How to Use Pokorny Paint Regal Red on Terrain
By Dwarven Forge - Miniature Terrain for the gaming community | Published: 2026-10-27
Category: How-to Guides
Learn the step-by-step process for applying Pokorny Paint Regal Red to Dwarvenite dungeon terrain. No priming or thinning needed—just shake, dip, and drybrush for rich, even coverage.
Quick answer
Apply Pokorny Paint Regal Red directly to clean Dwarvenite terrain without priming or thinning. Shake the bottle well, apply with a brush, and let each coat dry before adding highlights or washes.
Why Regal Red works on Dwarvenite without primer
Pokorny Paint Regal Red is formulated specifically for Dwarvenite, the material used in Dwarven Forge terrain. The paint's viscosity is designed to grip the surface without a separate primer coat, saving time and preserving the fine detail of dungeon walls and floors.
Because the paint is not thinned, the pigment stays concentrated. This means one or two coats often provide full coverage, even over dark gray Dwarvenite. The trade-off is that if you apply too thick a layer, you may lose some surface texture—so use a controlled, even stroke.
Common mistakes to avoid
Skipping the shake: Pigments settle over time. If you don't shake the bottle thoroughly before each use, the first few brushfuls will be too thin and coverage will be uneven.
Overloading the brush: Regal Red is already at the right consistency. Dipping too deep or wiping too little can cause pooling in recesses, which hides the detail you want to highlight.
How to apply Pokorny Paint Regal Red to terrain
- Shake the bottle thoroughly: Shake the 4 oz bottle of Pokorny Paint Regal Red for at least 15 seconds before opening. This re-suspends the pigment that settles during storage. If you see watery paint on your brush, you didn't shake enough.
- Load your brush lightly: Dip only the tip of a flat or filbert brush into the paint. Wipe the brush against the rim of the bottle to remove excess. The paint should coat the bristles without dripping. Too much paint will pool in crevices and obscure detail.
- Apply the first coat in thin, even strokes: Brush Regal Red onto the terrain surface using long, consistent strokes. Work the paint into recesses, but don't let it puddle. Cover one face or section at a time. Let this coat dry completely (about 10-15 minutes) before deciding if a second coat is needed.
- Add a second coat if needed: Inspect the dried surface. If the dark Dwarvenite still shows through, apply a second thin coat using the same technique. Two coats usually give full, opaque red coverage. If the paint starts to look thick or chalky, you may be brushing over partially dried paint—wait longer between coats.
- Drybrush or wash for depth: Once the base coat is fully dry, you can drybrush a lighter red or orange over the raised areas to highlight edges, or apply a dark wash to deepen the shadows in cracks and crevices. Regal Red works well as a base for both warm highlights and cool shadows.
Product used in this guide
- Pokorny Paint - Regal Red 4 Ounces: Pokorny Paint Colours are Dwarven Forge's own water-based acrylic paint, formulated by founder Stefan Pokorny to achieve optimal viscosity for painting Dwarvenite terrain. They don't need to be diluted and you don't need to prime your pieces. This means you can apply Regal Red straight from the bottle onto unpainted Dwarvenite, skipping the extra primer step and keeping your painting session fast and efficient.
Pokorny Paint - Regal Red 4 Ounces
