A Beginner's Guide to Miniature Painting

Do you want your tabletop heroes or fantasy figurines to feel like they have that extra spark? Look no further than the art of miniature painting! While painting miniatures might seem intimidating at first, with a few basic techniques and readily available supplies, you can transform your minis from monochromatic plastic to vibrant, captivating works of art.

The key to successful miniature painting lies in creating contrast, making every detail pop despite the small scale. This is achieved through a step-by-step process:

1. Base Coating and Priming: It all starts with a foundation. Most miniatures begin with a base coat or primer, typically black, white, a shade of grey, or even the model's primary colour. This initial layer provides a key factor for the subsequent steps.
   
   
   • Choosing the right base coat colour:
   • Black: Ideal for creating deeper colours and making the most of shadowy recesses in the model.
     
     
   • White: Best suited for adding a brighter base, ideal for models with lighter colour schemes or where you want a more "pop" effect.
     
     
   • Grey: Offers a middle ground, providing a neutral starting point for most colour palettes.
     
     
   • The Model's Primary Colour: This can be a great time saver, especially for those new to painting. However, keep in mind that subsequent layers might require adjustments to achieve the desired contrast.
     
     
2. Laying Down the Main Colours: With a steady hand, apply the main colours of your miniature. This could be the armour for a valiant knight, the scales of a fearsome dragon, or the vibrant hues of a fantastical creature.
   
   
   • Thin Your Paints: A common beginner mistake is using paint straight from the pot, which can lead to a thick, gloopy mess that obscures details in some circumstances. Thinning your paints with a medium specifically designed for the paints you have allows for smoother application. Multiple thin layers are always better than one thick one, especially in preserving all the small details in your model.
     
     
   • Brush Selection: Different brushes are suited for different tasks. A pointed brush with a fine tip is ideal for painting smaller details, while a larger brush with a flat head is better for covering larger areas.
     
     
3. Building Up the Highlights: Now comes the magic! To create depth and dimension, highlights are applied to raised areas of the model. These are typically lighter tones of the base colour, mimicking how light would naturally fall on the subject, brightening it. Pro tip: Applying multiple thin layers of increasingly lighter highlights allows for smoother transitions.
   
   
   • Highlight Placement: Pay attention to the light source when placing your highlights. For example, a miniature with a light source from above would have highlights on its upper shoulders, head, and the top of its weapon. A light source from one side of the model would create highlights on that side and more shadows on the opposite side.
     
     
   • Blending: Once you've applied your highlights, you can use a wet blending technique to create smooth transitions between the different colours. This involves wetting your brush lightly with the desired paint colour and gently feathering the raised edges of the model, creating a highlight.
     
     
   • Dry Brushing: Another technique to bring out details is dry brushing. It works particularly well with metallic objects, giving them a realistic look, but can be used for various textures.
     
     
4. Adding Depth with Washes: Want to add some extra "oomph"? Enter washes. These are essentially thinned-down paints, often darker shades of the colours used as a base, that settle into the recesses of the miniature. This creates a shadow effect, further enhancing the contrast and bringing your miniature to life.
   
   
• Liberal application of washes: Washes can be applied over the whole model, allowing the wash to settle into the recesses of the model due to its thin nature. However, do remember you can always add more, but taking it away is much trickier.
  
  
• Controlling Washes: Apply washes carefully, avoiding areas where you don't want the shadow effect. You can use a clean brush to soak up any excess wash that pools on unwanted areas.
  
  
5. Finishing Touches: Finally, and if you feel it is necessary, a clear coat protects your hard work and adds the desired sheen. Choose from glossy, matte, or somewhere in between, depending on the effect you want to achieve.
   
   
   • Glossy: This creates a shiny, reflective finish, ideal for smooth surfaces like armour or scales.
   • Matte: Provides a more natural, non-reflective finish, often preferred for fabrics, skin tones, and terrain.
   • Satin: Offers a middle ground between glossy and matte, suitable for situations where you want a slight shine without being overly reflective.

Beyond the Basics:

Techniques like Non-Metallic Metal (NMM), which simulates the look of metal using only non-metallic paints, and Slapchop, a quick method using just one paint for base colours, highlights and shadows, or Glow Effects, where internal light sources (rather than external) are considered, offer even more creative avenues to explore. 

Miniature painting is a journey of constant learning and improvement. It’s a form of art that rewards patience, precision, and passion. As you practice and experiment with different styles and techniques, you’ll find your unique voice and artistic style. From there, you will find there is no end to the vast possibilities that this wonderful hobby offers.Stay connected with Hearn Hobbies Melbourne! Get the inside scoop on our latest products and hobby tips by following us on Facebook. Or, immerse yourself in our expert-guided hobby tutorials on YouTube. Don't miss out on the latest hobby products!