"5 Painting Tips Every Newbie Should Be Told" Topic

You were asked – TMP link

What are the five tips concerning painting which, in a perfect world, every new member of our hobby would be told?

And in the final round of voting:

13% of the votes: "a simple scheme, well-executed, is much preferable to fussy over-detailing not well done"

12% of the votes: "always prep your miniatures (mold lines can ruin any figure)"

12% of the votes: "if you're happy, that's all that matters"

11% of the votes: "good lighting makes it easier to paint"

11% of the votes: "paint to your own satisfaction"

Don't paint the whites of the eyes

Don't lick your brushes or drink your brush water by mistake

water down your paints

Don't lick your brushes or drink your brush water by mistake

Also, don't dip your brush in your scotch.

I will always espouse teaching The Dip, and Magic Wash techniques for beginners: they will achieve table-ready, finished figures, very quickly. It will encourage them to keep at it, by giving them very quick gratification.

If they choose to learn to paint to a higher standard, they can, and will. If they choose to stay at this level, they will be able to churn out armies, in a minimal amount of time.

Bottom line: The Dip and Magic Wash techniques will give them fast results, for minimal effort. These techniques will encourage them, and reward them, faster than any other methods, thereby keeping them in the hobby. I apply simple block painting, in an assembly-line method, painting each figure of the same casting, in succession, repeating the same brush-stroke on each identical figure, until I reach the end of the line; then, I start over at the beginning, repeating the next brush-stroke. When I am finished block painting, I apply The Dip/Magic Wash. My average painting time, per individual figure, is 10 minutes… I can finish 6 figures, in one hour. Now that, is positive reinforcement, and very rewarding, for painting!

These techniques may not be liked by the majority of TMP'ers, but they have their place, and their usefulness should never be ignored. It is difficult enough to recruit new gamers. Every technique which will help retain new recruits in the hobby, is golden. Cheers!

Dry brushing is another useful tool, particularly on fur and hair.

Colour wheels are very useful in determining overall colour schemes and the value of a contrasting colour to match.

mixing paint is very easy for tint (lighter version) or shade (darker) versions. You need not have every colour premixed and purchased

The concept of "breaking" a pure colour: to add its contrasting colour into the mix to make it more muted. I.e adding a drop of red to a pure green (opposites on the colour wheel) will make it grayer, but not in the same way as adding pure black.

The two foot rule. Don't get caught up with details that can't be seen. Impressionist techniques are as useful as meticulous gradation and shading.

Black paint often still has a slight colour to it, and thus can be cool or warm in tone and has different effect when mixing.

Transparent paint is useful over opaque layers. (Magic dip, washes, or high ratio of medium to pigment all fall into this realm)

I agree with Sgt. Slag's main point: if it helps with recruiting, it should be taught.

I agree with all the points. It's hard to rank them in importance. Even the don't dip the brush into your scotch is a good one…….especially single malts.

Don't leave your ffigs on the end table by your bed where your girlfriend might knock them off in her passion.

Don't be fooled that the more expensive brushes and paints will work any better than less expensive ones. I used to think that paying $5 USD-$8 a piece for brushes and small expensive bottles of "hobby" enamels would give a better paint job, they do not. Buy decent quality stuff and take care of it, you save money and become a more accomplished artist in the bargain.
BTW Aehtelflaeda who told you that story?

eto, what do you drink your scotch from, Dixie cups?

Allow me to disagree.

If you can afford them, Kolinsky sable brushes are better at keeping a point and are better at lasting longer. Hence better painting. Also, better paints have higher pigment levels than craft paints. There are better returns in buying better brushes and paints.

Oh and get brush cleaner too. I recommend Brushmaster.

It was a true event from personal experience. My nicely done Russian infantry (1/35 scale Tomiya plastics) got horribly mangled. A small price to pay!

Bowman has better stereo speakers as well than I have.

blacksmith,
water down your paints
Don't lick your brushes or drink your brush water by mistake

Also, don't dip your brush in your scotch

And last but certainly not least!!!

Don't water down your scotch

eto, what do you drink your scotch from, Dixie cups?

Red Solo shotglass! ;)

Not really, but if I am not looking at what I am doing, I have dipped my brush in my coffee, beer, and … yes … horror of horrors … vodka and scotch (on separate occasions, obviously).

Kolinsky sable brushes are better at keeping a point and are better at lasting longer.

Completely agree! I am generally a cheap guy and have a bunch of craft brushes, keeping several well past their life to be reserved for nasty painting/glue/grit tasks. But a good sable brush is a joy to paint with and will last forever if you take care of it.