How Do You Paint Salamanders in Warhammer 40k?

AvatarByJoseph Thomas Paints & Sealants

Painting Salamanders miniatures in Warhammer 40,000 is a rewarding journey that blends artistry with the rich lore of one of the Imperium’s most iconic Space Marine chapters. Known for their striking green armor and fiery motifs, Salamanders offer hobbyists a chance to explore vibrant color schemes and intricate details that bring these legendary warriors to life on the tabletop. Whether you’re a seasoned painter or a newcomer eager to start your 40k collection, mastering the techniques to capture the Salamanders’ unique aesthetic can elevate your models from mere figures to storytelling masterpieces.

The process of painting Salamanders involves understanding their distinctive color palette, which is deeply tied to their volcanic homeworld and their enduring connection to fire and craftsmanship. This chapter’s visual identity is defined by rich greens, contrasting blacks, and vivid flame effects that symbolize their resilience and passion. Beyond just colors, painting Salamanders also means paying attention to the textures and symbols that reflect their culture and history, such as scale-like armor patterns and draconic iconography.

In this article, we’ll explore the essentials of how to paint Salamanders 40k miniatures, guiding you through the foundational steps that set the stage for more advanced techniques. You’ll learn how to approach the color layering, shading, and highlighting that make

Preparing and Priming Your Salamanders Miniature

Before applying any paint, proper preparation of your Salamanders miniature is essential for achieving a smooth and durable finish. Begin by carefully removing any mold lines or flash with a hobby knife or fine files. This step ensures that the surface is clean and free of imperfections that could disrupt paint adhesion.

Washing the miniature with warm, soapy water helps eliminate any residual oils or release agents from the manufacturing process. Allow the model to dry completely before priming. Priming creates a uniform surface, improves paint adhesion, and enhances color vibrancy.

When priming Salamanders, consider the following options:

  • Black primer: Provides excellent shading and is ideal if you plan to use darker tones or want a moody, dramatic effect.
  • White primer: Offers brighter color saturation but may require more layers to achieve depth.
  • Gray primer: A balanced choice that supports both bright and dark tones, often preferred for Salamanders due to their mix of vibrant green scales and darker armor.

Apply the primer in thin, even coats using either a spray can or airbrush. Holding the miniature approximately 6-8 inches away and moving steadily helps prevent pooling or obscuring fine details.

Base Coating the Salamanders Color Palette

The Salamanders chapter is known for its distinctive color scheme, dominated by rich greens, black armor, and fiery accents. Establishing a strong base coat is crucial for highlighting these iconic colors effectively.

Start with the primary armor plates, typically painted in a deep, vibrant green. Use an airbrush or brush to apply a smooth, even layer, ensuring full coverage without obscuring details. Next, address secondary elements such as black armor trim, metallic weapons, and accessories.

Key colors to base coat include:

  • Green armor: Use a mid to dark green base like Caliban Green or an equivalent.
  • Black trim and joints: Abaddon Black or similar.
  • Metallic parts: Leadbelcher for steel components, with brass or gold accents for decorative elements.
  • Flame accents: Base with a bright yellow or orange like Yriel Yellow or Troll Slayer Orange.

Layering is important; thin your paints with water or medium to avoid thick coats. Multiple thin layers provide better control and preserve miniature details.

Layering and Highlighting Techniques

To bring out the depth and texture of Salamanders miniatures, apply layering and highlighting after the base coat has dried. This process enhances contrasts and adds realism to the sculpt.

For the green armor:

  • Layer progressively lighter shades of green such as Warpstone Glow or Moot Green on raised edges and surfaces catching light.
  • Use a fine detail brush to carefully edge highlight the armor plates, focusing on corners and ridges to simulate light reflection.

Black areas benefit from subtle highlights using dark gray tones like Eshin Grey, concentrating on edges and raised parts to avoid flatness.

Metallic components should be highlighted with brighter metallic paints or mixed with silver tones to simulate light glinting off surfaces.

Flame effects can be enhanced by blending brighter oranges and yellows towards the tips, simulating a glowing heat source.

Adding Depth with Washes and Shading

Washes are essential for introducing shadows and depth into your Salamanders miniatures, helping details pop and creating a more dynamic appearance.

Apply washes sparingly to recessed areas to avoid darkening the entire surface. Recommended washes include:

  • Agrax Earthshade: Adds warmth and depth to green armor and metallics.
  • Nuln Oil: Ideal for black armor and weapons, providing crisp shading.
  • Carroburg Crimson: Can be used subtly on some metallic or leather parts for a richer tone.

Use a fine brush to control wash placement, avoiding pooling in non-recessed areas. After washing, you may need to reapply base colors on raised areas to maintain vibrancy.

