Painting Islamic Cavalry for 28mm Medieval Armies
By Victrix Limited 28mm miniatures | Published: 2026-10-21
Category: How-to Guides
Learn how to paint Victrix Islamic Cavalry for 28mm medieval wargaming. Step-by-step guide covering basecoats, washes, and detailing for Seljuk and Syrian heavy cavalry.
Quick answer
Start with a dark brown undercoat, then layer earthy tones for the horses and mix of mail and lamellar armor, using washes to bring out the detail on these 28mm figures.
Understanding the miniature details
The Victrix Islamic Cavalry set represents Seljuk and Syrian heavy cavalry from the 12th to 13th centuries. The figures feature a mix of mail and lamellar armor styles, with varying helmets from mail hoods with spiked helmets to open-faced helmets with turbans. Pay attention to these details as they define the historical look.
Some figures include optional bow cases and arrow quivers. Arab heavy cavalry did not use the bow, but Seljuk Askaris did, so choose based on the unit you want to represent.
Painting steps
- Prepare and prime: Clean mold lines and prime the figures with a dark brown or black spray primer. This creates a natural shadow base for the earthy tones of the cavalry. Check that primer covers all recesses, especially under the horse bellies and inside the mail.
- Basecoat the horses and riders: Paint the horses with two contrasting earthy colors (e.g., bay and dun) to add visual variety. Basecoat the rider's robes and turbans with off-white, tan, or light grey, and the armor with a dark metallic or gunmetal. Avoid using pure white for robes; a bone or ivory tone looks more realistic and is easier to shade.
- Wash for depth: Apply a dark brown or sepia wash over the robes, armor, and horse bodies. This settles into the crevices of the mail and lamellar, defining the armor texture without obscuring the basecoat. Let the wash dry fully before the next step to prevent muddying the highlights.
- Highlight and detail: Drybrush the horses with a lighter version of their base color. Highlight the armor edges with a silver or light steel paint. Paint the helmets, shields, and any exposed skin (faces and hands) with appropriate flesh tones. Keep highlights subtle; over-brightening can make the miniatures look cartoonish.
- Final touches and basing: Paint the base with a sandy or dusty color to match a Middle Eastern terrain. Add static grass or small rocks for texture. Seal the figure with a matte varnish to protect the paint job. Use a matte varnish, not gloss, to preserve the realistic finish of the historical miniatures.
Product facts
- Islamic Cavalry: Medieval Islamic Cavalry x 12 with a mix of mail and lamellar armor, varying helmets, and optional bow cases and arrow quivers. The variety of armor and optional equipment lets you create distinct units, but requires careful planning for a consistent paint scheme across the set.
Islamic Cavalry
