Miniatures, and everything related to them

[Tuxian]

So as not to co-opt the video gaming thread any more, thought I'd start a new thread here.

So I'm new the miniature gaming scene. I got hooked by Sedition Wars on Kickstarter, and then got sucked in by the Bones from Reaper, and now I'm backing the Relic Knights project as well.

I've been doing research, and looking up instructional videos on what I need to do to get started on painting minis, since I'm shortly going to be buried in them. I bought a video series from CoolMiniOrNot's store that's hosted by one of Reaper's in-house pro painters, Anne Foerster, and her friend and fellow painter Jen Haley. They've been a big help in being able to actually see the models from beginning to end, and how they do what they do.

Anyone else here who either got in on these projects, or has experience with gaming minis, I'd appreciate any advice/hints/tips you have to share, or any stories related to miniature gaming you have!

[Crossbow]

Hoo-boy, have you opened up a can of worms.

Minis gaming and painting can be expensive, tedious, frustrating, maddening, satisfying and immensely fun, all at the same time. I've been painting minis off and on now for about 25 years. Had I been doing it continuously all that time, I might have a chance of getting to be 1/10th as good as Anne or Jen. They're both amazing painters, and Jen's work is what dragged me back into the hobby after years away from it. I've seen the video series you're talking about, and it's wonderfully helpful, as are the numerous tutorials around the web.

Anne also formulated the Reaper Master Series paints from the beginning, so she knows exactly how they behave. I'm switching over to them more and more for a lot of my work. Very good paints.

As for tips, I'll be sure to drop a bunch of information here as things go along. I should get back to work so I can afford more metal/plastic crack --er... miniatures.

Oh, almost forgot. Post pictures of your progress. I know there's other minis painters here, and we'd love to see how you're progressing.

*edit* If you're looking for more DVDs, Miniature Mentor, Miniatures Painting Secrets with Natalya and the Hot Lead series are all good ones.

[Tuxian]

Heh. So far, I haven't actually _started_ painting anything, though I did pick up some basic supplies. I got some brushes (not sable, as I wanted to start with something simple, got some gold taklon brushes to start with, will eventually get some sable brushes though), some Army Painter white primer, a hobby knife, and a selection of some basic paints from the local gaming store, along with an Astrid Berger, Female Spy mini from the Chronoscope line. When I have the time, I'll get her primed up, and take pictures as I go so people can see how I'm doing. I got Astrid since she's a single-piece mold, no gluing or pinning required.

[Andara Bledin]

While Nekojin & I got in on the Reaper Bones and are going to go in on the Relic Knights, we likely won't be starting any actual painting for some time.

We have three destructo-cats in our place, and no area suitable to be a work area, yet. Though when my brother finally gets the last of his crap out, the front room would be an excellent choice; good lighting, open space, well-ventilated, and soon to be sporting a nice bay window.

^-.-^

[Crossbow]

Golden Taklon are decent synthetic brushes. Just be sure to take care of them, and they'll do ok. Eventually, the tips will curl, though. At least, all of mine have. Get yourself some brush soap (most craft stores will have it) and use it after painting. It has conditioner in it that will help prolong the life of the brush. Good Kohlinski Sable brushes can be purchased online for a decent price, and quite frankly, they're worth their weight in gold once you get started. I tend to base coat with Taklon and detail with the sable.

Brush storage: I've heard the best way to store a brush is hanging downward with the bristles not touching anything. Barring that, lay it flat with the bristles off the surface. Bristles up is bad because any water/paint mix after washing and painting can build up at the end of the ferrule and force the bristles apart. Also, if the brush came with a plastic sleeve for the tip, don't use it unless the brush is COMPLETELY dry. This is especially true with natural fiber brushes. If it's not dry, the hairs can mildew and rot. Personally, I just don't use it.

[ApolloSZ]

I should get back to work so I can afford more metal/plastic crack --er... miniatures.

Iseewhatyoudidthere

Also, if the brush came with a plastic sleeve for the tip, don't use it unless the brush is COMPLETELY dry.

Mine never seem to stick around longer than me taking them off the brush for the first time.



So, welcome to miniatures, and farewell life Tuxian XD (i kid, I kid).
Crossbow covered it pretty well, you'll go through a few emotions at once painting, but overall it is nice and relaxing and fun. I wargame so I paint miniatures in a large quantity (grumble fecking 15 man bloodclaw units ) - It also leads to converting/altering models (once you work up the courage to cut up that expensive model!)

