Thousand Sons are one of the most ornate and rewarding armies to paint - a rich blue-and-gold scheme covered in intricate trim, with plenty of opportunity for glowing warpfire and magical effects.
The signature look
Deep teal/blue armour with extensive gold trim, blue-and-gold tabards, and blue or pink warpfire on weapons and around the Rubric Marines' empty armour. The gold-to-blue ratio is high, so neat trim work pays off.
Painting the blue and gold
- Blue - use the ramp above for a saturated teal-blue. A blue contrast over gold-tinted or white undercoat speeds up the basecoat.
- Gold - this is half the model. Basecoat a bright gold, shade with a brown or sepia wash, and highlight the edges with a lighter gold or silver. Good gold trim is what makes Thousand Sons look premium.
Warpfire and magic
The blue or pink flame effects use object-source lighting: bright core fading to a glaze of the same colour on nearby surfaces. A bright blue technical/contrast paint in the eyes and weapon glows ties the army's magical theme together.
Tips and common mistakes
- Invest in the gold. Washed and edge-highlighted gold trim is the centrepiece - don't rush it.
- Keep the blue rich. A teal lean reads more "Tzeentch sorcery" than a plain royal blue.
- Add a magic accent. A consistent warpfire colour across the army looks deliberate and cohesive.