How to Paint Squigs – Classic Red Squigs

How to Paint Squigs – Classic Gloomspite Gitz Red Squigs

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When collecting Gloomspite Gitz, it quickly becomes apparent that at some point you are going to paint squigs.

This is my take on a classic red squig, designed to be simple, repeatable, and effective across units. The aim is to create a bright, characterful finish while still retaining depth through washes and controlled highlights.

Brushes and Tools Used

• Raphael Brush Series 8404 Size 1 (Amazon Associate link)
• Winsor & Newton Sable Series 7 Brush No 0 (Amazon Associate link)
• Medium layer brush (synthetic)
• Medium shade brush (synthetic)
• Small drybrush (synthetic)

I tend to use synthetic brushes for most basecoating and shading work, switching to sable brushes for highlights and details where control is more important. Once I have finished painting, the brushes are always cleaned with Masters Brush Cleaner 1 Oz (Amazon Associate link).

Paints Used

• Wight Bone Spray (Amazon Associate link)
• Khorne Red
• Army Painter Red Tone (Amazon Associate link)
• Averland Sunset
• Wazdakka Red
• Squig Orange
• Lahmian Medium
• Reikland Fleshshade
• Screamer Pink
• Pink Horror
• Pallid Wych Flesh
• Zandri Dust
• Agrax Earthshade
• Xereus Purple
• Genestealer Purple
• Yriel Yellow
• Druchii Violet
• Kantor Blue
• Thousand Sons Blue
• Ahriman Blue
• Temple Guard Blue

The Method

Base Process

The miniatures were primed with Wight Bone spray (you can use Wraithbone). While the scheme can be built over black, using a lighter basecoat makes it much easier to achieve a strong red finish.

A solid basecoat of Khorne Red was then applied across the squig. It is worth taking the time to build this up in a couple of thin layers to achieve an even finish.

Wash and Initial Shading

The miniature was then given a wash of Army Painter Red Tone, slightly thinned with water. This helps define the recesses while maintaining the richness of the red.

Care should be taken not to allow the wash to pool excessively.

Building the Red Flesh

The highlights are built up gradually to create a vibrant but natural finish.

The first stage uses Wazdakka Red, applied carefully to the raised areas. This is followed by a 1:1 mix of Wazdakka Red and Squig Orange, which begins to push the colour brighter.

Squig Orange is then used more sparingly to highlight the highest points of the model. Once these highlights are dry, the flesh is unified using a thin glaze of Reikland Fleshshade mixed with Lahmian Medium. This helps smooth transitions and bring the colours together.

To finish the flesh, small highlights of Squig Orange are reintroduced on key features, particularly around the face.

Eyes and Facial Details

The eyes are painted using Averland Sunset, followed by a dot of Yriel Yellow to increase brightness.

Mouth and Teeth

The mouth is basecoated with Screamer Pink, before being highlighted with Pink Horror and then with a mix of Pink Horror and Pallid Wych Flesh.

All the mouth, including the gums and teeth, claws, and horns are painted with Zandri Dust and washed with Agrax Earthshade.

Once dry, they are highlighted again with Zandri Dust and then with a lighter mix including Pallid Wych Flesh.

The eyes are painted using a dot of Yriel Yellow to increase brightness.

The lower lip was painted with a mix of Xereus Purple and Wazdakka Red, then highlighted with Genestealer Purple using vertical strokes to suggest texture.

Base Details and Colour Variation

The fungi on the base are painted with Pallid Wych Flesh, washed with Druchii Violet, and then lightly drybrushed.

Blue mushroom caps are built up from Kantor Blue through, Thousand Sons Blue, Ahriman Blue to Temple Guard Blue, with each lighter colour being focused increasingly to the tip of the mushroom. This creates a nice contrast to the red squig.

Key Points

• Build red tones gradually with thin layers
• Use glazes to smooth transitions
• Keep highlights controlled to avoid overpowering the base colour
• Use contrasting colours (purple, blue) to add visual interest
• Focus brightest highlights on the face and upper surfaces

Related Guides

• Moonlcan Grots
• Rockgut Troggoth Flesh
• Weathered Armour

This guide is part of my Miniature Painting Guides collection.

Discussion

How do you approach painting squigs or bright red creatures?

Do you prefer a more natural red, or something brighter and more exaggerated?

Let me know in the comments, I’d be interested to hear what’s worked for you.

Happy hobbying!

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