"Tips for painting 3mm fantasy" Topic

I am going to pick up a 3mm (hope my glasses hold out)fantasy army from Micro World. Haven't decided which one, my buddy is doing elves (I think). The smallest scale I have painted before is 15mm, so its probably quite different. Any tips or suggestions about how to go about it would be great. do you have to prime? Brush or Airbrush? Paints? Citadel or Army Painter. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

BOBTYW

I don't have any 3mm, but one of the YouTube channels I've subscribed to has a Roman Civil War project.

YouTube link

3mm stuff starts at the 8:30 mark (I don't know how to do the time stamp).
He talks about how he paints these little guys.
Hope this helps.

I just prime my 2mm stuff the same as everything else – spray matt black. It an be helpful to damp brush white to emphasise the highlights.

Block paint the main colours, give them a wash, pick out the highlights. They are so small you are only aiming for an impression. Vehicles may benefit from a (very) light dry brush.

Id go for fairly light bases so the figures stand out.

The Baccus web site has a bunch of "how to" guides for 6mm, and I think the main points would apply to 3mm.

Use the "dot and go" method. You're aiming for mass effect, not individuals.

Prime black, unless the figure is mainly another color (like green lizard men). Then paint your details as more dabs. Hands, faces, just get some paint roughly where it belongs.

I would not waste time with washes or highlighting, just use brighter colors than you would on 15s.

I get nioce compliments on my 6mm and this is my technique. PLUS it's fast. I can paint a pack of 50 WW2 infantry in 6mm in an evening.

Don't sneeze

Use a small brush.

I'd suggest looking at the excellent videos put out by Aaron at Project Wargaming. He does some excellent work with 2mm Ancients.

3mm? Sure. Use nicely printed card stock chits, at that point. ;D