Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

I've always been more interested in modeling and painting than actually gaming with my minis. After several years hiatus, I want to get back into modelling and painting, but this time I want to really focus on improving my skills. Would it be best to practice on lots of infantry, like Orc spear boyz and Space Marine Tactical Squads- or should I buy single hero models and focus on those? Secondly, I understand the ideas of techniques like dry-brushing, washing, and highlighting but am unsure how to apply them. For Example: Should all the raised parts of a model be dry-brushed, or only the parts I want to stand out? Really, any tips would surely be helpful. Thanks!

Welcome to the forum and welcome back to the hobby

Personally, i'd start with infantry. Get a nice box of 10 for somewhere around £20 and practise the basics - brush control, layering, washing and highlights. That gives you 10 models to get to grips with the various techniques. I wouldn't go onto painting hero models until i knew what i was doing. £15 on 1 dude isn't logical if you cant use some basic techniques.

If this is your first time back, i have to ask - Do you have any paints?
If not, look at companys like Vallejo and Army Painter for colors. The GW colours aren't great.

I'd practice on pewter, on any kind of model, so I could drop it in acetone when I was done and wanted to start over.

Definitely start with regular troops - heros and elites are too expensive to use as test subjects. As for the type of troop, I would lean towards whatever catches your eye the most. Other things being equal, models with lots of textured armor, hair, and muscles (Orks, Tyranids) let you get away with simpler techniques because those textures catch washes and drybrushes well. So if you specifically want to push yourself on technique, you might instead choose models with large, smooth surfaces (Space Marines, Eldar, etc.). Those will force you to learn some basic layering if you want them to look good.

Also, I like the idea of just dunking a metal mini in acetone and starting over multiple times, but there's also a certain amount of practice required to get multipart plastic figs cleaned, assembled, and posed nicely. I think it's worth it to get some experience there before doing "real" models that you'll actually want to play with.

I'd suggest three things:

1. Paint models that interest you - This may sound obvious but you'll enjoy yourself far more if it's a model that you want to paint

2. Stick to small squads or characters - If you're just interested in painting and improving your technique then any larger than a small squad (5 models maybe) might be boring to replicate a good level of painting across. Smaller squads lets you try lots of different miniatures and techniques.

3. Test yourself - Maybe you're a Marine man, every once in a while do something really different, a Tyranid or even something from Fantasy, this will broaden your skillset.