How to Paint the Goblin Grotto

The Goblin Grotto is a favorite range of 3D printer models and one of the most popular. It has a range of exciting details and uses across multiple gaming platforms. With it being available in Terrain Tinker, we thought it would be useful to provide an easy and fun painting guide for these underground caverns.

Getting Started

Once the 3D printer models are done, clean them up with a light sanding or blowtorching to clean them up before undercoating. We undercoated these models using a black primer.

Drybrushing is your friend

Many 3D printer models have rough, course textures that are perfect for a drybrush. A good tip is to not wash out the drybrush between steps. Just to wipe off the excess paint. This avoids getting excess moisture in the brush and achieves a smoother color transition.

For the Goblin Grotto, start with a heavy drybrush of Burnt Umber. Cover most of the model, leaving only tiny bits of black in the deepest gaps.

Step-by-Step Progression

The next several stages are all drybrushed up progressively lighter in tone and pressure used. This can be applied to just about any 3D printer models that you’re drybrushing.

Flat Earth

US Field Drab

Ash Grey

Details!

Many of the 3D printer models from the Goblin Grotto have pieces of cool fungi and crystals that need to be picked out.

For the Fungi, start with a basecoat of Skrag Brown and Khorne Red. The Crystals are basecoated with Toxic Mist

Highlighting

Taking an extra few minutes to apply some brushed-on highlights to 3D printer models can make them pop! The Fungi is highlighted with Deathclaw Brown and Mephiston Red. The Crystals are layered with Mummy Robes, leaving the Toxic mist towards the bottom and in the crevasses.

The final step is to highlight the Fungi with Tau Light Ochre and Evil Suns Scarlet. The tops of the Crystals and pointy bits are picked out in White.

Finished!

This paint job was quick, easy, and is ready for the gaming table. As an option, pick out the crystals in different colors by throwing different colored washes over the tops. It took roughly an hour for these 3D printer models to go from primed to ready for the table.

Paint List

Black Primer (any brand)

Burnt Umber (Vallejo)

Flat Earth (Vallejo)

US Field Drab (Vallejo)

Ash Grey (Army Painter)

Skrag Brown (Citadel)

Khorne Red (Citadel)

Toxic Mist (Army Painter)

Deathclaw Brown (Citadel)

Mephiston Red (Citadel)

Mummy Robes (Army Painter)

Tau Light Ochre (Citadel)

Evil Suns Scarlet (Citadel)

White (any brand)