Painting Minis

Gotetsu · Post by **Gotetsu** » Wed Dec 17, 2003 11:36 am

Anyone have any minis they have painted that they are particularly fond of?

My best job was my Ork Warboss, Gen'ral Ortak. You can see a pic here:

Ortak

Let me know if this link doesn't work properly.

Skyman · Post by **Skyman** » Wed Dec 17, 2003 11:26 pm

nice pic

Lowly Uhlan · Post by **Lowly Uhlan** » Thu Dec 18, 2003 10:12 am

What kind of sucks is that I've sold every mini I've ever painted. I haven't played any of those games that have held my interest for very long.My freinds have all told me I paint well.But since I always use the cash to buy new games it isn't really an issue for me.

And I'm kind of burnt on painting anyway.And since I'm a design student I have to paint in class-kind of takes the fun out of having a brush in my hand.

cczernia · Post by **cczernia** » Thu Dec 18, 2003 10:31 am

I havn't painted a mini since my Sophmore year in High School. It took me 3 hours to paint one mini and I found the whole thing tedious.

I have been tempted to paint the Fading Suns ships though, but I wouldn't even know how to start. :?

Wintermute · Post by **Wintermute** » Thu Dec 18, 2003 11:12 am

I didn't used to have the patience for it... I suppose I should try again. If nothing else, I can always just krylon 'em. ;)

BreakfastOfChampions · Thu Dec 18, 2003 12:52 pm

I just spraypaint them. Okay, so they're all outside white, but hey, I can get to the gaming!

BlanchPrez · Post by **BlanchPrez** » Thu Dec 18, 2003 12:53 pm

Man, I love painting mini's! I'm even getting into converting them. I'm currently working on a couple of projects, all for Blood Bowl at the moment. They include an orc team painted up in Chargers colours, a Chaos Team head coach, and a dark elf team made from 40K dark eldar. Lots of fun!

Here's a link to a page with one of my figures on it (though it is no longer in my possesion). I would say that it's my best painted figure so far.

http://www.geocities.com/greedov/NAFlegacy.html

It's near the bottom (2nd up from the bottom) and has my handle just above it. This was a vampire figure I painted up for the vampire BB team that was just released. Very cool figures. :)

Chris

mordraine · Post by **mordraine** » Thu Dec 18, 2003 2:14 pm

I've got a mini of Cerebus the Aardvark that I painted (literally) decades ago. Came out good, though I've never been a great mini-painter. I use that figure as my default if I ever need one in a D&D game. :)

I used to own a full set of Fineous Fingers figures, but alas, they're lost now. Never got around to painting them, but they were awesome. Fineous Fingers was a hilarious cartoon, probably the best one The Dragon's ever had ('cept maybe What's New?).

BlanchPrez · Post by **BlanchPrez** » Tue Jan 06, 2004 7:07 am

Hey all, for those interested, here's a great site that has tons of information on how to paint mini's.

Dr. Faust's Painting Clinic

Lots of good stuff here.

Chris

Count Zero · Post by **Count Zero** » Thu Jan 15, 2004 3:28 pm

Here is some of the stuff I have painted

Aller Main Battle Tank - Heavy Gear

Wolfen - Confrontation

Wolfen Vestial - Confrontation

Opinions... comments.... any are welcome....

Skyman · Post by **Skyman** » Thu Jan 15, 2004 8:44 pm

~~[quote="Count Zero"]~~Here is some of the stuff I have painted

Aller Main Battle Tank - Heavy Gear

~~[img]~~http://www.rpgmainframe.com/minipics/aller.JPG[/img]

Wolfen - Confrontation

~~[img]~~http://www.rpgmainframe.com/minipics/rifle.JPG[/img]

Wolfen Vestial - Confrontation

~~[img]~~http://www.rpgmainframe.com/minipics/vestal.JPG[/img]

Opinions... comments.... any are welcome....[/quote]

(In a stuffy English accent) I found the painting style subpar from what I expect from that line of minatures with the blending of lines and the lightning of your mini's is so fuzzy and low, it reminds me of the penthouse porn I grew up with when I was young. The tank seemed unchallenging as compared to your others and seems indecisive in the coat because it doesn't give me an idea if its seen action or just off the assembly line.....

