How to Paint Malifaux Dark Harvest Models

Quick Answer

Paint your Malifaux Dark Harvest models by first assembling the scene, then layering shadows and highlights to bring out the Carver's nightmare texture. Use a limited palette of deep purples, sickly greens, and rusted metals for a cohesive, eerie look.

Step-by-Step Painting Process

1. 1. Assemble and Clean the Model: Remove mold lines and flash with a hobby knife and fine sandpaper. Dry-fit the large display sculpt pieces before gluing to ensure seamless joins. For the preassembled version, check for any leftover release agent by washing with warm soapy water. A common mistake is skipping the wash, which causes paint to bead up on oily spots.
2. 2. Prime with a Dark Base: Use a black or dark grey primer to establish deep shadows. Spray in thin, even coats from about 8 inches away. Focus on getting into recesses without flooding them. If you over-prime, you lose detail in the Carver's textured skin and the base elements.
3. 3. Basecoat the Main Colors: Apply a deep violet base to the Carver's body, a muted green to the base vegetation, and a rusted brown to any metal or wood elements. Use a medium-sized brush and thin your paints to a skim-milk consistency. Thick paint will obscure the fine texture on the large sculpt; two thin coats are better than one thick one.
4. 4. Layer and Highlight: Mix your base violet with a pale lavender for the first highlight. Apply to raised areas like the Carver's shoulders, head, and hands. For the green areas, add a touch of yellow to create a sickly highlight. Keep your highlights focused on the top-facing surfaces. A common mistake is highlighting too broadly, which flattens the model. Reserve highlights for the highest points only.
5. 5. Add Glowing Effects: For any magical or nightmare elements, paint them with a pale yellow-green. Then glaze a thin layer of fluorescent yellow over the same area. Build up the intensity in the center while keeping the edges transparent. Don't use white as a base for glow effects; it kills the saturation. Start with a bright yellow instead.
6. 6. Weather and Finish: Apply a dark brown wash to the base and metal areas to add depth. For the Carver, use a purple wash in the shadows. Drybrush the base with a light grey to bring out texture. Seal with a matte varnish, but leave the glowing areas gloss for a wet, eerie look. Skipping the varnish step can lead to paint rubbing off on the smaller preassembled version during gameplay.

About the Dark Harvest Box

• Malifaux Third Edition: Iconic - Dark Harvest: The large display sculpt gives painters room to push texture, contrast, lighting, and storytelling. The smaller preassembled version carries the same scene onto the table. You can practice bold techniques on the large sculpt, then replicate them cleanly on the smaller version for a consistent tabletop presence.