Beginner question :x

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**Sgt.Sunshine**

Hey guys, I just got my first pack of models, Space Marine Scouts, and came across a little problem. Initially I thought I could just glue them together and then pain, however, as I was fitting the pieces together I noticed that the rifle covers a good bit of the body and makes it quite hard to get at. Would it make sense to paint the parts individually first and then assemble? If so can I just do a base coat of black instead of priming it with a spray can?

**insaniak**

There are a couple of options...

Some people like to paint the components on the sprue. Makes it easier to hold everything, but harder to trim mould lines, and you'll have some touching up to do once you have finished painting and cut everything off the sprue to glue together.

The more common option is to glue together as much of the model as can be easily painted, and paint the other bits separately. Temporarily attaching the weapon arm to a piece of off-cut sprue (using a little blue-tac or a small dob of glue) makes it a little easier to hang onto for painting... just cut off the sprue and glue in place when you're done.

Otherwise, for the quick and dodgy option, just glue the whole model together and paint what you can get at, ignoring anything behind the weapon. Doesn't hold up well to close scrutiny, but if all you're after is a quick table-top standard mini, works just fine.

**Sgt.Sunshine**

Thanks, I think I'll go for option 2.

**nirvana69**

Uhm the easiest way would to be just to spray everything while its still onn the sprues and then paint the problem areas, then assemble, then finish painting.

**Sgt.Sunshine**

Just another quick question. I've already assembled the body, head, and legs and have left the arms aside. I've considered attaching the legs to the base right now, but I'm worried that it'll cut me off from painting certain areas, they're scouts with capes. Should I be concerned, or just go ahead with it anyways since most people would be able to look where I can't paint anyways?

**Xca|iber**

I just paint as far into those areas as I can, then leave the rest as shadow. Who's gonna be looking in there anyway? As long as it can't be seen from any top-down angle, who cares?

Well, unless you're painting for a comp, then it matters a lot. Or if it's your most prized model or whatever.

**Sgt.Sunshine**

Good point, I'm not really painting for a competition or anything, but I am using grey primer. Does that show up as shadow okay? Or should I swap to black? @_@

**Flinty**

I find it incredibly irritating and fiddly to paint anything behind a blocked bit of model. All you really have to do to get around the problem is to not glue the arms on before painting. Sometimes its only the gun arm that you don't need to glue on.

If you want to play with the models before painting them then use some blue-tac to hold them together. Your painting results will be much more satisfying.

**LordCreed**

Personally I assemble it half way first: the legs, body and some optional details, then I paint it, after that I glue the arms and head on

**Space_Potato**

I do it in sub-assemblies: Body (legs, torso, head, base), arms (arms and weapons), extras (things that get put on afterwards)

S_P

**JSK-Fox**

I just stick everything on, and if I can't paint it, it's pretty much unable to be seen.

**romeo.lima**

Generally for Space Marines, unless they're in an "open" stance you want to do it in two or three sub-assemblies.

After scraping away the mold-lines and all that jazz, I would advise that you leave whatever weapon a Marine will be holding off. This prevents the chest detail from being covered up. Some people also like to leave the backpack off so that they can have easier access to the shoulder pads and the Marine's back. It's up to you really.

Personally I would say that if you want to improve then you really should try to paint the models assembled as much as is practical, usually with the arms, torso, legs and head all attached. This way you can see how you can manipulate how light interacts with the entire miniature, instead of a bunch of disembodied arms and legs.

What I mean by closed and open stances is this:

The one to the left is in a closed stance (i.e. when you paint someone like him you want to leave the bolter off so you can get to his torso), and the one to the right is in an open stance (i.e. there is nothing that is really constricting any detail, so there is no need to work in sub-assemblies). Hope that helps!

**Thaanos**

When I build my mini's, I Base coat them while on the sprue, then I cut each piece out, clean up the mold lines, and then cover them up with a bit of chaos black paint(I use a can of that for my basecoat). After it's all cleaned up, I will paint each piece, and then when it's all painted I'll glue it together. I find this is the easiest way for me(not everyone, as it is time consuming). Doing it as I do, will make for "clean" models, as you'll easily get the model fully painted, and less chance of accidentally painting over an area you've previously done. Although you do have to watch out for how much glue you use, as if you put too much, and it comes out from between the plastic, it will take some of the paint with it when you dab the excess glue off the seams.

My advice to you is trial and error. Give each method a try , see what you like best. Some methods take longer and can give a "cleaner" model. Some methods are quick and in a skilled painter makes no differnce in quality. After-all it's your hobby, your miniatures, it's all about weather you are happy with it.

**Valkyrie**

Oops, double post

**avy**

I perfer to assemble the unit minus the peices that block off areas to paint. It helps me not get frustrated haha

**comisarmilo**

i would strongly suggest painting your models on the sprues first. Cutting them off and fixing up the sprue makrs by painting or wtv and then glue when your done.

**wizard12**

Nowdays I leave my models of the base to paint them mainly because I paint the basing sand I us. Afterwards I stick them onto the sand with tiny blobs of super glue.

**Girthman**

what I find works best for me is leaving the gun off, paint everything and the glue on the gun. simple

happy painting buddy

**Vet Sgt Ezekiel**

I remove each peice from the sprues and clean them up individually from mold lines etc.

I then spray white (always).

Assemble the scout minus the weapon.

Paint the scout leaving shadow colours where the gun will be covering.

Paint the rifle seperately (i drill the barrel then leave it on the pin vice for easy painting) and again leave a the back of the rifle against the mini painted with your shadow colour.

Assemble and complete painting.