Painting 6mm Miniatures
Painting 6mm figures can be quite a challenge. On one hand, the smaller size means there is less detail to worry with because fine detail is not readily apparent to the eye at such a small scale. On the other, good technique can help you bring out the detail that is available, so that your figures stand out at arms length on the gaming table.
Peter Berry of Baccus has published a useful guide to Painting 6mm Miniatures to complement his offerings. You can also reference the following collect tips for ideas and alternatives:
Ian Pain has a webpage describing his techniques for painting 6mm miniatures.
Jerry Webster: I have been painting alot of 6mm H&R Punic Wars figures lately. I was just wondering if anyone has any good ideas about painting these guys. I have been doing it this way.
Undercoat black
Paint the basic colors on, beginning with flesh and going out.
Applying a thinned out coat of a brown ink (Skaven brown from citadel).
Returning to the basic colors to highlight a little. Not in the normal sense, just dragging some paint back over the higher areas really.
Anyone have any tried and tested methods that work well?
Jay Wirth: Your steps in painting these little guys sounds great. Add one step: After the black prime drybrush white. This will
help pick out detail, leave a black line & help the colors look
bright at the high points (even after ink wash) and look dark
in the creases.
Andy O'Neill: This is approximately the technique I use. Use brighter colours that you'd normally for 'larger' scales. Exaggerated stuff is all you'll notice at any distance, so bear this in mind. Try mixing ink (e.g. Winsor Newton ) in with your acrylics, this makes sure they go on pretty bright. If you use ink other than WN add flow aid or car screen wash to reduce surface tension.
Justin Taylor: Make the colours brighter than normal, this makes them look better in this scale.
Gonzo: I use pretty much the same system, but leave out the ink wash (it tends to dull the colours). The trick with 6mm is to make
the colours stand out, otherwise the unit just looks like a
brown blob when viewed from a distance. In fact as you go
down in scale, you need to paint brighter and brighter. Best if
you use slightly differing shades (ie paint a few strips with
say your basic scarlet, the either lighten, or darken the red
and paint a few more strips), then mix up the strips and start
with a new colour (ie brown). Use a flat (matt) varnish, as
even a satin varnish will cause the colours to be "glared" out
under any lighting. Base the figs using a random mix, and the
unit looks pretty good (without looking too "uniform"). You'll probably find it still takes the same amount of time as with your ink-washing method
(you'll be mixing paints).
Other tips: Use "Humbrol Acrylics" (If you can get them), elsewise "Armoury" (GW paint are to thick for 6mm, even when you thin them)
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Last Updated: July 19, 1999
Comments, questions and additions welcome. Send them to Chris Brantley at brant@erols.com.