"Did you have a painting mentor?" Topic

Was there someone who helped you, person to person, learn how to paint miniature toy soldiers?

No, I did it all myself. Although looking at uniform references in the early days (and even now) and then looking at painted figures on the internet and in the "flesh" have surely helped.

Jim

No. I picked things up along the way.

Nope I learned on my own, starting when I was like @ 12.

So the learning curve was not very steep all …

No but was encouraged by many good painters.

To the extent that I was told "Cover all the metal with primer and all the primer with paint", yes.
I was also encouraged to use the "sloppy undercoat" method, and only worry about staying within the lines when it mattered.
Anything after that is my own fault.

My Dad was a signwriter so I had advice on the basic tools and materials but not for actual painting. His model ships from his youth were much larger than mine.

No, I learned by trying & looking at other peoples work.

Much of my painting ability was learned through print materials in 1977-1980 or so. I started buying metal figures around this time and I found a small paperback book on RPG games. It had a chapter on figure painting that was quite handy – priming, block painting, washes, shading, highlights, dry brushing, etc. Stuff that is very basic but a useful foundation. I also had a subscription to The Courier that frequently published handy painting articles. At the time I was between 12 and 15 years old. I've been painting ever since, but I'm much lazier these days.

Yes

Yes.

Not originally.

But TMP showed me the way with "The Magic Dip".

And I ask Scott of Pictor's Studios occasionally for advice.

Indirectly.

I'm inspired by those far better than me and I'll strive to mimic their painting. I'm a member of HMGS and would recommend that people who go to the conventions avail themselves of the Hobby U courses. You'll at least pick up a few good tidbits.

Nope – had some advice from time to time but not what you would call mentorship

My dad taught me to paint. I adapted those lessons to painting minis.

Learned from books, and the Internet. Learned about black washes, and The Dip. Tried both, preferred The Dip. Been painting armies that way, ever since. Never looked back.

Received compliments on my painting, but never what I would call, mentorship. Cheers!

I attended Spartacon a long time ago and during that, I attended a small painting session on painting acw figures. My wife had given me my first acw figures a few weeks earlier, along with the game Johnny Reb 2, so I was interested. The gentleman answered all of my questions, so I found out how to paint.

I reckon I just absorbed what I could from people more experienced than me and asked how they did techniques I didn't know about.

Other than that, I tried to do what worked for me and keep improving.

David F Brown

No

No, some tips from white dwarf mag in the 90s then trial and error ever since.

+1 ZuluPaul

no

I had (still do have for that matter) a good friend who was a graphic designer whose models were a source of inspiration for me back in the mid 1970's. He now is the owner of Galloping Major wargames and his figure painting is still a source of inspiration. He taught me the value of a good brush of the right size and shape and how to use the three tone approach of a block of the main colour, a darker shade in the creases and a highlighting dry brush.

I don't do that know adays as I paint almost entirely 6mm and smaller but the general principles of knowing where the light is coming from and painting in lighter tones than the real thing still apply.