I was hoping to paint some of the bland minis I have! Most are either Reaper Bones or the new white "hd" minis that Wizkids put out! What's everyones advice on getting started with painting? Is there like a decent "starter kit" type of thing? Let me know! :) I'm leaning into the cost effective range here too
One of the recent editions of Dragon+ had a whole section on getting started with painting plain minis. I'll have to look it up for a link, but I remember it was a two-part thing, and it was really cool. It gave some tips on basic techniques that result in some really awesome-looking minis. I've never painted them myself, but I totally want to try. That article made it seem more accessible. Plus I'm sure there's TONS of youtube content on it.
Awesome! You should consider posting your results. It's cool to see how super-experienced painters do their minis, but I think it's also useful to see how beginners do too. It might also help reduce the intimidation factor too.
Sorastro has a ton of videos on youtube and he's really good. Here's some other links I found useful when I started. I would highly recommend the dip method as well. You can get really great results even if you're not a skilled painter.
Sorastro has a ton of videos on youtube and he's really good. Here's some other links I found useful when I started. I would highly recommend the dip method as well. You can get really great results even if you're not a skilled painter.
It really does do wonders, I started out doing the normal wash and dry brush method and the results were decent (keep in mind I"m very much a novice) but then I tried the dip method and it was a huge improvement. It really does an amazing job of shading and cleaning up of a figure.
I'm so torn between using this method, I just got done basing my first few figures and I'm trying to work up the nerve to finish painting them this week. I'm just sort of concerned on what the varnish might do long time to some of the plastics.
I'm so torn between using this method, I just got done basing my first few figures and I'm trying to work up the nerve to finish painting them this week. I'm just sort of concerned on what the varnish might do long time to some of the plastics.
Huh, I never considered that... I wouldn’t think it would be such a highly recommended thing if it killed your minis in the long run. Worth checking into though.
I'm so torn between using this method, I just got done basing my first few figures and I'm trying to work up the nerve to finish painting them this week. I'm just sort of concerned on what the varnish might do long time to some of the plastics.
If your concerned about dipping. I've been using Krylon matte spray for years now on plastic and metal. Depending on the humidity in your area, Less is better. I normally spray the krylon matte twice making sure the coats are dry completely during application and then go over with a lite coat of testors dull coat to take away the slight sheen that it gives. I do this when I'm completely done with the fig and the base, It will help protect both you paint and your basing material.
I'm so torn between using this method, I just got done basing my first few figures and I'm trying to work up the nerve to finish painting them this week. I'm just sort of concerned on what the varnish might do long time to some of the plastics.
If your concerned about dipping. I've been using Krylon matte spray for years now on plastic and metal. Depending on the humidity in your area, Less is better. I normally spray the krylon matte twice making sure the coats are dry completely during application and then go over with a lite coat of testors dull coat to take away the slight sheen that it gives. I do this when I'm completely done with the fig and the base, It will help protect both you paint and your basing material.
I thought about adding a sealant, but figured the dip method would bead off that, hence my trepidation. I live in an arid waterless land so humidity should not be an issue, I could give it a try with less worry. Maybe start on some of the mage knight figures I am playing with. Thanks for all the tips!
If you go the dip method it puts a very durable finish on the minis, to the point where you don't have to worry about storage you can just chuck them in a box without fear of chipping paint. I've been using it for a couple of years now with no ill effects on the minis themselves. Make sure you give them a good 24-48 hours to dry though and there is a bit of an odor but if you leave them somewhere with good air flow it clears up in a couple days.
Airflow might be an issue, I could probably put them in the garage and that might work. My cat keeps trying to grab miniatures from me, which is why they are tucked away in the study with my wife's pet rat and rats don't do well with any kind of chemical smells we don't even spray air freshers near him cause they are sensitive little guys so with the dip methods the painted minis most definitely have to live somewhere else. Life with pets can be hard for a gamer, mostly exasperatingly funny but hard nonetheless.
LOL I found I had to actually get reading glasses when I started painting, never wore glasses at all before but it does help. There are lots of lights that have magnifying glass options too. Looks pretty good! Once you do your wash/dip it'll bring out the highlights really well too.
LOL I found I had to actually get reading glasses when I started painting, never wore glasses at all before but it does help. There are lots of lights that have magnifying glass options too. Looks pretty good! Once you do your wash/dip it'll bring out the highlights really well too.
Sadly i already wear a pair, I'm quite far sighted but I think I'm just going to get a better light in the future I have a bunch of poorly done tiny goblins but I'm getting those done.
If you're worried about using spray varnish in humid conditions (and you should be: it can ruin a figure!), you can always use the paint-on variety of varnishes. I suffer from this, living in Bermuda, for both primers and varnishes, so have avoided sprays entirely. Instead, as a protective varnish I use Vallejo Satin and/or Matt varnish.