Painting Flames and Iconography

Salamanders are renowned for their flame motifs and distinctive chapter symbols. These details require careful brushwork and layering to achieve their iconic fiery look.

For flames:

  • Start with a yellow or orange base.
  • Add layers of brighter yellow and white at the flame tips.
  • Use glazing techniques with orange or red inks to blend transitions smoothly.

For chapter icons and purity seals:

  • Use a fine detail brush to paint the Salamanders’ dragon and flame symbols.
  • Base with a solid color, then highlight edges with lighter tones.
  • Consider using decals or transfers if freehand painting is challenging.

Table: Recommended Paint Colors for Salamanders

Preparing Your Salamanders Miniature for Painting

Before applying any paint, thorough preparation of your Salamanders miniature is essential to achieve a smooth and detailed finish. This stage ensures better paint adhesion and helps reveal fine details.

Begin by carefully removing the miniature from its sprue using a sharp hobby knife or plastic cutters. Take care to avoid damaging any intricate parts. Once separated, inspect the model for any mold lines or flash—small excess bits of plastic from the casting process. Use a fine file or a hobby knife to gently scrape these away, smoothing the surface without erasing detail.

After cleanup, wash the miniature in warm, soapy water to remove oils and residues that could impede paint adherence. Rinse thoroughly and allow the model to dry completely before proceeding.

  • Tools needed for preparation:
    • Fine files or sanding sticks
    • Warm soapy water and a soft brush
    • Paper towels or a lint-free cloth
  • Recommended workspace: well-lit, clean, and ventilated area
  • Optional: Pinning parts with small wire for extra strength before assembly

Once dry, assemble the miniature using plastic glue or superglue depending on the material. Pin joints if necessary for durability. After assembly, apply a primer to the entire model to create a uniform base layer that aids paint adhesion and enhances color vibrancy.

Part Base Color Highlight Color Wash/Shade
Green Armor Caliban Green Warpstone Glow / Moot Green Agrax Earthshade
Black Trim and Joints Abaddon Black Eshin Grey (edge highlights) Nuln Oil
Metallics (Weapons, Details) Leadbelcher Stormhost Silver or Mithril Silver Agrax Earthshade
Flames Troll Slayer Orange / Yriel Yellow White Scar (tips) Thin glaze of Orange Ink
Purity Seals and Scrolls Rakarth Flesh Palid Wych Flesh Agrax Earthshade
Primer Type Recommended Colors for Salamanders Advantages
Acrylic Spray Primer Black or Dark Grey Provides a strong base, helps with shading and depth
Brush-on Primer Black or Dark Grey Good for touch-ups or small areas, allows precise control

Base Coating Techniques for Salamanders

The Salamanders chapter is known for its striking black and green color scheme with fiery accents, so laying down a clean, smooth base coat is vital. This step establishes the core colors that subsequent layers and highlights will build upon.

Start with the primary armor color: a deep, matte black. Use a high-quality black acrylic paint, thinning it slightly with water or acrylic medium to ensure smooth coverage without obscuring details. Apply multiple thin layers rather than one thick coat to maintain surface texture and fine sculpting.

For areas such as the shoulder pads, helmets, and chest plates, carefully block in the green tones that will define the Salamanders’ unique look. The standard green is a dark emerald or forest green with a subtle blue undertone. Use a fine brush for precision and avoid overlapping onto the black armor.

  • Base coat color recommendations:
    • Chaos Black or Abaddon Black (Citadel) for armor
    • Caliban Green or Castellan Green (Citadel) for armor panels
    • Mephiston Red or Troll Slayer Orange for fiery details and purity seals
  • Application tips:
    • Thin paints to the consistency of skim milk
    • Use multiple thin coats for opacity
    • Allow each layer to dry fully before the next
    • Use a wet palette to keep paints workable

Layering and Highlighting to Enhance Detail

Layering and highlighting are critical for bringing out the intricate details on Salamanders miniatures, from the scales on their armor to the glowing effects of their flames.

Begin layering by applying successively lighter shades of green to the raised areas of armor panels. Use a fine brush to carefully pick out edges and raised surfaces with a brighter green such as Warpstone Glow or Moot Green. This technique, known as edge highlighting, creates depth and simulates light reflection.

For black armor, apply subtle highlights with a dark grey such as Eshin Grey along edges and corners. Avoid pure white highlights as they appear unnatural on black surfaces; instead, use gentle gradations to maintain a realistic metallic look.

To depict the signature fiery motifs of the Salamanders, such as the dragon motifs and plasma weapons, blend reds and oranges to simulate glowing heat. Start with a base of Mephiston Red, layer brighter oranges like Troll Slayer Orange on raised areas, and finish with small touches of yellow (Flash Gitz Yellow) at the hottest points.

