20% off RRPSpace Wolves · 21 models · 4 kits
1× Wolf Guard Battle Leader · 10× Blood Claws · 5× Wolf Guard Terminators · 5× Wulfen
How to Paint Space Wolves
Blue-grey armour, fur, leather and lots of weathering
Prices in $ for the US
Before you commit
How hard to paint
74of 116 easiest
About average
Model size4 out of 5Detail density2 out of 5Technique demanded3 out of 5
Compare all 116 factions →
What it costs to start
$121.55
$0.24 per point
Combat Patrol: Space Wolves, cheapest shop we track
Compare armies by value →
Painting ratings are our judgement, with the reasoning on the comparison page; prices are live and dated.
Space Wolves boxes to start with
Compare Space Wolves boxesThe Space Wolves boxes we can price in your market, cheapest first.
20% off RRPPaint sets that cover this scheme
All paint setsOne box of paints instead of 13 pots. Each card says how many of this scheme's colours it holds.
69 paints
Covers 9 of 13 colours in this scheme
71 paints
Covers 9 of 13 colours in this scheme
50 paints
Covers 7 of 13 colours in this scheme
29 paints
Covers 7 of 13 colours in this scheme
16 paints
Covers 6 of 13 colours in this scheme
10 paints
Covers 6 of 13 colours in this scheme
Or cover 100% of this scheme with 3 paint sets, $657.08 together: PRO Acryl Mega Set (69 Colors) + Warpaints Fanatic Metallics Paint Set + Vallejo Model Air - Basic Box Set
Recommended recipe
How the scheme reads on a model
Armour — base to highlight
Tap a colour to change its paint.
- Base coatIntermediate BlueVallejo · Model Color≈ Closest paint we sellView paint
- ShadeBlue GreyVallejo · Wash FX 76.524View paint
- LayerBlue Grey PaleVallejo · Model Color 70.905View paint
- HighlightBlue HorrorCitadel (Warhammer Paints) · Layer 99189951380≈ Closest paint we sellView paint
- Edge highlightSky BlueVallejo · Mecha Color 69.017View paint
Additional details
- TrimNecron CompoundCitadel (Warhammer Paints) · Dry 99189952048View paint
- WeaponsJohn Blanche Masterclass: Heavy MetalArmy Painter · Warpaints FanaticView paint
- LeatherBeasty BrownVallejo · Game Color 72.043View paint
- SkinBestigor FleshCitadel (Warhammer Paints) · Layer 99189951243View paint
- LensesScarletVallejo · Model Color 70.817View paint
- BasingEnglish UniformVallejo · Model Color 70.921View paint
- Teeth, horns & boneAncient StoneArmy Painter · Warpaints Fanatic WP3088PView paint
- Fur & peltsEarthVallejo · Game Color 72.062View paint
1
Base coat
Lay the foundation colour down over primer, slightly darker than the final tone.
Closest paint we sell — not an exact match for this colour
Suggested
★ Our pick for base coat
Very Close
Close
2
Shade
Wash the recesses to add depth and separate the details.
Suggested
Very Close
Gravelord Grey
Army Painter · Speedpaint Set
No shop price tracked yet — the paint’s page has every seller we find.
Close
Close
3
Layer
Rebuild the main colour on the raised areas, leaving the shade in the cracks.
Suggested
★ Our pick for layer
Exact Match
CloseDiscontinued
Similar
Fenrisian Grey
Citadel (Warhammer Paints) · Layer 99189951364
from$4.55· compare 3 shops· priced 5 Jul
4
Highlight
Pick out the upper edges and surfaces that catch the light.
Closest paint we sell — not an exact match for this colour
Suggested
★ Our pick for highlight
Similar
Close
Similar
Vince Venturella White Blue
Monument · Monument Pro Signature Series
from$4.50· compare 2 shops· priced 13 Sep
5
Edge highlight
Sharpen only the sharpest edges for a crisp, finished look.
Suggested
★ Our pick for edge highlight
Exact MatchDiscontinued
Close
Matt Cexwish Heavy Titanium White
Monument · Monument Pro Signature Series
from$4.50· compare 2 shops· priced 13 Sep
Close
Details & accent colours
Everything else on the model - metals, skin, leather, lenses, basing and this faction's signature accents.
Metal — trim
Trim and bare plate. Basecoat steel, wash dark, then edge bright silver.
Suggested
Necron Compound
Citadel (Warhammer Paints) · Dry 99189952048
from$3.87· compare 7 shops· priced 13 Sep
★ Our pick for metal — trim
Very Close
Close
Shining Silver
Army Painter · Warpaints
No shop price tracked yet — the paint’s page has every seller we find.
Metal — weapons
Bolters, blades and casings. Dark gunmetal, washed black, edged with bright steel.
Suggested
John Blanche Masterclass: Heavy Metal
Army Painter · Warpaints Fanatic
$4.55at War Games USA· priced 1 Sep
★ Our pick for metal — weapons
Very Close
Close
Close
Adepticon Magnesium
Monument · Monument Pro Signature Series MPA-S42
from$4.50· compare 2 shops· priced 13 Sep
Similar
Leather & pouches
Straps, holsters and bare wood. Mid brown, shaded, then drybrushed a lighter tan.
