This series aims to be an introduction to painting miniatures to a higher standard. Not simply slapping on paint, but doing so and making it look nice. It does make the assumption that you have basic knowledge of painting, you know what the right end of a brush is when painting, you know to clean your brush with water etc.
First things first, equipment.
There's a multitude of brands out there, so in terms of specific recommendations look elsewhere, however, these are the things you'll need to get started:
- A wet-palette.
- A kolinsky sable brush.
- Miniature paints, or acrylic artists paints.
1. A wet-palette
A wet-palette keeps your paints moist and makes it easier to mix colours, as well as properly dilute them. A wet-palette consists of three things, something to hold the palette, like a box, something to hold the water, like a sponge or paper towels, and a semi-permeable membrane that the paint rests on.
-A what-now?
Don't worry, it's not as complicated as it sounds, it simply means something that'll let water seep up into your paints to keep them moist, but will also prevent the paint from running down into your water-holder.
Container: A low box of some kind, the bigger the box the bigger the palette will end up being. Word of advice, I find it easier to work with a low palette, since you have to reach to the top every time you want to use it.
Water-holder: The best thing I've found is a sponge cloth, one of these. Beware, leaving the sponge or water-holder moist for extended periods of time will cause growth, which is disgusting. So keep it clean!
Semi-permeabFUCKIT: Baking parchment. The thin version that's not covered in wax or silicone, one-use. Just cut it to size and put it on the water-holder. That simple.
How much water should I use?
The best way I've heard of testing this is called the DJ-test, mostly because of the name. After saturating your sponge with water, put your baking parchment on top and try to gently move it, like a disc-jockey. If it moves it's about right.
2. A kolinsky sable brush
Although a kolinsky sable brush isn't strictly necessary, it's a very responsive and pointy brush, great for detail and control. That said, you can still paint masterworks with whatever brush you choose, it just might be comfier with some of them ;)
Word of advice: If you're getting a finer brush it's worthwhile to invest in brush cleaner and conditioner, since these brushes are made from natural hair. If you dipped your hair in paint you'd (hopefully) want to clean it properly afterwards.
3. Miniature paints, or acrylic artists paints
You'll need paint if you want to paint miniatures, it's that simple. Most of the miniature brands are good to great quality. If you want to use something different you can use artist grade (important to not have too small pigments or too diluted pigments from the start) acrylics.
Whatever brand you choose someone will have a different opinion, and you don't even need to stick to one brand! (As much as GW would want you to believe otherwise).
The best advice I can give you is to be open-minded and try things out.
2. A kolinsky sable brush
Although a kolinsky sable brush isn't strictly necessary, it's a very responsive and pointy brush, great for detail and control. That said, you can still paint masterworks with whatever brush you choose, it just might be comfier with some of them ;)
Word of advice: If you're getting a finer brush it's worthwhile to invest in brush cleaner and conditioner, since these brushes are made from natural hair. If you dipped your hair in paint you'd (hopefully) want to clean it properly afterwards.
3. Miniature paints, or acrylic artists paints
You'll need paint if you want to paint miniatures, it's that simple. Most of the miniature brands are good to great quality. If you want to use something different you can use artist grade (important to not have too small pigments or too diluted pigments from the start) acrylics.
Whatever brand you choose someone will have a different opinion, and you don't even need to stick to one brand! (As much as GW would want you to believe otherwise).
The best advice I can give you is to be open-minded and try things out.
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