Workshop (Citadel) miniatures
This tutorial is the first in a series of specials concerning exclusively the most important protagonists of the trilogy of "The Lord of the Rings". This guide is specifically dedicated to all fans of Aragorn, a character of which Games Workshop has made different versions of miniatures depicting the different changes that have evolved over the three films.
In the third Painting Workshop the model of Aragorn relating to the Battle of Helm's Deep, while in this new tutorial we will see how to paint the feature miniature of the 'The Three Hunters' set, in which Aragorn wears the Drifter's clothes, with which he is presented in the film "The Fellowship of the Ring" with the name of Grampasso.
Phase 1: cleaning and assembling of Aragorn (Grampasso) | How to paint Games Workshop (Citadel) miniatures
As already seen in the previous tutorials, the first thing to do before starting to paint your Aragorn miniature is to carefully remove any excess burrs that remain after the casting process and you can use a utility knife or wire cutters. Don't worry if you accidentally scratch the model, as these small incisions will be covered with acrylic paints later.
Important: this miniature of Aragorn is very particular, in fact it must also be assembled, since the left arm is separated from the rest of the body. You can use cyanoacrylate glue because it is a metal model and after applying it, let it dry completely. At this point you need to fill in the gaps around the shoulder, as the arm does not match perfectly - use a small amount of green stuff, which you can find on the website or any official Games Workshop store.
Once this is done, glue your miniature to the base as you always did with the cyanoacrylate glue.
Your Strider model at the end of phase 1
Phase 2: base color | How to paint Games Workshop (Citadel) miniatures
Once the model is assembled, you will need to give a color base to better adhere the shades you will apply later. Always remember that the important thing is to completely cover the metal your miniature is made of. To get a uniform layer of color use Citadel spray and in particular Chaos Black, as Aragorn is characterized by very dark shades. Be careful and make sure you use this technique in well-ventilated areas.
Citadel Chaos Black spray for the base color
As an alternative to the spray, you can apply Citadel Abaddon Black paint in a bottle. However, if this is too thick, add a drop of water and dilute it slightly on the palette, but be careful not to overdo it!
Your Aragorn model after the black primer
Step 3: Paint Aragorn's Pants and Boots | How to paint Games Workshop (Citadel) miniatures
Aragorn's pants are a very dark gray, almost black. Having applied the Chaos Black primer, you are at an advantage as this is already your base color. To highlight the outermost parts, first use the Mechanicus Standard Gray with the ruling technique on the surface creases and then the Adminatum Gray with a very light dry brush.
As for the boots, use Rhinox Hide as the base color. Once this is done, apply a black wash with Nuln Oil.
Citadel Shade Nuln Oil ideal for creating a shading effect in the grooves of the model
When the color is dry, first highlight all the outer areas of the boots with Gorthor Brown using a fine-tipped brush, then apply the Karak Stone with the edging technique, adding an additional shimmer effect on the ends.
For the boot laces, first use Abaddon Black as the base shade, then carefully apply the Dawnstone with the dry brush technique, using an old fine-tipped brush to avoid dirtying the already painted parts. Alternatively you can decorate each individual lace with an XS Artificer Layer brush always using the Dawnstone. Don't worry if you're wrong, just apply a very light wash of Nuln Oil to cover the gray smudge!
Citadel suggested colors for trousers and boots
Your Aragorn miniature at the end of stage 3
Step 4: Paint the Aragorn Leather Parts | How to paint Games Workshop (Citadel) miniatures
As already illustrated in the third Painting Workshop, to decorate Aragorn's doublet and leather belt, first apply Rhinox Hide as a base color. When this is dry, do a black wash with diluted Abaddon Black or Nuln Oil. Once this operation is complete, mix the Rhinox Hide with the Doombull Brown in equal parts and with the ruling technique paint all the parts in relief so as to leave a darker color tone in the recesses. For extra highlighting, use Doombull Brown with a fine-tipped brush on the outermost creases. Finally, lightly decorate the belt and laces of the doublet by applying the Baneblade Brown with the XS Artificer Layer brush, making them stand out from the other leather parts.
Citadel colors recommended for Aragorn leather parts
Step 5: Paint Aragorn's Worn Out Coat | How to paint Games Workshop (Citadel) miniatures
You can paint Aragorn's signature overcoat by applying Castellan Green as a background of color. Then evenly apply a light amount of Nuln Oil to create a shading effect in the grooves of the model, then restore the base tone on all the external parts using the ruling technique. Once this operation is completed, use Loren Forest with a dry brush on all the reliefs and especially on the upper areas of the arms, creating a lighter effect due to the sunlight.
