Following up my Lightning Effect tutorial, today I have quick how-to on Purity Seals that is also really easy to do.
I did this tutorial using the same Grey Knight Purifiers that I’ve been painting up lately, as well. So I definitely wanted something quick and easy that could be repeated like 200 times.
After talking with Kenny from Next Level Painting I got a idea of something that looks good, and is fast.
Again, all you need is a fine detail brush, a few different paints, one Micron 000 paint pen, and a semi-steady hand.
Step One
Neatly coat the entire purity seal area with a white base-coat. Again I used Ceramite White, because it coats well over dark colors.
You can see I also painted the “book details” as well with this same method- minus the red seal on top!
I coated the seal area on top of the papers with white, so the final red color ends up brighter than if it was over the darker steel color.
Step Two
“Dot” the top of the purity seal with Mephiston Red, taking care not to fill in any of the “Skull” stamped detail inside the seal itself.
Make sure you shake up your paint before you use it so you get a nice consistent coat for this step.
Oh and don’t forget the underside of the seal that’s touching the armor as well.
Step Three
I hit the entire area with a “purity wash”, taking care not to get any on the flats of the armor. After the first wash dried I checked out all the work, and gave any areas that didn’t turn out well, a second wash.
For larger surface areas, this is a must regardless. Then let it dry, the wash shades the white amazingly well. No additional highlights are needed.
To make this awesome wash, I used equal parts of Devlin Mud, and Badab Black (now Agrax Earthshade, and Nuln Oil respectively), and mixed that with two parts of Gyphonne Sepia (now Sepherim Sepia).
You can darken the wash to taste, as I would recommend adding Devlin over the black.
Step Four
I used a 000 Micron Art Pen to add details to the seal. It’s pretty much scribbling, but every now and then you have space for a capital letter that looks like the start of a paragraph.
On the backpack and shoulder tabards you have way more space to work, so make it look good! Just remember to give the pen enough time to dry before touching the lettering.
Step Five
All that is left to do is, after matte coating the whole model, is to go back and give the purity seal a coat of gloss varnish. I haven’t finished this particular model yet, so I can’t show you that effect on this model.
But check the Draigo on the left that I’ve already glossed.
So that’s it. This is what I think is a quick and easy method for purity seals, armor tabards, and book details on Grey Knights. Which could come in handy if you are painting up say 40 Purifiers…. 😀
I finished up my final Purifier Test model last night (with a white helmet even) so it’s full speed ahead now on Project Purifiers!
If you liked this post, be sure to checkout my other series of step by step articles here: Hobby Basics and How-To’s – MBG
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.
