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.

Hello!

I just completed my first ever painted miniature. I am brand new to this and would love some feedback. I used Citadel paints and shaders. The local hobby store said I didn't need to water down the citadel paints. I am guessing not watering them down caused some of the caking and striking. I used a number 3 brush and a 20/20 brush purchased at a hobby store. May drop by the art store and get some nicer brushes. I had a hard time getting to some of the details. Hence the punted face paint job. Any advice or direction to articles would be appreciated.

I used a bones mini.

Thanks for the feedback.
(I think I loaded the photos correctly)

Good start. I would suggest maybe applying some washes to add some depth and shadow to the mini.

Yes, maybe get a smaller brush for the fine details (not sure what you have now). If your game store has Army Painter brushes, those are OK for beginning hobby painters. I like their Hobby: Precise Detail brush for small work, and they're relatively inexpensive. There are higher quality brushes out there, but for a beginning painter I wouldn't advise spending a ton of money on brushes. Practice with less expensive brushes first, then upgrade as your skills improve.

You don't *need* to water down Citadel paints, but you might want to. In fact, on the Warhammer TV channel on YouTube they do use water when painting. Example: https://youtu.be/D0WyyiPkWVY?t=1m39s

Check out the Dakka tutorials section, and browse through the articles. Lots of great info here. Some of my favorites:
http://www.dakkadakka.com/wiki/en/Beginners_guide_to_painting
http://www.dakkadakka.com/wiki/en/Dakka_Modeling_FAQ:_Highlighting
http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/374651.page

Tons of inspiration in the P&M blogs section as well.

The more you paint, the more you will learn about painting. Good luck!

You absolutely need to thin down Citadel paints. The person at the hobby should know better than to tell you differently, honestly. You can use plain water or drying retarder (made by Liquitex). This will eliminate the caking and cracking.

That being said, check out YouTube and look at WarhammerTV and The Apathetic Fish's channels for loads of painting tutorials and inspiration.

After using a shade it's always a good idea to go over some of the same colors to brighten them up and then use lighter hues of the same color to edge highlight and really bring out the details. Watch the vids They taught me everything I currently know about painting miniatures, excluding practice!

Have fun!

Looks good!

Please remember that the Showcase Forum is only for completed models - base included.

I've moved this thread over to P&M, so just PM a Mod when it's complete, and we'll move it back over!

Nice work blocking out the colors. You may want to pick up some more paints, so that the sword and armor (for example) aren't the same colors.

Welcome aboard! And nice work so far.

The others have already left some great advice - thinning, washes, blending, etc., are going to be a big help in expanding your painting repertoire. I'm not sure why your FLGS employee misled you like that...hopefully they weren't only trying ot get a sale, but it was just ignorance on their part (both are bad, but the latter is simply a mistake they can learn from; the first implies intentionally misleading you, which is worrisome).

Anyway, youtube has fantastic tutorials and painting channels, as well. I'd maybe look for one that does Elves, as that's what you're painting and videos about those models may have specific tips that'd cater specifically to you!