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Post by The Semi-Retired Gamer on May 13, 2022 14:19:09 GMT -5
This will be easier than the mimic because I don't need to buy a different magnifying glass due to failing my eyesight check.
Just a reminder that this is MY process and not THE process. I am far from a painting expert. I just go for arm length quality because it's practical. I'm not entering contests or anything like that. I put a placeholder in for the potential number of steps so the process will be all in one continuous flow. Feel free to ask questions, make observations, or pass along tips if you see somewhere that I could improve. Without wasting any more time, here we go...
Step 1: Choose a Miniature to PaintI chose a single Wizard miniature I found at Vintage Stock. I have no idea what brand this miniature belongs to or how much it originally cost. It was priced to move at $1.99 if I remember correctly. I have not decided on a particular brand of miniatures to purchase. I just try to keep it to something that isn't unreasonably outside my skill range. The wizard will meet my goal of having a completed miniature ready for the player characters. 
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Post by The Semi-Retired Gamer on May 13, 2022 14:19:26 GMT -5
Step 2: Clean the Miniature
I open the miniature and wash it in a bowl with warm water and dishwater soap while briefly scrubbing each surface of the miniature with a toothbrush. I didn't do this on the first few miniatures I painted. I looked up tips online for painting miniatures and found suggestions for cleaning mentioned several times. The purpose behind the cleaning is to scrub any chemicals or other contamination that may remain from the molding process. The whole process is pretty quick as I only take a few moments to brush each and every surface. After I've completed scrubbing then I set the miniatures out to dry before painting them. Is this step absolutely necessary before doing any painting? I'll be 100% honest by saying that I don't *know* with certainty that it is but I will continue to do it for several reasons. First, the materials for scrubbing are cheap. I just use whatever dish soap and toothbrush is cheapest. Second, the process is quick to perform. Third, I seem to have better results ever since I started scrubbing the miniatures before painting them.  
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Post by The Semi-Retired Gamer on May 13, 2022 14:19:38 GMT -5
This doesn't have to be the next step of the process. I could have just as easily decided to paint the accessories and other small areas before painting the robe and hat. Step 3: Paint the Main Color [robes and hat]The robes and hat of the wizard will be the largest area of the miniature to be painted the same color. I wasn't sure which color to use so I asked my son, and he chose green. I painted the areas of the miniature and let the first coat dry. Most of the paints require more than one coat in my experience. There are some exceptions but I'm pretty much accustomed to painting at least two coats. I apply the second coat of paint after the first is dry. I try my best not to get any paint on the other areas but if I do - and I have - I will just paint over it with another color. At this point, I let the miniature dry again before applying any more paint.  
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Post by The Semi-Retired Gamer on May 13, 2022 14:19:50 GMT -5
Step 4: Paint a Secondary Color [skin]I decided to go with the hands and the exposed face at this time. I've never painted that much exposed skin on a human character, but it seems to have come out good. I put two coats and did a little touch up. I only included a picture showing the completed results at this step because I'm sure everybody grasps the concept of the first coat being light and the second (or further) coats will darken or thicken it up. I'll ensure it is completely dry before going on to the next step. 
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Post by The Semi-Retired Gamer on May 13, 2022 14:20:04 GMT -5
Step 5: Paint a Secondary Color [staff]Next, I painted the staff because it's two sections separated only by a hand. I chose the darkest brown I had to make it stand out against the other brown I will use in the step. As usual, it took two coats. Looking it over, I don't see any glaring touch up spots yet and the miniature still passes the arm length visual test so I'll proceed to the next step after this one dries. 
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Post by The Semi-Retired Gamer on May 13, 2022 14:20:27 GMT -5
Step 6: Paint a Secondary Color [boot, belt, and hat]Now I will use a lighter brown to paint the exposed boot, the belt with the pouch at his waist, and the ring around the hat. It seemed to contrast well with the darker brown and the green, so I went with it. At this point of the process, I have discovered a few spots that need touched up with the green. That shouldn't pose a problem. I have some really fine tip brushes that I've been looking for a reason to use so this is a perfect opportunity. I will continue painting the miniature until I have painted the entire piece before I do the touch up. 
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Post by The Semi-Retired Gamer on May 13, 2022 14:20:39 GMT -5
Step 7: Paint a Secondary Color [beard]I decided to have a blonde wizard just to stand out from the black or grey bearded wizards that are typically portrayed in film and literature. Yellow is not one of my favorite colors to work with after applying more than 2 coats to the beard and touching up several times. I'm not going to enter any contests with this miniature but that's not the point. The wizard still passes my arm length visual test to use on the tabletop, so I'm satisfied. I'm just waiting for it to dry before I move on to the next step. 
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Post by The Semi-Retired Gamer on May 13, 2022 14:20:50 GMT -5
Step 8: Paint a Secondary Color [shadows and base]At this point, I paint the open part of the robe sleeves and the base of the miniature in black. I probably could have gotten away with one coat of black, but I went ahead and did "nearly two coats" just to ensure it appeared even throughout the piece. I also did some slight touch up on the green and the brown. I tightened up the belt line a bit by adding more green paint while I also put some brown on a tiny portion of the staff that I missed on the first pass. I'm going to let this this thoroughly and have an internal debate about using a wash on it. All the reading I've done says that the wash can only enhance the work that's already done as long as everything is dry but I'm still a little concerned about messing it up at this point when I could just put some sealer on it and call it good. I'm going to think on this for a bit...I decided to go ALL IN and try the wash. I'm letting it dry before completing the next two posts in this thread.
