How to Paint Fantasy Armor with FANTASY and GAMES COLLECTION
By SCALE75 - HOBBIES & GAMES – SCALE75 - Hobbies & Games | Published: 2026-10-28
Category: How-to Guides
Learn to paint durable, game-ready fantasy armor using the FANTASY and GAMES COLLECTION paint set, with tips on basecoats, metallics, and shading.
Quick answer
The FANTASY and GAMES COLLECTION paint set gives you a curated palette of durable, game-ready paints to create convincing fantasy armor with rich metallics and smooth shading.
Why this paint set works for armor
The FANTASY and GAMES COLLECTION is formulated for wargame miniatures, meaning its finish resists handling during gameplay. That toughness matters when painting armor, which often sees the most contact. The set includes a range of base, shade, and metallic paints, so you can build layered armor effects without mixing custom colors.
Choosing between metallic and non-metallic metal
For tabletop-ready results, metallic paints like VIKING GOLD save time while still looking striking. If you prefer a more painterly look, the set's matte colors can be used for non-metallic metal (NMM) techniques. This guide focuses on a hybrid approach: metallic base with selective shading to keep the process fast and forgiving.
Step-by-step armor painting process
- 1. Prime and basecoat: Prime your miniature with a matte black or dark grey spray. Then apply a thin, even basecoat of a mid-tone metallic like VIKING GOLD thinned with water or medium. Two thin coats are better than one thick one. Common mistake: applying metallic paint over a white primer can make the finish look flat. Dark primer gives metallics more depth.
- 2. Block in shadow areas: Mix a small amount of KING PURPLE with water to create a glaze. Apply it to recesses, under-armor joints, and any area where light wouldn't hit. The purple adds a fantasy tint to shadows without turning them grey. Checkpoint: let the glaze dry fully before moving on. Rushing can lift the metallic layer.
- 3. Highlight edges and raised details: Use pure VIKING GOLD on a fine brush to trace the edges of armor plates, rivets, and ridges. Keep the paint slightly thicker than your basecoat for opacity. Thin your brush tip on a paper towel to avoid pooling. Common mistake: overloading the brush causes blobby highlights. Wipe off excess paint first.
- 4. Add a final selective shade: Dilute KING PURPLE further (about 1:4 paint to water) and apply it only to the deepest recesses. This step creates a smooth transition from shadow to highlight, giving the armor a polished look. Checkpoint: if the purple looks too strong, wipe it off within 10 seconds with a clean damp brush.
- 5. Seal and protect: Once the paint is fully dry, apply a matte or satin varnish spray. A matte finish reduces glare on the armor while preserving the metallic sheen underneath. Avoid gloss varnish on metallics—it can make them look plastic. Common mistake: spraying varnish too thickly will dull the metallic effect. Use light, even passes from 20 cm away.
Products used in this guide
- FANTASY and GAMES COLLECTION: Designed for painting all types of miniatures, especially wargame miniatures, with a finish resistant to handling. Your armor paint job won't chip or wear off during games, saving you touch-up time.
FANTASY and GAMES COLLECTION - VIKING GOLD: Ultrafine pigment with great covering power, can blend with other acrylic paints, and does not disintegrate when diluted. VIKING GOLD gives smooth, bright metallic highlights that stay opaque even when thinned for airbrush or brush work.
VIKING GOLD - KING PURPLE: High-quality miniature paint ideal for adding deep, regal tones to hobby projects. KING PURPLE works as a rich shadow or accent color for fantasy armor, adding depth without muddying the metallic finish.
