Learn how to paint a Death Korps of Krieg Commissar in quick this step-by-step tutorial! I will walk through every stage of painting this iconic Warhammer 40K model, from grimy base tones to crisp non-metallic metal highlights. Using a single size 4 Artis Opus brush and a carefully selected mix of AK Interactive, Games Workshop, and Vallejo paints, this guide focuses on achieving a gritty, atmospheric finish that captures the grim determination of the Death Korps.
Whether you’re aiming to level up your brush control or simply want to try your hand at non-metallic metals and subtle weathering effects, this tutorial will take you through the full process with practical techniques, clear colour choices, and tips on creating smooth transitions and visual interest.
- Video: How to Paint a Death Korps of Krieg Commissar
- How to Paint a Death Korps of Krieg Commissar – Materials List
- Base Colours and Atmospheric Foundation
- Clothing and Fabric
- Red Sections
- Gold Details (Buttons, Braid, Trim, Sash)
- Sash (Waist & Chest)
- Mask and Tubes
- Leather (Holsters, Boots, Straps)
- Power Fist and Gun Handle
- Plasma Pistol (OSL Effect)
- Gem on Cap & Lenses
- Rust and Base Metalwork
- Basing
Video: How to Paint a Death Korps of Krieg Commissar
How to Paint a Death Korps of Krieg Commissar – Materials List
Paints Used
AK Interactive
- Very Dark Brown
- Camouflage Green
- Anthracite Grey
- Dark Green Grey
- Grey Green
- Sand Yellow
- Wine Red
- Sky Grey
- Neutral Grey
- Pale Grey (optional for subtle NMM transitions)
- Black (used as a glaze)
- Dark Green (for lenses and gem)
- Volcanic Yellow (for OSL effect)
Games Workshop – Citadel Colours
- Mephiston Red
- Evil Sunz Scarlet
- Wild Rider Red
- XV-88
- Screaming Skull
- Morgast Bone
- Mournfang Brown
- Cadian Fleshtone (optional highlight for leather)
Vallejo
- Neutral Grey (repeated from AK, but interchangeable in the tutorial)
- White (alternative to P3 or AK white)
Two Thin Coats
- Dark Sun Yellow (used in gold NMM highlights)
Privateer Press (P3)
- Morrow White (final white highlights)
Other Colours Mentioned as Options
- Pastel Yellow (AK or similar)
- Ice Yellow (AK or Vallejo – optional for warm lens highlights)
- Deep Green (used alongside AK Dark Green for lenses/gems)
- Flesh tones (e.g. Cadian Fleshtone) for warm leather highlights
- Deep Orange (used in OSL and rust effect)
Brushes
- Artis Opus – Size 4 (used for entire model as an exercise)
Note: Smaller brushes can be used for detail work if preferred
How to Paint a Death Korps of Krieg Commissar
Using a size 4 Artis Opus brush, AK Interactive paints, and Games Workshop colours
Base Colours and Atmospheric Foundation
- Prime your model black and let it dry completely.
- All-over coat:
- AK Very Dark Brown – slap it on liberally, just avoid obscuring detail.
- While still wet, blend in:
- AK Camouflage Green – this mingles into the dark brown and creates a murky, grimy undertone that sets the tone of the piece.
Clothing and Fabric
Front Skirt
- Base: AK Anthracite Grey – leave gaps for natural shadows.
- Highlights:
- Mix Anthracite Grey with white in two stages.
- Keep highlights focused toward the waist, with loose brush marks and tighter placement on top.
- Use stippling and scratch marks to create transitions and texture.
- If shadows become too harsh, glaze back in with Anthracite Grey or the first highlight mix.
Back Coat (Greatcoat)
- First Highlight: AK Dark Green Grey – scratchy, stippled marks.
- Layer Highlight: AK Grey Green – don’t cover the whole area.
- Glaze: AK Black (4:1 water to paint) – glaze from midtone to shadows using a large brush. This smooths transitions and deepens shadows.
