Bring Death Korps of Krieg riders and horses to life with fast painting techniques, from basecoats to eye-catching highlights and glazing with an easy paint scheme.
Updated January 14th, 2025, by Rob Baer with updated information and links to relevant content, as well as more content on how to paint the reins, leather, and other details.
If you’ve ever stared at a Death Korps of Krieg cavalry model and thought, “How do I make this horse look like it just rode through a grim, war-torn battlefield and not a toy aisle?” you’re in the right place. Painting horses can be tricky, but with a few tried-and-true techniques, you can turn those mounts into absolute stunners.
From setting the perfect base coat to mastering subtle highlights and glazing tricks, this guide from Rob will help you create steeds worthy of a Death Korps of Krieg paint scheme that shines on the tabletop. Let’s get those brushes moving!
How to Paint Death Korps of Krieg Horses
Horses can be a tricky canvas in miniature painting. If handled poorly, they can end up looking like flimsy plastic toys, and no one wants that on their tabletop. But don’t worry—there’s a way to make your Death Korps of Krieg cavalry look like they’ve galloped straight out of a cinematic battlefield.
Follow these steps to bring out the best in these grim steeds and get them looking great with the new Army Painter Fanatic paints.
Keep in mind that Rob has had a Krieg army for a long time, so these are the old horses, but they would still work perfectly for the new models! You might just have to change up the scheme of the feet a little.
Step 1: Base Coat Magic
If you want to change any of the colors in this DKoK painting guide or use paints from other manufacturers, be sure to check out our massive article with paint color conversion charts for Citadel, Army Painter, Vallejo, and more.
Start off by giving the horse a solid foundation. The Army Painter’s Monster Brown (now Fanatic Paratrooper Tan) works perfectly as a base coat, applied with an airbrush for that smooth, even coverage. If you don’t have an airbrush, a Leather Brown spray does the trick, too.
The goal here is to build a solid base for later details, so don’t stress about perfection. Just make sure the coat is even, as any uneven patches might make the next steps harder to manage.
Step 2: Gloss It Up
Here’s a pro tip: gloss varnish is your best friend when washing models. A quick spray of pretty much any gloss varnish via aerosol or airbrush (affiliate link- thanks) preps the surface, ensuring that washes settle where they should and don’t run wild. After it dries, this trick also makes it easier to control shading later.
Just remember to do this in a well-ventilated area unless you’re into accidental chemical aromatherapy sessions.
Step 3: Wash It Down
The next step is where the magic starts. Mix some Strong Tone with Quickshade Mixing Medium or Monument Hobbies Pro Acryl Glaze and Wash Medium (affiliate link- thanks) in a 50/50 ratio, and use a chisel brush to apply it. Work from top to bottom, and keep an eye out for pooling. No one wants to see a random blotch of darkness on their horse’s flank. When it dries, you’ll notice all the subtle details popping—muscles, tendons, and more.
Step 4: Highlights That Shine
Now for the part where your horse really starts coming to life. Desert Yellow (same name in Warpaints or Fanatic) is your go-to here, mixed with a flow improver for smooth application through your airbrush (or lightly drybrush it on.) Trace the muscles and raised areas lightly; thin coats are the key.
If you’re feeling froggy, mix in some Banshee Brown (Tomb King Tan in Fanatic) for a second pass to really make those highlights pop. It’s all about finesse here—your steady hand will make or break the look.
Step 5: Glazing for the Win
Time to tie it all together. Use that mix of Strong Tone and Quickshade Mixing Medium, but this time go heavier on the medium to create a glaze. This will look like light chocolate milk when mixed right.
This light layer softens the transitions between your colors and brings a touch of depth to your shadows. Go easy, though; you’re aiming for subtle enhancement, not overwhelming drama. Let it dry fully before moving on with a coat of matte seal to preserve your new horse hide paint coat.
Painting the Details
Metals are straightforward: start with a basecoat of Plate Mail Metal and give it a wash using a solid 50/50 mix of Strong and Dark Tone. It’s like adding a bit of attitude to that armor.
For the browns, it’s all about layers. The lighter tones, like the mask leather or pouches, get Strong Tone over a base of Fur Brown.
Easy, right? When it comes to the darker elements—think reins—Oak Brown is your friend. Add a simple wash of strong tone, and it’s ready to shine (or not shine, depending on your intent).
The hoses, gloves, and cables? Keep it simple. A dark tone wash over Uniform Grey does the job quickly and effectively. The cherry on top? A precise touch of black in the eyes to add that haunting Krieg depth.
There’s no need to overthink it. With these tricks, you’ll bring your models to life (well, in the grimdark sense of the word). It’s gritty perfection with minimal fuss!
Extra Tips for Horse Painting Glory
If you’re itching to get creative, try adding some gradient effects to the horse’s fur. Maybe a fade from darker brown to a lighter shade near the legs? It’s small touches like these that really turn heads. Organic models like these are a great chance to experiment, thanks to their natural curves and flowing lines.
And don’t forget the riders! Painting your Death Korps of Krieg Greys is another challenge worth tackling. Matching their tones and details with the horses creates a cohesive look that screams, “Yes, I know what I’m doing.” In this article, we will show you how to paint greys and weathered metals specifically.
After that, paint the bases to match your army, and don’t forget the battlefield tufts! Our bases are painted with a basecoat of Wolf Grey, highlighted with Frost Blue, and cutback with some black “low-lights” in the recesses and shadows.
Final Thoughts on Painting Death Korps of Krieg Horses
Painting Death Korps of Krieg cavalry might seem daunting at first, but once you break it down into manageable steps, it’s smooth riding. By using quality tools like The Army Painter’s paints and following these steps, you’ll be batch-painting squads in no time, and those grim troopers will look stunning on the battlefield.
What’s your go-to approach for painting cavalry? Do you stick to tried-and-true techniques or like to shake things up with bold experimentation? Let the brushes talk, and don’t be afraid to share your own tricks for getting these miniatures tabletop-ready.
Painting Death Korps of Krieg Greys & Weathered Metals
What do you think about the new plastic Warhammer 40k Death Korps of Krieg Death Riders, will you be using this paint scheme to paint the horses?
