Painting a Mech

MinipainterZ
Aug 2, 2024
4 min read

Here is a quick rundown of how I painted my Draconis Combine Galedon Regulars. Initial inspiration came from the Unit Color Compendium. I've modified the color mix a bit from the Compendium to suit my tastes and add a little more pop to the tabletop. Ok enough of that, lets get started with the Enforcer from Catalyst Games! All colors used in this tutorial are optional. Don't let the fact that you may not have a color I mentioned hold you back. Find a close match and you should be good.

Step 1: Base and Prime

Apply Elmer's glue with a junk brush to the base then add your preferred base gravel mix and let it sit for an hour or so. I've also been using scraps of screen door to replicate pieces of rebar but I skipped this step. After the base is dry I spray primed with Grey Seer. You can use just about any white, but I splurge for the pricey stuff because it works best with contrast paints and the nozzles tend not to get clogged as easy.

Step 2: Contrast Base Coat

Apply base coat of contrast Space Wolves Gray with a cheap brush (or a brush you have a violent dislike for and wish ill on it). Be sure to apply to the recesses, since this will serve as your shading/outlines for the panels of the mech.

Step 3: Base Coat those Panels!

Here comes the part that takes patience. Paint each panel Russ Gray and go back and touch up any spots in the recesses that the contrast paint missed with Night Lords Blue (or black).

Sure you could leave the contrast coated panels, but I don't like the pooling on the flat surfaces (the achilles heel of contrast paint).

Block out your tan and red areas as well with Zandri Dust and Mephiston Red respectively.

Step 4: Highlight the Panels

Oh and this is the other part that takes more patience (see a trend here?). Edge highlight each panel with Blue Horror and then a mix of white on the corners for some pop. I sometimes blend the transition between the Blue Horror and Russ Gray, but that is optional.

For the red I use Mephiston Red as base, then blend up using Evil Sunz Scarlett then Troll Slayer Orange and hit the edges with a little mix of Troll Slayer Orange and white. For more on the red check out my Killa Kanz tutorial.

For the tan I simply mix white into the Zandri Dust and layer up. I paint the recess lines with black.

Tips:

Brace yourself for a steady hand! I always paint with my elbows firmly braced on my chair elbow rests and my hands pressed against the miniature base holder to reduce shake
When I apply brush strokes I use my wrists for the brush motion and mostly paint left to right- pivoting the mini as I go. The fewer parts of your body that move the steadier your hand is.
Make sure you have plenty of light and proper magnification if you are old like me and your eyes have seen sharper days. Also, your camera lens on your phone is a cruel mistress and does not lie. So take a picture as you go for a quick lesson in humility.
The Catalyst minis have some mushy parts. Contrast is king here. Just be deliberate with your shapes and error on the side of bold lines and bright highlights and it will look good on the tabletop!
You don't have to paint every panel. Just choose the predominant ones, but I normally don't spend much time on the insides of the legs or arms.
Wet Palette. Don't leave home without it.

Step 5: Logos, Digits and Cockpits

For the cockpit, base coat Caliban Green, then blend up by mixing in Moot Green then edge with Gauss Blaster Green. I try to blend the transitions the best I can here.

Numbering, logo and hazard stripes are freehand. Mileage may vary with this of course. Transfers are certainly an option.

Step 6: Basing

Apply Basilicanum Gray contrast and you are done. Don't have that? Then paint black and drybrush gray and you are good to go. Apply tufts, snow, or other plant like things to your hearts content. I chose some Army Painter snow here because it matched well with the cool gray. Often, I'll choose a base element that pulls a color from the mini above. For instance, a red tuft if there is red parts to my mini.

Conclusions

I paint a lot. Almost every day--if even for a few minutes. I share most of my work on Instagram. I use cheap brushes because I don't have it in me to take care of a pricey brush. I paint mostly to game, because spending time with friends makes it all worth it. I am a very casual gamer and I play so that I can have an excuse to paint. I enjoy Battletech Alpha Strike, just about all the One Page Rules games, and an occasional game of Silver Bayonet, SAGA, or random Indie Game. Can't keep up with 40k and haven't played it in two editions, BUT GW minis are amazing.

Thanks an let me know if you have any questions! I'll try and check out the comments, or just email me.