....Oh who am I kidden they're Awsome. Nice detail and the attention to the lines is a lot nicer and realistic to the actual line mini's that usually defer to brighter colors similiar to the neon colors seen in the 80's. The only things I think you could improve is some of the more difficult grooves on the breast plate and the rifles stock seemed overlooked but that is nit picky and I doubt I would have caught it if I didn't put my face on to the monitor screen.

Count Zero · Post by **Count Zero** » Thu Jan 15, 2004 11:06 pm

Actually, the picture doesn't do it justice. The rifle and the breastplate have some nice shading... I am still trying to figure out my digital camera I got for christmas.

As to the tank... I personally am pleased with the paint job, but my only grip about the paint job is it looks to fresh from the factory... I didn't weather it enough...

The thing I am really please about with the two wolfen minis... is the fact that I used no metallic paint at all. The copper, steel, and bronze are all made using shades of various colors rather than metallics. It really makes the miniatures look better.

Jonathan

Skyman · Post by **Skyman** » Fri Jan 16, 2004 11:24 am

~~[quote="Count Zero"]~~The thing I am really please about with the two wolfen minis... is the fact that I used no metallic paint at all. The copper, steel, and bronze are all made using shades of various colors rather than metallics. It really makes the miniatures look better.

Jonathan[/quote]

Yeah I like that confrontation style of painting without the metallics. The darker choice of colors is nice too...gives a much more seedy rough look for the wolf.

Shin Kenshiro · Post by **Shin Kenshiro** » Sun Jan 18, 2004 8:07 pm

Can anyone help me on this?

While painting, what size brush do you all use for your minute details and to ensure a close stroke? And anyone have any tips for a brush that won't lose its tip after a few strokes?

Yes....I know how that sounds.

Count Zero · Post by **Count Zero** » Sun Jan 18, 2004 9:13 pm

~~[quote="Shin Kenshiro"]~~Can anyone help me on this?

While painting, what size brush do you all use for your minute details and to ensure a close stroke? And anyone have any tips for a brush that won't lose its tip after a few strokes?

Yes....I know how that sounds.[/quote]

First off.... go out and buy a brush that is around 6-10 bucks. You have to pay for quality. The GW and Reaper brushes are crap. I recommend a brush size of about 0/10 or 0/5. Those are good brush sizes for painting minis.

Also, make sure to clean your brush really well and only dip the tip of the brush in the paint. If the paint gets up at the base of the bristles and dries you are screwed.

Jonathan

Skyman · Post by **Skyman** » Sun Jan 18, 2004 9:34 pm

I use toothpicks

BlanchPrez · Post by **BlanchPrez** » Mon Jan 19, 2004 7:10 am

I use a 5/0 for most of the really fine detail. I once used a 10/0, but foud it too small for my taste, but try it out, you might like it.

Another good tip for not loosing bristles is to make sure that when getting paint off the brush after finishing with it, brush the paint off on a paper towel or spair piece of paper, do squeeze the paint off between your fingers covered in a paper towel.

Chris

Count Zero · Post by **Count Zero** » Mon Jan 19, 2004 9:35 am

~~[quote="Skyman"]~~I use toothpicks[/quote]

Are you serious?

Jonathan

Skyman · Post by **Skyman** » Mon Jan 19, 2004 10:37 pm

~~[quote="Count Zero"]~~[quote:6ae7edb04b="Skyman"]I use toothpicks[/quote]

Are you serious?

Jonathan[/quote:6ae7edb04b]

Sadly.... yes. You are right, if the paint goes up the brush and dries you're screwed. The metallic paints I got did that to my brushes :cry:

Toothpicks can be hard but I can shave the tip to my liking and they're expendable. I paint for fun and to blow off the emotional stress from work. When I was younger I could never afford mini's so I figure I get into it in that last year or so when things got pretty gnarly.....So I guess I don't paint very seriously. So maybe I should actually say 'no.'(Are you serious?) but I don't think you meant the question like that.

