For my Abaddon the Despoiler Tutorials, I wanted to convey him truly as he is – the embodiment of millennia of chaos, terror, and galactic warfare. As the Warmaster of Chaos, Abaddon stands at the pinnacle of the Warhammer 40K universe, leading the Black Legion and waging countless wars in the name of the Dark Gods. When it came to painting this iconic character, I wanted to capture not only the weight of his legacy but also the immense detail Games Workshop has packed into his sculpt.
This series of tutorials is a comprehensive guide to painting Abaddon the Despoiler, taking you through every step — from his infamous gold armor to the haunting freehand work on his cloak. Whether you’re looking to push your skills for a competition display piece or aiming to bring the Warmaster to life for the tabletop, these videos will guide you through the techniques needed to achieve a striking result.
Gold Armour Trim and Armour – Using Non-Metallic Metal (NMM)
In the first video of this series, we dive into one of the most defining features of Abaddon’s armor: the rich, dark gold trim. Instead of using metallic paints, I opted for a non-metallic metal (NMM) technique to really make the gold pop. The base coat of XV-88, layered with Balor Brown and Pale Grey Blue, creates depth and complexity, while small touches of white add that final reflective edge. Painting gold in NMM can be tricky, but it gives the armour an otherworldly, luminous quality.
Skull and Leather – Adding Character and Texture
Abaddon’s skull decoration, dangling from his belt, is grim reminder of his connection to death and destruction. Painting it required careful layering of XV-88, Morghast Bone, and Screaming Skull to create the right mix of texture and realism. The leather loincloth, on the other hand, allowed for a more rugged, worn appearance. By using Rhinox Hide as the base, and carefully layering Cadian Fleshtone and Morghast Bone for highlights, I aimed to give the leather a weathered, battle-scarred look.
Drach’nyen – A Daemon-Infused Sword
Drach’nyen, Abaddon’s sword, is a daemon weapon capable of wreaking havoc on the battlefield, and painting it was one of the most exciting parts of this project. The blade’s eerie green glow, achieved with Warpstone Glow and Sotek Green, draws attention to the faces that seem to emerge from the sword itself. Using NMM techniques for the metallic parts of the hilt adds a cohesive look, tying the weapon into the overall feel of Abaddon’s model.
Red OSL (Object Source Lighting) – The Glow of Chaos
A major focal point of Abaddon’s model is the red glow of chaos. For this, I employed Object Source Lighting (OSL) techniques using Mephiston Red, Evil Sunz Scarlet, and Wild Rider Red. Carefully layering these reds over Bugman’s Glow and Kislev Flesh creates a subtle yet intense glow that adds a sense of malevolence to Abaddon’s visage.
Shoulder Pad – The All-Seeing Eye and Intricate Gold Trim
Abaddon’s shoulder pad, adorned with the all-seeing eye, serves as a powerful symbol of his connection to Chaos and his relentless pursuit of power. . I began by painting the pupil and iris with deep blues and subtle yellows, using Kantor Blue and Flash Gitz Yellow to create a vibrant, glowing effect. Meanwhile, the whites of the eye, highlighted with Ushabti Bone and detailed with thin, vein-like lines, add to the menacing realism.
Hair and Talon – Textures and Non-Metallic Metal Mastery
Abaddon’s talon and hair combine to create a striking contrast between organic texture and metallic sheen, both of which add depth and realism to the model. The talon, painted using a non-metallic metal (NMM) effect, features a worn, weathered appearance.
For Abaddon’s hair, I used Rhinox Hide as the base, with Mournfang Brown and Cadian Fleshtone to build up highlights. By applying Ushabti Bone to the very tips of the hair strands, I created a natural, textured finish that mimics the flow and movement of real hair.
The Cloak – Leather, Freehand, and Chaos Iconography
Abaddon’s cloak is a testament to the grandeur of Chaos. I broke this part into multiple videos, starting with a leather effect on the inside of the cloak. The freehand work on the cloak, where I painted the faces of the four Chaos Gods, was the most challenging aspect of this model. Each section was dedicated to one of the dark gods — Slaanesh, Khorne, Nurgle, and Tzeentch — with their respective colours and textures. The final part of the cloak focuses on the iconic eight-pointed star of Chaos, blending the symbols into the fabric to represent Abaddon’s devotion to all four gods equally.
Trophy Rack – A Display of Defeat
The trophy rack on Abaddon’s back is a grim reminder of the many enemies he has bested in combat. I used a combination of Vallejo and Games Workshop paints to give the Space Marine helmet a battle-worn appearance, adding scratches and weathering to make it look like it had seen countless wars. The wooden spikes and NMM metal tips provide additional texture and visual interest, while the skulls, painted with layers of Rhinox Hide and Screaming Skull, give the model a truly macabre touch.
Inspiration Behind the Project
The inspiration for painting Abaddon came from a desire to push my painting skills and tackle a model that’s not only iconic but also loaded with intricate detail. I wanted to capture the dark, chaotic essence of Abaddon — from the daemonic energy of Drach’nyen to the gruesome trophy rack that looms over his back.
Lore-wise, Abaddon is one of the most significant figures in Warhammer 40K. As the successor to Horus, Abaddon leads the Black Legion and has spearheaded no fewer than thirteen Black Crusades, each one aimed at toppling the Imperium of Man. His armor, known as the “Terminator Armor of the Warmaster,” is a relic of ancient times, and his weapon, Drach’nyen, is a sword infused with a daemonic presence. Every piece of Abaddon’s model tells a story of his conquests and the dark path he treads as the chosen of Chaos Undivided.
For me, bringing Abaddon to life in paint was not just about technical mastery but about conveying his towering presence on the battlefield. I wanted the cloak to reflect his allegiance to all four Chaos Gods, while the armor, trim, and weaponry symbolize the destruction he’s capable of unleashing.
All Abaddon the Despoiler Tutorials
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Abaddon the Despoiler Tutorials
A series of videos on how to paint Abbadon the Despoiler to competition standard – (new step-by-step guides included!)
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