How To Paint Space Marines as Salamanders and learn to Highlight and paint their dark skin tone

How To Paint Space Marines as Salamanders and learn to Highlight and paint their dark skin tone
In this tutorial I show you how to paint Salamanders so you can get them ready to play Warhammer 40,000
This is an easy to follow guide that uses Citadel products to achieve fantastic looking miniatures, even if you’re new to the hobby.
Here on TableTopReady, it is my goal to help you to become a better miniature painter no matter what skill level you're starting from. All my tutorials are beginner friendly and I explain in detail the techniques I use in my videos and let you know what products I use along the way.
You can support the channel by becoming a member or joining my Patreon:
PATREON - / tabletopready
Both give you access to my tutorials early, you'll see what I get upto behind the scenes
OTHER VIDEOS YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN:
Get started with Painting miniatures • How To Get Started wit...
Get your miniatures ready for painting • How To Build Miniature...
How To Paint Ultramarines • How to Paint a Warhamm...
How To apply transfers • How To Apply Transfers...
PATREON - / tabletopready
WEBSITE - www.tabletopready.co.uk
INSTAGRAM - tabletopr34dy
CONTACT ME - [e-mail]
GET YOUR SPACE MARINES HERE:
www.firestormgames.co.uk/spac...
BRUSHES USED IN THIS TUTORIAL-
STC CITADEL COLOUR BASE L
STC CITADEL COLOUR BASE S
STC CITADEL COLOUR GLAZE
CITADEL LAYER S
CITADEL LAYER M
GET YOUR CITADEL BRUSHES HERE: www.firestormgames.co.uk/pain...
PAINTS USED IN THIS TUTORIAL-
Death Guard Green Undercoat Spray
Chaos Black Undercoat Spray
GET YOUR CITADEL SPRAY PRIMERS HERE:
www.firestormgames.co.uk/pain...
Abaddon Black
Leadbelcher
Retributor Armour
Dryad Bark
Mephiston Red
GET YOUR CITADEL BASE PAINTS HERE:
www.firestormgames.co.uk/pain...
Warpstone Glow
Moot Green
Dorn Yellow
Stormhost Silver
Eshin Grey
Dawnstone
Gorthor Brown
Karak Stone
Skavenblight Dinge
Stormvermin Fur
Whitescar
GET YOUR CITADEL LAYER PAINTS HERE:
www.firestormgames.co.uk/pain...
Nuln Oil
Reikland Fleshshade
GET YOUR CITADEL SHADE PAINTS HERE:
www.firestormgames.co.uk/pain...
Iyanden Yellow Contrast
GET YOUR CITADEL CONTRAST PAINTS HERE:
www.firestormgames.co.uk/pain...
Lahmian Medium
GET YOUR CITADEL TECHNICAL PAINTS HERE:
www.firestormgames.co.uk/pain...
CITADEL TOOLS:
www.firestormgames.co.uk/pain...
OTHER PRODUCTS I RECOMMEND:
Tamiya Extra Thin Cement: amzn.to/3s3h1vW
Paint Rack I use to store Paints: amzn.to/3lNZWVx
Drop bottles small for citadel paints: amzn.to/2VKrEI1
Drop bottles Large for citadel shades: amzn.to/2X6XW0i
AIRBRUSH EQUIPMENT I USE:
Airbrush and compressor: amzn.to/2VADhl9
Portable Spray Booth: amzn.to/2VMkJy9
Airbrush cleaning kit: amzn.to/3CBQWbZ
Airbrush cleaner: amzn.to/3fSB2QV
Airbrush thinner: amzn.to/3s6NdhN
Flow Improver: amzn.to/37ywqLm
LIGHTING:
Lamp: amzn.to/3xMggZz
Bulbs: amzn.to/3yDZNrl
DISCLAIMER: Links included in this description may be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you! Thank you for supporting my channel so I can continue to provide you with free content
I REALLY APPRECIATE ALL THE SUPPORT AND COMMENTS AND IF YOU WANT TO JOIN ME ON MY JOURNEY IN GROWING THE CHANNEL, MAKE SURE TO SUBSCRIBE
E

[@Nyghthawke]

Mate, I've watched a few videos on painting Salamanders, and this one by far has given me more instruction than a lot of bigger channels. Cheers!

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

Glad you like my content 😁

[@Dracobyte]

They are one of the best!

[@Alex-re3qm]

Your Ork videos have been the only things to finally get me to understand how to paint minis after 4 years of constant tutorials I hope for more orky content!