Count Zero · Post by **Count Zero** » Tue Jan 20, 2004 7:58 am

~~[quote="Skyman"]~~
Sadly.... yes. You are right, if the paint goes up the brush and dries you're screwed. The metallic paints I got did that to my brushes :cry:
[/quote]

Actually, that is really common. If you are using metallics you have to use separate brushes and have separate water from the other colors for cleaning the brushes. Otherwise metallics will trash brushes.

I personally don't use metallic paints at all. Instead, I use shades of various colors to give the illusion of metallic. You can see a good example of it on my miniatures I posted. It actually looks better IMO. The thing I have noticed about metallics is they look out of place compared to regular paints. If you would like, I could show you how to do it.. but I am sure there are some articles on it on the internet.

~~[quote="Skyman"]~~

Toothpicks can be hard but I can shave the tip to my liking and they're expendable. I paint for fun and to blow off the emotional stress from work. When I was younger I could never afford mini's so I figure I get into it in that last year or so when things got pretty gnarly.....So I guess I don't paint very seriously. So maybe I should actually say 'no.'(Are you serious?) but I don't think you meant the question like that.[/quote]

I didn't mean for that to sound so harsh if it did. I know some kids that I game with every once and while who painted Heavy Gear miniatures with testors paints and toothpicks. After a bit of mockery they let me and the other players show them how to paint. If you stay away from metallics, your brushes should last longer. :)

Jonathan

Skyman · Post by **Skyman** » Tue Jan 20, 2004 10:29 am

~~[quote="Count Zero"]~~[quote:70d8f9c85f="Skyman"]

Sadly.... yes. You are right, if the paint goes up the brush and dries you're screwed. The metallic paints I got did that to my brushes :cry:
[/quote]

Actually, that is really common. If you are using metallics you have to use separate brushes and have separate water from the other colors for cleaning the brushes. Otherwise metallics will trash brushes.

I personally don't use metallic paints at all. Instead, I use shades of various colors to give the illusion of metallic. You can see a good example of it on my miniatures I posted. It actually looks better IMO. The thing I have noticed about metallics is they look out of place compared to regular paints. If you would like, I could show you how to do it.. but I am sure there are some articles on it on the internet.

~~[quote="Skyman"]~~

Toothpicks can be hard but I can shave the tip to my liking and they're expendable. I paint for fun and to blow off the emotional stress from work. When I was younger I could never afford mini's so I figure I get into it in that last year or so when things got pretty gnarly.....So I guess I don't paint very seriously. So maybe I should actually say 'no.'(Are you serious?) but I don't think you meant the question like that.[/quote]

I didn't mean for that to sound so harsh if it did. I know some kids that I game with every once and while who painted Heavy Gear miniatures with testors paints and toothpicks. After a bit of mockery they let me and the other players show them how to paint. If you stay away from metallics, your brushes should last longer. :)

Jonathan[/quote:70d8f9c85f]

Yeah I like The confrontation style of painting with the mixture of colors and no metallics. Albeit, I found that out after I bought a crud load of Metallics. LOL

Count Zero · Post by **Count Zero** » Tue Jan 20, 2004 7:53 pm

~~[quote="Skyman"]~~
Yeah I like The confrontation style of painting with the mixture of colors and no metallics. Albeit, I found that out after I bought a crud load of Metallics. LOL[/quote]

Hehehe.... I know the feeling. I have one of those 80 paint lazy suzan type things and it is overflowing... I have a crapload of metallics and then I changed over to Vallejo. I can do so much more with the new paints than I could with my old reaper and GW.

BTW... a number of people often get together at Game Towne around 2 pm on Sundays, after we play Confrontation, and we hand out and paint... if you want to come by I could show you the non-metal metallic technique.

Jonathan

Skyman · Post by **Skyman** » Tue Jan 20, 2004 10:20 pm

~~[quote="Count Zero"]~~[quote:9684ba4027="Skyman"]

Yeah I like The confrontation style of painting with the mixture of colors and no metallics. Albeit, I found that out after I bought a crud load of Metallics. LOL[/quote]

Hehehe.... I know the feeling. I have one of those 80 paint lazy suzan type things and it is overflowing... I have a crapload of metallics and then I changed over to Vallejo. I can do so much more with the new paints than I could with my old reaper and GW.

