Painting Demonettes in a Vivid Grimdark Style

Before we dive in, here's a gallery of all the stages, so you can quickly flick through and see the difference between each step.

Start with a black primer , then use your airbrush to apply white from above at 90° , followed by a softer spray at 45° . This will give you a strong highlight map and set the stage for vibrant contrasts later on.

Apply Familiar Pink over all fleshy areas. Then, use Grim Black for claws, talons, and tougher surfaces. If you feel like blending the transition between pink and black a little, go for it, but don't worry too much. We'll finesse this later.

Once dry, lightly drybrush the entire miniature with Flayed One Flesh (or any ivory/off-white). Focus on the pink skin first, allowing the brush to naturally hit raised areas. Let the residual paint softly catch the black zones for subtle texturing.

Paint all metal areas with Retributor Gold . This gold contrasts beautifully with the pinks and blacks, but if you prefer a more muted palette, silver works too.

Use Carroburg Crimson to add warmth and depth. Apply it into recesses and blend outward with a brush. This will re-tint the pink areas post-drybrush, adding richness without overwhelming detail.

Now hit all the black regions with a generous coat of Nuln Oil . This will help deepen contrast and texture. Avoid letting it bleed into the pink, this wash is unforgiving and will kill your work with the red wash.

Apply Purple Swarm or a similar purple wash around shaded zones, especially where pink meets black . This adds visual interest and softens any jarring transitions.

Wash gold areas with Agrax Earthshade for an aged, muted effect. If you used silver, consider Nuln Oil or even a dark green/blue wash to create an eerie, otherworldly feel.

Recoat claws, teeth, and horn tips using Grim Black again. This darkens and sharpens those features, while keeping some of the earlier drybrushed texture visible.

(Optional: Touch up any areas that look washed out with your pink or purple speedpaints.)

Pick out edges and raised metal details with Liberator Gold , then add small accents of Ironbreaker to pop the highest highlights.

Seal the model with a Matte Spray Varnish . This step unifies all your finishes , removing any chalky or shiny inconsistencies, and gives a solid foundation before adding final effects.

Once dry, grab your brush-on gloss varnish . Apply it to talons, horns, and black areas to add a beetle-like shine. This subtle touch adds a sinister edge to the Demonettes.

The final (and most fun) step: use Blood for the Blood God as a glaze , not a splatter.

• With a fine, damp brush , apply it into muscle lines, crevices, and shadowed areas .
  
  

• Think of it like a tint, less is more.
  
  

• Use a clean damp brush to feather the paint up toward high points of the musculature.
  
  

• Work one small area at a time, the acrylics dry fast.
  
  

Tip: Lightly tap with your fingertip to remove excess shine from raised areas.

And that’s it! Your Demonette is ready to grace the tabletop in all her slick, glistening, creepy glory.

This approach is quick, forgiving, and adaptable. You can substitute steps (e.g., layering instead of drybrushing), experiment with colours, or lean into different effects like blood splatter or poisonous green ichor.

We’d love to see what you create! Share your results with us on Facebook, Instagram, Discord , or email us directly at contact@bestiarumgames.com

Cheers,

Marcus @ Bestiarum