Beginner's Tips

[gurpsgm]

Hi!

Sorry if this post is semi-repetative, but I could use a little direction in this sea.....

What types of paint does everyone use? Brushes? Is there a good resource or two for beginners?

I just got into Kings of War and would like to start there if that's any help.

Any ideas at all would be appreciated.

Bruce

 

[Dragonsreach]

Hi and welcome.
To make life a bit easier have a quick run through the Stickied threads at the top if the page.
It'll save you a bit if time.

Paints, so many to choose from GW most common, but not so cost effective, Vallejo and Reaper better value for money.
Brushes, BEST are Kolinsky sable used by most competition standard Painters, makes Raphael 8404, Winsor and Newton series 7, Rosemary and co, Da Vinci.
Resources.....RIGHT HERE MY MAN, RIGHT HERE!

 

[stridingbear]

Thank you as well.

 

[Chrispy]

Best piece of advice I ever heard from another artist- always have another brush already wet near at hand so you can blend, or if you screw up.
As for paint/ brushes Vallejo model color and Windsor and Newton's is what I go by. If you need some "starter brushes" synthetic watercolor brushes are pretty good. I like Dynasty Black Gold brushes for my basecoat and ink brushes.

Tips & Tutorial Sticky Thread

Welcome and hope to see your progress!

 

[gurpsgm]

Thanks people, I'm a total neophyte when it comes to this, but I just loved the "Kings of War" series from Mantic Games...

Bruce

 

[Bailey03]

You'll see a lot of people using Games Workshop, P3 (from Privateer Press), Vallejo, and Reaper paints. They're all good options though here are a couple of things to consider...
1) GW and P3 come in pots while Vallejo and Reaper come in dropper bottles. If you just want to dip your brush in the paint and go, pots are great. If you want to mix colors (for which you'd need some sort of palette), I think dropper bottles are much easier to work with.
2) You can buy paints online, but being able to stop by your local hobby shop and pick up a couple colors is very convenient. I really like Reaper but no one near me carries them. That's okay when I want to order a bunch of paints (shipping is free on large orders), but if I just want to get one paint the shipping cost really isn't worth it.
3) If you are planning to mix colors, consider making a wet palette. Just google wet palette and you'll find some how to's. It's cheap, easy, and you probably have everything you'll need already. Here's one tutorial, there are plenty of others: http://massivevoodoo.blogspot.com/2009/10/tutorial-wet-palette.html

Lastly I'll make my plug for Reaper Master Series paints. They're what I use (though I do have colors from other brands). They're conveniently organized into groups of shadow, mid tone, and highlight which can make things much easier for beginners. That being said, you will be fine with any of the major brands.

Here are a few other 'just starting' threads that might be helpful to look over:
http://www.coolminiornot.com/forums...ooking-to-start-painting-have-a-few-questions
http://www.coolminiornot.com/forums/...upply-question
http://www.coolminiornot.com/forums/...int-high-elves
http://www.coolminiornot.com/forums/...rst-Submission

 

[darkseed]

You'll see a lot of people using Games Workshop, P3 (from Privateer Press), Vallejo, and Reaper paints. They're all good options though here are a couple of things to consider...
1) GW and P3 come in pots while Vallejo and Reaper come in dropper bottles. If you just want to dip your brush in the paint and go, pots are great. If you want to mix colors (for which you'd need some sort of palette), I think dropper bottles are much easier to work with.
2) You can buy paints online, but being able to stop by your local hobby shop and pick up a couple colors is very convenient. I really like Reaper but no one near me carries them. That's okay when I want to order a bunch of paints (shipping is free on large orders), but if I just want to get one paint the shipping cost really isn't worth it.
3) If you are planning to mix colors, consider making a wet palette. Just google wet palette and you'll find some how to's. It's cheap, easy, and you probably have everything you'll need already. Here's one tutorial, there are plenty of others: http://massivevoodoo.blogspot.com/2009/10/tutorial-wet-palette.html

Lastly I'll make my plug for Reaper Master Series paints. They're what I use (though I do have colors from other brands). They're conveniently organized into groups of shadow, mid tone, and highlight which can make things much easier for beginners. That being said, you will be fine with any of the major brands.

Here are a few other 'just starting' threads that might be helpful to look over:
http://www.coolminiornot.com/forums...ooking-to-start-painting-have-a-few-questions
http://www.coolminiornot.com/forums/...upply-question
http://www.coolminiornot.com/forums/...int-high-elves
http://www.coolminiornot.com/forums/...rst-Submission

great tips thanks so lot

 

[Webmonkey]

Read article and watch tutorials for whatever technique you are trying to accomplish (use whatever color you have that's close since 99% of the time they use something you don't own) There are lots out there to choose from. But all the brushes paint and tutorials in the world are no substitue for experimentationn and above all,....

PRACTICE!!!

 

[me_in_japan]

Don't aim too high to start with. The top level painters here and elsewhere have been doing it for years. Like all forms of art, some folks are just naturally better at it than others. Also, a background in traditional art (watercolours, sculpting, whatever) helps, too. For the rest of us mere mortals, we start of pretty crappy and aim to improve from there. 20 years after I started, I'm still looking at top level work and thinking "what the hell? How does he do that?!?!"

 

[Wicksy]

Learn to use a wet pallette! It really helps when painting as it keeps your mixes fresh and ready for blending without worrying about paint wells drying up and ruining the smoothness of your work. Use the best quality brushes you can afford and paint a lot! Any painting is good. You need great brush control to make a model look great. Painting gaming armies, even to tabletop standard hones your skills. Also, never fear trying something new and screwing up. Models can be stripped of their paint jobs and repainted as often as you want. No longer do you have to bin something because you hate how its turned out

Also, the internet is your friend. Loads of blogs and vids on youtube and many great painting resources such as this place. Read and watch all you can. Also, there are painting dvd's to be had by various people, which explain step by step all of the major painting techniques. They are very handy to have around!