Time to light up your models with a quick and easy way to paint power weapon using the airbrush! Check out today’s video tutorial!
Here’s a quick and easy way to airbrush the power axe from Legio Custodes Tribune Ixion Hale. Using easy, simple techniques of base coating, light layers, and edge highlighting, the power weapon comes together with smooth transitions and an uncanny glow. For the complete tutorial, scroll down and click play on the video below.
The ax was primed with Retributor Gold then painted with Kantor Blue, using a brush to work in the paint over the large flat surfaces and prevent some over spray on the gold. This will help save time in the long run.
Next, the airbrush is loaded with Lothern Blue Air paint to get good, solid fade on the edge of the axe. Do as many passes as needed to get the desired fade, using an equal part paint and air. After getting the fade, focus on the edge of the blade to get a brighter tip to enhance the glow.
Once that is set, mix 50/50 Lothern Blue (air) and Ulthuan Grey (air) into the pot and aim down the blade into space to transition the fade even more. The transition will initially be difficult to see, since the colours are so close together, but will become clear after several passes.
Last, Ulthuan Grey (air) is directed to the tip in a tight line along the leading edge to make a bright light on the edge, giving that extra detail. Light greys, such as Ulthuan Grey, and whites tend to speckle a bit more than others, so don’t be afraid to use the finger eraser to remove unwanted over spray!
After airbrushing the fade, and going back over any parts that need to be assisted in the fades with mixes of our previous paints, Ulthuan Grey is used to edge highlight the blade itself to bring out a heavy contrast and enhance the fade work we did. The edge highlight helps bring out a stronger glowing effect from our power weapon. To add area of effect, glazing after cleaning up the gold work and getting the rest set up will bring in a beautiful glow on the finished product.
To see the full tutorial and how to create an airbrush fade on power weapons, press play on the video below!
About the Author: Rob Baer
Rob Baer
Job Title: Managing Editor
Founded Spikey Bits in 2009
Socials: Rob Baer on Facebook and @catdaddymbg on X
About Rob Baer: Founder, Publisher, & Managing Editor of Spikey Bits, the leading tabletop gaming news website focused on the hobby side of wargaming and miniatures.
Rob also co-founded and currently hosts the Long War Podcast, which has over 350 episodes and focuses on tabletop miniatures gaming, specializing in Warhammer 40k. and spent six years writing for Bell of Lost Souls.
Every year, along with his co-hosts, he helps host the Long War 40k Doubles Tournament at Adepticon and the Long War 40k Doubles at Las Vegas Open, which attracts over 350 players from around the world.
Rob has won many Warhammer 40k Tournaments over the years, including multiple first-place finishes in Warhammer 40k Grand Tournaments over the years and even winning 1st place at the Adepticon 40k Team Tournament.
With over 30 years of experience in retail and distribution, Rob knows all the products and exactly which ones are the best. As a member of GAMA (Game Manufacturers Association), he advocates for gaming stores and manufacturers in these difficult times, always looking for the next big thing to feature for the miniatures hobby, helping everyone to provide the value consumers want.
While he’s played every edition of Warhammer 40k and Warhammer Fantasy (since 5th Edition) and has been hobbying on miniatures since the 1980s, Titans of all sizes will always be his favorite! It’s even rumored that his hobby vault rivals the Solemnance Galleries, containing rulebooks filled with lore from editions long past, ancient packs of black-bordered Magic Cards, and models made of both pewter and resin.
