By Manul Chandilla
Among the newest factions to emerge in the world of Warhammer 40k, the Leagues of Votann have established themselves as one of the hobby’s most distinctive armies. Combining advanced technology with rugged industrial design and a rich cultural identity, these descendants of the Kin offer a refreshing visual style that stands apart from many of the other factions in the Games Workshop universe. Over the years, we’ve had the opportunity to work on a variety of Leagues of Votann miniature painting commissions, each one presenting its own unique opportunities to explore the intricate armor, advanced weaponry, and bold color schemes that define the faction.
At PaintedFigs Miniature Painting Service, one of the things we’ve always appreciated about painting the Leagues of Votann is the balance they strike between clean, technologically advanced equipment and the battle-worn realism expected of a Warhammer 40k army. From armored Hernkyn pioneers and steadfast Hearthkyn Warriors to impressive characters and imposing war machines, every commission has allowed us to experiment with different painting techniques while remaining faithful to the distinctive aesthetic of the Kin. In this article, we’ll be taking a look at some of the Leagues of Votann projects we’ve painted over the years, highlighting the different Leagues, color schemes, and creative approaches that have made each Warhammer 40k painting commission a rewarding experience.
A Custom Leagues of Votann Army: Bringing a Unique Vision to Life
While many Leagues of Votann armies follow the established color schemes found throughout the Warhammer 40k universe, some of the most memorable painting commissions come from clients who want to create something of their own. One such project came from Lucas, a member of the PaintedFigs team who manages operations at our US shipping hub. Rather than following one of the traditional Leagues, Lucas approached us with a custom color scheme that reflected his own vision for the army. Projects like these are always an exciting opportunity, allowing us to step away from established lore while still creating a force that feels cohesive on the tabletop.
The original concept sparked a few conversations around the studio. As with many creative projects, the first draft of the scheme wasn't quite where it needed to be, earning a skeptical glance from our founder, Navin. Rather than steering the project away from Lucas's vision, however, Navin worked to refine the palette, adjusting a handful of colors and improving the overall balance while preserving the original concept that made the army unique. The result was a custom Leagues of Votann color scheme that remained true to its inspiration while presenting a stronger and more unified appearance across the entire collection.
Painting the army required careful attention to consistency across every miniature. The clean armor panels and advanced technology that define the Leagues of Votann meant that every highlight, metallic surface, and weapon casing needed to work together to reinforce the army's distinctive identity. At PaintedFigs Miniature Painting Service, commissions like this demonstrate that custom Warhammer 40k miniature painting is about far more than reproducing official box art. It's about collaborating with hobbyists to transform personal ideas into armies that feel unique while still looking at home within the Games Workshop universe.
Custom projects such as Lucas's army continue to be some of the most rewarding Warhammer 40k painting commissions we undertake. Every client brings a different perspective to their collection, and refining those ideas into a polished tabletop force is one of the most enjoyable parts of the creative process. Whether we're painting an officially established League or developing an original scheme from the ground up, PaintedFigs Miniature Painting Service always aims to deliver custom miniature painting that balances technical precision with each collector's individual vision.
If you’d like to see more, check the gallery below:
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Greater Thurian League: Our First Leagues of Votann Commission
Every new Warhammer 40k faction brings with it a memorable first project, and for us, this army marked our very first Leagues of Votann painting commission. Painted in the iconic Greater Thurian League color scheme featured on the official Games Workshop box art, this collection gave us the opportunity to familiarize ourselves with the visual identity of the Kin while developing an approach that balanced crisp, clean armor with realistic battlefield wear. As our introduction to Leagues of Votann miniature painting, it remains a commission that stands out in the history of PaintedFigs Miniature Painting Service.
The Greater Thurian League is recognizable for its distinctive cream-colored armor contrasted against deep teal panels and dark weapon casings. While the scheme appears straightforward at first glance, recreating it requires careful attention to smooth highlights, clean panel separation, and subtle weathering that preserves the advanced technological feel of the faction. Every Hearthkyn Warrior in this Warhammer 40k painting commission demanded consistency across the armor, lenses, equipment, and weapons to ensure the finished force looked cohesive whether viewed individually or assembled as a complete army on the tabletop.
One of the details that helped tie the project together was the basing. Rather than opting for a more traditional battlefield environment, we chose a rich red Martian landscape that contrasted with the cooler tones of the armor. The scattered rocks and dusty terrain give the impression that these Leagues of Votann miniatures are advancing across the surface of Mars, adding warmth and visual interest without distracting from the models themselves. Combining the iconic Greater Thurian League scheme with this Martian-inspired basing helped create an army that remained faithful to the Games Workshop aesthetic while giving it a distinctive tabletop presence.
Looking back, this commission marked the beginning of our experience with one of Warhammer 40k's newest and most distinctive factions. Since completing this first army, we've had the opportunity to explore a variety of custom Leagues of Votann color schemes and painting styles, but the Greater Thurian League remains a rewarding benchmark that introduced us to the faction's unique design language. At PaintedFigs Miniature Painting Service, projects like these continue to remind us that every first commission opens the door to new creative opportunities, whether we're recreating an official Games Workshop scheme or developing an original vision through custom miniature painting.