Shades of green for Aragorn's overcoat
For the gray patch on the right forearm you can use the Mechanicus Standard Gray dry brush on a black base.
Step 6: Paint Aragorn's Face, Hair and Hands | How to paint Games Workshop (Citadel) miniatures
Aragorn's face and hands should first be painted with Cadian Fleshtone as the base color. Be careful to leave the glove that characterizes the model's right hand in black for now. When the flesh color is dry, apply a very light wash of Reikland Fleshshade to darken the grooves of the miniature and thus create a shadow effect. Finally, apply Kislev Flesh with the ruling technique to highlight all the raised parts such as cheekbones, nose and forehead.
Citadel Shade Reikland Fleshshade
To paint the eyes first use Ceramite White, then for the pupil use Hoet Blue with an XS Artificer Layer brush, as Aragorn has blue eyes. You can apply Rhinox Hide to the eyebrows.
For the beard use Rhinox Hide with the XS Artificer Layer in the chin area, then the XV 88 to lighten the cheeks.
Paint Aragorn's hair with the Rhinox Hide with a dry brush, then with the same technique lightly pass the Karak Stone on the outer strands to give a touch of brightness.
Citadel paints suggested for painting Aragorn's hair, beard and skin
Step 7: Paint Aragorn's Cloak | How to paint Games Workshop (Citadel) miniatures
Aragorn's ranger cloak is a dark gray, almost black color. Having applied Chaos Black as a primer, you are at an advantage as this is fine as a base shade. Make sure you have not stained it during the previous steps and if necessary use Citadel Base Abaddon Black to restore the color background. At this point you only need to highlight the reliefs, so you can use the Mechanicus Standard Gray and delicately decorate each outer fold with the ruling technique, using a fine-tipped brush. After doing this, apply the Dawnstone on the hood and the area around the shoulders, in order to further lighten all the areas normally irradiated by sunlight.
Citadel shades to paint Strider's cloak
Step 8: Paint Aragorn's Weapons | How to paint Games Workshop (Citadel) miniatures
In this particular model of Aragorn, the sword is not completely visible, as it is placed in the scabbard. The metal parts of the hilt should be painted entirely with Leadbelcher, then apply a black wash with Nuln Oil and then highlight all external areas with Runefang Steel using the ruling technique to bring out the details. For the grip, apply Caliban Green lightly with a dry brush.
Aragorn's elegant sword
To decorate the bow and quiver, use the Rhinox Hide as a background of color, then bring out the details with an even wash of Nuln Oil and, after the ink is dry, highlight the bumps and laces of the quiver with the Gorthor Brown. Once this is done, drybrush Baneblade Brown everywhere and Mechanicus Standard Gray only on the quiver fabric.
Citadel paints to decorate Aragorn's quiver
Step 9: Paint Aragorn's Final Details | How to paint Games Workshop (Citadel) miniatures
To paint Aragorn's sleeping bag, use Rhinox Hide as a background of color and then create a shading effect with a classic black wash. Then apply a mix of equal parts Doombull Brown and Baneblade Brown to the raised areas using the ruling technique. To complete, use the Karak Stone with a dry brush in a very soft way, giving an old age effect.
Different shades of brown for Strider's sleeping bag
Aragorn's worn glove is a dark gray color. Use Abaddon Black as a base and lightly apply Dawnstone with a dry brush.
For the ring on the left index finger and for the belt buckle you can use Runefang Steel with the XS Artificer Layer brush and for a touch of class apply a tip of Warpstone Glow to the green gem of the ring.
The ring of Aragorn
Step 10: Decorate Aragorn's Base | How to paint Games Workshop (Citadel) miniatures
You can decorate Aragorn's base giving space to your imagination; for example you can recreate the Wilds by applying Citadel Texture Stirland Mud or Astrogranite on top to create a rocky effect and paint the sides with XV-88 or Mechanicus Standard Gray. To complete you can add Mordheim or Middenland Clods.
Citadel Texture Stirland Mud e Astrogranite
Citadel clods of Midenland and Mordheim
Alternatively, you can also paint the entire base with Mournfang Brown and glue some synthetic grass with the glue.
Base with modeling static grass
Once the base is finished, your Strider model is ready to roam the Wilderness!
Your completed Aragorn miniature
How to paint Games Workshop (Citadel) miniatures - Special 1: Aragorn (Strider)
This first special tutorial from techigames' Painting Workshop dedicated to decorating Games Workshop miniatures (eg Warhammer or Lord of the Rings) ends here. For any questions or requests we are available via the comments box below!
Appointment to next Saturday with a new tutorial!
