How to paint Games Workshop miniatures - Tutorial 35: King of the Dead

How to paint Games Workshop miniatures? In this tutorial we will show you different painting techniques for decorating your Citadel miniatures. In this new guide we will see which steps to follow to paint the King of the Dead model!

Welcome back to Painting workshop by techigames! After the previous tutorial on Uglúk, which you can view on this page, here we are with a new guide in which we will illustrate how to paint your own thumbnail of the King of the Dead with very simple techniques using i Citadel colors and be able to both expand your Games Workshop model collection and 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.

How to paint Games Workshop miniatures - Tutorial 35: King of the Dead

Tutorial 35: King of the Dead - How to paint Games Workshop (Citadel) miniatures

The King of the Dead is the one who haunts the treacherous paths of Dunclivus with his army of spirits, killing all those who dare to venture into Dwimorbeg, the Potted Mount. However, when Aragorn promises to free him from his condemnation to a ghostly life in exchange for a final alliance against Sauron, the King of the Dead accepts and respects the oath made to Isildur many years ago.

How to paint Games Workshop miniatures - Tutorial 35: King of the Dead

to know more on the King of the Dead we refer you to the Wikipedia page.

To know the different basic painting techniques, which are essential for all Games Workshop miniatures, we recommend that you visit this page.

Phase 1: Cleaning and Assembling the King of the Dead | How to paint Games Workshop (Citadel) miniatures

As introduced in the previous guides, the first thing to do before starting to paint your King of the Dead model is to prepare the miniature and this means that any excess burrs that remain after the painting process should be carefully removed. merger; for this purpose you can use a common utility knife. Don't worry if you accidentally scratch the model, as these small incisions will be covered with acrylic paints later. 



Practical tip: Another thing to pay special attention to is to make sure that all parts of the model are straight; in the case of the King of the Dead it may happen that the sword is slightly crooked, but you can correct this defect by carefully folding it in the correct direction.

Once this is done, as there is no need to assemble model components, you can glue your miniature onto the base with cyanoacrylate glue.

How to paint Games Workshop miniatures - Tutorial 35: King of the Dead

The King of the Dead on the base

Phase 2: base color of the King of the Dead | How to paint Games Workshop (Citadel) miniatures

Once you have mounted the model of the King of the Dead on the base, you will need to give a background of color to perfectly adhere the shades that you will apply in the next steps. Always remember that the important thing is to completely cover the metal your miniature is made of. To achieve a uniform layer of color, use Citadel Corax White spray, as the miniature is characterized by light and ghostly tones. Be very careful when using the spray and be sure to use this technique in well-ventilated areas.

How to paint Games Workshop miniatures - Tutorial 35: King of the Dead

Spray Citadel Corax White

Alternative: if you cannot find the Corax White spray, use only the Citadel Ceramite White in a bottle; shake the jar well to mix the color correctly, then use the brush to put a drop on the palette and add a drop of water to dilute it slightly, as too thick a color would be difficult to apply and ruin your miniature, covering the details. If the color is too liquid, add a little more to thicken it.


How to paint Games Workshop miniatures - Tutorial 35: King of the Dead

The King of the Dead after the white primer

Step 3: Paint the Spooky Hue of the King of the Dead | How to paint Games Workshop (Citadel) miniatures

As illustrated for the Warriors of the Dead, to get a ghostly hue start by preparing a greyish-green base tint by mixing Castellan Green and Fenrisian Gray in the same proportions and spread this color evenly over the King of the Dead. At this point highlight with the layering technique: for each layer add a small amount of White Scar to the base compound, proceeding until the color is almost white, and at the end use the pure White Scar on edges, fingers, features of the faces. and notable reliefs. Once the highlighting is complete, it is a good idea to make the miniature stand out with the ghostly green color, so apply the Coelia Greenshade Shade evenly. When the ink is dry, restore the highlights along the edges with the base compound, which has a significant amount of white.


Alternative: also in this case, if you prefer to get a color more on aqua green, you can use the Citadel Technical Nihilakh Oxide evenly for the color base, then wash with the Shade Biel-Tan Green and finally lighten the external parts with the 'Ulthuan Gray dry brush.

