2026 Mission to smash the pile of potential

I will be adding a more comprehensive gallery of images very soon, but I couldn’t wait to share these initial results. I am genuinely ecstatic with how these Imperial Knights have turned out. The process was surprisingly quick and incredibly satisfying, allowing me to complete one full Knight model each evening—a genuine Knight a night! This translated to a painting time of just a couple of hours per model, proving that high-quality results don’t necessarily require weeks of effort.

The painting technique was intentionally simple and highly efficient, focusing on achieving a weathered, battle-worn look with maximum speed. The core process involved a smooth base coat applied with an airbrush, followed by focused drybrushing to pick out the sharp edges and mechanical detail. This established the primary colour scheme and initial highlights very quickly.

Once the main colours were established, I moved onto the detail work, focusing on areas like the cockpit glass, weapons, and any gold or metallic elements. The final, and perhaps most impactful, steps involved applying battle damage. This was achieved primarily through sponge application of a dark metallic paint to simulate chips and scrapes, followed by the careful application of transfers (decals) for unit markings and heraldry. This combination provides a gritty, realistic finish that is perfectly suited to the brutal world these machines inhabit.

I am more than happy to provide an in-depth, step-by-step breakdown of my full process, including specific paint choices and techniques, for anyone who comments and expresses an interest. The key takeaway from this project is the demonstrably fast turnaround; I believe this level of quality is perfectly achievable for any hobbyist in just a few dedicated hours per model.

The strategic outcome of this rapid painting project is significant: we have successfully added over 2,500 points of fully painted Imperial Knights to the collection in approximately one week, transforming our force into a formidable and visually impressive army ready for the tabletop.