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I've been assembling models for some time now. I feel fairly confident in my ability to construct the models, I've actually got some compliments from my FLGS about posing and creative use of magnets, but I've never been able to start painting them. I think it's a question of being able to work up the nerve. I don't want to ruin the model I just spent so long building by making it look bad.

I've seen many tutorials on different parts of paining but they only cover one certain aspect of it. Is there a comprehensive tutorial out there for someone who knows nothing about painting a model (or really knows nothing more than assembling the model and gluing it to a base)? I've seen a book "How to paint Citadel Miniatures," but with the prices GW charges I'd rather not buy it unless it really is a definitive work.

I'd really like to find something that explains evreything from what tools to use (All I know is that it involves paint and some kind of brush), to painting process (what order to apply the various paints), to baseing/banners and other accessory skills. Just the kind of little helpful stuff it's much easier to learn up front than after you realize you did it wrong.

I've got a really cool looking design for a Tau desert raider force "T'suam Korst'la" (Fire Reapers). Their imperial enemies call them the "ash bandits" (Pun intentional).

Well if your nervous and don't want to ruin your models, i could suggest buying those cheaper models (you know the ones where you get 3-5 push-fit ones for under £5) or even buying assault on black reach for the number of models for the price.

I think you should just use google or look on the forums for guides, there are always plenty of friendly painters willing to help.


The best thing to do is take your painting one step at a time, we were all beginners once



edit: I would personally master simple brush control, you know, having a steady hand and whatnot, before learning all of the techniques this may help break it down

Jackarius is right, try to find some of the push fit models to practice on.

Like jackarius says, grab some test models first.
If you need a generic step by step and then some details filled in where you need em, just ask.

I suppose one of the most important aspects of painting would be the colors, wouldn't it? A "bad" color scheme could make a model look aesthetically unpleasing, and this can be before the brush even touches the model. Most sites like brush thrall have pretty good color theory tutorials that help you with the terminology and such like saturation and analogous colors, useful for articulation of key ideas.

But if you really wanted everything in one book, I would go with the GW Painting book, but other than that ask around. And to work on test models first.

If you're really lost on how to start painting, just give us a hollar and we would be glad to help out.

Don't be afraid to paint a model, you can always strip it off and try again.
Honestly the best way to learn is to just start. Like Jack said, get a feel for brush control before you start trying to learn advanced techniques.
People will debate forever on what brushes are the best. Just grab a GW Detail or Fine Detail, they're good enough for a beginner, then you can move to higher quality stuff.
For your fire warriors, you want something fiery looking?
Start with a dark Orange (Macharius Solar Foundation) then you just put lighter colors on top, regular orange, then mix some yellow into the orange to lighten it even more.
Practice makes perfect (and experimentation helps too).

-CC

hell, if you got old mono-pose action figures or similar scaled models from anywhere, prime those and paint them if you are hesitant to mess up your nice gw sculpts...
or check with your local gaming store to see if they have any cheap oop 40k or any other cheap models of a similar scale...
just remember to thin your paints to keep them from looking blotchy, and that the color under a layer of paint can really effect how the outer layer looks...

Man, everyone got replies up while I was typing mine. I'm gonna post this anyways.

Honestly, the best way to learn is often to do it yourself. Painting is one of those things that only really improves with practice, and the best way to learn is to just start. Easiest way to do so is to come up with a color scheme, and just paint flat colors on the model; don't worry about things like drybrushing or highlighting at first.

Jackarius recommended buy some cheap models to practice on. Someone at your store probably has some extra Black Reach or Skull Pass models they'd be willing to sell for a cheap. That, or gnoblars from the fantasy range are some of the cheapest models you can get. (20 for $25 last I looked)

Thinning your paints is absolutely one of the best pieces of advice given. Yeah it may coat faster if you don't, but the final appearance can be ghastly. The first lesson I learned about painting a model is that if it takes you 10 different layers to get your desired effect, then so be it. Maybe it will take longer then people who just wanna get 'em painted and on the board, but IMO this is FAR, FAR, FAR, too expensive a hobby to not put alotta TLC into your painting. Doesn't mean every last Boy, Marine, FW, DA, Gaunt, or what have you needs to be a masterpiece, just means that you should take pride in your models. And that is something you have made clear by mentioning that with all your time already invested in posing them just so and the like, you wish to make sure the paint looks good. So grab a FW, take a deep breath, and dive in!

