techniques to master

[vincegamer]

Originally posted by EArkham
Depends on the sort of basing you prefer, really.

I typically treat the base as just another part of the mini. Glue sand or some other appropriate substance to the base after any conversion work but before priming. Then paint it as I do the rest of the figure. After painting, but before clear coats, I add static grass.

Some folks like to base figures after painting, using the \"natural\" colour of the basing material.

Kep

I usually do basing last, and I don\'t rely on the natural color of the material. I prime and paint the base after I\'ve done the mini.
Basing does depend on what you do. I personally think it can wait. If the base is integral, paint it and be done. When you are comfortable with your figure skills you can work on making fancy bases. Some older minis come on a plain flat base. I find sometimes the easiest thing is to paint the base to resemble wood planks or cobblestones.

 

[johnboyjjb]

Photography

I\'d say the first thing everybody needs to learn is photography. Once you learn to take a decent picture the rest of us can tell how advanced a painter is and where they need to improve.
(Not saying your photos are bad if you have any, just a general suggestion to all)

 

[EricJ]

I can\'t believe no one has mentioned color theory! The best painted mini can look like crap if the colors are crap.

But I would stress brush control and color theory to anyone getting started in the hobby. I really think to do this you sort of need to just paint a LOT of minis while just focusing on doing a tidy job (straight lines, colors only where you want them), while just watching for what colors work, accent colors, etc... And don\'t be afraid to try things, you learn more when you mess up the colors!

Then do about 50-100 miniatures and just relax and enjoy it! Don\'t worry about scores, don\'t worry about taking on big projects, just normal simple sculpts will do. This will develop a background which you can draw from.

Brush control and color theory will be used always. And once you have that, I would focus on blending (although I bet you\'d start blending almost without thinking about it while working on these other things)

 

[EArkham]

Originally posted by vincegamerI usually do basing last, and I don\'t rely on the natural color of the material. I prime and paint the base after I\'ve done the mini.
Basing does depend on what you do. I personally think it can wait. If the base is integral, paint it and be done. When you are comfortable with your figure skills you can work on making fancy bases. Some older minis come on a plain flat base. I find sometimes the easiest thing is to paint the base to resemble wood planks or cobblestones.

Yep, I wasn\'t being all inclusive. There\'s probably a dozen ways of finishing the base.

For fast squads, like hormagaunts or something, I\'ll even paint the bases first, seperate from the minis, then paint the minis while they\'re on wire (stuck in cork). No mini to get in the way, the bases go quick.

Some folks sculpt the base with green stuff. Or use green stuff to disguise an integral base on top of a plastic one. Wappelious does some great things with baked Sculpey.

The Confrontation people sometimes don\'t even base at all. They just paint the base black and pin the figure to it.

Dozens of ways!

Kep

 

[TheEnigma]

I was on my way to mentioning color theory, until Eric beat me to it

But it is a great idea, it helps alot with being able to visual your finished mini before you ever pick up a brush. Knowing which colors work together, and making good use of a consistent palette, will bring you a long way towards eliminating those things that we don\'t see conciously but the subconcious eye picks up on.

Basing is really just a combination of these other techniques, with the added 3rd dimension. There are lots of great materials to use, but you don\'t want to distract from the fine paint job you just finished either.

And my own advice, buy a bag of cheap clearance plastic minis and paint something crazy. Don\'t plan ahead, just paint what you think will look good and then check out the results. Having \'throw-away\' minis takes a lot of the pressure off of screwing up a nice expensive piece and can really get you some confidence and experience.

Hope this helps!

 

[Mosch]

Orginal gepostet von EricJ
I can\'t believe no one has mentioned color theory! The best painted mini can look like crap if the colors are crap.

Colour theory is not really a technique, just knowledge you need to have. I needed about a day or two to read up on it and learn the basics. Now I just expand my knowledge whenever I have time

 

[Modderrhu]

Originally posted by Einion
Er, ignore this.

We humbly bow to your vast and superior wisdom, Einion.

 

[Hoblit]

Great. I think I have a good place to start. Now all I need is the time to put this all to the test.

Thanks Guys

 

[green stuff]

Message original : Mosch

Orginal gepostet von EricJ
I can\'t believe no one has mentioned color theory! The best painted mini can look like crap if the colors are crap.

Colour theory is not really a technique, just knowledge you need to have.

Erh ... I think color theory can be a technic when used in an advanced way. You can get very vibrant colors, deep shadows, and interesting textures by using it. However, I would not advise it for beginners. I know I\'m going to be flamed for what I just said, but here\'s my point : Tony (ansquer) was doing a bretonnian sorceress for a GD when Arthur (frenchkid) advised him to do the shadows of the red cape with green ... the result wasn\'t pretty to say the least (a less extreme color like brown would have worked better). IMHO, color theory works very well with some paints but not with all of them and only experience will help to predict what could look good.

 

[Dragonsreach]

Originally posted by green stuff

Message original : Mosch

Orginal gepostet von EricJ
I can\'t believe no one has mentioned color theory! The best painted mini can look like crap if the colors are crap.

Colour theory is not really a technique, just knowledge you need to have.

Erh ... I think color theory can be a technic when used in an advanced way. You can get very vibrant colors, deep shadows, and interesting textures by using it. However, I would not advise it for beginners. I know I\'m going to be flamed for what I just said, but here\'s my point : Tony (ansquer) was doing a bretonnian sorceress for a GD when Arthur (frenchkid) advised him to do the shadows of the red cape with green ... the result wasn\'t pretty to say the least (a less extreme color like brown would have worked better). IMHO, color theory works very well with some paints but not with all of them and only experience will help to predict what could look good.

Ericj, sorry but I have I have to agree with green-stuff here.
Colour theory is a very advanced stage/concept for most painters and for some (like me) a huge task in getting to grips with understanding it.
Far better to get the initial techniques such as blending/layering plain colours under control and then take the consideration of colour theory into account.
Then good paint control will really be enhanced by excellent colour balance and co-ordination.

 

[Einion]

Originally posted by johnboyjjb
I\'d say the first thing everybody needs to learn is photography. Once you learn to take a decent picture the rest of us can tell how advanced a painter is and where they need to improve.
(Not saying your photos are bad if you have any, just a general suggestion to all)

That is a great point

Originally posted by EricJ
I can\'t believe no one has mentioned color theory! The best painted mini can look like crap if the colors are crap.

I was going to but there are so many areas involved, not the least of which is colour theory v. \'colour theory\'. The topic laid out in any sort of detail is pretty daunting up front so I think perhaps it\'s one of those things that\'s best picked up along the way, given that Hoblit is asking this here already they can always ask when/if they run into trouble

Brush control is vital too of course, can\'t do much without it (I was hoping that it would develop naturally along my suggested path). That and painting lots as you suggest - few things can take the place of practice, practice, practice.

Originally posted by TheEnigma
Knowing which colors work together...

This is one of those areas that I refer to above in my reply to Eric - one man\'s \"Oh, don\'t they look nice.\" is another\'s \"Ugh!\" - some people loath greens and violets together, other people quite like \'em.

Originally posted by TheEnigma
...making good use of a consistent palette...

If you\'re referring to the actual paints used I agree completely.

Einion

 

[Avelorn]

IMO the most important thing in the long term is to get a good working place and to able to put paint on the miniature sitting comfortable. Or else you\'re likely to quit halfway with neckpains. A lot of brush control is gained when you use a support for the miniature. It can be a GW bottle turned upside down. Or wire attached to the miniature and then to a cork. Something that you are able to hold on to.