Learn step-by-step techniques to paint Death Korps of Krieg horses with style, and get tips for base coating, schemes, highlighting, and glazing.
Updated January 7th, 2025, by Rob Baer with updated information and links to relevant content.
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 will help you create steeds worthy of a Death Korps of Krieg paint scheme that shines on the tabletop. Grab your brushes, and let’s make those horses shine!
How to Paint Death Korps of Krieg Horses: A Guide for Stylish Mounts
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 Army Painter 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
Start off by giving the horse a solid foundation. The Army Painter’s Monster Brown 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 Liquitex gloss varnish preps the surface, ensuring that washes settle where they should and don’t run wild. 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 aromatherapy sessions.
Step 3: Wash It Down
The next step is where the magic starts. Mix some Strong Tone with Quickshade Mixing Medium 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 is your go-to here, mixed with a flow improver for smooth application through your airbrush. Trace the muscles and raised areas lightly; thin coats are the key. If you’re feeling steady, mix in some Banshee Brown 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. Using a mix of Strong Tone and Quickshade Mixing Medium (this time heavier on the medium), create a glaze. This light layer softens the transitions between your colors and brings in 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.
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.”
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.
All the Latest Warhammer Rules & Model Rumors
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?
About the Author: Wesley Floyd
Wesley Floyd
Job Title: Staff Writer
Joined: 2018
Socials: @RealmbrushPainting
About Wesley Floyd: Wes has been in the Warhammer hobby since 2015 and joined the Spikey Bits writing team in 2018. He is known for his satirist takes on trending topics and imaginative yet amazingly affordable hobby solutions to painting Warhammer miniatures.
Imperial fanboy, tabletop fanatic, and the self-proclaimed King of Sprues. He knows for a fact that Mephiston red is the best-tasting paint and is the commission painting equivalent of a Wendy’s 4 for $4. If you like what he writes and want to contact him or have your tabletop minatures painted (to a mostly okayish standard), message him on Instagram.