'Lbursley' has a bunch of video tutorials about painting different stuff and a P&M Blog on here that he updates very frequently.

Its a lot of info, but look through the videos and descriptions and you'll get a lot of idea on different painting techniques.

Also, you can always soak your minis in simple green and rub the paint off with a toothbrush if you think it stinks

Buy a set of Washes. It will be the best painting set you ever buy.


After that just prime the model white and hit it with a wash, dry brush some highlights on and you have a great looking mini!

Best way to find a way to paint is to do it yourself. Pick a mini you like, get a general idea of what color scheme you want, and start going. For the color scheme, there is a quick-ish way to get it. If you have the DoW game (and if applicable) the appropriate expansion for it, you can fool around with the color editor in that to get a good idea of what you may like on your army. **Most of the colors do not match with corresponding GW paints**

If it turns out you don't like the colors you picked, or you feel you've done a bad job, go do the store, grab a bottle of simple green, and follow these instructions:

http://s636.photobucket.com/albums/uu86/specialk290/40k%20Simple%20Green%20Strip/

I can personally attest to the effectiveness of the methods described in the link. I personally changed a full FW team from the "box" color to that more fitting of my army. Just make sure you have a a large mat of paper towels down first, as it makes a huge mess. Oh, and your fingers will probably be all sorts of strange colors.

Back on topic (if I ever was) if you took as much care and precision in assembling your minis as you say you did, you'll be decidedly impressed with your painting prowess if you just pay attention to what you're doing and don't ignore the details. Be prepared to put many many hours into your army painting it, as each infantry unit takes on average an hour to paint, and vehicles can take up a whole day sometimes.

Good luck, have fun.

+1 for just doing it. I have a tendency to overplan and research everything. I have a rather expansive theoretical knowledge of numerous aspects of several hobbies. Once you get down to it, you really begin to understand and appreciate what you've heard all the more. Get some cheapo junkers and start painting if you're worried about ruining them and don't want to strip. I went right to my big shoota boys and did a trio of them, taking plenty of time and care, and things worked out. I'm proud of them, which is all I really care about. Doesn't hurt that others like them, too. The sooner you suck it up and put paint to brush to model the better off you'll be. Trust me. I always delay, even though when I finally push myself to get stuck in, whatever it is I'm doing, I learn faster and get decent results. Makes no sense, but that's just how I am.

Painting is largely a craft skill.

You can get colour guides easily, you can get advice on techniques and so on.

In the end it comes down to using your own hands and getting used to the feel of the tools and materials. It takes time, practice and mistakes. There are no quick solutions.

On the plus side, it is much easier now than in the old days because there are loads of materials and techniques which didn't exist then and because there is so much advice and help available.


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My advice is to start with basic schemes and techniques, simple dry-brushing for example.

Just start painting. I painted about a dozen Tyranids in various colors until I found a scheme I liked. Then I stripped them with SimpleGreen and started painting "for real".

I recommend using brush-on Acrylic paints (personally I recommend Vallejo). I got few models from eBay and they were primed with some kind of black spray paint that SimpleGreen does not work on. It seems to be fused in with the plastic.

Another vote for 'just start painting,' but don't start with your prized expensive new minis. Get something cheap to practice on.

You could go to the toy store and pick up some cheap plastic soldiers to start on. They will teach you the basics without risking messing up the expensive stuff.

However, if you do mess up painting your expensive minis... there are ways to strip off paint without ruining the figure. It won't be a total loss if you mess up a paint job.

I know exactly how you feel. It took me close to 4 months to work up the confidence to paint a miniature. Now, almost 2 years later, I find it even more enjoyable than PS3's and TV.

I would suggest reading articles on places such as the One Ring, and GW. Even if you're painting Tau, reading an article on Cadians can help you on how to paint cloth. Or reading an article on Chaos Knights may help with your metallics. You can use some of the steps from various articles on most any miniature.

I would buy a starter paint set and paint the minis it comes with. Get the feel of it and try to improve your skill a little, maybe even buy a practice box of the troops you're using in your army (if you feel like spending that much money). Try out some paint schemes and get used to the brush. Also, GW's White Dwarf archive has some useful tutorials, I believe, on excellent tips for beginners on how to drybrush, overbrush, etc--very useful techniques.

I'm no great painter, but I've found it's something best learned through trial and error. You won't improve if you don't try. You'll probably be damned proud of your first painted miniature, and rightfully so; I was proud of mine too. It'll bring back memories too.