BTW... a number of people often get together at Game Towne around 2 pm on Sundays, after we play Confrontation, and we hand out and paint... if you want to come by I could show you the non-metal metallic technique.

Jonathan[/quote:9684ba4027]

Ahh Your kung fu painting technique is good. I shall consider your offer with the highest of respect. Must consult with Master Fiancee of the Northern Shaolin Sanctuary in North Park to leave the Temple at that time...Thank You for the offer until then

BlanchPrez · Post by **BlanchPrez** » Wed Jan 28, 2004 10:03 am

So, in an attempt to get back on topic... ;)

Here's one of my latest mini's, I'm rather proud of him. He's the head coach of a Chaos Blood Bowl Team, dedicated to Slanash, the Chaos god of pleasure. BTW, for those interested, the team is called the Phallis Cowboys. ;)

Chris

smartmonkey · Post by **smartmonkey** » Wed Jan 28, 2004 12:50 pm

r0xx0r.

Shin Kenshiro · Post by **Shin Kenshiro** » Sat Jan 31, 2004 2:56 pm

Question in regards to the final aspect of miniatures and painting.....safe transportation between home and games. What do you guys use to move your stuff from place to place without having them break, chip, or otherwise have bad things happen to them?

On a side note.....painting mini's for the first time = assloads of second guessing yourself and weeks of inhaling acrylic fumes. WHEEEEEEEE!

BlanchPrez · Post by **BlanchPrez** » Sat Jan 31, 2004 5:34 pm

~~[quote="Shin Kenshiro"]~~Question in regards to the final aspect of miniatures and painting.....safe transportation between home and games. What do you guys use to move your stuff from place to place without having them break, chip, or otherwise have bad things happen to them?

On a side note.....painting mini's for the first time = assloads of second guessing yourself and weeks of inhaling acrylic fumes. WHEEEEEEEE![/quote]

Depends, really. Recently, I've started using a flat enamel coat on my figures to protect them during transport. It helps prevent chiping. Also, if you use acrylic paint, it takes a lot to chip paint.

As to actual transport, I have a fishing tackle box I use. I put in some foam. Also, I have a couple of Games Workshop shipping boxes with bubble wrap and foam. But, that's also because spend more money on the figures themselves than on stuff to transport them in. :) There are several companies that make mini-transports, but I find that the tackle box works fine and is most of the time cheaper.

As to second guessing yourself, don't. Once you realize that your first few mini's won't come out the way you picture in your head, it's a lot easier. Believe me, I've been painting mini's since I was in High School, and only recently got to the level I am at now. Go easy on your self for your first mini's.

Chris

Skyman · Post by **Skyman** » Tue Feb 03, 2004 3:46 pm

Yeah I just got into painting as well Shin. The acrylic smell doesn't get me much as the spraying of the primer. Blah! I spray and let dry only to find out that I didn't get all the nooks and crannies. I also got pissed when I painted some mini's and they started to chip because I didn't use any matte afterwards.

Blanche that minature turned out really cool. Nice uniforms. I wish your camera could have taken a sharper picture so I could see the face detail better. I'll be over Wednesday so I'll check it out then.

BlanchPrez · Post by **BlanchPrez** » Tue Feb 03, 2004 4:05 pm

~~[quote="Skyman"]~~Blanche that minature turned out really cool. Nice uniforms. I wish your camera could have taken a sharper picture so I could see the face detail better. I'll be over Wednesday so I'll check it out then.[/quote]

Well, it's not my camera, it's Gotetus's, so send those comments to him. ;)

I would love to show this figure off. Unfortunatily, it was put in the mail this weekend to England. it was my entry for a contest. If I win, I not only get this figure back, but 16-20 others (a complete Blood Bowl team). :D

Chris

Lowly Uhlan · Post by **Lowly Uhlan** » Tue Feb 03, 2004 6:19 pm

~~[quote="BlanchPrez"]~~So, in an attempt to get back on topic... ]http://www.ifrance.com/bbbl/tbb/blanchprez1.jpg[/img]

Chris[/quote]

Dude, nice model. Makes me want to start painting again.