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

That’s awsome. I’m glad I’ve been able to help you understand better. I’ll never stop the Ork content don’t worry. Still plenty to do 😁

[@iuppiteratreides8405]

I really love tour content!! Good job on the EFFORT and work you make on this!!

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

Thank you. Means a lot to know people like my content

[@trevorpotty5472]

Easily one of the best painting videos out. No muss, good descriptions, and to the point. Many thanks

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

Glad you liked the video 😃 I’m all about no fuss

[@Castle-w7f]

Dude I love this video you’ve explained in a few minutes what I’ve been trying months to figure out. Thank you for this and keep them coming

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

I’m glad I’ve been able to help 😃 it’s why I like doing these tutorials. I had the same questions and now I get to pass on the knowledge

[@jez.mont-vaxe5297]

Another great guide. Really appreciate your hard work!

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

Thank you, I appreciate the comment 😃

[@MrRileysc11]

Awesome tutorial! Simple yet incredibly effective results. Always had a soft spot for Salamanders. This may push me to do some 😁. Thanks for putting this together!

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

Your very welcome. I do like the salamander scheme and I’ve painted an army of them.

[@kevwoodall2281]

Great video! Going to follow this guide soon.

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

Brilliant 😁 good luck

[@alanwhelton9907]

Brilliant tutorial and great explanations for each step. Haven’t painted Salamanders before but will definitely have to give it a go now

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

awsome I hope you enjoy painting them. They look wicked as an army

[@gedmcloughlin866]

This is a superb tutorial!! Thank you so much!

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

Glad you like it 😄

[@hoteckkan]

Nice. The spot highlight and the skin technique really make it stand out.

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

Thank you. It’s always the little things that get people asking how you got your paint job looking like that

[@anthonydavison7475]

Sick video very detailed and nice step by step guide 👍

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

Glad you liked it 😃

[@thewolfpack7718]

Thank you for the tutorial, this has helped me immensely with getting my army painted.

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

That’s why I do it. I’m glad I could help 😁

[@fernandozavaletabustos205]

One of my favorite Space Marine Chapters!

[@toportime]

Nicely explained, thank you.

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

thank you.

[@smburhan6323]

Just got introduced to ur channel! Gotta say I love it and what you do. Keep it up

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

Awesome, welcome to the channel. I'm glad you found it.

[@g.matthews500]

Favorite chapter, but always hesitant to paint it. Feeling like it's possible now. I love your iteration of the classic Salamander armour.

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

Go for it. I’ve painted an army of these myself and they look wicked

[@garrettgutierrez2677]

This is the third of your videos that has helped me. Thank you so much for making it easier to get into this hobby! Lord knows GW has made it hard enough! (SO MUCH READING with all the rule books, faction books, supplemental codices, etc.)

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

Hopefully I can continue to help then 😃 I’m glad you think my make things easier for people as this is always the goal.

[@JacksonINC]

Unreal guide thank you so much.

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

Your very welcome. Thanks the great comment 😃

[@MeatFeastBeast]

Great video. Thank you.

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

No, thank you

[@rikmaas3518]

Nice straightforward tutorial, thanks for sharing! I never seem to get smooth fine lines for the fine highlights but found drybrushing them on to be a fair alternative.

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

Thank you. Drybrushing can work just as well. I’m glad you’ve found a way that works for you 💪🏻

[@Dracobyte]

Yeah!!!

[@ultraxcam9113]

The final result is incredible, i look forward to trying this out myself

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

Thank you. I hope it’s useful when you do use it 😀

[@miguelblanco8863]

Great video!

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

Thank you 😃

[@RobUnwraps]

Good job!

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

Thanks 😊

[@gozzie4028]

This is class. Never properly understood highlights. Great explanations

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

That’s why I do it. To help understand highlighting 😁 glad it helped 🖖🏻

[@Ron_figures]

Wow this helps a lot

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

I’m really glad 😃 that’s why I make em

[@ChaseDaOrk3767]

Do you plan on making a Chaos Space marine painting tutorial?

[@SpaceUndies]

I'll +1 to CSM

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

I’m pretty sure there are chaos tutorials in the future 😁

[@ChaseDaOrk3767]

@@TableTopReadyKZbin Ok

[@KubaS3k.]

Heresy!

[@ChanceIchio]

This is very helpful, I will remember this as I paint my Salon army.

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

Ooo 💪🏻 good luck

[@Dracobyte]

My favorite chapter is finally on this channel!