Typically, I use GW's 'Ard Coat to seal and protect, but that's gloss (and a gloss finish looks bad!), so I then apply a second coat of either the Matt or Satin as required.
If you only have an art store, then Golden Artists Color Polymer Varnish is also a good matt protector.
Well I've moved on from my poorly painted goblins, to some similarly poorly painted Hobgoblins.I'm a graphic designer so I tend to have a lot of matte acrylics around for shirt designs,so I've been thinning and mixing those. I need to go less dark with pigments I've found, but it's been a fun experience all around. Though my cat seems to think that she can steal all my brushes.
I'm currently trying to find a good inexpensive Owl bear, some wolves, and a Spectator miniature, but those are harder to come by than I thought they would be.
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I was hoping to paint some of the bland minis I have! Most are either Reaper Bones or the new white "hd" minis that Wizkids put out! What's everyones advice on getting started with painting? Is there like a decent "starter kit" type of thing? Let me know! :) I'm leaning into the cost effective range here too
One of the recent editions of Dragon+ had a whole section on getting started with painting plain minis. I'll have to look it up for a link, but I remember it was a two-part thing, and it was really cool. It gave some tips on basic techniques that result in some really awesome-looking minis. I've never painted them myself, but I totally want to try. That article made it seem more accessible. Plus I'm sure there's TONS of youtube content on it.
Edit: Found it: http://www.dragonmag.com/5.0/#!/article/113120/102960510
Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.
Thanks for the heads up about Dragon+! I just downloaded that issue a couple of days ago and it was really helpful.
Awesome! You should consider posting your results. It's cool to see how super-experienced painters do their minis, but I think it's also useful to see how beginners do too. It might also help reduce the intimidation factor too.
Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.
There are a ton of informational videos on youtube. Dr Faust's Miniature Painting Clinic is one of my favorite.
Sorastro has a ton of videos on youtube and he's really good. Here's some other links I found useful when I started. I would highly recommend the dip method as well. You can get really great results even if you're not a skilled painter.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu5Pmz1wY-NWCYy21vikKAg
https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/43744/dip-method-step-step-guide-painting-miniatures
http://fortressat.com/index.php/up-your-game-toc/1185-the-boardgamers-guide-to-painting-miniatures
Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.
It really does do wonders, I started out doing the normal wash and dry brush method and the results were decent (keep in mind I"m very much a novice) but then I tried the dip method and it was a huge improvement. It really does an amazing job of shading and cleaning up of a figure.
I'm so torn between using this method, I just got done basing my first few figures and I'm trying to work up the nerve to finish painting them this week. I'm just sort of concerned on what the varnish might do long time to some of the plastics.
Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.
If you go the dip method it puts a very durable finish on the minis, to the point where you don't have to worry about storage you can just chuck them in a box without fear of chipping paint. I've been using it for a couple of years now with no ill effects on the minis themselves. Make sure you give them a good 24-48 hours to dry though and there is a bit of an odor but if you leave them somewhere with good air flow it clears up in a couple days.
Airflow might be an issue, I could probably put them in the garage and that might work. My cat keeps trying to grab miniatures from me, which is why they are tucked away in the study with my wife's pet rat and rats don't do well with any kind of chemical smells we don't even spray air freshers near him cause they are sensitive little guys so with the dip methods the painted minis most definitely have to live somewhere else. Life with pets can be hard for a gamer, mostly exasperatingly funny but hard nonetheless.
I always leave mine in a cardboard box with the lid open in the garage for a few days, after that they're usually fine.
Finished my first Bugbear, oh man I need better eyesight for this!
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B9MpFIXSuALgUUd6SEpPWklHZlU
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B9MpFIXSuALgWXFOdzJJd3ZGX1k
LOL I found I had to actually get reading glasses when I started painting, never wore glasses at all before but it does help. There are lots of lights that have magnifying glass options too. Looks pretty good! Once you do your wash/dip it'll bring out the highlights really well too.
If you're worried about using spray varnish in humid conditions (and you should be: it can ruin a figure!), you can always use the paint-on variety of varnishes. I suffer from this, living in Bermuda, for both primers and varnishes, so have avoided sprays entirely. Instead, as a protective varnish I use Vallejo Satin and/or Matt varnish.
https://goo.gl/images/TUS863
Typically, I use GW's 'Ard Coat to seal and protect, but that's gloss (and a gloss finish looks bad!), so I then apply a second coat of either the Matt or Satin as required.
If you only have an art store, then Golden Artists Color Polymer Varnish is also a good matt protector.
Well I've moved on from my poorly painted goblins, to some similarly poorly painted Hobgoblins.I'm a graphic designer so I tend to have a lot of matte acrylics around for shirt designs,so I've been thinning and mixing those. I need to go less dark with pigments I've found, but it's been a fun experience all around. Though my cat seems to think that she can steal all my brushes.
I'm currently trying to find a good inexpensive Owl bear, some wolves, and a Spectator miniature, but those are harder to come by than I thought they would be.