How to Paint Blades of Khorne — Colour Schemes Guide

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How to Paint Blades of Khorne — Colour Schemes Guide

Learning how to paint Blades of Khorne is one of the most rewarding challenges in the Warhammer hobby. The Blades of Khorne are known for their distinctive blood red armour with brass and bone, and mastering this colour scheme will give you a striking force that commands attention on any gaming table. Whether you are painting your first Blades of Khorne model or looking to improve your technique, this comprehensive guide walks you through every step of the process.

This guide covers the full paint list, then base coating, shading, layering, highlighting, basing and finishing touches, followed by a few variations on the scheme. Every recommendation uses specific Citadel paint names.

Complete Paint List for Blades of Khorne

Before you start painting your Blades of Khorne army, gather these Citadel paints. Having everything ready before you begin will make the process smoother and more enjoyable.

Step-by-Step Painting Guide

This guide breaks down the process of painting Blades of Khorne into manageable steps. Whether you are batch painting a full army or lavishing attention on a single character model, these steps will help you achieve a striking blood red armour with brass and bone scheme that looks fantastic on the tabletop.

Step 1: Preparation and Priming

Begin by cleaning all mould lines from your Bloodbound warriors using a sharp hobby knife or mould line remover tool. Dry-fit all components before gluing to ensure proper alignment. For subassembly painting, consider keeping shields, backpacks, or weapons separate — this gives you better access to recessed areas that would otherwise be difficult to reach.

Prime your models with Chaos Black spray primer for this colour scheme. Hold the can approximately 20-30cm away and apply several thin, sweeping passes rather than one heavy coat. Allow the primer to cure fully for at least 30 minutes before handling. If you spot any areas the primer missed, touch them up with Abaddon Black applied with a brush.

A black primer works perfectly for Blades of Khorne because it naturally creates shadows in the recesses and provides an excellent foundation for the blood red armour with brass and bone colour scheme.

Step 2: Base Coating the Primary Colours

Apply Khorne Red to all the red armour panels and cloth. Use a medium-sized base brush (such as a Medium Base brush from Citadel) and apply two thin coats rather than one thick coat. Allow each coat to dry fully before applying the next — this prevents the paint from obscuring surface detail.

When applying the base coat, use smooth, controlled brush strokes that follow the contours of the model. Load your brush with paint, then wick off the excess on your palette until the paint flows smoothly without pooling. You want complete, even coverage while still being able to see the underlying sculpted details.

At this stage, do not worry about being perfectly neat. Focus on getting solid, opaque coverage on all the primary surfaces. You will clean up any mistakes in later steps.

Step 3: Shading and Washes

Once your base coats are fully dry, apply Agrax Earthshade shade to the primary surfaces. This is where your Blades of Khorne models really start to come alive. The shade paint flows into recesses, panel lines, and joints, creating natural-looking shadows that add tremendous depth.

Apply the shade with a medium shade brush, guiding it into the recesses rather than slathering it over flat panels. For a cleaner result, use the recess shading technique — carefully apply the shade only into the deepest recesses using a fine detail brush. This takes longer but produces a much smoother finish on the raised surfaces.

Use Nuln Oil on any metallic areas, and Carroburg Crimson on cloth, leather, and flesh areas. Allow all shades to dry completely before proceeding — rushing this step will cause the shade to lift when you paint over it.

Step 4: Layering and Building Up Colour

Now layer Mephiston Red over the primary surfaces, leaving the shade visible in the recesses. This is the most important step for creating a polished look. Load your brush with a small amount of paint, and apply it to the raised areas and flat panels while carefully avoiding the shaded recesses.

Apply Brass Scorpion to the brass areas, building up from the Warplock Bronze base coat. For bone details such as skulls and trophies, layer Ushabti Bone over a Zandri Dust base in the same way.

Apply Ironbreaker to metallic areas, focusing on the raised surfaces while leaving the darker base coat visible in the recesses. This creates a convincing metallic sheen that catches the light naturally.

The key to good layering is patience. Use thin paint, a steady hand, and build up opacity gradually. Two thin layers will always look better than one thick one.

Step 5: Edge Highlighting

Edge highlighting is what separates a good paint job from a great one, and it is especially important for Blades of Khorne. Using a fine detail brush, apply Evil Sunz Scarlet to the edges of all armour panels. Focus on the most prominent edges — the ones that would naturally catch the light.

For the brass and bone, apply Sycorax Bronze and Screaming Skull to their respective edges. On metallic areas, use Runefang Steel for the finest highlights on rivets, bolt heads, and the sharpest edges.

Hold your brush perpendicular to the edge and drag it lightly along — the paint should only catch on the very edge of the surface. If you apply too much, you can always go back with the layer colour to tidy up. Practice on a less visible area first if you are not confident.

Prioritise the edges that face upward, as these catch the most light when the model is viewed on the tabletop. Downward-facing edges can be left darker for a more natural appearance.

Step 6: Basing and Final Details

A well-painted model deserves a well-finished base. Apply Stirland Mud or Astrogranite Debris texture paint to the base, depending on whether you want an earthy or urban look. Once dry, dry brush with Tyrant Skull or Longbeard Grey to bring out the texture.

Add tufts of static grass or small rocks for visual interest. Paint the base rim with Abaddon Black or Steel Legion Drab for a clean finish.

