Quick Answer
Start by priming your Reapers with a dark undercoat, then build up from base colors to washes and edge highlights. Focus on the scythes and leather to make the unit stand out on the tabletop.
Why a Dark Undercoat Works Best
The House Harlaw Reapers are a melee-focused unit with scythes and dark armor. A black or dark grey primer gives you natural shadows and makes the metallic edges pop without extra work.
If you prefer a lighter primer, you will need to be more careful with washes to avoid a chalky finish. Dark undercoats also help hide missed spots in the recesses.
Choosing a Color Scheme for Greyjoy
The Greyjoy faction is known for its ironborn theme, so muted blues, greys, and leather browns keep the unit cohesive. The Reapers' scythes can be painted as weathered steel or given a rust effect for extra character.
Consider painting the scythe blades with a gradient from dark to light to suggest sharpness. This also helps the unit read well from a distance.
Batch Painting for Speed
Since the box includes 13 miniatures, painting them in batches saves time and keeps consistency. Paint the same color on all models before moving to the next step.
Use a wet palette to keep your paints from drying out, and always thin your paints with a little water. This prevents clogging the fine details on the miniatures.
Step-by-Step Painting Process
- Prime the Miniatures: Use a black or dark grey spray primer to undercoat all 13 Reapers. Shake the can well and spray from about 20 cm away in short bursts. Check that the primer is smooth and not pooling in the recesses.
- Basecoat the Armor and Cloth: Paint the armor plates with a dark metallic like Leadbelcher, and the cloth with a muted blue or grey. Use thin coats to preserve detail. Two thin coats are better than one thick coat to avoid obscuring the sculpt.
- Paint the Scythe Blades: Apply a base of dark steel, then layer lighter silver on the edges. For a weathered look, add a brown or rust wash and wipe it off the raised areas. Keep the blades sharp by edge highlighting with a near-white silver.
- Wash the Recesses: Apply a dark wash like Nuln Oil to the armor, cloth, and scythes. Let it dry completely before touching the model. Avoid letting the wash pool on flat surfaces to prevent blotches.
- Highlight the Details: Edge highlight the armor and scythes with a lighter metallic, and drybrush the cloth with a lighter tone. Paint the leather straps with a brown and highlight the edges. Focus highlights on the top edges to create a natural light effect.
- Finish the Bases: Apply texture paint or sand to the base, then paint it in a simple scheme like grey stone or earth. Drybrush to bring out the texture. Ensure the bases are dry before handling to avoid smudges.
- Seal with Varnish: Spray or brush on a matte varnish to protect the paint from chipping during play. For metal areas, consider a gloss varnish first, then matte over the rest. Let the varnish cure for 24 hours before gaming.
Product Facts
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A Song of Ice and Fire: House Harlaw Reapers: The House Harlaw Reapers unit box gives House Greyjoy players a melee-focused unit for their army. You are painting a unit that will see close combat, so prioritize durable paints and clear contrast on the scythes and armor.
A Song of Ice and Fire: House Harlaw Reapers
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A Song of Ice and Fire: House Harlaw Reapers: The Reapers wade into battle with their scythes, dealing massive amounts of damage as they go. The scythes are the visual focus, so spend extra effort on the blades and handles to make the unit look dangerous.
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A Song of Ice and Fire: House Harlaw Reapers: Includes 13 highly-detailed miniatures. Batch painting and a consistent scheme are essential to finish the whole unit efficiently without losing quality.