Also this may lead to standard model-craft, i.e. kitset vehicles and painting them. There are a few of us around the forums who do this, so don't be afraid to ask. We'll either be able to help you together, or come up with a solid plan for world domination. Which ever works.

[Crossbow]

Mine never seem to stick around longer than me taking them off the brush for the first time.

Mine don't last much past that, either. They usually end up in a bits bin somewhere and used for pipe on terrain.

I wargame so I paint miniatures in a large quantity (grumble fecking 15 man bloodclaw units )

15 man? Must be nice. Try doing WWII in 15mm. I've got about 150 troops to paint.

Also this may lead to standard model-craft, i.e. kitset vehicles and painting them. There are a few of us around the forums who do this, so don't be afraid to ask. We'll either be able to help you together, or come up with a solid plan for world domination. Which ever works.

Yep. Start getting into vehicles and you learn modeling pretty quick.

[Tuxian]

For reference purposes, I thought I'd post this here. This is the mini that I got to start with, like I said, since she's just a single-piece mini, won't have to do TOO much to her.

http://www.reapermini.com/OnlineStor...r/latest/50148

I was thinking of doing her hair and boots in black (I got the Citadel "Abaddon Black"), the coat in grey (P3 "Greatcoat Grey"), the gun in Citadel "Leadbelcher", the face and hands in P3 "Midlund Flesh", and the lips in Citadel "Mephiston Red."

[ApolloSZ]

Mine don't last much past that, either. They usually end up in a bits bin somewhere and used for pipe on terrain.
15 man? Must be nice. Try doing WWII in 15mm. I've got about 150 troops to paint. Yep. Start getting into vehicles and you learn modeling pretty quick.

Hmm terrain. Must remember that one.
And I have about 150 marines plus parts for more, and support units/tanks. But yes, heroic scale is much nicer to paint than 15mm
Also have Warmachine (Khador) - So. Many. Axes. XD

And yes, planes trains and automobiles are actually alot of fun. The skills are transferable to mini's to a degree.

Your paint scheme sounds quite nice. Remember there is no harm in watering the paint slightly and putting on more layers slowly to build up the colour while keeping details (The flesh and red colour you may have to do this anyway to get a nice even colour if your painting over a black undercoat. The grey and leadbelcher should go on nicely).

[Elspeth]

I have the 40k starter pack from Games Workshop. I am probably going to do Relic Knights. I have started with the space marines. I do have one piece done I should post a pic. And yes it is plastic crack. I can't get the Warhammer starter until i get the current one finished.

I have a small toolbox to carry my stuff in when I go into our local shop to paint.

[Andara Bledin]

For RK, I'm not sure whether I'm going to go Noh or Paladins or maybe Cerci.

Although Nekojin is after Doctrine and also Cerci.

Such tough decisions... our poor bank account... q.q

^-.-^

[Tuxian]

Apollo: I'm using a white primer, from The Army Painter, their Matte White.

[RayvenQ]

I'm full of painting tips and advice, despite lacking the skills myself to put them in use a lot of the time.

I'd suggest getting some of Games Workshops Washes, Nuln oil for the metal, Reikland Fleshshade for the fleh parts and the lips. You'd then go back over the parts with the original colour and use that colour to paint the highlights.

for Abaddon Black and Mephiston red, you can generally water them down with a 1:3 paint to water ratio (this works with all base/foundation paints of GW's), it will go on streaky at first, but after a few layers you'll get a solid colour, rwgular GW paints, are best thinned witha 1:1 water to paint ratio.

[violiavampyr]

This thread reminds me of this pic... http://www.llbbl.com/data/RPG-motiva...target271.html
Note: MY bfs probably been playing since then. I think he has an orc near to that old. He's also been getting into Warmachine lately. He asks me if I'd like to play as well, but I say no because I can only handle him out strategizing me so many different times.

[Tuxian]

Thanks for the advice, Rayven. I'll check and see if the FLGS has any of the washes, but I didn't spot any last time I was there, but I may not have known what I was looking for. He had a big rack full of Citadel paints, and I didn't want to spend too much on paint for my first model, you know?