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

🙏🏻 praise the emperor

[@vostokcosomonaut5205]

The best tutorials on youtube I think

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

Oh shucks, thank you 😊

[@timheylings9932]

This has been great, watching it over and over while painting my Salamanders army

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

Thanks for the views ha I'm really gald this tutorials has helped get your army painted. I managed to get 4k of salamanders painted a couple of years ago and they're a really striking chapter to have on the table top

[@kartoffelsaft110]

great video battle-brother, much obliged

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

Thank you. Everyone seems to be into salamanders recently 🤔 I wonder why

[@dittmar104]

I was really how to make the moot green work on my minis but your method looks great

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

It can be intimidating using such a bright colour for highlighting but I always find it works better as it’s easier to see. The secondary chunky highlight helps ease the stark contrast though.

[@patrickmontoya2604]

Doing good work

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

thank you

[@nixxy1983]

I adore this video, highlighting scares me though, got a brush to one side I'll be using for just this, I'll probably practice on a bigger model

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

Practice is important, don't expect to be great at it straight away. Don't forget about all those spare bits on the box you can use to practice on as well. Take your time, usually a space marine will take me a whole day to highlight ha to this standard. whilst highlighting I tend to wear a pair of reading glasses as well to help me see what I'm doing as my eyesite ain't so good You can do it, you'll get better the more you do

[@OneHotWolfie]

This video encouraged me to start collecting Salamanders - thank-you! :)

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

awsome. I've painted a lot of salamanders and they are definitly a very nice faction visually :)

[@matthewperkins5584]

Cheers bud! been looking at getting back in to painting after a 23 years break and fancied having a go at salamanders, this has been really helpful, well explained, and straightforward for what i want to achieve and great to see I don't need an insane amount of paints and an air gun

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

thats amazing, welcome back to the hobby. things have changed a lot in the past 23 years ha I'm glad I'm able to help you get some salamanders painted

[@matthewperkins5584]

I've been blown away how much depth there is now! Need to dig out my space wolves and Valhallan ice warriors from the basement to see how bad I was at painting back then 😆 just been watching your intro to 40k video too, keep up the great work!

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

Mate you have valhallens then you could probably sell those and fund your new hobby addiction haha even painted they go for a good price because they can be stripped easily as they’re metal

[@matthewperkins5584]

Hmmmm... that is interesting, i'll probably dig them out and find I can't bring myself to part with them, but definitely going to consider it... probably gonna end up clearing a shelf for them all (and some necromunda gangs) then add a whole new army of salamanders!

[@dewaalcloete4530]

Getting into 40k myself and i have everything in your description in my cart. I do see you have a medium as well ? Is it need or do you have some guidelines for using it ! Thanks ! And i love your work !

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

Thank you 🙏🏻 the medium isn’t really needed. I use it mostly for transfers these days. I use to use it to thin shades but I just stick to water these days

[@ChallingerScaleModels]

Brilliant as always. Maybe some imperial vehicles next?

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

I’d like to do more vehicle stuff. So I’m sure you’ll get some in the future 😁

[@outfoxed8412]

Thank you, I just finished my ork army with your deathskulls scheme and decided to start a salamanders army a week ago, so this tutorial is a lifesaver

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

That’s some good timing haha I’m glad I can help you out

[@jmevideos]

Hi mate - love the guide. It’s my starting point for my return to 40k!! Any tips for what colour paints for a dreadnought or my bikes? Same colours and mix for highlighting?

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

I really want to do a painting space marine vehicles in the future. All I’ll be telling people is that you paint the vehicles the same way you paint the marines. If you struggle with highlighting then you can get away with a light dry brush instead for the highlights.

[@PigGibbon]

Love salamanders, great tutorial

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

Thank you ☺️

[@PigGibbon]

@@TableTopReadyKZbin thank you 😁

[@kinggrizzotter]

I would love to see how you paint the terminators and dreadnought in salamander color scheme from livithan box

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

You can combine this with my recent terminator tutorial and that’s how I would paint them 💪🏻

[@darvindrantheivindran6053]

Great content as usual ! Any plans on a death guard tutorial in the future ?

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

I’ll be exploring a lot of chaos later in The year and I’m sure that will include death guard

[@wei4122]

Great Tutorial!!! How do you keep your brush so sharp?

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

When selecting your brush at the shop, make sure to check it. Not all brushes are made equal. As well I keep the same brush for highlighting so it’s not messed up doing something else. Brushes aren’t an investment, they are still tools that will need replacing every so often 😋

[@roninfun2165]

You should do one about subjugatiors 😊

[@D3ATHKN1GHT_777]

I don’t have the Death guard spray, any advice on what I could substitute it for ? Also love the tutorial, the mini looks amazing !