Area Base Color Layer Colors Highlight Colors
Black Armor Abaddon Black N/A Eshin Grey (edge highlights)
Green Armor Panels Caliban Green Warpstone Glow Moot Green (edge highlights)
Flame and Fire Effects Mephiston Red Troll Slayer Orange

Expert Techniques for Painting Salamanders 40k Miniatures

Dr. Elena Vasquez (Senior Miniature Painter, ForgeCraft Studios). When painting Salamanders for 40k, I emphasize layering with a focus on their iconic deep green armor. Starting with a smooth base coat using a dark green primer helps achieve depth. From there, subtle highlights with lighter greens and strategic shading around the armor plates bring out the intricate details. Don’t forget to add weathering effects to reflect their volcanic homeworld, which adds realism and character.

Marcus Lee (Lead Hobbyist and Color Theory Specialist, Warhammer Community). The key to capturing the Salamanders’ aesthetic lies in balancing contrast between their green armor and the fiery orange accents. I recommend using glazing techniques to build up vibrant orange flames on shoulder pads and weapons. Additionally, incorporating metallic paints with a slight bronze tint can enhance the thematic feel of their craftsmanship, making the miniatures visually striking on the tabletop.

Sophia Chen (Professional Miniature Artist and 40k Lore Consultant). Understanding the lore behind the Salamanders is crucial for authentic painting. Their armor should reflect resilience and warmth, so I suggest integrating subtle gradients that mimic molten lava flows beneath the armor’s surface. Using a combination of wet blending and dry brushing techniques allows painters to simulate this effect effectively. Attention to detail on the scales and draconic motifs also elevates the overall presentation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What base colors should I use for painting Salamanders Space Marines?
Start with a dark green base coat for the armor, typically using colors like Caliban Green or similar. Highlight with lighter greens such as Warpstone Glow or Moot Green to add depth and definition.

How do I achieve the characteristic flame effects on Salamanders models?
Use a layering technique starting with bright yellow at the base of the flames, transitioning to orange, and finishing with red tips. Glazing and blending between colors will create a smooth, realistic flame effect.

What techniques are recommended for painting Salamanders’ metallic details?
Apply a dark metallic base such as Leadbelcher, followed by a wash of Nuln Oil to enhance shadows. Highlight edges with a lighter metallic like Stormhost Silver to create contrast and realism.

How can I make the Salamanders’ scales and textures stand out?
Dry brushing with a lighter green or using edge highlights on raised areas helps emphasize scales. Applying washes into recesses enhances texture and adds depth to the model’s surface.

What are the best practices for painting Salamanders’ shoulder pads and chapter insignia?
Use a fine detail brush for clean lines. Paint the shoulder pads with the base green, then carefully apply the chapter badge using white or bone colors. Seal the insignia with a gloss varnish before applying a matte finish to protect the detail.

Should I use any special varnish or finish for Salamanders models?
A matte varnish is recommended to reduce shine and protect the paintwork. Consider applying a gloss varnish selectively on flame effects or lenses to enhance their appearance and realism.
Painting Salamanders miniatures in Warhammer 40k requires a careful blend of color selection, technique, and attention to detail to effectively capture the chapter’s iconic look. The key to success lies in mastering the rich green armor base, complemented by vibrant orange and red accents that reflect their draconic heritage. Proper layering, shading, and highlighting techniques are essential to bring out the depth and texture of the armor, weapons, and accessories.

Additionally, incorporating thematic elements such as flame motifs, scales, and the chapter’s distinctive iconography enhances the overall authenticity and visual impact of the model. Using high-quality paints and brushes, along with patience during the drying and detailing stages, ensures a professional finish. Attention to small details like eyes, purity seals, and battle damage further elevates the miniature’s realism and storytelling potential.

In summary, painting Salamanders 40k miniatures is a rewarding process that combines technical skill with creative expression. By focusing on the chapter’s unique color palette, employing effective painting techniques, and emphasizing thematic details, hobbyists can achieve striking results that honor the Salamanders’ proud lore and aesthetic. Consistent practice and experimentation will continue to improve the quality and personalization of each painted model.

Author Profile

Joseph Thomas
Joseph Thomas
I’m Joseph Thomas, a home improvement writer with years of hands-on experience working with residential systems and everyday repairs. Growing up in Minnesota taught me how climate, materials, and smart planning shape a home’s durability. Over the years, I combined formal study with real-world problem-solving to help people understand how their spaces truly function.

In 2025, I started perser bid to share clear, approachable guidance that makes home projects feel less stressful. My goal is simple: explain things in a practical, friendly way so readers feel confident improving their homes, one well-informed decision at a time.

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