Not Salamanders — general starterOrks · 12 models · 4 kits
1× Space Marines Lieutenant · 5× Intercessors · 1× Ork Nob · 5× Ork Boyz
How to Paint Salamanders
Bright green armour, black skin and fiery accents
Prices in £ for the UK
Before you commit
Painting ratings are our judgement, with the reasoning on the comparison page; prices are live and dated.
Start Salamanders — boxes & paint sets
We can't price a box for Salamanders in your market today, so here are boxes to start from — and the paint sets that cover most of the recipe below.
Not Salamanders — general starter
Not Salamanders — general starterDeath Guard · 14 models
7× Angels of Death Kill Team operatives · 7× Plague Marine Kill Team operatives
Not Salamanders — general starterOrks · 33 models · 5 kits
£114.80 of contents → £87.20 (save approx £27.60)
Not Salamanders — general starterUltramarines · 13 models · 4 kits
1× Captain with Relic Shield · 1× Librarian · 5× Intercessors · 5× Vanguard Veterans · 1× Land Speeder
Not Salamanders — general starterOrks · 46 models · 10 kits
1× Captain with Relic Shield · 1× Librarian · 5× Intercessors · 5× Vanguard Veterans with Jump Packs · 1× Land Speeder · 1× Warboss · 1× Weirdboy · 20× Ork Boyz · 10× Gretchin · 1× Wartrakk · 4× Large Manufactorum Ruins · 4× Small Manufactorum Ruins · 1× Shock Array · 1× Capacitor Stack · 2× Rockcrete Barricades · 1× Generator Shrine · 2× Galvanic Pylons
Not Salamanders — general starterDrukhari · 13 models · 4 kits
1× Haemonculus · 1× Cronos (which can alternatively be built as a Talos) · 1× Talos (which can alternatively be built as a Cronos) · 10× Wracks
Army Painter Warpaints Fanatic Mega Paint Set
50 paints
£136.00
£160.15-15%
+38
· compare 4 shops· priced 1 OctCovers 9 of 12 colours in this scheme
Covers 8 of 12 colours in this scheme
Covers 5 of 12 colours in this scheme
Covers 5 of 12 colours in this scheme
Vallejo Model Color - NavaL (Steam Era) Set
16 paints
£38.16
£47.99-20%
+4
· compare 4 shops· priced 24 SepCovers 5 of 12 colours in this scheme
+40
at Loaded Dice· priced 13 SepCovers 5 of 12 colours in this scheme
Recommended recipe
How the scheme reads on a model
Armour — base to highlight
Base coat
Shade
Layer
Highlight
Edge highlight
- Base coatForest GreenVallejo · Arte Deco≈ Closest paint we sellView paint
- ShadeGreen ToneArmy Painter · Quickshade Washes SetView paint
- LayerSplinter Blotches IVallejo · Panzer AcesView paint
- HighlightSkarsnik GreenCitadel (Warhammer Paints) · Layer 99189951324View paint
- Edge highlightGauss Blaster GreenCitadel (Warhammer Paints) · Layer 99189951374View paint
Additional details
Trim
Weapons
Leather
Skin
Lenses
Basing
Flame & lenses
- TrimNecron CompoundCitadel (Warhammer Paints) · Dry 99189952048View paint
- WeaponsJohn Blanche Masterclass: Heavy MetalArmy Painter · Warpaints FanaticView paint
- LeatherBeasty BrownVallejo · Game Color 72.043View paint
- SkinSplinter Blotches IIVallejo · Panzer AcesView paint
- LensesWarlock PurpleArmy Painter · WarpaintsView paint
- BasingEnglish UniformVallejo · Model Color 70.921View paint
- Flame & lensesBright OrangeVallejo · Model Color 70.851View paint
1
Base coat
Lay the foundation colour down over primer, slightly darker than the final tone.
Closest paint we sell — not an exact match for this colour
★ Our pick for base coat
Very Close
Greenskin
Army Painter · Warpaints
No shop price tracked yet — the paint’s page has every seller we find.
CloseDiscontinued
Close
Close
2
Shade
Wash the recesses to add depth and separate the details.
