"15mm Harder to paint than 25mm?" Topic

I've recently started painting some 15mm Napoleonics.

Aside from 15mm WWII and some 15mm Carthaginians for FOG, this is my first try at 15mm for a number of years.

Prior to that I was painting 25mm ECW, AWI, ACW, some Sci Fi and Fantasy.

I'm finding the 15mm really tough to paint. The cords, belts and such are so small that getting them right is a real chore, much harder than in 25mm.

I was always under the impression that painting 15mm was no more difficult than 25mm. Now I'm not so sure.

So what's the consensus on this? Is it my lack of skill, or is it really harder to paint nice 15mm then it is 25mm?

I paint moderns, so our experiences are probably not exactly apples to apples, but I find 15mm to be more forgiving – if I don't get a rifle strap painted exactly right, it's not going to be visible at table distance. I also use a finishing ink wash that tends to conceal my mistakes.

For me, 15mm is easier because I'm not expecting as much from myself as I do when I paint 28mm figures.

I think figures get easier to paint to a basic "wargames" standard as they get smaller, but paradoxically get harder to paint to a high standard. One sees loads of well painted 28s these days, but fewer 6mm or 10mm painted to the same sort of standard. It may just be a reflection of the relative popularity of scales.
I find it more difficult to do a good job as the figure gets smaller.

Just had this disccusion with my last night after I spent two hours painting but not finishing two 28mm western figures. 15mm is a lot easier and quicker. The larger the figure, the less forgiving it is. Remember the 3' rule we use in N scale modeling compared to HO modeling--it only has to look good from 3' away. ;-)

I haven't painted 15mm Napoleonics yet. My Prussians have been primed for nearly a year w/o work. I have painted 15mm ACW and WWII.

To me, YMMV, it is the figure, not the scale. There are 15 mm figures hard to paint and others that just about paint themselves. Same with 28 mm and other scales.

Some figures are made to be painted while others are made to show off the artist's ability to re-create a difficult pose, costume or how much detail he/she can get on the figure.

Dan

I find it harder to paint 25mm. On 15mm I do not bother with the eyes. On 25mm, that is a must.

Hasn't been my experience. I've never had any more difficulty saying "honey – new miniatures for you to paint" when I handed her 28mm vs. 15mm! lol

Really though, from what she tells me she says its more of a detail issue for her. *Less* detail is harder to paint than more detail in her opinion. But then she does it professionally. . . so YMMV.

It all depends. I've painted lace on 15mm French SYW troops – and it was a pain as it was really fancy stuff. Napoleonic troops present a difficulty level which is not prevalent with some 15mm troops, they do have some fiddly bits, the key is patience and a steady hand. They are more difficult than 25mm troops in the small aspect, but then again you aren't going to be doing much in terms of blending, free-hand script work, eyes, or other things that you consider or do when painting a 25/28mm figure.

I have not painted 15mm Naps, but in the realm of Ancient warfare most 15mm figures are a breeze to paint compared to 28mm. I used to try and paint the 15mm 'Foundry' style with dark/mid/highlight, but now I stick with block paint, minwax or magic wash, hightlight.
Painting eyes on 15mm humans is a waste and looks weird in most cases.

You need to try a different technique on the 15's. Also, a small brush for the belts and such. Try prime black and dry brush(very lightly) white and this will pick out the belts for you. It will then be easier. Then paint the belts first so if you screw up you will fix when you go to do the shirts. Finally if all else fails use the dip. This system hides all faulty painting and sculpting. :)

Have fun that is the bottom line.
Happy new year!

Combat painter hit the nail on the head. Painting at any scale is a matter of technique or the process. Find the right process for the 15mm size. Also as Hothgar ponts out the era makes a difference in technique as well.

Get a pair of cheap 3.25 reading glasses. All of a sudden those 15s will look like 25s. believe me it does help.

As above, you need the right technique for 15s. I use a lot of drybrushing and washes, quick & easy and works fine. If you try to paint them like 28s, then yes, you will drive yourself nuts.

Personally I don't think so. It is easy to fall into the trap of feeling as though the 15mm figures need to be painted using the same techniques as 28mm figures.

I personally tend to use the three layer technique on both 28 and 15mm. With the latter, however, I find that I can often get away with only a basecoat and then a highlight. For 15mm WW2 I have even begun experimenting with the dip method, because slapping pigment onto 15mm seems too much like work to me sometimes.

Viking Massacre,
You have the right idea with the 15mm WW2. Three layering drab uniforms at 15mm becomes a chore. Minwax polyshades Tudor is your friend.

Oh, and dipping is God's gift to 15mm ACW and Colonial gamers!

I use a two tone layering with my 15mm, it seems to work OK. As CPBelt pointed out, they are tiny figures and no one is going to get close enough to check that you have every button painted properly. I try to paint the officers and HQs to a higher standard though as most people will pick these up to inspect them rather than the rank and file…

I haven't painted any Naps in 15mm, but am thinking of drifting into it. The painting does daunt me a little but that's part of the challenge.