If you’d like to see more, check the gallery below:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/wDH8JJghdqnBYfRP7
Trans-Hyperian Alliance: Explorers at the Edge of the Galaxy
Among the many Leagues of Votann factions found in Warhammer 40k, the Trans-Hyperian Alliance is one of the most visually striking. Known for venturing into the furthest reaches of the galaxy in search of valuable resources and forgotten technologies, the Kin of the Alliance are often depicted in their distinctive orange armor, making them recognizable on the tabletop. This particular Warhammer 40k painting commission gave us the opportunity to recreate one of the faction's most iconic official schemes while showcasing the clean, industrial aesthetic that has become synonymous with Leagues of Votann miniature painting.
The vibrant orange armor was the centerpiece of the project and required careful layering to achieve a smooth, consistent finish across every miniature. Rather than overwhelming the models with heavy weathering, we focused on maintaining crisp panel definition while allowing subtle highlights and shading to give each armor plate depth. The darker clothing, metallic equipment, and black weapon casings helped frame the brighter armor, while the blue lenses and small technological details added points of contrast throughout the collection. At PaintedFigs Miniature Painting Service, projects like these remind us that even bold color schemes rely on careful balance to produce a cohesive Warhammer 40k army.
To complement the warm tones of the armor, we chose a textured blue basing scheme that creates an immediate visual contrast across the entire force. The cool blue terrain provides a clean backdrop that allows the orange armor to stand out without competing for attention, giving the miniatures a distinctive presence whether displayed individually or as a complete army. While the basing remains simple, its color choice reinforces the futuristic feel of the Leagues of Votann and helps create an army that feels at home on the display shelf and the gaming table.
Painting established Games Workshop factions like the Trans-Hyperian Alliance is always a rewarding challenge because every detail contributes to the overall identity of the force. From the bright orange armor and advanced weaponry to the contrasting blue bases and painted technological details, this commission captures much of what makes the Leagues of Votann such an enjoyable faction to work on. At PaintedFigs Miniature Painting Service, every custom miniature painting project offers another opportunity to bring Warhammer 40k miniatures to life, whether we're recreating an official color scheme or developing a original vision for a client's collection.
If you’d like to see more, check the gallery below:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/U2QSLHpdNviE47BN6
Expanding a Custom Collection: Reinforcements for Lucas's Leagues of Votann
One of the most rewarding aspects of long-term Warhammer 40k miniature painting commissions is the opportunity to revisit an existing army and help it continue to grow. After completing Lucas's original custom Leagues of Votann force, we were later entrusted with painting a second wave of reinforcements to expand the collection. Returning to an established army always presents an interesting challenge, as every new miniature must match the colors, highlights, and overall finish of the original project. At PaintedFigs Miniature Painting Service, maintaining that level of consistency is an essential part of delivering a cohesive army that looks as though it was painted as a single collection.
While the custom color scheme remained faithful to the original commission, this second wave introduced a completely different approach to the basing. The custom 3D printed scenic bases are a lot more detailed this time around. Featuring layered rocky formations, crystal-like outcrops, and dramatic terrain, the bases added a new level of depth and storytelling to the miniatures. The contrasting orange rock formations paired with cool blue ground created an eye-catching environment that complemented the army without drawing attention away from the Leagues of Votann themselves.
The larger scenic bases also allowed us to explore how the Kin interact with their surroundings. Heavy support weapons, crew members, and equipment all felt integrated into the terrain, making each miniature appear as though it had been deployed on an active mining or excavation site deep within the galaxy. Rather than serving as simple display platforms, the bases became part of the overall composition, reinforcing the rugged industrial character that makes the Leagues of Votann such a distinctive faction within the Games Workshop range. Combining custom miniature painting with bespoke scenic basing helped elevate these Warhammer 40k miniatures into cohesive display pieces while retaining their practicality for tabletop play.
Projects like this demonstrate how an army can continue to evolve over time without losing its original identity. By preserving Lucas's custom Leagues of Votann color scheme while introducing premium 3D printed bases, these reinforcements added fresh visual interest while remaining at home alongside the first wave. At PaintedFigs Miniature Painting Service, many of our Warhammer 40k painting commissions extend well beyond a single project, allowing us to grow collections alongside our clients and ensure that every new addition matches the quality, style, and character of the armies we've previously brought to life.
If you’d like to see more, check the gallery below:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/Q15rE1NBKMi68UZf6
Trans-Hyperian Alliance Revisited: A More Grounded Interpretation
Over the years, we've had the opportunity to paint the Trans-Hyperian Alliance on more than one occasion, and it's always interesting to see how small artistic decisions can give the same official color scheme a different personality. While this commission remained faithful to the iconic orange armor of the Trans-Hyperian Alliance, the overall palette was toned down compared to an earlier project. The muted colors gave the army a more grounded, battle-tested appearance while still preserving the distinctive identity that makes this League one of the most recognizable factions in Warhammer 40k. At PaintedFigs Miniature Painting Service, commissions like this highlight how official Games Workshop schemes can be adapted without losing their character.
