How to Paint Moonclan Grots

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How to Paint Moonclan Grots

Learn how to paint Moonclan Grots with a classic, dark colour scheme ideal for Warhammer Age of Sigmar and Warcry.

In this guide, I’ll show you how to paint Moonclan Grots for Warhammer Age of Sigmar using a simple, effective method that produces classic, tabletop-ready results. This tutorial is ideal if you are building a Gloomspite Gitz army for Warcry, Age of Sigmar, or display.

New to painting Warhammer Miniatures → Start here: Warhammer Painting Made Simple

For other miniature painting guides → Faction Painting Hubs

Moonclan Grots are some of the most characterful miniatures in the Warhammer range, combining dark robes, grimy green skin, and worn, rusty weapons. Like most greenskin armies, they reward a fun approach to painting, where variety and personality matter just as much as clean technique.

For this scheme, I wanted to recreate a classic Night Goblin look inspired by the original Warhammer Fantasy range from the World That Was. The result is a dark, cohesive colour scheme that works well across large units while still giving each model its own character.


Paints Required

  • Matt Black Spray
  • Abaddon Black
  • Eshin Grey
  • Stormvermin Fur
  • Rhinox Hide
  • Leadbelcher
  • Nuln Oil
  • Lahmian Medium
  • Deathworld Forest
  • Averland Sunset
  • Athonian Camoshade
  • Test Elysian Green Elysian Green
  • Ogryn Camo
  • Kislev Flesh
  • Cadian Fleshtone
  • Mephiston Red
  • Evil Suns Scarlet
  • Zandri Dust
  • Agrax Earthshade
  • Karak Stone
  • Yriel Yellow
  • Screaming Skull
  • Cassandora Yellow
  • Seraphim Sepia
  • Mortarion Grime
  • Stormhost Silver
  • Gorthor Brown

Easily find the tools, paints and materials used in this guide

Basecoating

Prime the model with a Matt Black spray. Once dry, apply a layer of thinned Abaddon Black across the entire miniature to create a consistent surface and make tidying easier later on.


Step 1 – Robes

Highlight the raised areas of the robes with Eshin Grey .

Apply a second highlight using Stormvermin Fur, leaving some of the previous layer visible. At this stage, the contrast will look stark.

Create a thin glaze using heavily diluted (with water) Abaddon Black and apply it across the robes to soften the highlights. Work the glaze into the folds and blend using a damp brush.

Step 2 – Metal

Basecoat the metal using a mix of Leadbelcher with a small amount of Rhinox Hide to create a darker, dirtier tone.

Wash the metal with Nuln Oil .

Step 3 – Skin and Base Details

Basecoat the skin with a 3:2 mix of Deathworld Forest and Averland Sunset .

Paint in the eyes with Mephiston Red.

Paint the rope with Zandri Dust and the boots with Rhinox Hide .

Step 4 – Shading

Wash the rope and metal with Agrax Earthshade to build up a worn, weathered effect.

Shade the skin with Athonian Camoshade for a dirty, natural green tone.

Step 5 – Skin Highlights

Highlight the skin with Elysian Green , leaving the shaded recesses intact.

Apply a second highlight using a 1:1 mix of Elysian Green and Ogryn Camo on raised areas.

Add character by highlighting the nose and chin with Kislev Flesh , then build up subtle tones using Cadian Fleshtone and a final touch of Cadian Fleshtone mixed with Evil Suns Scarlet .


Step 6 – Shield and Details

Basecoat the Bad Moon icon with Averland Sunset and apply multiple thin coats for a smooth finish.

Paint the teeth with Zandri Dust and tidy mistakes with Abaddon Black .

Wash the yellow with a 1:1 mix of Casandora Yellow and Seraphim Sepia.

Highlight with Yriel Yellow followed by a mix of Yriel Yellow and Screaming Skull . Highlight the teeth with Karak Stone and Screaming Skull .

Step 7 – Boots and Rope

Highlight the boots with a 1:1 mix of Rhinox Hide and Gorthor Brown .

Highlight the rope with Karak Stone , followed by Screaming Skull for lighter areas.


Step 8 – Eyes

Paint the eyes with Mephiston Red and highlight with Evil Suns Scarlet .

Step 9 – Weapon

Drybrush the blade lightly with Leadbelcher and edge highlight with Ironbreaker.

Add weathering by stippling Mortarion Grime or Seraphim Sepia . Re-establish the edge using Ironbreaker , finishing with a fine Stormhost Silver highlight.

Step 10 – Final Details

Paint weapon wrappings with Zandri Dust, wash with Agrax Earthshade , and highlight with Karak Stone and Screaming Skull .

Night goblin


Additional Elements

Wooden spears, clubs and bows: Basecoat Dryad Bark, wash Agrax Earthshade , highlight with Dryad Bark and Gorthor Brown .

Quivers: Basecoat Thondia Brown, wash Agrax Earthshade , highlight with Doombull Brown.

Nets: Basecoat Zandri Dust, wash Agrax Earthshade, highlight with Karak Stone and Screaming Skull .

Final Thoughts

Moonclan Grots are fantastic miniatures to paint. They are quick to complete but still full of character. By varying small details such as robes or boots, you can create a diverse yet cohesive unit.


Related Painting Guides

Start here: Warhammer Painting Made Simple


Discussion

If you try this Moonclan Grots paint scheme, I would love to hear how you got on. Feel free to leave a comment below with your results, tips, or any questions you might have.

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