Red Sections
Front of Coat
- Base: Mephiston Red
- Highlights:
- Evil Sunz Scarlet
- Wild Rider Red (use sparingly – too much and it goes pink)
- If over-highlighted, glaze back with Mephiston or Evil Sunz
Cap Peak and Cuffs
- Base: AK Wine Red
- Highlight: Add white to Wine Red as needed, use light placement for small reflective shines (e.g., on the peak)
Gold Details (Buttons, Braid, Trim, Sash)
- Base: XV-88
- Highlights:
- Two Thin Coats Dark Sun Yellow
- AK Sand Yellow
- Pastel Yellow
- Optional: White on only the brightest dots to simulate a metallic shine
- Technique:
- Use selective highlighting rather than evenly highlighting every strand or button
- Apply scratches or small strokes to suggest light-catching areas
Sash (Waist & Chest)
- Base: AK Grey Green
- Highlight: Sky Grey
- If jump too harsh: Mix Sky Grey with Grey Green 1:1 as a transition
- Technique tip: Apply highlights while base is wet or on a semi-loaded brush for natural blends
Mask and Tubes
Skull Mask
- Base: AK Grey Green
- Highlight: Morgast Bone → Screaming Skull or white
- Focus: Forward-facing parts and around goggles
Tubes and Lenses
- Base: Vallejo Neutral Grey
- Highlights:
- Sky Grey
- White
- Use curved highlights for shine; match lens trim highlights to gem placement
Leather (Holsters, Boots, Straps)
- Base: Mournfang Brown
- Highlight options:
- Add white (creates a pale, almost pink tone)
- Add bone or flesh tones like Cadian Fleshtone for warmth
- Technique:
- Scratchy highlight marks
- Optional glaze with Mournfang Brown to blend and bring warmth back
Power Fist and Gun Handle
Power Fist
- Base: Vallejo Neutral Grey
- Highlights:
- Sky Grey
- White (very sparing)
- Technique:
- Broad, generous first highlight
- Successive layers get smaller
- Use scratchy textures outside, solid blocks on interior parts (like pistons)
- Optional brown glaze (Mournfang Brown thinned) to tie tones and add reflection
Gun Handle
- Same colours and process as above – keep it desaturated
- Optional: Use black selectively for the deepest shadows
Plasma Pistol (OSL Effect)
- Base: White (2-3 coats, watered down)
- Glow Colour: AK Volcanic Yellow (thinned, layered)
- Highlight Glow Centre: White
- Surrounding Coils:
- Mephiston Red
- Deep Orange for raised areas
- Black glaze over edges of red
- Final Touches:
- Edge highlights on casing with Neutral Grey → Sky Grey → (optional) White
- Adjust scratchiness depending on whether the part is meant to be metal or rubber
Gem on Cap & Lenses
- Base: AK Dark Green
- Midtone: Deep Green
- Highlights:
- Add white or pastel/sand yellow to Deep Green
- Final tiny white dot (P3 Morrow White or equivalent)
- Match highlight shape with trim for realism
Rust and Base Metalwork
- Rust Layer: Deep Orange (thinned, focused in recesses, varying consistency)
- Edge Highlight: Neutral Grey
- Final Highlights:
- Sky Grey
- Optional white dots (very sparing – this is rust!)
Basing
- Not shown in detail – paint to match the rest of your army
- Consider using your original dark brown + camouflage green base mix for continuity
Final Thoughts
- If any highlights feel too strong or transitions too harsh, glaze with the base colour.
- Always glaze in the direction that ends in the area you want the pigment deposit (shadow or highlight).
- Use white sparingly to maintain its impact – it should only be on focal, bright points.
Need more detail?
I have a longer, two-part version of this tutorial available, below, for full members of the website:

How to Paint a Death Korps of Krieg Commissar
Learn how to paint a Death Korps of Krieg Commissar to a high standard in this two-part tutorial. From rich red lapels to battle-worn non-metallic metals, this guide takes you through each stage of the painting process—including grimy shading, precise highlighting, and texturing techniques to bring out the full character of the model.
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