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I've been painting for a while now and am happy with my table-top painting level, but am looking to push myself to achieve greater results. I'm looking for suggestions of models that are great to paint, either with superb detail or dynamic or characterful poses. Whilst I could seek to paint the 'troop' models to a higher standard, I'd like to paint the 'one-off' models as they are just more interesting!

The suggestions don't have to be GW models, although this is what I'm used to so far. I've been looking at the 'Avatars Of War' models, which are just superb and I'm sure these will feature in my painting future, but I'm just looking to compile a list of stuff that inspires me to paint. GW, Forgeworld, 40k, WHFB, other companies, literally anything you can suggest would be great!

Thanks.

I recently painted Kaptin Badrukk, it was the most enjoyable figure to paint which I have done in a long time.

Appart from the cloak, there are no large boring flat areas, the model oozer character and gives you the opportunity to try out different techniques. The one bonus of the cloak is that you can free hand your own designs on to it.

Whilst I'm only painting Guard atm I enjoyed the Astropath and Sanctioned Psykers... but I think you need something more epic, probably an IC...

the legion of the damned metals that GW is releasing right now are very nice.

badrukk was very fun to paint as well.

Have you checked out the minis over at Raging Heroes? While they are experiencing a little bit of a delay, their models are set to be gorgeous. The sheer amount of detail on the hero is amazing, the standard bearer has a ton of detail in the women's bodies and the flowing standard will give you a real challenge to free-hand your own image on its billowing cloth. Even the musician creature pair is a unique concept.

Even further, they offer both 28mm and 54mm models. Painting up a 54mm mini from them would be a masterful centerpiece for display.

Edited for link fix.

My favorite GW model is the chaplain in terminator Armor.

squilverine wrote:I recently painted Kaptin Badrukk, it was the most enjoyable figure to paint which I have done in a long time.

Appart from the cloak, there are no large boring flat areas, the model oozer character and gives you the opportunity to try out different techniques. The one bonus of the cloak is that you can free hand your own designs on to it.

I've been eyeing up Badrukk as a potential actually, as he seems to have lots of different types of surfaces to try out on.

Henners91 wrote:Whilst I'm only painting Guard atm I enjoyed the Astropath and Sanctioned Psykers... but I think you need something more epic, probably an IC...

Yep, Independent Characters are probably going to win out here!

studderingdave wrote:the legion of the damned metals that GW is releasing right now are very nice.

badrukk was very fun to paint as well.

Mmmm... I can't work out if I like the LOTD models yet, but a nice suggestion all the same.

Kirbinator wrote:Have you checked out the minis over at Raging Heroes? While they are experiencing a little bit of a delay, their models are set to be gorgeous. The sheer amount of detail on the hero is amazing, the standard bearer has a ton of detail in the women's bodies and the flowing standard will give you a real challenge to free-hand your own image on its billowing cloth. Even the musician creature pair is a unique concept.

Even further, they offer both 28mm and 54mm models. Painting up a 54mm mini from them would be a masterful centerpiece for display.

Edited for link fix.

They are simply superb! Very similar in style to the Avatars Of War models, so they will definitely go on my list. Thanks for that!

kronk wrote:My favorite GW model is the chaplain in terminator Armor.

Somehow, I've never thought of painting one of these, but you're right, they do look great and are now on my list!

Thanks so much for the suggestions so far. Any others?

Loads of nice stuff by Wyrd Miniatures in the Malifaux range.
I've go a pile of them that I want to get into on my desk but I must finish off my tyranids first!

Saint Celestine is a great model to paint: Finely detailed armour, expanses of cloth to try your free-handing on, etc... And how often do you get the chance to paint roses in 40k?

That said, AoW stuff is great. Never seen the RH range before, but they are simply amazing sculpts. Definitely on my list now

Hector Rex and his entire retinue.

If you don't want to spend that much, Inquisitor Solomon Lok is also a great figure.

Both have very nice poses, cool little detailing bits, and are absolutely amazing to paint.

Any of the librarian models

Just a thought, these guys http://www.blackscorpionminiatures.com/ have some great sculpts, they are slightly larger than GW minis, but just in case anyone is wondering, their fantasy pirates are just the rights size to act as a Flash Gitz retinue for Badrukk!

I vote for any Ork characters . Being Orks that they are , they just have SO MANY cool / characterful / extra bits everywhere to paint.

Put arms on this baby and paint it up nice. I got one coming and the level of detail is amazing.

Kanluwen wrote:Hector Rex and his entire retinue.

If you don't want to spend that much, Inquisitor Solomon Lok is also a great figure.

Both have very nice poses, cool little detailing bits, and are absolutely amazing to paint.

Which models are these? Are they GW and I'm being a dufus?

Alex Kolodotschko wrote:Loads of nice stuff by Wyrd Miniatures in the Malifaux range.
I've go a pile of them that I want to get into on my desk but I must finish off my tyranids first!

Yeah, the Malifaux range are a definite possibility.

Soviet Yam wrote:Any of the librarian models

Actually, I think I have one somewhere that I may have to find and paint up. Thanks for reminding me though!

Breotan wrote:Put arms on this baby and paint it up nice. I got one coming and the level of detail is amazing.

HELL YES! Although I can't quite justify the cost for the practice side of things that I want. Of course, if someone has one and wants to commission me to paint it, I'll be all over it!

squilverine wrote:Just a thought, these guys http://www.blackscorpionminiatures.com/ have some great sculpts, they are slightly larger than GW minis, but just in case anyone is wondering, their fantasy pirates are just the rights size to act as a Flash Gitz retinue for Badrukk!

Ooh...Nice! Another range of models on my list. Thanks for that!

More suggestions are always welcome!

How about Wrong Eye & Snapjaw from Privateer Press' Hordes/Warmachine line? It won the 2009 TGN Reader’s Choice Fantasy miniature award

Anything by Gamezone. I've been painting some mournful knights up, and they're simply wonderful models.

The commisar with a powerfist and book is a good model with lots of detail, maybe paint that one up?

ledfloyd wrote:How about Wrong Eye & Snapjaw from Privateer Press' Hordes/Warmachine line? It won the 2009 TGN Reader’s Choice Fantasy miniature award

Hmmm... I'm torn. Nice mini, but a bit too comic for me I think. Thanks for the suggestion though.

Fafnir wrote:Anything by Gamezone. I've been painting some mournful knights up, and they're simply wonderful models.

Yep. All good. I'll have to properly trawl through the website, but they're on the list now. Thanks.

thekingofdinner wrote:The commisar with a powerfist and book is a good model with lots of detail, maybe paint that one up?

I think that a librarian may provide more bang for the buck than a commisar. I'm not a huge IG fan, but I'll certainly give them some more attention and see what springs out.

More more more!

I always like painting reaper mini's, when I need a break from GW. There chronoscope range has some great mini's in it.

I put in another vote for orks in general. The options for both modeling and painting are endless. They have so many little bits, and there are no specific rules for what they have to look like, so you can really go to town.

I have found the new stormboys to be really fun to paint, but if you want a centrepiece there are some great warbosses.

Pretty much what kronk said. I've painted a couple of Terminator Chaplains so far and they're lots of fun to paint. Almost makes me wish I had a Marine army.

The new Ork Nob box is pretty nice and the Witch Hunters range is great for high detail models.

In terms of non-GW, Privateer Press makes a very nice and varied range of models and they tend to go together quite differently from GW's models.

The Helldorado stuff is cool if you can find it.

Finally, Reaper makes a huge range of miniatures. If you can't find something interesting in their range, you're just not trying.