How to Paint Space Marines Lenses with Speedpaint: A Step-by-Step Guide
When it comes to painting Space Marines for Warhammer 40k, details like lenses can make a big difference in the overall look of your miniatures. In this guide, we’ll show you how to paint Space Marines lenses—both circular and square—using Speedpaint in just six easy steps. Whether you’re a seasoned painter or just starting out, this method will help you achieve sharp, realistic lenses that make your miniatures stand out on the battlefield.
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1. Prime the Lens Area Black
Before you start, make sure the lens area is primed black. If your model is already primed in black, you’re good to go. If not, or if some paint has spilled over onto the lens, carefully paint it black. This will provide a strong foundation for the layers to come and ensure that your lenses have the right depth and contrast.
2. Apply a Midtone Grey
Next, it’s time to add the first bit of detail. Using a midtone grey, such as Dawnstone, paint a crescent shape on circular lenses. For rectangular lenses, you’ll want to create a gradient that mimics an increasing graph curve. This step begins to define the shape and light source for your lens, setting the stage for the highlights.
3. Add Highlights with a Lighter Grey
Now, take a lighter grey—like Administratum Grey—and paint a smaller area towards the outer edge of the lens. This step is crucial for creating a convincing light transmission. The lighter grey should overlap slightly with the midtone grey but leave some of the darker colour visible to maintain depth.
4. Choose and Apply Your Lens Color
For this step, select a Speedpaint or contrast paint that matches the colour you want for your Space Marine’s lenses. If you’re aiming for a green lens, Shamrock Green by The Army Painter is a great choice due to its vibrant saturation and transparency. Dilute the paint 1:1 with Speedpaint medium and apply one coat over the lens. If the colour isn’t vibrant enough, add a second coat—but remember, more layers will increase opacity, which might obscure the subtle shading underneath.
5. Highlight the Light Source
To bring your lenses to life, you’ll need to add a highlight where the light source would naturally hit the lens. For circular lenses, place a small white dot to show this - here the light source is above the model. On rectangular lenses, paint a thin line near the top, assuming that’s where the light source is located. This step gives the lens a reflective quality, making it look more realistic. Now is also a good time to clean up any surrounding areas with gunmetal paint, ensuring the lens stands out clearly.
6. Enhance Contrast for Maximum Impact
The final step in painting Space Marines lenses is to boost the contrast to make the details pop. Use a white paint to highlight an even smaller area directly opposite the light source on circular lenses, or along the bottom and right edges for rectangular lenses. After the white paint dries, apply a fluorescent colour—like Army Painter Air Gauss Green—to intensify the effect. This paint’s low viscosity and transparency allow you to build the colour gradually. Push it towards the white highlight for a striking finish.
Pro Tips for Precision Work
For best results, use a Kolinsky Sable brush. These brushes hold a sharper point, providing better control for fine details like lenses. A magnifying light can also be helpful for seeing small areas clearly. When working on these delicate details, it’s important to keep steady. Anchor your elbows on the table and form a pyramid shape with your arms, locking your palms against one another. Use armrests to protect your elbows and increase the time you can comfortably paint for.
By following these steps, you’ll master how to paint Space Marines lenses with ease, adding a professional touch to your miniatures. Whether you're preparing for a tabletop battle or displaying your work, these detailed lenses will elevate the appearance of your Space Marines and impress your fellow hobbyists.
Paints and Materials Used:
If you'd like to pick up any of these paints to try this for yourself then Visit Wayland Games. They have great prices and free shipping over £20. We use Wayland to buy most of our hobby supplies at Wargame Wares.
This is an affiliate link so we earn a small commission for any purchases made after clicking on this link. It won't cost you extra and helps to support us so that we can make more free guides and hobby content, thank you!
- Citadel Dawnstone - midtone grey for initial basecoat of the light transmission.
- Citadel Administratum Grey - light grey for the second highlight of the light transmission.
- Army Painter Speedpaint 2.0 Shamrock Green - vibrant and translucent green for tinting the lens.
- Vallejo Model Colour White - used for the final lens highlight - both on the reflective and transmission part.
- Army Painter Air Gauss Green - fluorescent paint to add on the final white transmission highlight.