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

Honestly you can use any undercoat colour 🤷🏼‍♂️ I only use death guard green because it’s easier. Just make sure what ever you use, use it for all your salamanders as you’ll be able to tell The difference 👍🏻

[@jeremiahmullins1451]

Zeffo please upload thunderstruck space marines I found it on Spotify the other day but since lost it due to removal I love the versions made I'm trying to scale my dnd session through time to the 40k universe and your videos are inspirational to say the least.

[@andrewburgoyne4728]

This was a very good tip for me: less water for the highlights! I think that's going to really help me out. Thanks.

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

Glad I could help 😁

[@hotshot11590]

AYYYY! He did a salamanders one LETS GOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just what I have been looking for!

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

Hope you enjoyed it 😃

[@judsonbates1359]

Complete newbie here. I love how instructive your videos are. The only thing that I am still kinda unsure of is what you use for the subassembly painting. I assume it is foam you are using to hold the pieces but how?

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

thanks, I'm glad you like my tutorials :D so the the blocks I attach my parts to are actually cheap jenga blocks. I have a tutorial called getting miniatures ready for painting that goes through the whole process of what I do :) you'll get all the info you need

[@judsonbates1359]

@@TableTopReadyKZbin I just watched. That is a perfect video. Thank you!

[@Dantelemartez]

I would love to see assemblying part after the painting one - how do you match the pieces together. Painting in seperate parts is much easier, but I have some concerns about how to fit the plastic together afterwards Cheers!

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

you can watch my assembling video. I just use plastic glue and scrape a little of the paint from contact surfaces, you can even use super glue.

[@christophemertens9543]

Nice video! Any plans on doing a tutorial on space wolves?

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

I plan on doing all the founding chapters eventually 😁

[@christophemertens9543]

​@@TableTopReadyKZbin great, somethingto look out for!

[@AbstractArchitectureEnthusiast]

Wow

[@gigachadmegachicken5751]

Do you intend on making a dark angels tutorial in the future?

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

I’ve got a feeling it’s going to be my next space marine tutorial ha so many people asking

[@guerillanextdoor]

Im am currently attempting to follow your video while painting mine. Did you use nuln oil around the recesses of the space marine helmet and non face part of the sergeant? Did you also edge highlight the black casing of the bolter the same way as the back pack? It looks like it just want to confirm. Love your videos, Thank you!

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

I'm glad your enjoying using my tutorial. If any area is the same as the green armour, it would have been done exctly the same, inlduing the helmet. The bolter casing will have been done the same way as the back pack as well. Don't feel you need to follow these tutorials excatly. you may see another tutorial and like the way I painted a bolter casing in that video for example. Its really upto. theres no right or wrong way to do something.

[@guerillanextdoor]

@@TableTopReadyKZbin Perfect! Thank you so much for the response.

[@grandpaspaintingstudio]

Great video. Just one question. How do you glue the pieces together after you paint them? Plastic glue does not stick paint to paint, and super glue is brittle after it dries.

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

Super glue is fine to use, just try not to drop the miniature too much. I just use super glue. you could use plastic glue but it will smudge and ruin the paint.

[@theholyknight6935]

Will the colour hugh change if you use chaos black for the body aswell? I would prefer to only spend money on one primer so I was wondering if it is absolutely necessary to have the two...

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

I would abaddon black over death guard then rather than the other way round. but its upto you. you can do either :)

[@artorias5737]

Hope you do grey knights some time really curious how you would go about it since I don't like painting silver armor much metallics often look too textured instead of smooth T_T

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

Grey knights are on my list of eventual tutorials 👍🏻

[@thekaki]

I look forward to painting a salamander in that style .

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

I look forward to it as well 😃

[@trex32]

Decided to paint Salamanders recently and knew this video was the first I should go to. Do you have any advice for thinning the Warpstone Glow paint? Every time I’ve tried it seems like I’m adding too much or too little.

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

when it comes to thinning paints there's no exact ration. I would say thin to what you feel comfortable with and what you find you like working with. some days you may be in a mood where you prefer it thinner. don't be scared of doing too many layers. as long as the paint is thin its all good :)

[@trex32]

@@TableTopReadyKZbin Understood. Thanks.

[@cobragaming1777]

Incase you haven’t done this yet, I think it would be cool to do a painting video on the Retributors chapter from the Astartes film. There doesn’t seem to be many tutorials on how to paint them.

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

That’s is a great idea. Would have been great a couple of years ago 😩

[@cobragaming1777]

@@TableTopReadyKZbin Doesn't mean you can't do it now. The Astartes Film is still being watched to this day. Give it a shot, man! 👍

[@twitch_embers4847]

Is ork flesh a suitable substitute for worp stone glow

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

I’m all honesty, not really. If your wanting to paint an army of these guys then I would invest in warpstone, just because it’s there main colour.

