Collection: Games Workshop Base Paints

Base paints are where every miniature actually begins. They’re the most heavily pigmented paints Games Workshop makes, so they cover a black or white undercoat in one or two clean coats — no patchiness, no fighting the brush. Get this layer right and everything that follows, from shades to fine edge highlights, simply falls into place. It’s the least glamorous stage and quietly the most important.

This is the range you’ll empty fastest. Abaddon Black and Corax White do the everyday heavy lifting on boots, blades, cabling and undercoat touch-ups. Macragge Blue and Mephiston Red cover the classic armour schemes in a single pass, while Leadbelcher and Retributor Armour turn fiddly metallics into a one-coat job. Painting fast with Contrast? Lay down a pale base first with Wraithbone or Grey Seer.

Every pot holds 12ml of non-toxic, water-based acrylic that works on plastic, metal and resin, drying to a smooth matte finish that grips the next stage beautifully. The trick is simple: thin them with a touch of water and build two thin coats rather than one thick one — you keep the crisp detail Games Workshop sculpts into every model. Prime first, then reach for the pots below.

Browse the full Shade and Layer ranges to complete your kit, or explore all Games Workshop paints and brushes at R&R Hobbies.