Tutorial 
Welcome to the world of painting miniatures! Whether you aim to enhance your Dungeons & Dragons sessions, delve into wargaming, or simply enjoy the craft, painting miniatures is an exciting way to bring your characters and scenes to life. This beginner-friendly guide will walk you through the essentials, from picking your first supplies to mastering basic painting techniques, setting you on the path to becoming a miniature painting aficionado.
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies
Before starting your painting adventure, it’s essential to assemble the right tools:
- Miniatures: Start crafting your hero or villain with Eldritch Foundry’s character creator, find a gem at your local game store, or maybe borrow a piece from your buddy’s Warhammer 40k set.
Primer: A good primer is key to learning how to paint miniatures. The right primer ensures your paint sticks and keeps those fine details sharp and vibrant. Choose from spray or brush-on primers; remember, quality matters for durability and aesthetics. - Paints: Acrylic paints are a great choice for painting miniatures because they are quick-drying, easy to use, water-soluble, and available in a wide array of colors. Start with a basic set of acrylic paints that includes primary and commonly used colors (like flesh tones), and add more specialized colors as you go. Expanding the color palette to include more specialized hues like metallics and fluorescents becomes possible as you get more comfortable painting miniatures. The flexibility of acrylics in terms of opacity and texture, thanks to their ability to be thinned with water or acrylic mediums, also adds to their appeal. Plus, their water-based composition makes the cleanup process much easier. When looking for your first set of paints—we recommend Turbo Dork.
- Brushes: Choosing the right brushes is important for anyone learning how to start painting miniatures. Various brush sizes are used for different types of painting: larger brushes are great for base coating and applying washes efficiently, while medium-sized brushes offer versatility for general painting and layering. Fine-detail brushes with small, pointed tips are indispensable for intricate details that truly bring a miniature to life. The quality of the brush, often determined by whether they are made of synthetic fibers or sable hair, plays a big role in maintaining paint hold and a fine point. If you’re looking to grab an awesome set of brushes—check out Game Envy’s stock for great quality, scratch-resistant options.
- Palette: A good wet palette is an awesome tool for miniature painters. It’s not just a mixing surface for paints but also helps maintain the ideal consistency of acrylic paints, especially during long painting sessions. Made of a sealed container with an absorbent layer and a sheet of parchment paper, a wet palette ensures the paints stay moist and workable. This is particularly useful when blending colors or painting in dry conditions. If you’re ready to buy, Game Envy offers some awesome wet palette options.
- Extras: Besides the basic tools, a few extra supplies can help take your miniature painting to the next level. A magnifying glass is a game-changer for intricate details, ensuring precision with every stroke. Fine-tipped pens are another useful tool, perfect for adding tiny details that make your characters your own. Finally, a miniature holder is incredibly useful, providing stability while you paint. These extras enhance the painting experience and contribute significantly to achieving professional-level results.
Ready to make your unique mini? Start building now.