One of the most beautiful details of the King of the Dead is his cloak characterized by red and green shades. To decorate it, start by spreading the Khorne Red on the shoulders, more precisely on the whole upper area, then prepare a small amount of the basic spectral green compound again and add a little Khorne Red to it, so as to obtain a green tint and red to be applied at the meeting point between bright red and basic green. Above this point, apply a few layers of the same compound, enriched with Khorne Red, while below it do the same, adding Nihilakh Oxide and White Scar instead. Once this is done, apply a light coat of Coelia Greenshade evenly to unify the colors and finally highlight the reliefs with the ruling technique, using first the base green color and then Ulthuan Gray or White Scar.


How to paint Games Workshop miniatures - Tutorial 35: King of the Dead

Citadel colors recommended for the main areas of the King of the Dead

Step 4: Paint the Metal Parts of the King of the Dead | How to paint Games Workshop (Citadel) miniatures

The armor of the King of the Dead is characterized by some metallic areas, which you can initially paint with Balthasar Gold, being careful not to stain the surrounding areas that are already decorated. At this point, create a gradient from the metallic color towards the spectral tone, applying the gray-greenish color, made in step 3, on the areas along the edges. Then, highlight the bronze areas with a mix of Balthasar Gold and Runefang Steel and then apply a wash of Nuln Oil or Coelia Greenshade everywhere. To complete, it is also necessary to give a greenish-white hue to the bronze areas, so mix in equal parts Castellan Green, Fenrisian Gray and White Scar (or Nihilakh Oxide) and give a touch of dry brush on the affected areas. Lastly, wash with Coelia Greenshade to unify the tones.


For the sword you can repeat the same operations, using Runefang Steel directly in place of Balthasar Gold and then fading towards ethereal green.

How to paint Games Workshop miniatures - Tutorial 35: King of the Dead

The King of the Dead with painted metal parts

Step 5: Paint the Last Details of the King of the Dead | How to paint Games Workshop (Citadel) miniatures

You can decorate the beard and the hair of the King of the Dead can be decorated with Ushabti Bone, after which we suggest you apply Coelia Greenshade ink to shade the areas in depth and thus create a color that varies from green to ivory. To bring out the locks and outer areas, use the Screaming Skull with a dry brush.

How to paint Games Workshop miniatures - Tutorial 35: King of the Dead

Citadel suggested hair and beard colors for the King of the Dead

Phase 6: Decorate the King of the Dead's base | How to paint Games Workshop (Citadel) miniatures

The last step to complete your King of the Dead model is to decorate the base: to do this, you can paint it totally Mournfang Brown and then apply a small amount of static grass or modeling flock with the vinyl glue, with the aim of recreating a turf. If you prefer, add some crushed stone for a classy effect.

How to paint Games Workshop miniatures - Tutorial 35: King of the Dead

Common static modeling herb

Practical tip: to apply the static grass or flock, first spread the glue on the upper part of the base, then immerse it in a jar containing the grass, so that it adheres perfectly.

Alternatively you can apply a Citadel Texture such as Stirland Mud or Astrogranite to create a rocky brown or gray effect. Whichever you choose, paint the edges of the base with XV-88 or Mechanicus Standard Gray accordingly. When the Texture is dry, gently drybrush a lighter color to highlight, such as Terminatus Stone (Dry) in the first case or Slaneesh Gray (Dry) in the second. Finally, to complete you can add the Mordheim or Middenland Clods, available on the website, in order to enrich the base with tufts of grass and remember for example the plains of the Pelennor Fields.

How to paint Games Workshop miniatures - Tutorial 35: King of the Dead

Citadel Texture Stirland Mud e Astrogranite

How to paint Games Workshop miniatures - Tutorial 35: King of the Dead

Clods of Middenland and Mordheim

Once this phase is completed, your King of the Dead miniature is ready to ally with Aragorn and fight for the forces of Good!

How to paint Games Workshop miniatures - Tutorial 35: King of the Dead

How to paint Games Workshop miniatures - Tutorial 35: King of the Dead

How to paint Games Workshop (Citadel) miniatures - Tutorial 35: King of the Dead

Also this guide of the Techigames Painting Workshop dedicated to the decoration of 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!

The Triplets next Sunday with a new tutorial!

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