Suggested
★ Our pick for leather & pouches
Very Close
Flameon Dark Green Brown
Monument · Monument Pro Signature Series MPA-S25
from$4.50· compare 2 shops· priced 13 Sep
CloseDiscontinued
Skin & flesh
Faces and hands. Basecoat, a flesh wash into the recesses, then build the highlights back up.
Suggested
Bestigor Flesh
Citadel (Warhammer Paints) · Layer 99189951243
from$4.55· compare 5 shops· priced 5 Jul
★ Our pick for skin & flesh
Very Close
Barbarian Flesh
Army Painter · Warpaints
No shop price tracked yet — the paint’s page has every seller we find.
Very Close
Very Close
CloseDiscontinued
Eyes & lenses
Lenses, eyes and energy. A bright spot colour that pops against the armour - dot it on and add a white glint.
Suggested
★ Our pick for eyes & lenses
Very Close
John Blanche Masterclass: Bloodmoon Red
Army Painter · Speedpaint 2.0
$4.75at War Games USA· priced 1 Sep
Very Close
Very Close
Wild Rider Red
Citadel (Warhammer Paints) · Layer 99189951304
from$4.55· compare 7 shops· priced 5 Jul
Basing — earth
Groundwork. Earth basecoat, drybrushed bone, finished with your choice of grass, sand or snow.
Suggested
★ Our pick for basing — earth
Very Close
Teeth, horns & bone
Tusks, claws, skulls and bone - basecoat bone, shade brown, drybrush up to off-white.
Suggested
★ Our pick for teeth, horns & bone
Exact Match
Very Close
Very CloseDiscontinued
Fur & pelts
Wolf pelts and cloaks - brown drybrushed up, a Space Wolves staple.
Suggested
★ Our pick for fur & pelts
Very Close
Flameon Dark Green Brown
Monument · Monument Pro Signature Series MPA-S25
from$4.50· compare 2 shops· priced 13 Sep
Close
Your paints
Tick off what's already on your shelf — whatever's left is your shopping list.
13 paints in this scheme
Price this recipe
13 paintspostage per seller
- not stocked: John Blanche Masterclass: Heavy Metal
prices shown on Amazon at checkout
- not stocked: Blue Grey, Blue Horror, Sky Blue, John Blanche Masterclass: Heavy Metal, Scarlet, English Uniform, Ancient Stone
$6.99 US delivery, 3-5 business days
- not stocked: Intermediate Blue, Blue Grey, Blue Grey Pale, Sky Blue, Beasty Brown, Scarlet, English Uniform, Earth
- not stocked: Intermediate Blue, Blue Grey, Blue Grey Pale, Sky Blue, John Blanche Masterclass: Heavy Metal, Beasty Brown, Bestigor Flesh, Scarlet, English Uniform, Ancient Stone, Earth
$10 US delivery, 4-8 business days, free over $75
- not stocked: Intermediate Blue, Blue Grey, Blue Grey Pale, Blue Horror, Sky Blue, John Blanche Masterclass: Heavy Metal, Beasty Brown, Bestigor Flesh, Scarlet, English Uniform, Ancient Stone, Earth
totals excl. delivery · affiliate links
Necron Compound
Citadel (Warhammer Paints) · Dry 99189952048
from$3.87· compare 7 shops· priced 13 Sep
John Blanche Masterclass: Heavy Metal
Army Painter · Warpaints Fanatic
$4.55at War Games USA· priced 1 Sep
Bestigor Flesh
Citadel (Warhammer Paints) · Layer 99189951243
from$4.55· compare 5 shops· priced 5 Jul
Compare every Space Wolves box
Want the codex too? At Loaded Dice (UK):save £20.51 vs RRP
Shopping from the US?save $25.50 vs RRP
Every Space Wolves kit and box, priced
Prices compared across the shops that stock them — boxes ranked by cost per model.
Space Wolves are the most texture-rich Space Marines - their kits are loaded with fur, pelts, leather, talismans and bare metal - which makes them a joy for painters who enjoy weathering and detail over clean panels.
The signature look
The armour is a cool blue-grey (lighter and greyer than Ultramarine blue), worn and battered, paired with lots of brown leather, grey/white fur, bronze and steel, and red or yellow pack markings.
Painting the armour
Use the ramp above for the blue-grey, then lean into wear and tear: sponge or fine-brush chips on the edges, and a light grime wash in the recesses. Space Wolves should look like they have actually been to war.
Fur, leather and metal
This is where the chapter shines:
- Fur - basecoat grey or brown, wash, then a heavy drybrush up to near-white. Fur is fast and forgiving.
- Leather - brown basecoat, brown wash, light highlight; vary the tones so straps and pouches don't look uniform.
- Metal - keep it dark and dirty with a brown/black wash; bright steel looks wrong on Space Wolves.
Tips and common mistakes
- Don't paint the armour too blue. It is a grey with a blue lean, not a primary blue.
- Drybrush the fur. It is the single fastest high-impact technique on these models.
- Embrace weathering. Chips, grime and battle damage suit Space Wolves more than any other loyalist chapter.
Recipes are generated by perceptual colour matching against our cross-brand paint database. Use them as a strong starting point and test paints in person when precision matters.