Painting the BattleTech Phoenix Hawk Miniature

Quick answer

Start with a clean, assembled Phoenix Hawk miniature, then prime, base coat, wash, layer, and highlight to bring out its iconic Inner Sphere lines.

Step-by-step painting guide

1. Clean and assemble: Remove mold lines with a hobby knife and sanding stick. Dry-fit the arms and legs before gluing. Use plastic cement for a strong bond; let it cure fully before priming. Check that the jump jet vents and cockpit canopy are free of glue residue.
2. Prime the miniature: Apply a thin, even coat of gray or black primer. Gray primer preserves the brightness of later colors; black primer adds depth to recesses. Hold the can 8-10 inches away and use short bursts to avoid pooling. If you lose detail in the face or jump jet grilles, strip and re-prime rather than painting over thick primer.
3. Base coat the main panels: Paint the torso, arms, and legs with your chosen faction color. Thin your paint to a skim-milk consistency and apply two thin coats. Let each coat dry completely before the next. Common mistake: applying thick paint that obscures panel lines. Thin coats preserve the sculpted details.
4. Wash for depth: Apply a wash (such as Nuln Oil or Agrax Earthshade) to all recessed areas: panel lines, joints, and the cockpit frame. Let the wash flow naturally; wick away excess with a clean brush. Too much wash on flat panels creates splotches. Use a damp brush to pull wash into the recesses only.
5. Layer and highlight: Reapply the base color to raised areas, leaving the wash in the shadows. Then edge-highlight the armor panels with a lighter shade of the same color. Focus on the shoulder pauldrons, leg armor, and jump jet housings. Use the side of the brush for sharp edge highlights; a drybrush approach works for softer highlights on curved surfaces.
6. Paint the cockpit and details: Paint the canopy with a glossy color (e.g., red or blue) and add a small white dot for a reflection. Paint the jump jet nozzles metallic, then give them a dark wash. Finish with a matte varnish to seal the paint. Avoid getting varnish on the cockpit glass if you want it to stay glossy. Mask the canopy with tape or paint it after varnishing.

Product facts

• BattleTech: Phoenix Hawk (Premium Miniature): The Phoenix Hawk is a 45-ton Inner Sphere design first produced by the Terran Hegemony, appearing on the rolls of every Successor State army and most Clans. Its widespread lore means you can paint it in nearly any faction scheme, from House Davion to Clan Jade Falcon, without breaking canon.