New to painting minis for your tabletop RPG table? You don't need talent or a pile of gear. You need clean minis, thin paint and a little patience. Here's the whole process in eleven steps, plus a supply checklist and a free color scheme tool.
The painting process, start to finish
- Wash and clean up the mini. Resin and plastic minis can carry mold-release residue that stops paint from sticking. Wash in warm soapy water with an old toothbrush, rinse and let dry. Trim mold lines with a hobby knife or a fine file.
- Assemble. Glue parts with the right glue for the material: plastic cement for hard plastic, super glue for resin and metal. Some painters leave arms or capes off to reach hidden areas, then glue them on at the end.
- Mount for painting. Stick the mini to a cork, bottle cap or painting handle with poster tack so you never touch the paint.
- Prime. Primer gives paint something to grip. Spray in short passes from about the distance on the can, outdoors or with good ventilation, in dry mild weather. Brush-on primer works indoors. Black or gray primer hides gaps; white makes colors brighter.
- Base coat. Paint each area with its main color. Thin your paint with a little water until it flows like milk. Two thin coats beat one thick coat that hides the details.
- Shade (wash). A thin dark wash settles into recesses and adds instant depth. Let it dry completely before the next step.
- Layer and highlight. Re-apply the base color on raised areas, leaving the shaded recesses. Then add a lighter mix on the highest edges, where light would hit.
- Drybrush. Wipe almost all the paint off a stiff brush, then flick it across textured areas like fur, rocks and chainmail. It is fast and forgiving.
- Details. Eyes, gems, buckles. Use your smallest brush with a good point, steady your hands against each other, and breathe out while you paint.
- Base the mini. Glue sand or texture paste to the base, paint and drybrush it, then add tufts or rocks. A good base makes a simple paint job look finished.
- Varnish. A clear coat protects paint from handling at the table. Matte varnish takes away the shine; gloss is for gems, water and wet effects.
Three habits that matter most
- Thin your paints. Most beginner problems are paint that's too thick.
- Don't lick your brush. Rinse it in water instead.
- Finish minis. A finished "good enough" mini teaches you more than a perfect half-done one.
Safety
- Look for art paints certified by the Art & Creative Materials Institute, and follow the label. Source: ACMI: Materials Safety Source: ACMI certified product search
- Spray primers, varnishes and solvents can release volatile organic compounds. Use them outdoors or with good ventilation, and follow the can. Source: EPA: VOCs and indoor air
- Keep super glue, hobby knives and solvents away from kids and pets.
Starter picks
miniature paint set acrylic beginnerA starter set with a primer, wash and basicsminiature painting brushes detail setSmall synthetic brushes with good pointswet palette miniature paintingKeeps thinned paint usable longerminiature painting handleHold minis without touching the paintspray primer for miniaturesOutdoors or well ventilatedmatte varnish spray miniaturesProtects paint at the table
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