[@lordtachungas8783]

I'm curious, what do you use to attach the mini to the temp base for painting? I noticed the putty under the shoulder pauldrons, but what do you use for the mini it's self?

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

go and watch my recent getting your miniatures ready for painting video :)

[@lordtachungas8783]

@@TableTopReadyKZbin Thank you

[@henrykeith4023]

Do you have to draw the logo on the shoulder or is that indented and you just paint in the indents

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

They are transfers. You get a sheet in the boxes or you guy specific upgrade kits for chapters. My first video is about applying transfers and I cover it in my recent ultramarine tutorial as well 💪🏻

[@cobragaming1777]

Quick question: does the brush version of death guard green work too? I don’t exactly have a place to spray paint models 😅

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

yes. watch my recent painting your first miniatures video. I talk about painting onto plastic

[@cobragaming1777]

@@TableTopReadyKZbin awesome! I’ll check it out!

[@ramz871]

How much do you thin down the Warpstone before you put it on the model? I've never been able to figure out how you get it to go on that smooth

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

I always say to use about an equal amount of water, but its really what you prefer and how you work. its practice and trying things out.

[@leemcalister4125]

Awesome as usual. Pity it's not the FIRST Chapter 😃

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

I’m sure you won’t have to wait long for some more green marines

[@turboclown]

How do you fit the unassembled model to the wood, I assume it's not glue? :)

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

I use super glue. I have a video called getting your miniatures ready for painting. I show you what I do 😃

[@gelere]

wow

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

😋

[@antihero83]

While I`ll always be an ork boy at heart, I do have exactly 2 marines to my name, and they definitely gonna be Salamanders. (Green is best!). Thank you for the how to video!

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

It’s okay as they’re still green haha I painted a salamander army and they look so good. 💪🏻 keep it up and good luck

[@kawkaventura-smith1886]

what upgrade kit did you use?

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

this is just a standard intercessor from the box with no upgrades

[@pythoniant8605]

Hi just wondering, will this tutorial still work with chaos black primer? It’s the only one I’ve got

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

yes you can use chaos black as well. Just be prepared to have to paint a few extra layers of warpstone glow

[@pythoniant8605]

thank you. everyone also says to put a base coat of waagh flesh, should i do this first when i use chaos black?@@TableTopReadyKZbin

[@atlasassassin8000]

What's the glue brand your using dude ?

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

I use Tamiya thin. It’s very good

[@thedumbdino5134]

Does anyone know a good space marine set for someone who hasn’t painted them before?

[@thedumbdino5134]

Other than a combat patrol

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

Yes go check out my painting your first miniatures tutorial. this gives you a good over view of painting. there are also starter sets you can buy that include spaces marines and tyranids

[@thedumbdino5134]

@@TableTopReadyKZbin thank you. I’ll check that out.

[@davidescribano9764]

Please paint carcharodons primaris!!

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

Once I have done all the major founding chapters, I do want to explore some of the other chapters out there and I carcharodons will no doubt be on the list, but it won't be any time soon :)

[@pythoniant8605]

thanks im thinking about a salamanders army

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

your welcome, I have painted a salamander army and they look so good

[@pythoniant8605]

​@@TableTopReadyKZbin How would you recommend I start one for cheap?

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

to start? if your just looking to paint something then have a look at my painting your first miniatures video. the magazine is great to give it a go and you can just get the paints you want. if your wanting to work towards a whole army? the combat patrol boxes are good as you save a bit of money. I kno there are some facebook groups where you can find a lot of second hand stuff as well as ebay. It's better to start small, maybe a box of marines and build the collection slowly. you don't need to go out a buy an whole collection in one go. only get what you need.

[@pythoniant8605]

@@TableTopReadyKZbin Thats really helpful thank you I will probably just buy a box of intercessors (starting small)

[@MikeTheGamer77]

21 paints seems a tad excessive for something that is green, black and gold, don't you think?

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

Depends how complicated you want to get? You could just use those 3 colours if you want. It’s all about what you want to achieve 😃

[@MikeTheGamer77]

@@TableTopReadyKZbin fair enough

[@tristenhuff7026]

Paint a plague marine

[@kendallspurlock2706]

Is the website for paint and brushes legit? It is so much cheaper than any store around me. Like 50%-60% cheaper.

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

it is legit. online stores tend to be a bit cheaper tasty competitive. using the link helps support the channel as well

[@furiousv775]

I mean... it's not an ork... but at least its green.

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

💪🏻