Painting Skaven Plague Monks - Tutorial by Squeek Vermintide

Painting Skaven Plague Monks - Step by step.

by: Squeek Vermintide @ http://chatteringhorde.blogspot.com/

After finishing my first 30 Skaven Plague Monks I thought I would post a step-by-step guide to the colours I used. I'm no painting expert, but these steps ended up giving me a unit painted to "tabletop" quality.

First, here is how the unit ended looking up:

Colours used: (All Games Workshop)
Knarloc Green
Codex Grey
Tallarn Flesh
Dwarf Flesh
Dwarf Bronze
Gunmetal
Chainmail
Mithril Silver
Skull White
Chaos Black
Devlan Mud (Wash)

The  process followed was:

A.) Undercoat and Base texturing:

1. After assembly, liberally apply PVA glue to base and dip in modelling sand.
2. Wait until dry, then undercoat. (I use Chaos Black spraypaint.)

B.) Base colours:

1. Fur: Calthan Brown.
2. Skin/ Tail/ Feet: Tallarn Flesh.
3. Cloth: Knarloc Green/ Codex Grey 1:1 mix.  Follow this with a lighter Knarloc Green/ Codex Grey (1:2) on raised areas of cloth/ edges. (Robes)
4. Metal: Boltgun metal. (Weapons, belt buckles, staff tips, banner chains)
5. Leathers/ Belts: Snakebite leather. (rope belt, wristband, armour crosspiece on the back of the Clanrat.)
6. Banner: Knarloc Green.
7. Parchment: Snakebite leather. (Lighter shades will be applied later - see H. below)
8. Ornaments: Chaos White. (Skull pendants om troops, staves and banners etc.)

C.) Apply Washes: Liberally apply Devlan Mud Wash all over. (Parchment optional)

D.) Reapply base colours: Layered up lighter shades/ colours: 

1. Skin/ Tail/ Feet: Dwarf Flesh on raised areas of face.  NOTE: Unlike my Clan Rats, I didn't use Dwarf Flesh on the tails for these guys, preferring to leave them a darker, dirtier feel...
2. Metal: Chainmail or Mithril Silver applied to blade edges, nails etc.
3. Leather/ Belts: Snakebite leather/ Skull white (1:2 mix). 
4. Flag: Knarloc Green/ Skull White (1:1 mix) on raised areas and into the center of the flag.
5. Parchment: Several layers of increasingly lighter shades of Snakebite Leather/ Skull White.

E.) Final Drybrushing:

1. Base: Drybrush Calthan brown, then Tallarn Flesh.
2. Fur: (Optional): Drybrush Calthan Brown/ Skull White (50/50).
3. Metal: (Optional): Drybrush Mithril silver (Weapon edges) buttons etc. (e.g. Rivets if the model has a shield etc.) or just apply as an "Extreme Highlight" on the edge of the weapon.
4. Robes: (Optional) Lightly drybrush Calthan Brown around the base of the robes.

F.) Final Basing:

1. Apply dabs of PVA glue onto the base and dip into green flock.
2. Paint base sides Knarloc Green.

G.) Final Details: Banner

1. Outline the Horned Rat symbol on the Banner in Chaos Black. Once satisfied, fill in. HINT: Practice first on a piece of paper at the same size as you will actually paint onto the banner. This will give you an idea of how it will look and it is good practice...
2. Horned Rat eyes: Snot Green. When dry, lighten with a Snot Green/ Skull White mix (1:1)

H.) Final Details: Parchment

1. Gradually build up to a lighter shade, using a Snakebite Leather/ Skull White mix in lighter and lighter shades.
2. Carefully add symbols and script using a slightly watered down Chaos Black (and a fine detail brush.)

Now I have some Clan Pestilens troops in my army....excellent!

*Squeek*