★ Our pick for shade
Very Close
Close
Close
Dark Angels Green
Citadel (Warhammer Paints) · Contrast 99189960106
from£4.03· compare 5 shops· priced 1 Oct
Close
3
Layer
Rebuild the main colour on the raised areas, leaving the shade in the cracks.
Exact Match
Greenskin
Army Painter · Warpaints
No shop price tracked yet — the paint’s page has every seller we find.
Very CloseDiscontinued
Close
Close
Warpstone Glow
Citadel (Warhammer Paints) · Layer 99189951321
from£2.33· compare 4 shops· priced 1 Oct
4
Highlight
Pick out the upper edges and surfaces that catch the light.
Skarsnik Green
Citadel (Warhammer Paints) · Layer 99189951324
from£2.33· compare 4 shops· priced 1 Oct
★ Our pick for highlight
Close
Similar
Close
Similar
Rogue Hobbies Bright Green
Monument · Monument Pro Signature Series MPA-S33
from£4.29· compare 2 shops· priced 13 Sep
5
Edge highlight
Sharpen only the sharpest edges for a crisp, finished look.
Gauss Blaster Green
Citadel (Warhammer Paints) · Layer 99189951374
from£2.54· compare 6 shops· priced 5 Jul
★ Our pick for edge highlight
Close
Similar
SimilarDiscontinued
Details & accent colours
Everything else on the model - metals, skin, leather, lenses, basing and this faction's signature accents.
Metal — trim
Trim and bare plate. Basecoat steel, wash dark, then edge bright silver.
★ Our pick for metal — trim
Very Close
Very Close
Very Close
Close
Shining Silver
Army Painter · Warpaints
No shop price tracked yet — the paint’s page has every seller we find.
Metal — weapons
Bolters, blades and casings. Dark gunmetal, washed black, edged with bright steel.
★ Our pick for metal — weapons
Very Close
Close
Close
Adepticon Magnesium
Monument · Monument Pro Signature Series MPA-S42
£4.29at Loaded Dice· priced 13 Sep
Similar
Leather & pouches
Straps, holsters and bare wood. Mid brown, shaded, then drybrushed a lighter tan.
★ Our pick for leather & pouches
Exact Match
Very Close
Flameon Dark Green Brown
Monument · Monument Pro Signature Series MPA-S25
£4.29at Loaded Dice· priced 13 Sep
CloseDiscontinued
Skin & flesh
Faces and hands. Basecoat, a flesh wash into the recesses, then build the highlights back up.
Exact Match
Very Close
Very Close
Close
Eyes & lenses
Lenses, eyes and energy. A bright spot colour that pops against the armour - dot it on and add a white glint.
Close
Close
Emperor's Children
Citadel (Warhammer Paints) · Layer 99189951366
from£2.43· compare 4 shops· priced 25 Sep
Close
Close
Basing — earth
Groundwork. Earth basecoat, drybrushed bone, finished with your choice of grass, sand or snow.
★ Our pick for basing — earth
Very Close
Very Close
Very CloseDiscontinued
Close
Flame & lenses
Eyes, flamers and heraldry - the chapter signature orange flame.
★ Our pick for flame & lenses
Very Close
Troll Slayer Orange
Citadel (Warhammer Paints) · Layer 99189951301
from£2.33· compare 4 shops· priced 1 Oct
Very Close
Very Close
Close
Buy It as a Box
Paint sets that cover this recipe - a set is usually cheaper than buying pots one by one.
Army Painter Warpaints Fanatic Mega Paint Set
50 paints
£136.00
£160.15-15%
+38
· compare 4 shops· priced 1 OctCovers 9 of 12 paints in this scheme (75%) — base coat, shade, layer, edge highlight and more.
Or cover 92% of the recipe with 2 boxes (£173.60 total):
Army Painter Warpaints Fanatic Mega Paint Set
50 paints
£136.00
£160.15-15%
+38
· compare 4 shops· priced 1 Oct
Your paints
Tick off what's already on your shelf — whatever's left is your shopping list.
