Miniature painting for beginners
Painting miniatures is a hobby of its own, and you do not need to be an artist to get good-looking models on the table. A clear, repeatable sequence does most of the work.
The basic sequence
- Clean the model. Remove mold lines with a hobby knife or file, and wash resin or plastic in warm soapy water.
- Prime. Apply thin, even coats of primer, by spray or brush, so paint grips the surface.
- Base coat. Block in the main colors, working from the inside out: skin first, then clothes, then armor and details.
- Wash or shade. A thin dark wash flows into recesses and adds instant depth.
- Drybrush. Wipe most of the paint off a stiff brush and flick it across raised edges to catch texture.
- Highlight. Add lighter colors where light would hit: top edges, knuckles, the nose.
- Base. Paint or texture the base; it frames the whole model.
- Varnish. A matte or satin varnish protects your work during games.
The most important habit is thin paint: two thin coats always look better than one thick one.
Reaper Bones miniatures
Reaper Miniatures makes affordable fantasy figures, including the Bones plastic line. Reaper describes Bones Black as a lightweight, slightly flexible and durable dark grey plastic. Its advice is to wash the models, let them dry and paint them without primer, starting with an undiluted first coat of Reaper paint. If you do want primer, Reaper suggests its brush-on primer rather than sprays.
Starter kit
- Two or three brushes: a detail brush, a medium brush and an old one for drybrushing.
- A basic paint set with a dark wash.
- A wet palette or a simple ceramic tile.
- Good light, ideally a daylight lamp.
Gritty Goblin Games stocked Reaper miniatures, paints and hobby supplies.
