Grimdark Sisters of Sigmar Step-by-Step Painting Tutorial

Having returned to the Sisters of Sigmar after a longer break, I decided to write down my painting process so that future returns would be easier. I’m putting this list together mainly for myself, though I also hope it might be useful to someone else :) The model is the Sister Superior #4 Kitbash I've finished lately. Enjoy!

Powróciwszy po dłuższej przerwie do składania i malowania Sióstr Sigmara, postanowiłem skodyfikować proces malowania, żeby kolejne powroty były łatwiejsze. Rozpiskę robię więc przed wszystkim dla siebie, choć mam zarazem nadzieję, że ktoś skorzysta :) Obrazki wydają mi się zrozumiałe same przez się, więc - standardowo już dla tutoriali tego rodzaju - dodatkowe lanie wody zostawiam tylko po angielsku, żeby bloki tekstu nie przytłaczały objętością.

Underpainting

Because I'm aiming for dark and pale colors as usual, I am starting with black-to-dark-grey zenithal - just as in the Witch Hunters painting tutorial:

• I prime the mini black using Citadel Chaos Black Spray.
• When it cures, I spray the mini with Citadel Mechanicus Standard Grey from a 45-degree angle.
• When it's dry, I drybrush the mini from up to down with Vallejo Model Color Blue Pale Grey.
• Finally, I wash it with Two Thin Coats Oblivion Black Wash.

Paints and techniques used

On the picture below there is a list of paints I used. I put the name of the manufacturer and the line the paint comes from in brackets after the name of the paint. For layering, highlighting, edge highlighting, and painting with scratchy lines I put the paints on a wet palette and paint with many thin coats.  For stippling - the main technique I use to get cloth and leather texture - I use a dry palette and an old brush. I use the dry palette for washes and contrast paints as well.

I try to mimic the texture of materials with the way I paint them:

• when painting leather, I stipple the elevated areas with dots and scratchy lines;
• when painting fabrics, I stipple with dots;
• when painting metal, I use metallic paints in places where the light would reflect off.

The process helps to differentiate the surfaces even though the colors used to paint them are often similar.

Grimdark Sisters of Sigmar Step-by-Step Painting Tutorial

Dots-stippling in the first three steps doesn't have to be precise.
At this stage I use an old brush with a little paint (similarly to drybrushing) for it.

For scratchy lines on leather I use the most precise brush I have.
To make transitions on skin smoother, I cover previously highlighted areas of skin with a glaze made of diluted Bugman's Glow.

It's good to switch to a smaller old brush
when stippling with colors as bright as Pale Sand / Off-White mix.

To differentiate the finish on dark leather, I painted the cowl, boots and gloves with diluted Basilicanum Grey (satin finish) and left the body armor matt after covering it with Oblivion Black.