Mastering The Army Painter: The Ultimate Guide to Painting Faster (and Better)
Whether you’re staring down a "pile of shame" that looks more like a mountain or you're a perfectionist looking for the smoothest blends possible, The Army Painter has likely been on your radar.
Known for their "Get from Box to Battle" philosophy, they’ve recently moved beyond just being the "budget-friendly" alternative. With the release of the Warpaints Fanatic range and the refined Speedpaint 2.0, The Army Painter is now a heavyweight contender for the best paint system on any Aussie hobbyist's desk.
In this guide, we’re breaking down how to use their unique systems to level up your minis while saving precious time.
1. The Fanatic Revolution: Why the New Range Changes Everything
For years, the original Warpaints were a hobby staple, but the new Warpaints Fanatic range is a total ground-up redesign. If you’ve followed our previous guides on paint density and coverage, you know we value pigment—and Fanatic brings that in spades.
- Insane Coverage: These paints feature significantly higher pigment loads than standard acrylics. This means your reds and yellows—traditionally a nightmare to paint—actually cover in one or two thin coats.
- The Flexible Triad System: This is the "secret sauce." Instead of guessing which highlights work together, Fanatic organizes paints into 27 triads of six colours. They range from the darkest shadow to the brightest highlight, taking the guesswork out of colour theory.
2. Speedpaint 2.0: One Coat, Infinite Results
If you want to get an army on the table by Friday night, Speedpaint 2.0 is your best friend. Unlike traditional acrylics, Speedpaint is a "one-coat solution" that flows into recesses for shading while leaving the raised edges highlighted.
- No More "Reactivation": The 2.0 formula fixed the original issue where the paint would smudge if you painted over it. Now, once it's dry, it’s rock solid.
- Metallic Speedpaints: The Army Painter was the first to master metallic "one-coat" paints. They give you a shaded, weathered metal look in seconds—perfect for Necrons, Knights, or Orc weaponry.
Pro Technique: "Slapchop"
Prime your mini in Black, give it a heavy Grey drybrush, followed by a light White drybrush. Then, apply Speedpaint over the top. It creates a professional-looking gradient with almost zero effort.
3. The "Spray, Paint, Dip, Done" Legacy
We can’t talk about The Army Painter without mentioning the Quickshade Dip. For those painting massive hordes of Skaven, Tyranids, or Zombies, this remains the fastest way to add depth.
- Colour Primer: Use a matched spray (like Plate Mail or Greenskin) to prime and basecoat at the same time.
- Block in Details: Use your Fanatic paints for the skin or cloth.
- The Dip: Carefully apply the Quickshade (or dip the model) to add instant shading.
- Anti-Shine: Finish with Anti-Shine Matt Varnish to kill the gloss and protect your work.
4. Essential Tools for the Aussie Hobbyist
Beyond the bottles, The Army Painter produces some of the most ergonomic tools in the industry. If your workstation is feeling a bit cluttered, check these out:
- Wet Palette: A must-have for the Fanatic range. It keeps your paints moist for days, preventing them from drying out in the Australian heat.
- Masterclass Drybrushes: These rounded, goat-hair brushes make the "Slapchop" technique much smoother compared to cheap, flat brushes.
- Project Paint Station: If you’re a "Power Gamer" building a massive collection, these laser-cut stands keep your bottles organized and visible.
Which System Is Right For You?
| Feature | Warpaints Fanatic | Speedpaint 2.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | High-end blending & detail | Speed & tabletop quality |
| Technique | Layering & Highlighting | One-coat application |
| Finish | Flat Matte | Satin/Matte |
| Difficulty | Beginner to Pro | Absolute Beginner |
If you’re looking for a step-by-step visual on the 'Slapchop' method or want to see the new Fanatic triads in action, we highly recommend checking out Army Painter YouTube Channel. Their tutorials are designed to help you win back hours at the hobby desk.
Shop the Selection at Goblin Games
We’ve hand-picked the most essential Army Painter supplies to ensure you have what you need to succeed. Whether you're after the latest Fanatic triads or the fastest Speedpaint sets, we ship Australia-wide from our hobby HQ.
Are you working on a specific army right now? Let us know, and we can help you pick the perfect Speedpaint or Fanatic colours to match your scheme!