Achieving this more restrained look required a subtle adjustment to our painting approach. Rather than pushing the orange highlights as before, we focused on softer transitions and deeper shading to create a finish that felt more weathered and utilitarian. The darker recesses, painted metallic details, and crisp black weapon casings all contributed to an army that looked as though it had spent years operating on the harsh frontiers of the galaxy. The result was a force that retained the unmistakable look of the Trans-Hyperian Alliance while presenting a different visual mood from our previous Warhammer 40k painting commission.
The basing also helped reinforce this change in atmosphere. Instead of the vibrant blue terrain used on the earlier collection, these Leagues of Votann miniatures were finished on textured grey bases that complemented the subdued armor palette. The neutral terrain placed greater emphasis on the miniatures themselves while giving the collection a rugged, industrial feel that suited the practical nature of the Kin. Combined with the muted orange armor, the grey basing created a cohesive force that looked suited to the rocky mining worlds and resource-rich frontiers described throughout the Leagues of Votann lore.
Projects like this are a reminder that custom miniature painting isn't always about creating new color schemes. Sometimes, the most satisfying commissions come from exploring subtle variations within an established Games Workshop design. At PaintedFigs Miniature Painting Service, we enjoy helping collectors personalize their Warhammer 40k miniatures through thoughtful adjustments in color, weathering, and basing, ensuring that every Leagues of Votann painting commission reflects the individual vision of its owner while remaining true to the spirit of the faction.
If you’d like to see more, check the gallery below:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/qXwFUVR7qBRGmP6d9
Greater Thurian League: A Classic Scheme with a Green Battlefield
The Greater Thurian League color scheme has become one of the most recognizable visual identities within the Leagues of Votann, and we've had the opportunity to return to it for several different Warhammer 40k painting commissions. This particular collection follows the familiar cream, dark green, and metallic palette associated with the Greater Thurian League, creating an army that feels like practical Kin. With a larger collection of infantry, specialists, characters, and vehicles, the project also gave us plenty of opportunities to apply the scheme across a wide range of Games Workshop Leagues of Votann miniatures.
The combination of muted cream armor and deep green panels works well across the different models in the collection. The darker green provides contrast against the lighter armor while allowing the numerous weapons, mechanical components, and small details to stand out without making the models feel busy. Careful shading and highlighting helped define the various armor plates, while the metallic elements and smaller technological details added the industrial character expected from a Warhammer 40k army. At PaintedFigs Miniature Painting Service, maintaining consistency across a collection of this size is an important part of any Leagues of Votann miniature painting project.
For the basing, we moved away from the Martian reds and blue tones used on some of our other Votann commissions and instead opted for a natural green battlefield environment. Brown earth, scattered rocks, and patches of grass provide a familiar tabletop setting while creating a strong contrast with the cream and green armor. The green basing also helps the army feel more grounded and cohesive, when the miniatures are displayed together as a complete force. It's a straightforward approach to miniature basing, but it works well alongside the established Greater Thurian League color scheme without competing with the models themselves.
This collection is a good example of how an established Games Workshop color scheme can still produce plenty of variety depending on the approach taken with shading, detailing, and basing. From the smaller Kin infantry to the larger Leagues of Votann vehicles and characters, the consistent palette ties everything together while the green battlefield bases give the army its own distinct setting. At PaintedFigs Miniature Painting Service, we've enjoyed exploring the different ways these Warhammer 40k miniatures can be presented, and the Greater Thurian League remains a satisfying scheme for both tabletop armies and larger display collections.
If you’d like to see more, check the gallery below:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/dQ2ScfuZTfzueX2TA
Over the years, our Leagues of Votann painting commissions have given us the opportunity to explore just how much variety can be found within this relatively new Warhammer 40k faction. From Lucas's custom Leagues of Votann color scheme, refined by our founder Navin, to the official Greater Thurian League and Trans-Hyperian Alliance schemes, each project has brought its own approach to Warhammer 40k miniature painting. We've experimented with Martian red basing, blue and grey battlefield bases, natural green terrain, and custom 3D printed scenic bases, while working across infantry, characters, specialist units, and larger Leagues of Votann vehicles. Together, these commissions have allowed us to explore custom miniature painting, Games Workshop color schemes, miniature basing, weathering, highlighting, metallics, and the many small details that give Kin armies their distinctive industrial character.
At PaintedFigs Miniature Painting Service, we always enjoy returning to a faction and discovering new ways to approach it, and the Leagues of Votann have provided plenty of opportunities to do that. Whether it's a faithful Games Workshop box art scheme, a Trans-Hyperian Alliance army with a more muted palette, a Greater Thurian League force with custom basing, or an original Warhammer 40k army designed around a client's personal vision, every commission presents a different challenge. From tabletop standard miniature painting and detailed Warhammer 40k painting commissions to custom color schemes, scenic bases, 3D printed bases, and display-quality Leagues of Votann miniatures, PaintedFigs Miniature Painting Service continues to help collectors bring their Kin armies to life, one miniature at a time.