How I paint - Chaos Daemons - Bloodletters of Khorne
How to Paint Bloodletters of Khorne
(Step-by-Step Warhammer Guide)
In this guide, I will show you how to paint Bloodletters of Khorne using a fast and effective method suitable for building a full army. As the most numerous of Khorne’s daemonic minions, Bloodletters are a unit you will likely need in large numbers, so it is important to have a method that balances speed and quality. This approach focuses on strong red tones, controlled washes, and simple highlighting to achieve a clean tabletop finish. The Hellblade is treated as a focal point, using glazing techniques to create a glowing, heat-forged effect.
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Paints Required:
- Khorne Red
- Mephiston Red
- Army Painter Red Tone
- Carroburg Crimson
- Rhinox Hide
- Druchii Violet
- Lahmian Medium
- Evil Suns Scarlet
- Wild Rider Red
- Trollslayer Orange
- Screaming Skull
- Pallid Wych Flesh
- Abaddon Black
- Warpfiend Grey
- Dawnstone
- Leadbelcher
- Warplock Bronze
- Brass Scorpion
- Nuln Oil
- Agrax Earthshade
- Eshin Grey
- Xerus Purple
- Runelord Brass
- Fire Dragon Bright
- Yriel Yellow
- Lamenters Yellow
- Bloodletter
Step 1 – Undercoat
Begin by undercoating the miniature with Matt Black spray. This provides a solid, dark base and ensures good coverage for the red layers that follow.
Step 2 – Base Red Layer
Apply a watered-down coat of Khorne Red (approximately 1:3 water to paint) over the entire miniature, leaving the feet and horn tips black. This establishes the deep red foundation for the model.
Step 3 – Building the Flesh Tone
Layer Mephiston Red over the flesh using slightly less thinning (around 1:2 water to paint). Apply multiple thin coats—typically two to three—to achieve a smooth, even finish.
Step 4 – Shading the Flesh
Wash the flesh with a 1:1 mix of Army Painter Red Tone and Carroburg Crimson. Be careful to avoid pooling, removing any excess with a damp brush. This step deepens the recesses and adds richness to the red.
Step 5 – Painting Hair and Scales
Basecoat the spine hair with Rhinox Hide. The same colour, thinned (1:2), is applied to the scales along the back and legs, drawing the paint toward the spine to create a natural gradient.
Once dry, shade the hair with Druchii Violet. The scales are shaded with a 1:1 mix of Druchii Violet and Lahmian Medium for a softer finish.
Step 6 – Highlighting the Flesh
Begin rebuilding the raised areas of the flesh with slightly thinned Mephiston Red, avoiding recesses.
Step 7 – Final Flesh Highlights
Highlight the flesh further using Wild Rider Red, again keeping the paint controlled and focused on raised areas.
The scales are lightly drybrushed with Evil Suns Scarlet followed by Wild Rider Red. The face receives a very light drybrush of Trollslayer Orange, focusing on raised features such as brows and cheekbones.
At this point, the flesh is complete.
Step 8 – Base Details
Paint the eyes with Screaming Skull and the teeth with Pallid Wych Flesh. The tongue and fingernails are painted Abaddon Black.
To create the horn transition, apply thinned Abaddon Black (1:2 with Lahmian Medium) to the tips and draw the paint downward toward the head.
Step 9 – Refining Details
Highlight the spine hair using Warpfiend Grey, followed by Dawnstone, painting individual strands for a neater finish.
Wash the teeth and eyes with a 2:1 mix of Nuln Oil and Lahmian Medium. Highlight the fingernails and horn tips with Eshin Grey and then Dawnstone. The tongue is highlighted with Xerus Purple.
Step 10 – Painting the Hellblade
The handle is basecoated with a 1:1 mix of Leadbelcher and Abaddon Black, then washed with Nuln Oil.
The hilt and pommel are painted with Warplock Bronze, followed by Brass Scorpion, and highlighted with Runelord Brass.
A light drybrush of Leadbelcher is applied to the handle to subtly brighten the metal.
Step 11 – Creating the Heated Blade Effect
The blade begins with the original Khorne Red base. The aim is to build up a glowing effect toward the tip using thin glazes (around 1:3 paint to water).
- Apply Mephiston Red toward the tip
- Follow with Evil Suns Scarlet on the upper third
- Add Wild Rider Red at the tip and serrations
- Apply Trollslayer Orange to the edges and central ridge
- Build highlights with Fire Dragon Bright and then Yriel Yellow
Each layer should be smaller than the last to create a smooth gradient.
Finally, glaze the lower half with Bloodletter and the upper half with Iyanden Yellow thinned with Lahmian Medium, blending where they meet to unify the transitions.
For a more complete guide to flaming swords click this link.
Step 12 – Final Touches
Finish the miniature by basing it to match your army.
Final Thoughts
This scheme is designed to be both efficient and visually striking, making it ideal for painting large numbers of Bloodletters. The combination of strong reds and a glowing blade creates a clear focal point while maintaining a cohesive army aesthetic.
Related Articles
- How to Paint Blades of Khorne - Complete guide
- How to Paint Juggernauts of Khorne
- How to Paint Flesh Hounds of Khorne
Discussion
How do you paint your Bloodletters? Do you prefer faster methods for army building, or do you spend more time refining individual models?
I would be very interested to hear your approaches, particularly when it comes to painting red skin or glowing weapon effects. Feel free to share your tips and experiences in the comments.
Happy Hobbying!
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