What do you use for painting terrain?

[Isildurian]

Hey folks!

Am looking to dabble more seriously in terrain work over the next few months, but the one thing that's always put me off in the past is having to paint the blasted things! I wouldn't know where to start, what mediums to use etc. so was just wanting to ask if any of you terrain buffs out there have suggestions for cheap ways to paint up terrain? I've had a look online, but I'm not even sure what kind of paint I'd require...
I use GW paints for my miniatures, but its rather expensive to be using on such a large scale as terrain would require...
Ta muchly!
Isildurian

 

[Einion]

Hey, long time to wait for your first post! Don't know where you're based and what's available to you locally but I'd recommend craft paints if you can get them, they come in much larger containers than hobby paints and they cost less, so doubly cheaper.

They're good enough, see this demo I'm working on currently; especially the earths, black and white can be quite decent because those pigments are inexpensive so they don't have to skimp on them.

Einion

 

[IdofEntity]

Hey there,

For terrains I use System 3 paints. (which is stocked by Hobby Lobby on a regular basis) It holds well against Balsa, plaster, and plastic. You're right in not wanting to use expensive paints for most terrain, especially if it's a play surface. With System 3 paints I recommend only getting some basic colors and some paint containers. Mix once, cover everything you need to, and you're set. If there's a small area where I want to do some fancier brushwork I'll switch over to my way too large Citadel Paint collection. But for large patches of area, basic hobby paints (acrylic) are the way to go.

 

[freakinacage]

a mixture. artists acrylics are nice as you can water them down a fair whack and still get nice pigment concentration but otherwise craft stuff is the cheaper option

 

[gohkm]

Craft paints are one way to go, but if you're looking at fairly large-scale projects like in Hirst Arts builds, you can also use just normal latex house paint. The Hirst Arts website has a good tutorial on paint dilutions and such, too.

 

[Da Sub]

One small bit of advice I can offer for terrain, particularly large terrain, is to prime it with acrylic sand-able automotive primer before painting (if it is not styrene foam). Then paint with whatever paint is easiest to acquire in large quantities.

For really big city terrain stuff I generally be excessively lazy and use Dark Grey sand-able primer, followed by picking out any metals/details, followed by a light drybrush of a lighter grey to weather and then wash the whole thing with a mid-to-dark brown wash. I generally use generic hobby acrylics or house paints, except for the metals which are usually just GW pots.
Lastly I give the terrain a coat of Gloss varnish (Automotive Clear) then, when dry, a coat of matt finish (Testors Dull Coat) just for chip resistance the same as my minis.

I know that last bit seems excessive but I am generally painting terrain for the gaming club so it gets used enough to warrant it.

 

[Jericho]

If you have to prime anything with foam parts, you can glue-seal them a couple of times. Mix in a tiny bit of liquid soap to the mix, and it will not bead on the foam, so you'll get much better protection against being eaten by the solvents or whatever. 2 layers usually does the trick.

 

[Shawn R. L.]

I like drybrushing terrain. It can make for a good contrast with the smoothness of a mini.

 

[airhead]

A static gun of some sort for flock.
An airbrush for paints, glues, etc. (not a detail gun either, but I use one of them too.)
Play sand. (25 lbs for a couple of bucks at the home center.)
Flock (check the model train store guys.)
Interior paint samples. (4 oz. will do a LOT of terrain)
Apple Barrel and Plaid craft paints.

Don't use bead board unless you want your terrain to buckle and bow on you.

Caution:
Hirst Arts is addictive.

 

[advancedterrain]

I second the craft paints motion, I've got Americana and Delta Ceramcoat brands.

I do quite a bit of quick painting, and they have a good cost/coverage ratio. I do a spray primer followed by several dry brush coats, and even a small bottle of the craft paints lasts and lasts and lasts.

Caution:
Hirst Arts is addictive. Doubly so if you played with Lego as a kid.

 

[ollieholmes]

I tend to use cheap and chearfull Automotive spray cans for general work and then the airbrush with all sorts of paints for detail, GWs, randow acrylics, Tamiya, Xtracrylic.

 

[Tommie Soule]

how big are you talkin? a board and some modular bits or like a full to scale with mini helms deep?