I’ve just wrapped up my latest diorama, featuring the Communicant Anti-tank, a figure designed for the tabletop game Trench Crusade. This build is also my entry into the Grimdark Compendium grimdark challenge, and stepping into this darker style was as exciting as it was challenging. The model itself showcases a rugged, battle-worn anti-tank gunner, perfect for capturing the foreboding tone of the grimdark universe.
Before priming, I used greenstuff putty to add dents and pitted textures to the metal parts, ensuring every corner and crevice would carry that war-torn feel once I added the final layers of paint.
The base is muddy and trench-like, strewn with skulls and debris to enhance the sense of a relentless battlefield. Grimdark painting leans heavily on harsh shadows, muted tones, and signs of decay or ongoing conflict, which allowed me to transform each imperfection into a key narrative detail—everything from chipped paint to layers of rust helps tell the story of a world ravaged by endless warfare.
Although this was my first real foray into grimdark aesthetics, I found it surprisingly liberating to embrace imperfections and let the darker palette guide the mood. The Communicant Anti-tank figure served as the perfect subject for experimenting with these gritty techniques, and I’m eager to keep refining my approach in future builds. If you’ve been curious about trying a more somber style in your dioramas, diving into grimdark is a fantastic way to give your scenes extra depth and tension.
