http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/8.page JForum - http://www.jforum.net FLGS about posing and creative use of magnets, but I've never been able to start painting them. I think it's a question of being able to work up the nerve. I don't want to ruin the model I just spent so long building by making it look bad.

I've seen many tutorials on different parts of paining but they only cover one certain aspect of it. Is there a comprehensive tutorial out there for someone who knows nothing about painting a model (or really knows nothing more than assembling the model and gluing it to a base)? I've seen a book "How to paint Citadel Miniatures," but with the prices GW charges I'd rather not buy it unless it really is a definitive work.

I'd really like to find something that explains evreything from what tools to use (All I know is that it involves paint and some kind of brush), to painting process (what order to apply the various paints), to baseing/banners and other accessory skills. Just the kind of little helpful stuff it's much easier to learn up front than after you realize you did it wrong.

I've got a really cool looking design for a Tau desert raider force "T'suam Korst'la" (Fire Reapers). Their imperial enemies call them the "ash bandits" (Pun intentional). ]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/271031/1207123.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/271031/1207123.page GMT
I think you should just use google or look on the forums for guides, there are always plenty of friendly painters willing to help.


The best thing to do is take your painting one step at a time, we were all beginners once



edit: I would personally master simple brush control, you know, having a steady hand and whatnot, before learning all of the techniques this may help break it down]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/271031/1207131.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/271031/1207131.page GMT http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/271031/1207150.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/271031/1207150.page GMT If you need a generic step by step and then some details filled in where you need em, just ask.

I suppose one of the most important aspects of painting would be the colors, wouldn't it? A "bad" color scheme could make a model look aesthetically unpleasing, and this can be before the brush even touches the model. Most sites like brush thrall have pretty good color theory tutorials that help you with the terminology and such like saturation and analogous colors, useful for articulation of key ideas.

But if you really wanted everything in one book, I would go with the GW Painting book, but other than that ask around. And to work on test models first.

If you're really lost on how to start painting, just give us a hollar and we would be glad to help out.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/271031/1207151.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/271031/1207151.page GMT Honestly the best way to learn is to just start. Like Jack said, get a feel for brush control before you start trying to learn advanced techniques.
People will debate forever on what brushes are the best. Just grab a GW Detail or Fine Detail, they're good enough for a beginner, then you can move to higher quality stuff.
For your fire warriors, you want something fiery looking?
Start with a dark Orange (Macharius Solar Foundation) then you just put lighter colors on top, regular orange, then mix some yellow into the orange to lighten it even more.
Practice makes perfect (and experimentation helps too).

-CC]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/271031/1207152.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/271031/1207152.page GMT gw sculpts...
or check with your local gaming store to see if they have any cheap oop 40k or any other cheap models of a similar scale...
just remember to thin your paints to keep them from looking blotchy, and that the color under a layer of paint can really effect how the outer layer looks...]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/271031/1207157.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/271031/1207157.page GMT
Honestly, the best way to learn is often to do it yourself. Painting is one of those things that only really improves with practice, and the best way to learn is to just start. Easiest way to do so is to come up with a color scheme, and just paint flat colors on the model; don't worry about things like drybrushing or highlighting at first.

Jackarius recommended buy some cheap models to practice on. Someone at your store probably has some extra Black Reach or Skull Pass models they'd be willing to sell for a cheap. That, or gnoblars from the fantasy range are some of the cheapest models you can get. (20 for $25 last I looked)]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/271031/1207164.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/271031/1207164.page GMT IMO this is FAR, FAR, FAR, too expensive a hobby to not put alotta TLC into your painting. Doesn't mean every last Boy, Marine, FW, DA, Gaunt, or what have you needs to be a masterpiece, just means that you should take pride in your models. And that is something you have made clear by mentioning that with all your time already invested in posing them just so and the like, you wish to make sure the paint looks good. So grab a FW, take a deep breath, and dive in!]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/271031/1207186.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/271031/1207186.page GMT
Its a lot of info, but look through the videos and descriptions and you'll get a lot of idea on different painting techniques.

Also, you can always soak your minis in simple green and rub the paint off with a toothbrush if you think it stinks]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/271031/1207194.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/271031/1207194.page GMT

After that just prime the model white and hit it with a wash, dry brush some highlights on and you have a great looking mini!]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/271031/1207196.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/271031/1207196.page GMT DoW game (and if applicable) the appropriate expansion for it, you can fool around with the color editor in that to get a good idea of what you may like on your army. **Most of the colors do not match with corresponding GW paints**

If it turns out you don't like the colors you picked, or you feel you've done a bad job, go do the store, grab a bottle of simple green, and follow these instructions:

http://s636.photobucket.com/albums/uu86/specialk290/40k%20Simple%20Green%20Strip/

I can personally attest to the effectiveness of the methods described in the link. I personally changed a full FW team from the "box" color to that more fitting of my army. Just make sure you have a a large mat of paper towels down first, as it makes a huge mess. Oh, and your fingers will probably be all sorts of strange colors.

Back on topic (if I ever was) if you took as much care and precision in assembling your minis as you say you did, you'll be decidedly impressed with your painting prowess if you just pay attention to what you're doing and don't ignore the details. Be prepared to put many many hours into your army painting it, as each infantry unit takes on average an hour to paint, and vehicles can take up a whole day sometimes.

Good luck, have fun.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/271031/1207341.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/271031/1207341.page GMT The sooner you suck it up and put paint to brush to model the better off you'll be. Trust me. I always delay, even though when I finally push myself to get stuck in, whatever it is I'm doing, I learn faster and get decent results. Makes no sense, but that's just how I am.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/271031/1207534.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/271031/1207534.page GMT
You can get colour guides easily, you can get advice on techniques and so on.

