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So I was wondering how do you people do your Ultramarines and why?

Had a lots of question, and I'll write them below - redefined from my other posts so you don't have to look what I've posted.

1.) How do you do your primer/undercoat? skull white, undercoat black or chaos black? What are the benefits? And your taste/tactics? Which does what, and why does the skull white takes a lot of layers to put as undercoat?

2.) This one really bothers me.. baddab black wash, what is it for other than shadding and cracks..? What if you paint the whole figure in black, and leave the cracks/crevies unpainted, is the wash still needed? And why does it make the base color darker after the wash?

3.) For ultramarine, why blue wash over baddab wash? Does it matter? Can you dip the miniature into the wash/do you do it/is it wise?

4.) Best ultramarine color combo?

5.) Cleared the misunderstanding with Sergeant helmet, but which color should be the eyes for 2nd chapter for example? If green, what name on citadel pot so I know what to look for?

6.) Difference between Shining gold and Burnished gold, as well as Mithril Silver and Chainmail silver..? Can one replace another? I have Chainmail silver and Burnished gold, so buying other two would be pointless if I can use these. Doesn't shining gold leave like scorched yellow?

7.) What base paint to use for gold? I've heard tactics to use Mithril silver and Tin Blitz. But what I don't understand the Brown. Which brown color? Cause I have citadel foundation Calthan brown, and gold didn't look too hot over that.

8.) Any cleaning products to wipe out paint from figures that will ship to Europe? I'd like to restore few marines, no metalics on them whatsoever.

9.) Member suggested Devlan mudwash. I'm not sure what is it for.. Gold?

10.) Really fond of red weapons on ultras, would love to paint weapons partly red as seen on some squads/chapters. Just not sure which red is it? So far have guard red and blood red.

11.) I haven't got a clue about 2nd and 5th company of ultramarines. Only a little bit that 2nd is Guardians of the Temple but what exactly does that mean -.-'?

12.) This is kinda off question but.. why do ultras in ultramarine movie have black eyes? o.O

---------------------------------
So far I have tried

[Skull white as undercoat, regal blue/ultramarine blue 50/50 base, baddab wash, regal blue/ultramarine blue 50/50]

- and going for

[Black undercoat, regal blue 2:1 base, baddab wash, regal blue/ultramarine blue 50/50]

and will try other suggestions posted my members below


Thank you!

I prime black, base coat mordian blue, go over all the armor in ultramarine blue, wash the whole model a blue wash (for shadows), rehighlight in ultramarine, extreme highlight in space wolf grey. Aquila on chest is undercoat in scorched brown, then shining gold, devlan mud wash, highlighted with mithril silver. All metal pieces (armor joints, backpack vents, etc.) are done in boltgun then washed in black.

Sergeant helmets (when they wear them) are red, not white. White is for veterans (typically the 1st company). But if you do white a lot, look into water soluible oil paints. They cover so much better than white acrylic paints.

Thx for the reply! Can't wait to try your version too, after I'm done with black and regal as prime, 50/50 ultra/regal mix as base. Same I did but only with white primer.

You are correct regarding the helmets. I got mixed up with companies that It was confusing. Any difference between battle companies? I know little about the fifth and second, which Id like to paint the most cause of the color scheme.

Btw, can any brown be used? I have foundation brown, cathal or something, I think? And burnished gold? Doesn't shining gold leave like scorched yellow?

What's mudwash for, gold? I also have chainmail, can I use that instead of mithril? Paints aren't exactly cheap :(


Bah, I myself may stick to the black undercoat. Lot easier to work with. But do the primers have to paint every part of a marine? I was strugling last night to keep regal blue 2:1 from 'slipping off'


Really fond of red on ultras, would love to paint weapons partly red as seen on some. Just not sure which red is it? So far have guard red and blood red.

If I were painting Ultras, I'd start with Armypainter Ultramarine Blue spray, which works also as a primer. At least their other products, for example, Wolf Grey, works as a charm for Space Wolves.

Yeah, army painters are kinda expensive over here or anywhere else for that matter. Could easily snatch devestator squad instead and paint with brush.

But always figured for undercoat to be either black or white. Unless you're talking about blue spray after the undercoat? Isn't ultramarine blue bit too bright? I'll give it a go on flamer guy, all the flames he's spitting is bound to make his armor brighter anyway (lol)

Frankly speaking, I started to undercoat my Space Wolves with Codex Grey, then switched to Army Painter. The same was with my Dark Eldar - I simply sprayed them with Dragon Red can, then gave them a coat of Blood Red, then went with the highlights and dipping. IMO, You don't have to undercoat with black or white anymore. And concerning that brightness, I am doing the dipping with AP Strong Tone, which tones and dulls down everything.

Hi !

I'm an Ultramarine player so I might help you. Basecoating white or black is a personnal choice, and is rather a question of taste/affinity. I personnally hate to paint on white undercoat, so I always start with a black one.

I paint my Ultramarines from the darkest tone to the lighter one.
Here's how I proceed :
- black spray (GW undercoat)
- chaos black to perfect it (paint areas that were not reached by spray and so on)
- necron abyss
- mordian blue
- ultramarines blue
- 50/50 mix of ultramarines blue and white skull white for intensive highlights

Of course, you have to leave the previous layer visible in recesses and shadows areas.
You can have a look at my gallery and/or my log to see exemples of my ultramarines.

As for the sergeants, their helmets are red, and they are red with a white stripe for veteran sergeants. The color of the helmets is enough to show the rank of the officer. But of course, giving him special weapons/extra equipement will make him look better.

Did I misunderstood or does someone undercoats with space wolves grey or codex grey?

What about my other questions regarding red bolter and companies?

Tyris1013 wrote:Did I misunderstood or does someone undercoats with space wolves grey or codex grey?

Codex Grey to be specific . So what? Does Codex Astartes prohibit such tactics? In that case, Space Wolves are known to be a non-Codex adherent chapter

I prefer to paint mine very, very dark and just as fast.
Here's my step by step: http://fromthewarp.blogspot.com/2012/02/how-i-paint-ultramarines-dark-and-very.html

CainTheHunter wrote:

Tyris1013 wrote:Did I misunderstood or does someone undercoats with space wolves grey or codex grey?

Codex Grey to be specific . So what? Does Codex Astartes prohibit such tactics? In that case, Space Wolves are known to be a non-Codex adherent chapter

Naw, its not that - its just that I'm surprised how the color worked out for you I'll give it a shot, but doesn't mean I'm not worried, lol.

RonSaikowski wrote:I prefer to paint mine very, very dark and just as fast.
Here's my step by step: http://fromthewarp.blogspot.com/2012/02/how-i-paint-ultramarines-dark-and-very.html

Bit too dark for me, but I'll give it a go on stalker marine. Thx!

Also updated questions on top, noticed everyone checks the top first

I also always thought that You have to prime Your models in black or in white. Then I tried something different and it's really simple. It does not matter what color You are using for primer - I am priming my Flames of War German armor with Iyanden Darksun (IIRC foundation paints were advertised as primers...) and Dark Eldar with Dark Red spray (the colorscheme for them is Blood Red with Bronze).