12 paints in this scheme
Price this recipe
12 paints£4.99 UK delivery, 1-2 working days, free over £65
- not stocked: Splinter Blotches I, John Blanche Masterclass: Heavy Metal, Splinter Blotches II, Warlock Purple
free UK delivery over £20
- not stocked: Splinter Blotches I, Gauss Blaster Green, John Blanche Masterclass: Heavy Metal, Splinter Blotches II, Warlock Purple
postage per seller
- not stocked: Splinter Blotches I, Skarsnik Green, Necron Compound, John Blanche Masterclass: Heavy Metal, Splinter Blotches II, Warlock Purple
free UK delivery over £75, £3.99 below that
- not stocked: Splinter Blotches I, Gauss Blaster Green, John Blanche Masterclass: Heavy Metal, Splinter Blotches II, Warlock Purple, English Uniform, Bright Orange
free UK delivery over £75, from £2.66 below that
- not stocked: Green Tone, Splinter Blotches I, Skarsnik Green, Gauss Blaster Green, Necron Compound, John Blanche Masterclass: Heavy Metal, Splinter Blotches II, Warlock Purple
- not stocked: Forest Green, Splinter Blotches I, Skarsnik Green, Gauss Blaster Green, Necron Compound, John Blanche Masterclass: Heavy Metal, Splinter Blotches II, Bright Orange
prices shown on Amazon at checkout
- not stocked: Forest Green, Green Tone, Splinter Blotches I, Skarsnik Green, Necron Compound, John Blanche Masterclass: Heavy Metal, Splinter Blotches II, Warlock Purple, English Uniform, Bright Orange
- not stocked: Forest Green, Green Tone, Splinter Blotches I, Skarsnik Green, Gauss Blaster Green, John Blanche Masterclass: Heavy Metal, Beasty Brown, Splinter Blotches II, Warlock Purple, English Uniform, Bright Orange
totals excl. delivery · affiliate links
Forest Green
Vallejo
at SnM Stuff· priced 24 SepGreen Tone
Army Painter
at Merlin's Miniatures· priced 1 OctSplinter Blotches I
Vallejo
No price tracked yetSkarsnik Green
Citadel (Warhammer Paints)
at Merlin's Miniatures· priced 1 OctGauss Blaster Green
Citadel (Warhammer Paints)
at Model Workshop · eBay· priced 5 JulNecron Compound
Citadel (Warhammer Paints)
at Merlin's Miniatures· priced 1 OctJohn Blanche Masterclass: Heavy Metal
Army Painter
No price tracked yetBeasty Brown
Vallejo
at SnM Stuff· priced 24 SepSplinter Blotches II
Vallejo
No price tracked yetWarlock Purple
Army Painter
at 3DJake UK· priced 30 SepEnglish Uniform
Vallejo
at SnM Stuff· priced 24 SepBright Orange
Vallejo
at SnM Stuff· priced 24 Sep
Every Salamanders kit and box, priced
Prices compared across the shops that stock them — boxes ranked by cost per model.
Salamanders are one of the most visually distinct Space Marine chapters - bright green armour, jet-black skin and plenty of fire and forge imagery. The strong, saturated green makes them pop on the table, and the dark skin is a fun, unusual detail to paint.
The signature look
Vivid green armour (brighter and more saturated than Dark Angels), black weapons and trim, gold/brass forge details, and the chapter's characteristic green glow on power weapons and drakes. Salamanders are proud of their fire and forge heritage, so flame motifs and heat-stained metal fit well.
Painting the green armour
Use the ramp above and keep the green bright. A green contrast over a white undercoat is a quick way to a clean, vivid basecoat; edge highlight with a lighter, slightly yellow-green for definition.
Black skin and fiery details
- Skin - basecoat black/very dark grey, then highlight with cool dark greys and a touch of purple or blue on the high points so it reads as skin, not just black plastic. Salamanders famously have glowing red/orange eyes - a tiny dot of bright orange sells it.
- Flames and heat - blend orange to yellow on flamer tanks and weapon glows; heat-stain exhausts with thin blue and purple glazes over metal.
Tips and common mistakes
- Keep the green saturated. Salamanders should look bright and bold.
- Don't leave skin flat black. Grey highlights and a bright eye make it read as flesh.
- Use the eyes. Glowing orange eyes are a quick, iconic touch.
Recipes are generated by perceptual colour matching against our cross-brand paint database. Use them as a strong starting point and test paints in person when precision matters.