How to Paint Blue Flames

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How to Paint Blue Flames on Miniatures

In this guide, I will show you how to paint blue flames on miniatures, focusing on creating a magical, spectral effect with strong contrast and smooth transitions. This method uses layering and glazes to build a realistic glow from white-hot cores to darker, smoky tips.

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

For other miniature painting guides → Faction Painting Hubs



This method uses layering and glazes to build the effect, so take your time and allow each stage to dry before moving on.

Paints Used

Corax White
Talassar Blue
Leviadon Blue
Night Lords Blue
Abaddon Black
White Scar
Lahmian Medium

Painting the Blue Flames

Step 1 – Basecoat

Begin by basecoating the areas you want to appear as flames with Corax White. If you are painting over a darker colour, build this up in a few thin layers until you achieve a smooth, even grey-white finish.

Step 2 – Initial Glaze

Apply a thin glaze made from White Scar mixed with Lahmian Medium in roughly a 1:4 ratio. This allows a brighter white to settle into the recesses and begins to establish depth early on.


Step 3 – First Blue Layer

Once dry, apply an even coat of Talassar Blue across the flames.

Step 4 – Second Blue Layer

Apply a second coat of Talassar Blue to intensify the colour. While this second layer is still wet, introduce Leviadon Blue into the upper half of the flames and blend the two colours gently to avoid harsh transitions.

Step 5 – Darkest Blue Layer

When dry, glaze the top third of the flames with thinned Night Lords Blue. Build the intensity gradually using multiple thin layers to create a deeper, more spectral tone.

Step 6 – Smoky Tips

Mix a small amount of Abaddon Black into Night Lords Blue and glaze the tips of the flames. This creates a natural fade from blue into darker, smoky ends.



Step 7 – Heat Glow

Mix a small amount of Talassar Blue into White Scar and thin slightly, then glaze this onto the lower third of the flames.

Next, mix White Scar with Lahmian Medium and apply this into the deepest recesses to represent the brightest, hottest parts of the flame.


Step 8 – Final Glaze

Mix Talassar Blue with Lahmian Medium in roughly a 1:8 ratio and apply this as a very light glaze across the entire flame. This ties all the colours together and smooths the transitions.

This glaze can also be lightly applied to nearby surfaces to create a subtle object source lighting effect.



Related Guides

For more painting guides → Start here


Discussion

How did you find the method?

Have you tried painting blue flames or other spectral effects before?

Let me know in the comments. I would be interested to hear what has worked for you.

Happy hobbying!

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