Black Templar Paint Starter Set: Your Ultimate Guide to Crusading in Color

Hey there, aspiring Templars and paintbrush wielders! Are you ready to embark on a holy crusade of color? Well, strap on your ceramite armor and grab your brushes, because we’re diving deep into the world of Black Templar paint starter sets.

Trust me, by the time we’re done, you’ll be painting faster than a Thunderhawk on full burn!

Key Takeaways:

• Essential paints
• Beginner to advanced techniques
• Lore insights
• Sneaky hobby hacks

As a mini-painting junkie with more years of experience than I care to admit (let’s just say I remember when White Dwarf was actually white), I’m thrilled to share the secrets of turning your grey plastic into a force that would make even the Emperor proud. So, let’s jump in with both power-armored feet!

Not gotten your mini’s yet? What are you waiting for! Read here for the Best Black Templar Starter Sets

The Sacred Arsenal: Your Black Templar Paint Starter Set

Alright, listen up, neophytes and veteran battle-brothers alike! If you’re gonna paint Black Templars, you need the right tools for the job. Here’s what I’ve found works best after countless nights hunched over my painting desk (and maybe a few too many energy drinks):

Core Colors (The Foundation of Your Crusade)

1. Abaddon Black (Your new best friend)
2. Corvus Black (For when you need black… but not quite)
3. Eshin Grey (The unsung hero of edge highlighting)
4. Mechanicus Standard Grey (Trust me, you’ll need this)
5. Ulthuan Grey (For those crisp white details)
6. Mephiston Red (Because every Templar needs a splash of righteous fury)

Metallics (Shiny Bits for Shiny Knights)

1. Leadbelcher (For all those bolters and armor trim)
2. Retributor Armour (Gotta have some bling, right?)
3. Ironbreaker (For finer metal details)

Shades and Washes (Liquid Talent in a Bottle)

1. Nuln Oil (The painter’s best friend)
2. Agrax Earthshade (For a grimier, battle-worn look)
3. Basilicanum Grey (Perfect for subtle shading on black)

Highlights (Because Even in the Darkness, There’s Light)

1. Dawnstone (Your go-to grey highlight)
2. Administratum Grey (For when you need that extra pop)
3. White Scar (The final touch of brilliance)

Extras (For the Templar Who Wants It All)

1. Rhinox Hide (Great for leather details)
2. Zandri Dust (Perfect for parchment and bones)
3. Averland Sunset (For those imperial eagle details)

From Grey Plastic to Glorious Crusader: A Step-by-Step Guide

Alright, battle-brothers, now that you’ve emptied your wallet at the paint store (don’t worry, it’s a worthy sacrifice), let’s get those Black Templars looking sharper than a Crusader’s sword!

Want to stand tall with another legion? Checkout the Dark Angels Starter Set

Step 1: Priming (Laying the Foundation)

Here’s where I blow your mind – prime your minis grey or even white! I know, heresy, right? But trust me, it’ll make your life so much easier when you’re working on those white details later. Plus, it gives your blacks more depth. Use a good quality primer, and remember – thin, even coats are key!

 Step 2: The Black Armor (Embracing the Darkness)

1. Base coat your entire model with Abaddon Black. Two thin coats should do it. Remember, two thin coats are always better than one thick coat!
2. Once that’s dry, it’s time for some magic. Mix Abaddon Black with a touch of Corvus Black (about 4:1 ratio) and apply this to the larger armor panels, leaving the deepest recesses pure Abaddon Black. This adds subtle depth to your black.
3. Edge highlight with Eshin Grey. Your hands might shake, but steady yourself – the Emperor‘s watching!
4. For the sharpest edges and corners, use a fine highlight of Dawnstone. Less is more here – you’re aiming for that “sharp enough to cut yourself” look.

Looking for a more in-depth step by step guide? Checkout Goonhammer!

Step 3: White Details (The True Test of a Painter’s Patience)

1. Base coat any white areas with Mechanicus Standard Grey. It might look too dark at first, but trust the process!
2. Layer over this with Ulthuan Grey, leaving a bit of the darker grey in the recesses.
3. Final edge highlight with White Scar. It’s like painting with pure light!
4. For larger white areas (like shoulder pads), you might want to glaze over with heavily thinned Apothecary White contrast paint to add depth to the recesses.

Step 4: Red Details (Adding That Templar Flair)

1. Base coat red areas with Mephiston Red.
2. Shade the recesses with Carroburg Crimson or Nuln Oil for a deeper red.
3. Highlight with Evil Sunz Scarlet, focusing on raised areas and edges.
4. For the finest highlights, add a touch of Wild Rider Red to your Evil Sunz Scarlet.

Step 5: Metallics (Making Your Templar Shine)

1. Base coat metallic areas with Leadbelcher.
2. Wash with Nuln Oil to add depth.
3. Drybrush or edge highlight with Ironbreaker.
4. For the finest details or extreme highlights, use a touch of Runefang Steel.
5. For gold areas, use Retributor Armour, wash with Reikland Fleshshade, and highlight with Liberator Gold.

