How I paint - Stormcast Eternals - Gryph hounds
One of my favourite units in the Stormcast Eternals range are the Gryph-Hounds. They are perfect for filling out those last few spare points in an army or acting as a loyal bodyguard (or pet) for a hero. In Warcry, they really shine, adding a burst of speed to an otherwise slow-moving warband. From a hobby perspective, Gryph-Hounds are a joy to paint, offering a variety of textures and colours that make a refreshing change from the more uniform look of the standard Stormcast fighters.
And of course, my little mascot Beakie is a loyal Gryph-Hound, always keeping a watchful eye on my Stormcast.
Lion Brown Body
The body was given a solid basecoat of XV-88. Once this was dry, the whole area was shaded with a 50:50 mix of XV-88 and Mournfang Brown, thinned with water and worked roughly into the recesses and across the underside. After the shade dried, the raised areas were tidied back up with XV-88, leaving the darker tones sitting only in the recesses.
The first highlight was applied with Balor Brown, followed by a lighter highlight of Tallarn Sand. For the final stage, the top edges and most prominent details were given a very subtle highlight of Tallarn Sand mixed with a little Screaming Skull, which helped to create a natural, sunlit finish.
The lion’s tail was given a basecoat of Mournfang Brown. Once dry, it was shaded all over with Agrax Earthshade to bring out the texture and deepen the recesses. The raised areas were then drybrushed with XV-88, followed by a lighter drybrush of Balor Brown to create a natural, sun-warmed finish.
Optional step:
Paint the recesses of the lower legs with Lahmian Medium mixed with a tiny amount of Xerus Purple. The aim is to add a subtle hint of colour that enriches the shading without changing the overall tone.
Grey Body
The body was painted with a solid basecoat of Celestra Grey. This was shaded using a thinned mix of Dawnstone and a little Celestra Grey, applied into the recesses. Once dry, the raised areas were tidied with Celestra Grey. The first highlight was added with a 1:1 mix of Ulthuan Grey and Celestra Grey, followed by a second highlight of pure Ulthuan Grey for the sharpest edges.
The hair at the end of the tail was basecoated with Dawnstone. This was shaded with Nuln Oil, then drybrushed with Dawnstone, and finally given a light drybrush of Administratum Grey to pick out the texture.
Optional step:
Paint the recesses of the lower legs with Lahmian Medium mixed with a tiny amount of Xerus Purple. The aim is to add a subtle hint of colour that enriches the shading without changing the overall tone.
Green Head Feathers
The head of the Gryph-hound was first given a basecoat of Incubi Darkness. Next, the head and the uppermost feathers on the neck were basecoated with Kabalite Green. The feathers were then shaded with Biel-Tan Green. Once dry, they were drybrushed with Kabalite Green, and the upper feathers along with the head were drybrushed with Sybarite Green.
Optional next steps:
The head can be glazed with Lahmian Medium mixed with a tiny spot of Kabalite Green. After this dries, the head and neck can be lightly drybrushed with Sybarite Green. To finish, the head feathers are highlighted with Sybarite Green mixed with a touch of white (I use Army Painter).
Light Turquoise Head Feathers
The head of the Gryph-hound was first given a basecoat of Stegadon Scale Green. The head and the upper feathers on the neck were then basecoated with Sotek Green. All of the feathers were shaded with Coelia Greenshade. Once dry, they were drybrushed with Sotek Green, before the upper feathers were drybrushed with Temple Guard Blue.
Optional next steps:
The whole head can be glazed with Lahmian Medium mixed with a small spot of Sotek Green. Once this is dry, the head and neck can be lightly drybrushed with Temple Guard Blue. To finish, the head feathers are highlighted with Baharroth Blue for a bright, striking effect.
Dark Turquoise Head Feathers
The head of the Gryph-hound was first given a basecoat of Kantor Blue. The head and the upper feathers on the neck were then basecoated with Thousand Sons Blue. All of the feathers were shaded with Drakenhof Nightshade. Once dry, they were drybrushed with Ahriman Blue, before the upper feathers were drybrushed with Temple Guard Blue.
Optional next steps:
The whole head can be glazed with Lahmian Medium mixed with a small spot of Thousand Sons Blue. Once this has dried, the head and neck can be lightly drybrushed with Ahriman Blue. To finish, the head feathers are highlighted with Temple Guard Blue for a clean, bright edge.
Beak
The beak was given a basecoat of Zandri Dust. Once dry, it was washed with Cassandora Yellow to add warmth and depth. The recesses were then shaded with Reikland Fleshshade to give extra definition. The beak was highlighted with Ushabti Bone, followed by a final highlight of Screaming Skull to pick out the sharpest edges and details.
Armour and Leather Straps
The leather straps were basecoated with Rhinox Hide, while the metal clasps were basecoated with Leadbelcher. The chest shield was given a basecoat of Caledor Sky. Once all the base colours were applied, the straps, clasps, and shield were shaded with Nuln Oil.
The leather straps were then highlighted with a mix of Rhinox Hide and Karak Stone, followed by a finer highlight of pure Karak Stone.
The chest shield was highlighted first with Alaitoc Blue, then given a final edge highlight of Hoeth Blue to make the details stand out.
The chest spike and the metallic icons on the leather straps were basecoated with Retributor Gold. These were shaded with Reikland Fleshshade, then highlighted with a mix of Retributor Gold and Stormhost Silver. A final, sharper highlight was added by increasing the amount of Stormhost Silver in the mix to give the metal extra shine.
How did you find the method? Have you any questions? Let me know in the comments. Happy Hobbying.
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