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Hello all, I have never had a painted army, but I want to start. Any most know tips for this FNG?

What army, first and foremost?

Space Marines (whatever flavor), Orks, Eldar, Tau, Chaos, Chaos Demons, Imperial Guard?

What army are you playing, and are you going for tabletop standard or fully painted to a high level? What color do you plan on painting your army?

Once we know more we'll be able to start helping point you in some directions and give you resources to help.

Take it easy.

-Red__Thirst-

I have a Tyranid force that I plan on painting Bone for the carapace with dark grey skin, brown for guns with dark orange highlights (for the exposed muscle).
I also have a 2500 KoW Orc and Goblins army that I want to do a winter them with.


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I am looking for tournament quality, but not necessary best painted.

Paint light coats. Don't be afraid to thin your paints with water. Take care of your brushes. With a mangled brush you can't apply the paint where you want as easily. There are plenty of youtube tutorials that cover the basics. Here's how I do things:

1. Partially construct the figure. Sometimes you'll want to leave parts on the sprue. It's hard to paint a figure's chest if he's holding a gun in front of it. I don't paint tyranids, but the same principles apply. You don't need to assemble everything at once.

2. Remove impurities from the molding process. A small file and hobby knife/boxcutter are the tools you'll need. Remove any faint mold lines or excess plastic.

3. Clean the figures. I wash them with a little dishsoap then rinse them and let them thoroughly dry. Scrubbing with an old toothbrush helps.

4. Basecoat/prime the figures. I usually use white. It depends on your color scheme plans.

5. Apply the primary colors. These are called base colors in the citadel paints line.

6. Apply a wash/ink. These will provide shading.

7. Apply highlights to the raised areas with a lighter shade than the base. These are called layers in the citadel line.

8. Drybrush with something lighter than what you used in step 7.

9. Practice and have fun.

Do you not prime them first? It's really worth doing.

oh wow hard colors for a starter lol.

ok the #1 rule is thin your paints. no one knows what this means when they first start so I would recommend getting a wet palette. this will kinda thin it for you. just get paint on your brush, roll a point on the paper and usually this should suffice as the consistency you need for a base coat.

MULTIPLE LAYERS is the 2nd rule. ive not once with any color done a single coat. its impossible to cover completely on a single paint. it takes 2-3 usually and more touchups for harder colors like white/pink/yellow and orange.

finally as a new painter drybrushing and washing are your friend. ESPECIALLY with tyranids. with your color scheme you could very easily base coat the entire model aka the bone and the orange AND the brown then wash it with agrax earthshade and you will be amazed at how good it will look

as a new painter you are gonna suck like we all did. drybrushing washing and painting thin clean coats is your goal atm.