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Post by The Semi-Retired Gamer on May 13, 2022 14:21:04 GMT -5
Step 9: Apply Wash to the Miniature
I was hesitant at first and I went back and forth several times, but I finally decided to apply a wash to the miniature. I wasn't confident with my decision so I watched a handful of videos on YouTube to learn what I could from seeing it done by someone else. Washes are much thinner than paints and just a little will go a long way. If you feel like you have too much on the miniature, then keep spreading it out. The wash will flow along the dips and bumps on the miniature and when it dries it will help create the illusion of shadows. If you look closely at the attached picture below you can see what I'm talking about. I had one spot on the miniature that had too much wash pooled in a small area, so I had to paint over it and then re-apply the wash after it dried. After having used the wash and being really satisfied with the results, I plan on washing all of my miniatures from this point forward. I used two washes on this miniature, Green Tone (from the Army Painter) and Flesh Wash (from Reaper Minis) but probably could have gotten away with just using the green. As soon as this completely dries then I will seal the miniature.  
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Post by The Semi-Retired Gamer on May 13, 2022 14:21:16 GMT -5
Step 10: Seal the Miniature
Finally, I applied a sealer to the miniature. Similar to the washes, sealers tend to be thinner than the paints. It's easy to overdo it the first few times so make sure you dip your brush in the sealer and spread it out until there are no spots pooled up. Applying a nice even coat to the entire miniature is what you are trying to accomplish. I've been using the Brush-On Sealer (pictured below) from Reaper Minis. I would definitely recommend using a cheap brush for applying sealer. Even though it is thinner than paint, the sealer seems like it clings to your brush a lot more. Maybe it's just me?  
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Post by The Semi-Retired Gamer on May 14, 2022 16:23:26 GMT -5
Closing Thoughts
That was a fun experience. I tried a new technique for the first time, and I feel like I improved my painting skills. Here's a few quick thoughts for anybody that wants to start painting their own miniatures.
Be patient - Start with the realization that it is NOT going to be as easy as some others make it out to be when you first start painting. You will have limitations and it might be easy to get frustrated. Don't let it get to you. Everyone has start at a lower proficiency than their current state. If you are getting a headache, getting a cramp, etc. then you need to take a break for a while and get back to it.
Not all paints are the same - I started off with Citadel paints because I bought a Warhammer beginner kit with models and paint. I've tried other paints with varying success. Currently, I use a mix of The Army Painter, Citadel, Reaper, and Valejo paints. Some colors may appear similar but will be quite different when they're applied to the miniature. Just be aware. I think my current preference are the Valejo paints but that's just me. I definitely prefer the dropper bottles that many of the brands come in in contrast to the pots that Citadel and some other paints use in their packaging.
Use the cheap stuff - When you first begin painting don't be afraid to use the cheaper paint brushes. I still use sets of brushes I have picked up at Dollar General and Wal-Mart for only $2-$3 for 5 brushes. I have some packs I bought at Hobby Lobby with 5 brushes for $5-$7. They're nice and ergonomic but I'm waiting until I get "just a little bit better" before I open them up. I even have some "official D&D brushes" that came in a pack of 3 for $17 but I got them at a Christmas sale. Honestly, start with the cheap brushes until you learn about paint discipline, brush cleaning, and general upkeep. Don't learn all that stuff on the expensive brushes. Besides, the cheap stuff lasts longer than you would think because you're most likely only painting one or two miniatures at a time instead of filling an order of 25 miniatures that a customer ordered.
Don't be afraid to try new things - Generally speaking, whatever mistakes you make can either be covered up by base coating over everything and starting over or just stripping the miniature clean. I have yet to find the necessity to strip a miniature and I've goofed up pretty bad. I was hesitant at first, but I used the wash technique for the first time in this thread and I'm pretty happy with the results. I had one area that I painted again, and I re-applied the wash. Just, go for it.
The internet is your friend - If you get stuck on how to do some painting technique just head to the internet. If you go to YouTube and search for what you need help with, you might be surprised at the sheer volume of videos on the subject. It's not just "hobby amateurs" doing it at the house, either. There are professional painters and representatives from companies such as The Army Painter and Citadel. In addition, there are forums and dedicated hobby sites scattered around the web with all sorts of tips. There's even a guide on several sites that will tell you what color matches up best with a color from another brand.
Stop looking for mistakes - Like the old saying goes, "if you're looking for something, you're going to find it". The more you look, the more minor mistakes or shortcomings you might find. At some point, you just have to put it down.
That's enough of my rambling. Do you have any questions, tips, or general feedback for me? Please, respond below if you do.
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Post by The Semi-Retired Gamer on May 15, 2022 18:58:01 GMT -5
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Post by hengest on May 15, 2022 20:07:55 GMT -5
So the sealer just protects the colorful paint underneath?
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Post by The Semi-Retired Gamer on May 15, 2022 20:25:13 GMT -5
So the sealer just protects the colorful paint underneath? Yes. It's just like putting varnish on a woodworking project. |
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