"Beginner's guide to painting 15mm WWII figures" Topic
7 Posts
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Tango01 | 28 Oct 2020 8:48 p.m. PST |
"Before we start, I thought I'd better come clean and say that I'm not the world's best painter. But Chris suggested that I write a beginner's illustrated guide to help all those people who've never painted anything before or who, like me, are returning to figure painting after a break. This is a very simple guide to painting figures to a table-top or wargaming standard (example). I won't be using any complicated methods or elaborate materials. Like most people I guess, I want to get a lot of figures painted to a reasonable standard as quickly as possible. I also like them to be as historically accurate as I can manage without being too obsessive about it…" Main page link Amicalement Armand |
Sgt Slag | 29 Oct 2020 7:38 a.m. PST |
It is incomplete: he shows Army Painter Wash (aka, The Dip), but that, apparently, is discussed and illustrated in Part 3, which has not been published yet. For beginners, I disagree with the author flogging Vallejo and Army Painter products: they are expensive, and beginners can achieve decent results with craft paints, and Minwax Polyshades Urethane Stain, or similar, for less than one-half the price! I understand the argument for directing beginners to quality products, rather than the cheap stuff. I disagree with this approach. Craft paints can be used to achieve decent results. Minwax is much less expensive, and it works. The odor can be avoided by using their water-based products, as opposed to their oil/solvent-based products. I do, however, applaud this author: he is recommending block painting, plus The Dip. This is the fastest, easiest, means of achieving GEtGW figures! It is rare to see a "beginner's guide to painting miniatures," which advocates this set of techniques. Success is pretty much guaranteed with this approach. Success encourages the newbie, like nothing else. They can always develop better painting techniques, and skills, if they pursue the hobby. Setting the bar higher, only discourages the newbie -- Buuuzzz!!! Wrong Answer! Thank you for playing! Next Contestant, please! They need easy, quick, successes to encourage them to keep up in the hobby. If they become frustrated, early on, failing to achieve acceptable results (GEtGW), they will likely quit the hobby… Cheers! |
Tango01 | 29 Oct 2020 12:16 p.m. PST |
Thanks!. Amicalement Armand |
TSD101 | 08 Dec 2020 1:17 p.m. PST |
I disagree with the author flogging Vallejo and Army Painter products: they are expensive, and beginners can achieve decent results with craft paints This depends entirely what you are painting. Craft paint is generally fine with terrain and some plastics, but I've found it to be terrible for 15mm figs and metal. Every brand I've tried from Michael's and Walmart is lower quality and doesn't thin well, and rubs off far easier. |
Tango01 | 09 Dec 2020 3:16 p.m. PST |
Good point!. Amicalement Armand
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Blackhorse MP | 15 Dec 2020 8:38 a.m. PST |
I'm with Sgt Slag on this one. I game in 15mm and have found that block painting with craft paints topped off with Polyshades "Dip" can give a nice AND durable outcome. Now having said that I will admit the majority of my figs are painted with Vallejo, but I don't see any difference in appearance or durabilty between the two paints. I would certainly not discourage anyone from going the craft paints and dip route if they were looking to save a few $$$. That's just my two cents. |
von Schwartz ver 2 | 02 Jan 2021 6:31 p.m. PST |
@TSD101 This depends entirely what you are painting. Craft paint is generally fine with terrain and some plastics, but I've found it to be terrible for 15mm figs and metal. Every brand I've tried from Michael's and Walmart is lower quality and doesn't thin well, and rubs off far easier. I have used both high quality enamels, $2 USD-$3 for 1/4 oz. bottles and inexpensive craft paints $.50 USD per 2 oz bottles with virtually identical results on literally thousands of 15mm SYW, renaissance Poles, Napoleonics, and some micro-armor figures. I have no trouble thinning it nor does it rub off easily, providing you lacquer your figures when done, (spray dull coat is about $5 USD-$8) and lasts a long time (I did some of mine in late 80s and early 90s) cheaper spray lacquers are also available but I kinda like Testors. |
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