A three-dimensional method is described for simulating the dynamics of low particle Reynolds number colloidal suspensions at high solids content. The method is based on modified Stokesian dynamics and includes hydrodynamic interactions, colloidal interactions, steric interparticle forces from polymers and the Brownian motion. A free surface model, containing hydrodynamic and surface tension components, is also described. The applicability of the method ranges over a wide variety of particle systems, but in this work is tailored for the simulation of paper coatings. The particle suspension is represented by spherical rigid bodies of a given size distribution that are suspended in a Newtonian liquid. Numerical simulations performed using this technique enable the study of microscopic scale mechanisms, the characterisation of particle system constituents, an appreciation on microstructure development in time and the evaluation of macroscopic level properties of particle suspensions or consolidating systems. The method is evaluated in a number of test cases to illustrate its functionality and provide examples on the potential of its use in the simulation of paper coatings. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.