Learn how to paint killer ultra-detailed Ork faces using smart blends, bold highlights, and just enough red to keep them mean!
Updated on May 7th, 2025, by Rob Baer with updated information, links, and paints.
So you want your Orks to look like they’ve seen some serious scrap, not like they faceplanted into a vat of green paint. Good. You’re in the right place. Painting ultra-detailed Ork faces isn’t about slapping on one flat color and calling it war-ready. It’s about smart blends, bold highlights, and knowing where to sneak in just enough red to make them look alive—and angry.
This isn’t a theory lecture. It’s hands-on, brush-to-model stuff Squidmar uses to bring out cracked lips, scarred skin, and that perfect “don’t mess with me” glare. If you’re tired of lifeless minis that blend into the table, keep reading. We’re fixing that face.
How to Paint Killer Ork Faces Without Losing Your Mind (or Your Detail Brush)
Let’s get one thing straight—Orks deserve better. If you’re still hitting their faces with one muddy green and calling it a day, it’s time for an intervention. We’re not saying you’ve been doing it wrong, but we are saying your Orks deserve some actual skin tones, a hint of color theory, and maybe—just maybe—a little attention to their war-torn mugs.
So grab your wet palette and get ready to make your Orks look like they’ve lived through a thousand battles and moisturized afterward.
Before we start, this tutorial mentions what paints to use, and we have them linked so you can grab them easily! So be sure to snag any of the linked paints in the video and give us a high-five in support! Every qualifying purchase helps Spikey Bits keep the lights on and the fun going.
Start With the Right Foundation
Squidmar likes priming in black, then hitting the model with a white zenithal spray. Think of it like giving the Ork a little sunlight—without the sunburn. It helps you read the volumes of the face before you even pick up your brush.
Build a Solid Midtone Base
Now, base tones. He goes with a 50/50 mix of Death World Forest and Rhinox Hide. That gives a nice, muted olive tone to start with. While it’s still wet, he wet-blends in some Elysian Green on raised areas like the forehead, cheekbones, and the top of the ears. It won’t be perfect yet—and that’s fine. Focus on where the light would hit.
Add That Orky Bloodflow
For areas where the skin is thinner (like lips, ears, and under the eyes), he adds a bit of Bugman’s Glow. The idea? Orks still bleed red. Keep it subtle, though—this isn’t a Valentine’s Day model.
Highlights: Time to Shine
Highlights are where the fun begins. Layer in Moot Green, then slowly reduce your coverage area as you get brighter. Think cheekbones, nose bridge, tips of the ears. Add a tiny dot of pure white to the eye for a pop. Trust me, it makes a difference.
Painting Eyes Without the Eye Twitch
The eyes? Golden Brown for the base, Temple Guard Blue for the iris, and a Micron pen for the pupil. One drop of white paint on the upper eye—bam, life!
Give Those Teeth Some Character
Teeth? Rhinox Hide to start, working up to a mix of Steel Legion Drab and Screaming Skull. Add a hint of white for that grimy dental gleam.
Details That Bring It All Together
Final touches: a few freckles with Dark Sea Blue and Rhinox Hide. Sounds weird—looks amazing.
Final Thoughts (and a Nudge to Paint Something Angry)
The trick here isn’t magic. It’s patience, layering, and knowing when to stop. With these steps, your Orks are gonna look mean, green, and museum-worthy.
Now go paint something angry.
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Will you be using this method the next time you paint your Ork faces?
