How to Paint Ultramarines — Step by Step Guide

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How to Paint Ultramarines — Step by Step Guide

Learning how to paint Ultramarines is one of the most rewarding challenges in the Warhammer hobby. The Ultramarines are known for their distinctive deep blue armour, gold detailing and crisp white markings, and mastering this colour scheme will give you a striking force that commands attention on any gaming table. Whether you are painting your first Ultramarines model or looking to improve your technique, this comprehensive guide walks you through every step of the process.

In this guide, we cover everything you need to know — from assembling your complete paint list, through base coating, shading, layering, and highlighting, all the way to basing and finishing touches. We also cover a few variations on the scheme, from company markings to the Horus Heresy look. Every paint recommendation uses specific Citadel paint names so there is no guesswork involved.

Complete Paint List for Ultramarines

Before you start painting your Ultramarines 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 Ultramarines 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 clean, striking Ultramarines scheme that looks fantastic on the tabletop.

Step 1: Preparation and Priming

Begin by cleaning all mould lines from your Space Marines 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 Ultramarines because it naturally creates shadows in the recesses and provides an excellent foundation for the deep blue armour.

Step 2: Base Coating the Primary Colours

Apply Macragge Blue to all the primary armour panels/ surfaces. 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 Drakenhof Nightshade shade to the primary surfaces. This is where your Ultramarines 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 Agrax Earthshade 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 Altdorf Guard Blue 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 Liberator Gold to the secondary colour areas, building up from the base coat you applied earlier. For the tertiary details, use Mephiston Red in the same fashion.

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 Ultramarines. Using a fine detail brush, apply Calgar Blue to the edges of all armour panels. Focus on the most prominent edges — the ones that would naturally catch the light.

For the secondary and tertiary colours, apply Auric Armour Gold and Evil Sunz Scarlet to their respective edges. On metallic areas, use Stormhost Silver 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, apply any transfers or decals. Soften them with Micro Sol and Micro Set for a painted-on look. Add final details like eye lenses (use a bright colour like Moot Green or Evil Sunz Scarlet with a white dot for reflection) and any purity seals or scrollwork.

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

Pro Tips for Painting Ultramarines

• Batch painting: Paint 5-10 Space Marines 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 vehicles, 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 Ultramarines. Thin coats preserve detail and create smoother transitions between colours.

Variations on the Ultramarines Scheme

The steps above give you the standard modern Ultramarines look. Three popular ways to vary it use the same base, shade, layer and highlight method with a few different paints.

Company and Squad Markings

The easiest way to make your army feel like a specific part of the Chapter is to paint the shoulder pad trim in a company colour, following the Codex Astartes: yellow for the 2nd, red for the 3rd, green for the 4th and black for the 5th (see the FAQ below). For yellow trim, base with Averland Sunset, shade with Casandora Yellow and highlight with Flash Gitz Yellow; for red, reuse the Khorne Red, Mephiston Red and Evil Sunz Scarlet already in your paint list. Sergeants are commonly picked out with a red helmet, which is a quick way to spot them on the table. Transfers handle the squad symbols in the centre of the pad.

Horus Heresy (Legion) Ultramarines

Ultramarines from the Horus Heresy era are usually painted in a darker, richer blue. Base with Kantor Blue, shade with Drakenhof Nightshade, and highlight up through Macragge Blue and Altdorf Guard Blue, keeping the highlights restrained so the armour stays dark. The ornate Mark II to Mark VI armour sculpts of that range reward a little extra time on the trim and the Legion’s Ultima symbols.

Your Own Successor Chapter

Many players invent a successor Chapter of their own. Keep the Ultramarines’ technique but swap the armour colour: pick a base, a matching shade and two highlight layers from the same family (for example Caliban Green, Athonian Camoshade, Warpstone Glow and Moot Green). Choosing a contrasting trim colour and a simple shoulder icon you can repeat by hand is what makes a homemade scheme read well on the table.

Frequently Asked Questions

What primer should I use for Ultramarines?

Chaos Black spray primer is the best choice for the classic Ultramarines 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 Ultramarines army?

A tabletop-ready Ultramarines 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 Ultramarines?

Yes, Contrast paints can significantly speed up the painting process. For Ultramarines, try Talassar Blue (Contrast) over a Grey Seer or Wraithbone primer. 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: Macragge Blue, Altdorf Guard Blue, Drakenhof Nightshade, 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 Ultramarines models?

Paint the eye socket with Abaddon Black first, then carefully dot in the eye lens colour — Moot Green is classic for many factions, or Evil Sunz Scarlet for a more aggressive look. 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 Ultramarines?

An airbrush is excellent for base coating large surfaces quickly and creating smooth colour transitions, especially useful for vehicles and Dreadnoughts. 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.

What do the shoulder pad trim colours mean on Ultramarines?

The trim colour shows the company, following the Codex Astartes. The battle companies use yellow for the 2nd, red for the 3rd, green for the 4th and black for the 5th. The symbol in the middle of the pad shows the squad’s role, so a model’s shoulder tells you both its company and its job.

Can I use Macragge Blue spray instead of a black primer?

Yes. Macragge Blue spray primes and basecoats in one go, which saves a whole step when you’re painting a lot of Ultramarines. You then go straight to the Drakenhof Nightshade shade and Altdorf Guard Blue layer. Black primer gives deeper shadows but needs two coats of blue on top.

Learn More About Ultramarines

Now that you know how to paint your Ultramarines army, make sure you understand how to play them on the tabletop. Check out our comprehensive Ultramarines faction guide for army lists, strategies, and tactics that will help you dominate your games of Warhammer 40,000.

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