Prime

The original video used Vallejo Game Color Terracotta (72.065) which has since been discontinued. Burnt Red (70.814), Violet Red (AKI11075), and Hull Red (70.985) are all close alternatives available at Wheels & Wings. Apply whichever you choose by airbrush over the entire model, or brush paint in two thin coats if you do not have an airbrush. This is the foundation of the Word Bearers scheme a deep red-clay tone that reads as a dark, battle-worn red rather than a bright heraldic colour. Thin to a milky consistency (roughly 1:1 with water or airbrush thinner) and apply in multiple thin passes to build even coverage. The airbrush allows smooth, fade-free coverage across all the armour panels simultaneously. If brush painting, thin slightly more and apply two coats.

Apply Reikland Fleshshade all over the model with a large brush. This does two things at once: it darkens all the recesses between armour panels and edges, and it subtly shifts the terracotta base to a richer, deeper red-brown. The result is a model with significantly more depth and warmth before any detail colours go on. Don’t be afraid to use it generously the wash dries to a matte finish and the excess will settle naturally into recesses.

With the armour shaded, block in all the detail colours. Work through each area methodically. These colours don’t need to be perfect at this stage the subsequent washes will tie everything together. A few notes: the soft armour joints and tubes are painted Sombre Grey, which replaces the discontinued Heavy Blue Gray and provides a similar cool blue-grey tone. The laurels and grenades use Dark Green and Goblin Green respectively, replacing the discontinued Heavy Green and Livery Green.

Metals are applied in two types a cool silver for functional weapon and mechanical parts, and a warm gold for decorative elements. An important tip for the Vallejo Metal Color range: switch from a wet palette to a simple dry palette when using these paints. The highly pigmented formula doesn’t behave well on an absorbent or wet surface. A ceramic tile or piece of greaseproof paper works well.

Two shades are applied selectively over the detail colours. Apply them carefully to their respective areas only avoid getting them on the armour which was already shaded in Step 3. Seraphim Sepia goes on all the khaki and gold areas, warming and enriching the parchments and metalwork. Nuln Oil goes on all the black, grey and gunmetal areas, pulling the shadows together and giving the dark areas that characteristic deep lustre.

Edge highlights define the form and make the model readable on the tabletop. Concentrate the paint on the sharpest raised edges only armour panel edges, elbow and knee joints, the ridge of the shoulder pads, and knuckle lines. A thin, steady single stroke is better than going back over the same edge repeatedly. The highlight should be a thin line, not a broad band.

The eye lenses are painted last, using your sharpest brush and a steady hand. The two-stage approach bright base then dark wash gives a convincing glowing power armour lens effect without any complex blending. The Goblin Green creates the vivid glow and the Black Green Ink wash darkens the outer edges, creating the impression of depth and inner light in the lens.

Seal the finished model with Vallejo Mecha Satin Varnish applied through the airbrush. The satin finish is ideal for power armour it reads as slightly worn and durable rather than the flat dullness of a full matte varnish. It also protects all the detail work and washes against tabletop handling. Apply in two thin coats from 20cm, allowing the first to fully dry before the second.

No airbrush? No problem.

For the primer, use a grey spray primer. Any of these work well on plastic and resin miniatures:

• Vallejo Grey Primer Spray — acrylic, fine grain, excellent adhesion on plastic and resin
• Army Painter Colour Primer Uniform Grey — popular wargaming primer with good coverage
• Citadel Mechanicus Standard Grey Spray — matches the Citadel paint range if you prefer that ecosystem

For the terracotta base coat, brush-apply Terracotta over the primed model in two thin coats instead of airbrushing. It takes a little longer to get even coverage but the result is the same. From Step 3 onwards everything is brush-applied and works identically. The varnish step can be done with any compatible rattlecan matte or satin varnish.

All paints in this guide are stocked at Wheels & Wings Hobbies, Toronto, and available online with Canada-wide shipping. Whether you're building a Horus Heresy 30k Word Bearers army or running them in Warhammer 40,000, the scheme works across both eras.

Five-man tactical squad painted using the scheme from this guide

Erebus: Dark Apostle of the Word Bearers

Erebus, Dark Apostle of the XVII Legion