Believe me, after you complete your first miniature, you can't stop. Finishing your first squad makes you feel just as good. And that's what I mean--the more you paint, the more you'll improve.

Sorry if I'm just rambling on, if I make as much sense as a caveman I apologize (hire a translator )

Hope that helps a little.

-Josh

If you have a pile of unpainted minis, take one, prime it, follow the tutorials as you paint, finish it, look at it, recognize what you did well, recognize what needs work, ask your friends/gaming pals for critiques. Ask someone who's painting you like to take a look at it and see what they think. They will be fairly conciliatory and offer constructive criticism. Avoid people who's only comments are "AWESOME!" or "That sucks!" - they have nothing to offer or teach you.

I've been a nerd for a long time, perhaps even longer than you've been alive, trust me you'll have a pile of minis after a few years and you WILL get better with each one. Once you find your groove, you'll have minis that most gamers will drool over.

Create.

First, I'd be prepared to drop some coin on paint. GW paints actually ARE quite good and may possibly justify the price. Vallejo is an also quite good (I think it's thinner than GW out of the pot, which may be good or bad I guess). The more colors you buy, the less you'll have to mix yourself.

Second, get used to base-coating things in black or white. Black lends towards darker colors and is very forgiving. I find white lets you pick out details easier and lends towards a "Brigher" mini.

Third, dry-brushing and washes. Two easy techniques that can give you an excellent looking mini. Blending is better still, but much more difficult to master.

I learned a lot of my painting from a book Games Workshop published years and years ago. Don't recall the name of it - it was an obnoxious red/orange color cover though. Was absolute gold regarding techniques.

I'll also chime in and recommend some "trash minis" to start with - ideally rank and file mooks that are meant to be lost anyway. Use them to practice "Coloring in the lines" and getting a feel for how paint flows. 3 or 4 will give you a solid basic skill set. Everything from there I'm afraid is practice.

Definitely worth using the games workshop paints in my opinion. Also as said it is worth buying some cheaper models to try and experiment on. And if thats not enough ask a member of your local games workshop for tips or some one to one tutorial sometime. When I first got started I was in the same position as you. I felt helpless on where to start technique wise painting the models. But having someone who's been a long time in the hobby show me simple tips and tricks to make easy but effective paint jobs really helped me a long way to getting my own style started. And in the end persistence pays off. Every model you paint in time to come you'll look back to and see how you could have improved it or made a better job of it. And if you stick at it and learn from mistakes you'll always succeed in the end.

Id go Vallejo, for everything but Metalics. you cant beat GW matallics unfortunately. but for paint quality i understand P3 are the best (as they arent powder pigment and thus dont seperate as easily as GW or AV.)
AV has a better selection, 3 different paint lines. Model, game and air (i use air as washes, they really work better than the GW, and you can get yellow and a whole hoard of colours that GW cant).

also AV comes with a huge ammont of painting helps, like slow dry, mediums to help the paint not seperate, and thicken your better over all painting.

All in all GW will be the most availible, but it isnt the best all around, most people will swear by it, but thats because they learned to paint using it or have no other simple alternative. for the middle of the road AV is prime, with P3 being the best quality paint. (reaper im sorry to say i havent really touched as it is to expensive over in europe to get, but in the states might be something to look into.
Brushes as well will be important. i use winston series 7 i think, but they cost. better (price wise) are rosemary and Co. cheep, quality argueably second only to Winston. and availible like winston almost anywhere, online.

if your looking for cheep paints, and dont care about supreme quality, then Delta coat paints are a poor mans friend. good colour selection, come in huge quantites and are cheeper than GW paints. under 2 dollors canadian for 3 times as much paint as GW. best of all they are even more in supply than GW paints, and fuction just like a mormal mini paint.

when i first started painting oh so long ago i was one of those that used Testors paints (yes those ugly things) after a while i found Delta and still use some of them 20 years later because they are if not the best, that good. especially if your in the US and canada.

Everyone seems to have covered the basics here so I will not add anything else to the what kind of paint side.

'Muscle Memory' is something that painters sometimes come out with. the more regularly you paint the better you will become at brush control and therefor the quality of your minis will improve.

It doesn't matter what your first mini looks like, as you paint more you will become more skilled and find that you take less time painting.

Oh and have fun painting. If it becomes a chore stop and do something else. Paint some troops then go onto armour or a special character something that breaks the monotony.