Interested in reading more about painting with metallics on miniatures?

Step 6: Final Details (Where the Magic Happens)

1. Paint purity seals with Zandri Dust, wash with Agrax Earthshade, and highlight with Ushabti Bone.
2. Add text to purity seals and scrolls using thinned Abaddon Black.
3. Paint any leather straps or pouches with Rhinox Hide, highlight with Mournfang Brown.
4. Use Averland Sunset for any Imperial eagle iconography, washing with Agrax Earthshade and highlighting with Yriel Yellow.

Black Templar Lore: Know Your Chapter!

While you’re waiting for layers to dry (and believe me, you’ll have plenty of time), here’s some juicy Black Templar lore to inspire your painting:

• The Black Templars were founded during the Second Founding by Sigismund, the first Emperor’s Champion. Talk about a pedigree!
• They’re always on crusade. Always. It’s like a never-ending road trip, but with more bolter fire and righteous fury.
• Black Templars don’t have a homeworld. Their fortress-monastery is the Eternal Crusader, a massive battleship. Talk about mobile real estate!
• They’re not fans of the Codex Astartes. Roboute Guilliman’s grand plan? More like guidelines, really.
• No psykers allowed in the Black Templars. They’re so zealous, they consider psychic powers a form of mutation. Talk about trust issues!
• The Black Templars are one of the largest Space Marine Chapters, with estimates ranging from 5,000 to 6,000 battle-brothers. That’s a lot of black paint!

Advanced Techniques for the Ambitious Templar

Ready to take your Black Templars to the next level? Here are some advanced techniques to try:

 Battle Damage and Weathering

1. Sponge on some Leadbelcher to simulate chipped paint.
2. Use Rhinox Hide to add rust effects in recesses and around damage.
3. Drybrush some Typhus Corrosion around the feet for a muddy, battle-worn look.

 Object Source Lighting (OSL)

1. For power weapons, paint the blade Lothern Blue, highlight with Baharroth Blue, and then White Scar.
2. Use very thin glazes of the same colors on surrounding areas to simulate glow.

Freehand Chapter Symbols

1. Sketch out the Templar Cross with thinned white paint.
2. Refine the edges with black.
3. Add battle damage for that worn look.

Sneaky Painting Hacks That’ll Make You Feel Like a Chaos Sorcerer (But in a Good Way)

1. Use a makeup sponge for stippling battle damage. Your significant other’s beauty blender works great (but you didn’t hear that from me).
2. Dryer sheets make excellent cloaks and tabards. Cut to shape, soak in watered-down PVA glue, drape over your mini, and let dry.
3. Need some texture on your bases? Used coffee grounds make excellent dirt and mud.
4. A cheap electric toothbrush makes an excellent vibrating tool for mixing paints and removing air bubbles from washes.
5. Poster tack is your friend for holding small parts while painting.

FAQ (Because Even Templars Have Questions)

Q: Can I use contrast paints for Black Templars?

A: Absolutely! Black Templar contrast paint over a grey basecoat can give you a quick and effective result. Just be prepared to highlight afterwards for the best effect.

Q: How do I paint that darn Templar cross without losing my mind?

A: Practice, practice, practice! Start by sketching it out with a pencil, then refine with paint. Or, no shame in using transfers – even the Emperor uses shortcuts sometimes.

Q: My black armor looks flat. How can I add more depth?

A: Try glazing with very thin dark blues or purples in the shadows, and cool greys in the highlights. It’ll add subtle color variation and make your blacks pop!

Q: How do I avoid getting brush strokes in large white areas?

A: Thin your paints more than you think you need to, and apply multiple thin coats. Patience is key here – let each layer dry fully before applying the next.

Q: Any tips for painting eyes without them looking crazy?

A: Paint the entire eye socket black, then add a horizontal white line. Finish with a small black dot in the center. Simple, but effective!

Wrapping It Up (Because Even Eternal Crusades Have to End Sometime)

Painting Black Templars is more than just slapping some black paint on a mini. It’s a journey of faith, skill, and probably a few choice words that would make a Chaplain blush. But when you finally place that perfectly painted Crusader on the table, ready to purge some xenos, it’ll all be worth it.

Remember, the most important thing is to have fun with it. Your Black Templars are yours – they’ve got character, history, and maybe a few battle scars (also known as painting mistakes). Embrace it all!

And hey, if you want more tips, tricks, and maybe a few hobby confessions, check out our Warhammer Universe YouTube channel. We’ve got more painting guides than a Black Templar has grudges!

May your brushes stay pointed, your paints thin smoothly, and your black be the blackest black to ever black. Now go forth and conquer the hobby table, in the name of the Emperor!

P.S. If all else fails, you can always say your Templars got into a scuffle with some Orks. That explains away any painting “quirks”, right? Right. Now get painting, battle-brother!