How to Paint the D&D Nolzur's Water Genasi Male Druid

Quick answer

Paint the Water Genasi Male Druid by starting with a light blue-gray base coat, then layer in turquoise and teal for the skin, and finish with drybrushed highlights and a watery glaze for the base.

Step-by-step painting guide

1. 1. Base coat the skin: Mix a light blue-gray (like Citadel The Fang) with a touch of white. Apply two thin coats to the face, arms, and any exposed skin. Let each coat dry completely. Common mistake: using pure blue makes the skin look flat. Add gray to keep it natural.
2. 2. Paint the hair and beard: Use a turquoise or sea-green color (e.g., Citadel Sotek Green) for the hair and beard. Apply a wash of dark blue (like Citadel Drakenhof Nightshade) to add depth. Checkpoint: avoid pooling wash in the eyes — wick away excess with a clean brush.
3. 3. Layer the cloak and staff: Paint the cloak with a deep teal (e.g., Citadel Stegadon Scale Green) and the wooden staff with a warm brown (e.g., Citadel Mournfang Brown). Highlight the staff edges with a lighter brown. Common mistake: applying brown directly over the primer without a base coat can cause uneven coverage.
4. 4. Add water effects to the base: Use a clear water effect resin or gel (like Vallejo Still Water) on the base. Tint it with a drop of blue ink before applying. Let it cure for 24 hours. Checkpoint: don't pour too thick — multiple thin layers prevent bubbles and cracking.
5. 5. Drybrush highlights and final touches: Drybrush the skin with a pale blue-white mix and the cloak with a lighter teal. Paint the eyes and any gem details on the staff with a fine brush. Common mistake: over-drybrushing can remove the wash from recesses. Use a light touch.

Product facts

• D&D Nolzur's Marvelous Miniatures: Water Genasi Male Druid: D&D Nolzur's Marvelous Miniatures come with highly detailed figures, primed and ready to paint out of the box. These fantastic miniatures include deep cuts for easier painting. The deep cuts help you keep paint in the recesses and avoid messy overlaps, which is especially useful for the Water Genasi's flowing hair and cloak.