Finally, pick out the details: the brass Khorne runes on armour and banners, skull trophies, and the eyes. Most Khornate warriors wear helmets with eye slits, so a dark slit with a tiny red or orange glint works well; for the bare-headed Bloodbound and daemons, see the eyes FAQ below.

Seal your finished models with a matte varnish spray to protect your hard work during gaming.

Pro Tips for Painting Blades of Khorne

• Batch painting: Paint 5-10 Bloodbound warriors at a time for maximum efficiency. Complete each step across all models before moving to the next step — this keeps your paint consistency uniform and speeds up the overall process.
• Wet palette: Use a wet palette to keep your paints workable for longer. This is especially important when layering, as you need consistent paint thickness across the entire model.
• Brush care: Clean your brushes regularly during painting sessions and reshape the tips before storing. A good brush makes edge highlighting significantly easier.
• Subassembly: For character models or larger monsters, paint components separately before assembly. This makes it much easier to reach all the details.
• Thin your paints: The golden rule of miniature painting applies doubly to Blades of Khorne. Thin coats preserve detail and create smoother transitions between colours.

Variations on the Scheme

Red, brass and bone is the classic Khorne look, but you can shift the balance to give your army its own identity while keeping it recognisably Khornate.

Darker, gore-soaked red

Shade the red armour with Nuln Oil instead of Agrax Earthshade and stop the layering at Khorne Red with a restrained Mephiston Red highlight. Add Blood for the Blood God on weapons and lower armour for a grim, battle-soaked army.

Brass-heavy armour

Paint most of the armour plates in Warplock Bronze and Brass Scorpion, shaded with Agrax Earthshade, and keep red for cloth, banners and trim. Black armour with brass trim is another classic Khorne combination if you want even less red.

Bloodletters and daemons

Khorne’s daemons have bright red skin rather than armour. A simple approach is a Mephiston Red base, a Carroburg Crimson shade, then highlights of Evil Sunz Scarlet and Wild Rider Red on the muscles. Black horns and claws, and brass hellblades, tie them in with your mortal warriors.

Frequently Asked Questions

What primer should I use for Blades of Khorne?

Chaos Black spray primer is the best choice for a blood red armour with brass and bone scheme. It provides natural shadows and works as the deepest shade colour. For lighter alternative schemes, consider Grey Seer or Wraithbone primers instead.

How long does it take to paint a Blades of Khorne army?

A tabletop-ready Blades of Khorne army of around 2,000 points typically takes 40-80 hours depending on your skill level and the standard you are aiming for. Batch painting in groups of 5-10 models is the most efficient approach. A single model to a high display standard can take 5-15 hours.

Can I use Contrast paints for Blades of Khorne?

Yes, Contrast paints can significantly speed up the painting process. For Blades of Khorne, try Blood Angels Red Contrast over a Grey Seer or Wraithbone primer, then add the brass and bone details with standard paints. While the results differ from traditional layering, Contrast paints produce excellent tabletop-quality results in a fraction of the time.

What are the most important colours to buy first?

Start with the essentials: Khorne Red, Mephiston Red, Agrax Earthshade, and Leadbelcher. These four paints alone will let you get a solid base-coated and shaded army on the table. Add the highlight and accent colours as your budget allows.

How do I paint the eyes on Blades of Khorne models?

Paint the eye socket or helmet slit with Abaddon Black first. For daemons and bare-headed warriors, a dot of Averland Sunset or Yriel Yellow suits Khorne’s burning-eyed look, or use Evil Sunz Scarlet for a subtler glint. Add a tiny dot of White Scar in one corner for a reflective gleam. Use the finest brush you have and brace your painting hand against the model for stability.

Should I use an airbrush for Blades of Khorne?

An airbrush is excellent for base coating large surfaces quickly and creating smooth colour transitions, especially useful for large monsters and centrepiece models. However, it is absolutely not required — every technique in this guide can be accomplished with standard brushes. If you do use an airbrush, it pairs brilliantly with zenithal priming for natural lighting effects.

How do I paint Bloodbound skin?

Basecoat the skin with Bugman’s Glow, wash it with Reikland Fleshshade, then layer Cadian Fleshtone on the raised areas, such as the muscles, knuckles and face. A final fine highlight of Kislev Flesh finishes it. Bloodreavers and Blood Warriors show a lot of bare skin, so a little Carroburg Crimson in the recesses adds a battle-flushed look.

How do I paint blood effects on Khorne models?

Use Blood for the Blood God technical paint sparingly on blades, axes, claws and the odd spatter on armour. Dab or flick it on in small amounts. Too much makes the model look messy rather than brutal. It dries glossy and wet-looking, so add it after varnishing or it’ll turn dull under a matt coat.

Learn More About Blades of Khorne

Now that you know how to paint your Blades of Khorne army, make sure you understand how to play them on the tabletop. Check out our comprehensive Blades of Khorne faction guide for army lists, strategies, and tactics that will help you dominate your games of Age of Sigmar.

Related Content

• Blades of Khorne — Explore the full army guide
• Warhammer Painting for Beginners — Start with general painting tips
• Best Paints for Warhammer — Choose the right paints for your scheme
• Contrast Paints Guide — Speed up painting with Contrast paints