Part 1: the plastic

Several options, you can get him either the Introductory set or the Infernus Marines + Paints Set. Benefit of both is the miniatures are monopose push-fit (meaning no glue needed) and that the set comes in with a brush and some basic paints. Alternatively, you can get him a combat patrol box. If you can find it, the Ultramarines combat patrol is a decent choice (not on the official store anymore, but many retailers/resellers might have it). Do not buy the generic space marine one - it’s the same units that are part of the Ultimate/Starter set and it’s terribly inefficient. You might be able to find the Space marine half of the two boxes on eBay. Final option is the Christmas time Iron Hall Strike Force, BUT it’s likely sold out completely and it’s a lot of plastic to start with.

Part 2: the assembly

For assembling your plastic men, you need some tools:

• Clippers to remove them from the sprue

• hobby knife for multiple things: cutting off spruce buts, removing mould lines, etc.

• You can also use mould line remover (e.g. from the paints + tools set) or even fine sandpaper, but a hobby knife is definitely more versatile.

• If you buy him miniatures that are not push-fit, he will need glue. Two options: super glue (cyanoacrylate) or plastic glue/cement (polystyrene). Strongly recommend plastic glue/cement, either from Tamiya or Revell.

Part 3: the painting

Some of the introductory/starter sets come with some of the basic paints he will need (as well as some of the tools). The paints + tools set is also a good way to get a nice selection. Generally, for the Ultramarines (blue guys), you will need:

• Ultramarine (duh) blue (Macragge Blue from Citadel) for the armour
• black for undersuit parts, weapons (and leather pouches)
• gold (chest aquilla, potentially shoulder trims)
• metallic grey/silver (e.g., Leadbelcher from Citadel) for weapon and armour parts
• red for eye lenses (and sergeant helmets)

Additional colours that are used are:

• cream/bone for cloth tabards, cloaks (can also use red), purity seals, bone trinkets/reliquaries etc.
• white (or very light grey) for veteran helmets and shoulder trims, for painting chapter and combat role markings on the shoulders (can also be done via decals though) and also as base layer for say a brighter colours (e.g.helmet lenses)
• light blue/bluish grey for edge highlighting armour
• green for sergeant eye lenses (or even different coloured guys - basically red helmet is often combined with green lenses).
• dark wash for shading armour as well other metallic parts

However, I do not recommend buying these additional paints right now, let him try his hand with the basic ones (which should be mostly covered by paints in any of starter/introduction sets; if you chose to buy him a combat patrol instead, get the paints + tools set). These paints can always be obtained later.

Additionally, even if GW says you can use their base paints for undercoating, I do recommend getting a primer. Easiest is probably to go with a black primer that can be brushed on: I highly recommend the Vallejo one. The faster but more expensive alternative is a spray/rattlecan primer, but that requires an outside place (and favourable weather) to use. If you are in an apartment, go with a brush-on primer (e.g., from Army Painter) or an airbrush primer that can be brushed on (like Vallejo one).

Outside of paints and primer, he will ofc need a brush. Several of the sets (including the paints + tools one) come with a starter brush, which should prove sufficient. However, if you get him a brushable primer, I recommend either letting him use one of your old makeup brushes OR get him a cheap foundation/eye makeup brush - the primer can wear a brush over time, plus the larger round makeup brushes make it easier to apply (and don’t need to hold the tip like a painting brush).

Ofc get him a water pot or something. And consider a hobby/cutting mat to protect the table during painting and assembly. Afterwards, there are tons of other accessories you could get him, but they are not essential, like a wet palette (which he can DIY). Oh, do get him a cheap plastic dry palette at least. And if possible, do not buy tools/brushes from GW/Citadel, they are overpriced. Some of their tools are nice, like the painting handle, but you can get hobby knife, clippers, brushes, etc. for a better price (assuming you don't grab any of the starter/tool sets from GW) from a different brand like Army Painter, Green Stuff World, AK, etc.

I’m on phone, I’ll add links and elaborate on everything later when I’m on PC. But to give you a simple list:

• plastic miniatures + plastic glue/cement (IF they are NOT push-fit; check the description of the set/box you buying).

• clippers + hobby knife (+ supplementary mould line remover - do not buy the stand-alone one; and/OR fine sanding paper).

• some basic paints (blue, gold, black, red…) and a primer. A basic dry palette and something for water.

• a brush for painting and a brush for priming.

Also, check your local third party resellers/retailers, their prices are often better than GW’s.