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Model paint guide
How to paint Lion El'Jonson
The Lion is dark green armour, bone robes, and red accents. Sub-assemble the Watchers and base. Match Dark Angels Contrast on the plate. Unofficial fan recipe.
Difficulty 4 / 5 · ~18 hrs · Updated 2026-07-10
Unofficial fan guide. Citadel paint and kit names identify products for sale. Not affiliated with Games Workshop.
Primer
Start here
Chaos Black
Step
Green armour
Base Abaddon Black in recesses. Layer Dark Angels Green or Contrast Dark Angels Green on plates. Edge Warpstone Glow or Kabalous Green midtones, then a thin Nurgling Green on the sharpest edges. Leave rivet pits dark.
Step
Bone robes and red icons
Robes: Wraithbone or Rakarth Flesh, shade Agrax Earthshade, layer Ushabti Bone, edge White Scar. Icons and shield face: Khorne Red into Evil Sunz Scarlet. Metals: Leadbelcher and Retributor Armour with Nuln Oil / Agrax Earthshade.
Step
Hair, cloak fur, and Watchers
Hair and fur: Steel Legion Drab into Ushabti Bone drybrush. Watchers: same bone recipe as the robes so the set reads as one piece.
Buy paints
Paints for Lion El'Jonson
Colour chips are approximate. Buy links open live marketplace search for that Citadel paint across Shopify catalog stores and other sources.
- Find storesAbaddon Black
- Find storesDark Angels Green
- Find storesWarpstone Glow
- Find storesWraithbone
- Find storesUshabti Bone
- Find storesKhorne Red
- Find storesRetributor Armour
- Find storesLeadbelcher
- Find storesChaos Black
Video
YouTube tutorials
External videos. We link creators whose techniques match this kit. Watch on YouTube. Support the painter if you use their method.
- How to Paint: Lion El'JonsonWarhammer / Citadel Colour
Official section-by-section Battle Ready to Parade Ready path.
Further reading
Other painters
- Dark Angels paint scheme leaf
Match the Combat Patrol before the Primarch.
Army recipes
Match the rest of the force
Common questions
How long does it take to paint Lion El'Jonson?
About 18 hours for a tabletop-to-display finish at difficulty 4 / 5.
What primer should I use for Lion El'Jonson?
Chaos Black
Where do I buy Lion El'Jonson?
Open the Dark Angels Lion El'johnson price page for the live sealed floor, then set a watch under the middle of that band.
Are these official Games Workshop instructions?
No. Unofficial fan recipes that name Citadel paints and kits as products. Not affiliated with Games Workshop.