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First of all id like to prefice this by saying that i am 2 days old in the warhammer 40k world, ive learned alot about warhammer 40k from a friend and a space marine codex i bought,i want to paint my models to be good enough where they dont look like crud but not perfect because i dont have much skill in painting, so please no super advanced techniques i just need to learn how to assemble and paint my miniatures so they are slightly pleasing to the eye as opposed to looking like a paint can threw up on it.

so i just got a pack of warhammer space marines there are 10 of them and i want to know how i should best go about getting them to play level, so here are my questions!


1. should i assemble them fully before i prime and then paint them? im assuming yes...
2. how long should i wait for the primer to dry before painting? im using army painter white colored primer!
3. what paint techniques should i learn in general in order to paint my models?
4. would a army painter side cutter be better then an ikea sidecutter?

1. Assemble them to the point before it would impede your painting (don't put the bolters across their chest yet)
2. I like to leave 24 hours from primer to paint (I had a bad experience)
3. Washes are the fastest way to make amateur stuff look great, from there, highlights are important as well - have a look for tutorials or guides on youtube/the internet for things you like. Also, thin your paints - it makes a huge difference.
4. Generally yes, Talys did a really amazing comparison here a month or so ago.

along with all what KB_lock has said i would add make sure you clean up your mold lines too nothing is worse in my opinion than seeing these.

For easy to follow, great for beginners tutorials, see the GW youtube channel. The stuff they show is all rather simple, but copy those and with a little practice you'll have great minis ready to go!

Washes and drybrushing are the two go-to easy techniques for solid paintjobs.

What chapter are you planning on painting?