Skyman · Post by **Skyman** » Sun May 30, 2004 11:35 pm

~~[quote="Count Zero"]~~[quote:8fee949701="Shin Kenshiro"]Can anyone help me on this?

While painting, what size brush do you all use for your minute details and to ensure a close stroke? And anyone have any tips for a brush that won't lose its tip after a few strokes?

Yes....I know how that sounds.[/quote]

First off.... go out and buy a brush that is around 6-10 bucks. You have to pay for quality. The GW and Reaper brushes are crap. I recommend a brush size of about 0/10 or 0/5. Those are good brush sizes for painting minis.

Also, make sure to clean your brush really well and only dip the tip of the brush in the paint. If the paint gets up at the base of the bristles and dries you are screwed.

Jonathan[/quote:8fee949701]

I just bought a bag at Michaels of 5 brushes around 10/0 to 5/0 for $5. Really nice. Thanx for the info CZ.....sorry about ressurecting this thread. I did some painting over the holiday weekend

Count Zero · Post by **Count Zero** » Mon May 31, 2004 2:13 pm

~~[quote="Skyman"]~~[quote:2bb26e7842="Count Zero"][quote:2bb26e7842="Shin Kenshiro"]Can anyone help me on this?

While painting, what size brush do you all use for your minute details and to ensure a close stroke? And anyone have any tips for a brush that won't lose its tip after a few strokes?

Yes....I know how that sounds.[/quote]

First off.... go out and buy a brush that is around 6-10 bucks. You have to pay for quality. The GW and Reaper brushes are crap. I recommend a brush size of about 0/10 or 0/5. Those are good brush sizes for painting minis.

Also, make sure to clean your brush really well and only dip the tip of the brush in the paint. If the paint gets up at the base of the bristles and dries you are screwed.

Jonathan[/quote:2bb26e7842]

I just bought a bag at Michaels of 5 brushes around 10/0 to 5/0 for $5. Really nice. Thanx for the info CZ.....sorry about ressurecting this thread. I did some painting over the holiday weekend[/quote:2bb26e7842]

Cool to hear about the brushes. I started painting last week. I have been working on my Lions of Alahan for Confrontation. I have painted 7 miniatures in about four days and they are pretty good quality for gaming with.

What kinds of minis are you painting? Playing a specific game or just doing it for the fun of it.

Jonathan

Skyman · Post by **Skyman** » Mon May 31, 2004 3:20 pm

I did the base coat and some details for a ghoul for comfrontation. Put Black primer on on some reaper figs. I'm not as prolific as you but I really enjoy the using the brushes for the detail

Skyman · Post by **Skyman** » Mon May 31, 2004 3:21 pm

Mostly for the fun of it

Count Zero · Post by **Count Zero** » Mon May 31, 2004 9:59 pm

~~[quote="Skyman"]~~I did the base coat and some details for a ghoul for comfrontation. Put Black primer on on some reaper figs. I'm not as prolific as you but I really enjoy the using the brushes for the detail[/quote]

I'm not usually this prolific... I have just been on a roll of some reason..not really sure why I am able to pump out the painted minis lately. That and only having time off when all of your friends are working forces you to find something to do... I figured would paint the crapton of miniatures I have.

Jonathan

Skyman · Post by **Skyman** » Tue Jun 01, 2004 10:16 am

you must have some weird hours? I've kinda notice your posts from work are pretty late

Count Zero · Post by **Count Zero** » Tue Jun 01, 2004 11:30 am

~~[quote="Skyman"]~~you must have some weird hours? I've kinda notice your posts from work are pretty late[/quote]

I work 1:30 to 10 pm... as of Sunday I work 3:30 to Midnight

Jonathan

Skyman · Post by **Skyman** » Tue Jun 01, 2004 1:05 pm

man swing shift blows

Wintermute · Post by **Wintermute** » Sun Aug 01, 2004 8:47 pm

Welp, finally decided to give mini-painting another go. Having a fun time of it, and gaining a lot of respect for CZ! One thing I'm having a huge problem with is the eyes. I've tried so many different things, the mini is starting to look like it's wearing sunglasses, and I still can't for the life of me make decent looking eyes. Any suggestions?

