Post by Jack Shrapnel on Apr 1, 2011 10:53:05 GMT -5
Had a thought that it might be fun to get together a list of tips that we've all gathered over our time of hobby painting that might help out others who are either just getting started, or are looking to improve their skills... So add your own tips to this thread!!!!
Some of mine:
1. If a complex model (ie: screaming bell comes to mind) paint it partially unassembled so you can reach everything with your brush - saves on frustration! (some models paint easier with no arms too!)
2. Don't use too much paint!!! A big mistake I made with my first army was putting the paint on too thick... it hides the details and makes highlighting etc. very difficult later... multiple thin layers are MUCH better than one thick coat
3. Washes are an easy way to make a model look good. GW makes some good products or you can mix your own, but a simple wash will really add alot to your final look. For example, if you wash all your boltgun or chainmail colored metal areas (armor / weapons) with a badab black (GW) wash - Its quick, easy, and looks great! Just spread the wash on the area of the model liberally, allowing it to settle in all the recesses... make sure it dries completely before adding any other colours to that area though! You can have a good looking model by simply painting everything, then adding an appropriate wash...
4. Don't forget the bases! a model never looks really complete without at least something done with the base... A little white glue and some sand goes a long way!
5. Drybushing - take a highlight colour (ie: elf flesh to finish off a face that's had the talleron flesh foundation paint put on it) run your brush along a paper towel so that almost all the paint is off of it.. now brush the model against the raised areas which should give a light highlight to the base color... If you want to get a quick and easy decent product = base color, then wash, then highlight - simple and effective! Use a different brush for drybrushing though - it wrecks a brush pretty bad!
Some of mine:
1. If a complex model (ie: screaming bell comes to mind) paint it partially unassembled so you can reach everything with your brush - saves on frustration! (some models paint easier with no arms too!)
2. Don't use too much paint!!! A big mistake I made with my first army was putting the paint on too thick... it hides the details and makes highlighting etc. very difficult later... multiple thin layers are MUCH better than one thick coat
3. Washes are an easy way to make a model look good. GW makes some good products or you can mix your own, but a simple wash will really add alot to your final look. For example, if you wash all your boltgun or chainmail colored metal areas (armor / weapons) with a badab black (GW) wash - Its quick, easy, and looks great! Just spread the wash on the area of the model liberally, allowing it to settle in all the recesses... make sure it dries completely before adding any other colours to that area though! You can have a good looking model by simply painting everything, then adding an appropriate wash...
4. Don't forget the bases! a model never looks really complete without at least something done with the base... A little white glue and some sand goes a long way!
5. Drybushing - take a highlight colour (ie: elf flesh to finish off a face that's had the talleron flesh foundation paint put on it) run your brush along a paper towel so that almost all the paint is off of it.. now brush the model against the raised areas which should give a light highlight to the base color... If you want to get a quick and easy decent product = base color, then wash, then highlight - simple and effective! Use a different brush for drybrushing though - it wrecks a brush pretty bad!