In the end it comes down to using your own hands and getting used to the feel of the tools and materials. It takes time, practice and mistakes. There are no quick solutions.

On the plus side, it is much easier now than in the old days because there are loads of materials and techniques which didn't exist then and because there is so much advice and help available.


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My advice is to start with basic schemes and techniques, simple dry-brushing for example.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/271031/1207546.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/271031/1207546.page GMT
I recommend using brush-on Acrylic paints (personally I recommend Vallejo). I got few models from eBay and they were primed with some kind of black spray paint that SimpleGreen does not work on. It seems to be fused in with the plastic.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/271031/1207784.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/271031/1207784.page GMT
You could go to the toy store and pick up some cheap plastic soldiers to start on. They will teach you the basics without risking messing up the expensive stuff.

However, if you do mess up painting your expensive minis... there are ways to strip off paint without ruining the figure. It won't be a total loss if you mess up a paint job.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/271031/1207943.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/271031/1207943.page GMT
I would suggest reading articles on places such as the One Ring, and GW. Even if you're painting Tau, reading an article on Cadians can help you on how to paint cloth. Or reading an article on Chaos Knights may help with your metallics. You can use some of the steps from various articles on most any miniature.

I would buy a starter paint set and paint the minis it comes with. Get the feel of it and try to improve your skill a little, maybe even buy a practice box of the troops you're using in your army (if you feel like spending that much money). Try out some paint schemes and get used to the brush. Also, GW's White Dwarf archive has some useful tutorials, I believe, on excellent tips for beginners on how to drybrush, overbrush, etc--very useful techniques.

I'm no great painter, but I've found it's something best learned through trial and error. You won't improve if you don't try. You'll probably be damned proud of your first painted miniature, and rightfully so; I was proud of mine too. It'll bring back memories too.

Believe me, after you complete your first miniature, you can't stop. Finishing your first squad makes you feel just as good. And that's what I mean--the more you paint, the more you'll improve.

Sorry if I'm just rambling on, if I make as much sense as a caveman I apologize (hire a translator )

Hope that helps a little.

-Josh]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/271031/1207978.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/271031/1207978.page GMT
I've been a nerd for a long time, perhaps even longer than you've been alive, trust me you'll have a pile of minis after a few years and you WILL get better with each one. Once you find your groove, you'll have minis that most gamers will drool over.

Create.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/271031/1207994.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/271031/1207994.page GMT GW paints actually ARE quite good and may possibly justify the price. Vallejo is an also quite good (I think it's thinner than GW out of the pot, which may be good or bad I guess). The more colors you buy, the less you'll have to mix yourself.

Second, get used to base-coating things in black or white. Black lends towards darker colors and is very forgiving. I find white lets you pick out details easier and lends towards a "Brigher" mini.

Third, dry-brushing and washes. Two easy techniques that can give you an excellent looking mini. Blending is better still, but much more difficult to master.

I learned a lot of my painting from a book Games Workshop published years and years ago. Don't recall the name of it - it was an obnoxious red/orange color cover though. Was absolute gold regarding techniques.

I'll also chime in and recommend some "trash minis" to start with - ideally rank and file mooks that are meant to be lost anyway. Use them to practice "Coloring in the lines" and getting a feel for how paint flows. 3 or 4 will give you a solid basic skill set. Everything from there I'm afraid is practice.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/271031/1210839.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/271031/1210839.page GMT http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/271031/1211203.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/271031/1211203.page GMT Id go Vallejo, for everything but Metalics. you cant beat GW matallics unfortunately. but for paint quality i understand P3 are the best (as they arent powder pigment and thus dont seperate as easily as GW or AV.)
AV has a better selection, 3 different paint lines. Model, game and air (i use air as washes, they really work better than the GW, and you can get yellow and a whole hoard of colours that GW cant).

also AV comes with a huge ammont of painting helps, like slow dry, mediums to help the paint not seperate, and thicken your better over all painting.

All in all GW will be the most availible, but it isnt the best all around, most people will swear by it, but thats because they learned to paint using it or have no other simple alternative. for the middle of the road AV is prime, with P3 being the best quality paint. (reaper im sorry to say i havent really touched as it is to expensive over in europe to get, but in the states might be something to look into.
Brushes as well will be important. i use winston series 7 i think, but they cost. better (price wise) are rosemary and Co. cheep, quality argueably second only to Winston. and availible like winston almost anywhere, online.

if your looking for cheep paints, and dont care about supreme quality, then Delta coat paints are a poor mans friend. good colour selection, come in huge quantites and are cheeper than GW paints. under 2 dollors canadian for 3 times as much paint as GW. best of all they are even more in supply than GW paints, and fuction just like a mormal mini paint.

when i first started painting oh so long ago i was one of those that used Testors paints (yes those ugly things) after a while i found Delta and still use some of them 20 years later because they are if not the best, that good. especially if your in the US and canada.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/271031/1211287.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/271031/1211287.page GMT
'Muscle Memory' is something that painters sometimes come out with. the more regularly you paint the better you will become at brush control and therefor the quality of your minis will improve.

It doesn't matter what your first mini looks like, as you paint more you will become more skilled and find that you take less time painting.

Oh and have fun painting. If it becomes a chore stop and do something else. Paint some troops then go onto armour or a special character something that breaks the monotony. ]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/271031/1211315.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/271031/1211315.page GMT