Wintermute · Post by **Wintermute** » Sun Aug 01, 2004 8:52 pm

Here's a pic of the mini I'm working on. First one I've done since Junior High.

Lowly Uhlan · Post by **Lowly Uhlan** » Mon Aug 02, 2004 12:40 am

~~[quote="Wintermute"]~~Welp, finally decided to give mini-painting another go. Having a fun time of it, and gaining a lot of respect for CZ! One thing I'm having a huge problem with is the eyes. I've tried so many different things, the mini is starting to look like it's wearing sunglasses, and I still can't for the life of me make decent looking eyes. Any suggestions?[/quote]

Having the right brush is the key for doing eyes. Get the finest detail brush you can. If there's still too many bristles cut some of them off with your hobby knife. you want a tip thats just a few britles thick. I have a brush that I only use on eyballs.

There's 2 methods to painting eyes. The one I like best is painting a very thin line (don't even try to make them round) of white, then one very small dot of the color of your choice for the cornea.

Another method (that hasn't worked that well for me) is to do a fine line of the dark cornea color, then adding 2 dots of white on both ends of the daker line. Kind of like your painting the white instead of the cornea.

BlanchPrez · Post by **BlanchPrez** » Mon Aug 02, 2004 7:17 am

Nice job so far, very smooth and clean. The next step is highlighting. ;)

For eyes, Uhlan pretty much has it right. I usually go with option 2, because when I did option 1, my eyes never looked in the same direction, but when I use option 2, they do. Try both, find wich one you like, and go with that.

Chris

mordraine · Post by **mordraine** » Mon Aug 02, 2004 8:04 am

Who needs eyes?

He's the Eyeless Peasant of Stygia!!!

Gotetsu · Post by **Gotetsu** » Mon Aug 02, 2004 8:06 am

~~[quote="mordraine"]~~Who needs eyes?

He's the ~~[i]~~Eyeless Peasant of Stygia[/i]!!![/quote]

Or maybe the sculptor just caught him in mid-blink. :D

BreakfastOfChampions · Mon Aug 02, 2004 8:09 am

Damn Red Eye Reduction.

Wintermute · Post by **Wintermute** » Mon Aug 02, 2004 8:59 am

[quote="BlanchPrez"]Nice job so far, very smooth and clean. The next step is highlighting. ]

A matter of personal taste, but I really dislike the "over-highlighted" look of most minis. Granted, I'll probably use a wash to add some contrast, but the cartoony, "GW" style has always looked ugly to me.

BreakfastOfChampions · Mon Aug 02, 2004 9:04 am

[quote="Wintermute"][quote:d3732bec86="BlanchPrez"]Nice job so far, very smooth and clean. The next step is highlighting. ]

A matter of personal taste, but I really dislike the "over-highlighted" look of most minis. Granted, I'll probably use a wash to add some contrast, but the cartoony, "GW" style has always looked ugly to me.[/quote:d3732bec86]

What, this isn't an anime fig? It won't have eyes bigger than Jesus?

Just in case you change your mind, I suggest a wagner power painter and a gallon of outside white. Get two gallons, just to be safe.

Wintermute · Post by **Wintermute** » Mon Aug 02, 2004 9:04 am

As an example of what I mean (from the reaper site), I much prefer this

To this

BreakfastOfChampions · Mon Aug 02, 2004 9:07 am

Wow. Nice tits. I guess if you wanted to age him, you could make a few passes with a torch and get him to sag a little.

Wintermute · Post by **Wintermute** » Mon Aug 02, 2004 9:12 am

~~[quote="BreakfastOfChampions"]~~Wow. Nice tits. I guess if you wanted to age him, you could make a few passes with a torch and get him to sag a little.[/quote]

Just leave him out in the sun for a few days.