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"Miniature Painting for Beginners – How to Get into the Hobby" Topic


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641 hits since 29 Jun 2020
©1994-2024 Bill Armintrout
Comments or corrections?

Tango0129 Jun 2020 10:23 p.m. PST

Of possible interest?

link

Amicalement
Armand

Personal logo Sgt Slag Supporting Member of TMP30 Jun 2020 6:53 a.m. PST

I would call this a "motivational guide," more than anything. It is also disappointing to see the author recommending expensive 'model paints' to someone just starting out.

There are no real comments on actual painting techniques. Loads of comments on motivating, and keeping yourself motivated, but nothing on actual painting techniques, or approaches, other than to avoid using "throw-away miniatures," to practice on.

One of the best, hand's-on, technique guides I've seen to date, are located within the 2e BattleSystem, and 2e BattleSystem Skirmish rule books, published by TSR, in the early 1990's. They are somewhat dated, by today's painting approaches, but they are still solid, detailed, instructions. They can be easily adapted to modern paints (GW Contrast paints).

Sounding like a broken record ("Scratch!… Scratch!… Scratch!…"), I believe the best approach for beginners, is to demonstrate simple block painting techniques, followed by The Dip/Magic Wash techniques: it gives playable, non-embarrassing results, which every beginner can easily achieve. After that success is under their belts, they can always move into more complex techniques, using more expensive tools/paints. Noobs need encouragement, which comes through creating successful, non-embarrassing, table-ready, miniatures, which look good, at arm's length. That is the cake they can eat. The frosting (higher quality results) can come later.

Just my humble opinion. Cheers!

Tango0130 Jun 2020 1:11 p.m. PST

Thanks!.

Amicalement
Armand

Twilight Samurai30 Jun 2020 9:39 p.m. PST

I'm sometimes amazed at how many Ads can be squeezed onto these pages.

I click on that link and I get a mail slot of content surrounded by crap.

Andy Skinner Supporting Member of TMP01 Jul 2020 11:30 a.m. PST

I was thinking of giving a friend some miniatures (couple sprues of Morannon orcs) and some paint. He isn't getting into the hobby, and I think really needs less than recommended. Maybe I should just loan some myself. I suppose it would be best to give him the figures primed already. I wonder if there is an inexpensive starter set.

andy

Personal logo Sgt Slag Supporting Member of TMP06 Jul 2020 9:20 a.m. PST

Andy Skinner: buy your friend some craft paints in the basic colors needed for the figures on the sprue you intend to give him. They will cost < $2 USD/bottle-color. Brushes can be picked up for little money (< $5 USD/brush) at Michael's, or similar art supply stores. Cheers!

Asteroid X08 Jul 2020 11:03 a.m. PST

Andy, he ISN'T getting into the hobby?

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