Basic Painting Techniques
By Jonathan Lim
Painting miniatures is not an art. It is merely a mechanical process - at least,
mostly. There are several basic techniques that a beginner must try.
Before beginning, you need paints, brushes and water. Brushes should be
hi-grade, though a beginner is only likely to damage them (no offence).
Paints: Try acrylics, they're better in most ways that the other varieties.
Experiment with many brands, if you can afford to.
The basic idea in figure painting is to cover the figure in different
coloured paints in order to improve its appearance, make it further
resemble a real person, and to look good en masse. Keep these points in mind.
After spraying the figure with primer (white spraypaint), begin with
flesh paint. Dip the brush in the paint, making sure not to get paint on
the metal ferrule. Make sure the paint is the correct consistency by
spreading the wet paint on a palette of aluminium foil and adding water or
paint if necessary. Correct consistency is a creamy sort of tecture. It
shouldn't be sticky or watery. After painting the face and hands, wash out the brush.
Then, paint the rest of the colours, starting with the clothing closest to
the skin of the figure (e.g. the tunic before the cloak). Keep colours as pure
as possible, do not mix them with each other at this stage. Make sure the
paint goes on consisently and completely. If the paint fails to get into
the crevices, it is too dry - add water. If the paint goes into the
crevices and leaves the raised areas white, it's too wet - add more paint.
Always use a palette of foil, never paint directly from the pot. Paint
neatly, as neatly as possible.
Try not to make up colour schemes halfway,
plan it first. Use colour schemes that harmonise (ie. use dress sense!)
even if they're irregular troops.
Some colours fail go on easily, such as yellow, green etc. Paint these
on, wait to dry, then paint on another layer. Alternately, mix with same
coloured ink (e.g., add green ink to green paint). This helps coverage.
Avoid painting over red. It can cause a chemical reaction and muddy the
colours.
If a colour doesn't go over another properly, do it again after it dries.
After painting is done, inspect coverage. If some areas were accidently
left unpainted, paint them. Any tiny slips? Fix them. If your painting is
neat there's no real need for fancy techniques!!
Most important law of painting - if something isn't working, STOP DOING IT
- try other methods. Failure to stop may be due to habit, or a feeling that
there's no other method. But there is always another way.
Top of Page | Newbies Guide | DBA Resource Page
Last Updated: July 1, 1999
Comments, questions and additions welcome. Send them to Chris Brantley at brant@erols.com.