Green covers a huge range on the tabletop, from almost-black forest green to bright emerald and dusty military olive. The trick is choosing the right undercoat and highlighting towards yellow or bone rather than white, so the green stays rich instead of minty.
The short answer: prime black or grey, basecoat with your chosen green, shade with a dark green or black-green wash, and highlight by mixing in yellow-green or bone.
Green armour at a glance
| Look | Primer | Basecoat | Shade | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dark forest green | Black | Very dark green | Black-green wash | Mid green, small edges |
| Bright emerald | White or grey | Strong mid green | Dark green wash | Yellow-green edges |
| Military olive | Grey | Olive drab | Brown wash | Olive mixed with bone |
| Toxic or acid green | White | Bright lime | Green glaze | Pale yellow edges |
What primer should I use for green armour?
Black for dark greens, grey for most mid greens and white for bright or toxic greens. Grey gives the most consistent coverage across a whole army. Our guide to priming properly explains the options.
How do I paint a dark green that isn't just black?
Basecoat dark green, shade the recesses, then highlight edges with a noticeably brighter green. Dark armour needs stronger contrast on the edges, or it reads as black from across the table.
What should I shade green with?
A dark green wash keeps shadows clean, and a brown wash suits olive and military greens. Black washes can make bright greens look dirty, so save those for very dark schemes. See using washes.
How do I highlight green without it turning minty?
Mix yellow or bone into the green instead of white. Yellow keeps highlights warm and vivid, while bone gives a more muted, natural look. Keep the brightest highlight to the sharpest edges; our edge highlighting guide shows how.
Is there a simple green armour recipe?
- Prime black or dark grey.
- Apply two thin coats of a dark-to-mid green.
- Recess shade with a dark green wash.
- Tidy flat panels with the basecoat.
- Edge highlight with green mixed with yellow.
- Finish with a fine bone or pale yellow highlight on the sharpest corners.
Can I drybrush green armour?
Yes, especially on rough or organic armour. A light drybrush of a brighter green over a dark base is fast and effective on large models. Our drybrushing guide covers the method.
How does green work with battle damage?
Very well. Dark brown or black chips with a fine bright edge below them look convincing on green, and a little mud or grime on the lower legs adds realism. See painting battle damage.
Which colours go with green armour?
Bone, gold, black and brass all pair well with green, and red or orange makes a strong spot colour on lenses and details. Our colour scheme guide explains how to balance them.
How do I paint smooth green on vehicles?
Use several very thin coats brushed in one direction, or an airbrush for large panels. Streaks show most on big flat areas. See using an airbrush.
More hobby guides
- How to Paint Blue Armour on Warhammer 40,000 Miniatures
- How to Paint Yellow Armour on Warhammer 40,000 Miniatures
- How to Paint Black Armour on Warhammer 40,000 Miniatures
- How Long Does It Take to Paint a Warhammer 40,000 Army?
- Warhammer 40,000 Hobby Guides & Free Tools
Warhammer 40,000® is a registered trade mark of Games Workshop Limited. This is an independent hobby guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed or sponsored by Games Workshop.