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 third guide we will see which steps to follow to paint the Aragorn model
Welcome back to Painting workshop by techigames! After the previous tutorial on Gandalf the Gray, 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, in particular that of the Fosso di Helm, 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.
Tutorial 3: Aragorn, Hero of Helm's Deep - How to paint Games Workshop (Citadel) miniatures
As a Northern Drifter, Aragorn he has traveled the wilderness of Middle-earth for many years, fighting the forces of evil and trying to hide his origins: he is in fact the only survivor among the descendants of Isildur and therefore heir to the throne of Gondor. During the Council of Elrond in Rivendell, he joins the Fellowship of the Ring to aid Frodo Baggins on the arduous mission of traveling to Mordor to destroy the One Ring in the flames of Mount Doom. After the unexpected dissolution of the Fellowship in Amon Hen, Aragorn travels to Rohan with his companions Legolas and Gimli to hunt down the Uruk-hai, who have kidnapped the little Hobbits Merry and Pippin. Having rescued the latter, Aragorn goes to Helm's Deep with Théoden, King of Rohan, to organize the defenses and repel the army of ten thousand Uruk-hai that the traitor Saruman has sent to destroy the world of men.
For more information, refer to the Wikipedia page.
there numerous models Games Workshop in Aragorn and in this tutorial we are going to analyze step by step how to paint that of the Helm's Ditch, but don't worry if you have a different thumbnail! Soon some will come out special guides dedicated to all versions of Aragorn!
Different models of Aragorn
To know the different basic painting techniques, useful for all Games Workshop miniatures, we recommend that you visit this page.
Phase 1: Cleaning and Assembling Aragorn | 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.
Your Aragorn miniature before it is completely cleared
Another thing to watch out for is to make sure all parts are straight; it often happens that the sword is slightly crooked and to remove this defect just bend it carefully in the correct direction.
Once this is done, glue your Aragorn miniature onto the base with the cyanoacrylate glue.
Your Aragorn model at the end of the assembly
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.
Spray Citadel Chaos Black
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 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 by diluting the Abaddon Black on the palette.
Colors suitable for trousers and boots
Practical tip: to perform the black wash technique you can use Citadel Shade “Nuln Oil”, being a color created specifically to flow in the grooves of the miniatures, defining the details and accentuating the recesses.
Shade Citadel Nuln Oil
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 Abaddon Black to cover the gray smudge!
XS Artificer Layer to decorate boot laces
Colors suitable for painting Aragorn's boots
Step 4: Paint Aragorn's Chainmail | How to paint Games Workshop (Citadel) miniatures
Aragorn usually does not wear heavy armor, but in Helm's Deep he equips himself with chain mail under his leather doublet to face the Uruk-hai army. Painting the chain mail is quite simple; in fact, it is sufficient to apply Abaddon Black as a base color and then the Leadbelcher with the dry brush technique. To give a touch of class you can first use the Brass Scorpion always with a dry brush to create a more realistic effect and finally the Runefang Steel with the beading technique on the outer edges, making them stand out.
Metallic colors for the chain mail
Step 5: Paint the Aragorn Leather Parts | How to paint Games Workshop (Citadel) miniatures
For Aragorn's doublet and leather belt, first apply Rhinox Hide as the 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 in equal parts with the Doombull Brown and with the ruling technique paint all the parts in relief so as to leave a darker color tone in the recesses. For added 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.
Your model at the end of step 5
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 black. When the flesh color is dry, apply a very light wash of Rhinox Hide 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.
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 Colors Recommended for Aragorn Face and Hands
Step 7: Paint Aragorn's Weapons | How to paint Games Workshop (Citadel) miniatures
The mighty sword of Aragorn must be painted entirely with the Leadbelcher. Then do a black wash and then highlight the blade with Runefang Steel using the ruling technique to bring out the details.
Aragorn's sword
For the sword sheath use Abaddon Black as the base color, then dry brush the Mechanicus Standard Gray very lightly. For the metal parts, use the Ironbreaker with the fine-tipped brush and decorate the plate located in the lower area of the scabbard with Auric Armor Gold. Paint the central part of the hilt of the small dagger with Doombull Brown.
Sword, scabbard and dagger
For the elven dagger, use Rhinox Hide as the base tone instead. Then apply the Doombull Brown dry brush on the hilt and paint the details with Auric Armor Gold.
Aragorn's elven dagger
Step 8: Paint Aragorn's Final Details | How to paint Games Workshop (Citadel) miniatures
For Aragorn's inner robe you can use Khorne Red. When this is dry, wash the Rhinox Hide and finally highlight with a mix of equal parts of Khorne Red and Mephiston Red the outermost folds.
Paint the forearms with Rhinox Hide and then apply a wash of Abaddon Black or Nuln Oil. Finally, define the details with Baneblade Brown using the ruling technique. Highlight the edge cushions with Tuskgor Fur.
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 9: Decorate Aragorn's Base | How to paint Games Workshop (Citadel) miniatures
You can decorate the Aragorn base giving space to your imagination; for example apply 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 for your bases
Clods of Mordheim and Middenland
Alternatively, you can also paint the entire base with Mournfang Brown and glue some synthetic grass with the glue.
Your Aragorn miniature is complete!
Come dipingere miniature Games Workshop (Citadel) – Tutorial 3: Aragorn
Our third techigames Painting Workshop tutorial dedicated to decorating Games Workshop miniatures (eg Warhammer or Lord of the Rings) ends here. For any doubt or request we are available via the comments box below!
See you next Saturday with a new tutorial!
