Iron Syndicate Posted March 29, 2016 Report Share Posted March 29, 2016 Hey Everyone, I'm pretty new to the miniature hobby, coming from board games. Malifaux is my first miniature game, and while I painted up a few of my board game minis - but nothing comes close to the intricate level of details found in Malifaux. As such, I really consider these to be my first "real" painting efforts. They're nowhere near the level of stuff presented by the awesome painters on these forums - but one must walk before they can run. Thoughts, comments, tips will be greatly appreicated. Thanks! 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hellfoot315 Posted March 29, 2016 Report Share Posted March 29, 2016 Hey, I'm going to be honest with you. Considering that these are your first minis, the painting isn't terrible. But what I've noticed is that you're paints are too thick. You need to thin down your paints. Since you are using light colors, undercoat your minis with white. Then start painting thin layers of paint. You will not cover the surface immediately and it may take several coats. Do not try to paint over wet paint, let it dry properly. Use a small hair dryer to dry your paints faster. To achieve simple, yet effective shadows you can always use washes. GW washes are excellent. Always remember to thin them down abit. Never apply paint/wash directly from the pot. Hope this helps! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabid Bunny Posted March 29, 2016 Report Share Posted March 29, 2016 For your first miniatures, these are really nice. You have some incredible brush control seeing as every area is clearly defined, one of my local club members is going half mad trying to paint this crew due to all the fiddly parts. I'd second what Robson315 says, thin your paints a bit and use washes. Two thin coats is always better than one thick coat. Washes are really simple to use and they really add some depth to the areas washed. edit: Also, everyone starts somewhere, i've got the first Space Marine models I ever painted next to my paints so I can always see how far i've come. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LunarSol Posted March 29, 2016 Report Share Posted March 29, 2016 Generally agree with above, but honestly, you can apply straight from the pot when you first get started. Keeping your brush wet can produce a similar effect anyway, its just harder to mix custom colors. The good news is you've got the brush control down, which makes learning any more advanced tricks a lot easier. The big thing you'll definitely want to do is add a wash to these. The GW washes are great, and will create immediate improvements. Individual color washes are good, but Agrax Earthtone is probably the best universal wash as it adds a solid shadow to everything. Given your bright colors, it might make things a little muddy looking, but that can be cleaned up easily with a few highlights. The important thing is to do things you're comfortable with, keep painting, and you'll find yourself naturally more willing to take risks and try new things. You've got a great base to start from. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iron Syndicate Posted March 29, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 29, 2016 Thanks guys! I've got a set of Vallejo washes so I'll be sure to crack into those. When it comes to thinning paints, is thinning with water enough, should I get some proper paint thinner and use that? And how do you know what ratios to use when thinning? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shadowfane Posted March 29, 2016 Report Share Posted March 29, 2016 Water is fine for the most part - you're aiming for the consistency of milk (although it took me a long time to work out what that actually meant!) - a brushful of paint on the pallet and a half a brushful of water normally works out fine. There's nothing quite like experience though, so experiment! if it doesn't flow properly on the model, you've put too much water in 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ress is More Posted March 29, 2016 Report Share Posted March 29, 2016 Good to see people not intimidated by the painting skills of some guys around here! You will find yourself improving your skill with every miniature, especially when you have just started. Whashes are indeed going to give you an inmediately extra level to your miniatures. Keep up the good work! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Loki- Posted March 30, 2016 Report Share Posted March 30, 2016 I see you've already mentioned Vallejo paints. Another tip for thinned paints, see if any store near you stocks their Model Air and Game Air ranges. These paints are pre-thinned for airbrush use, but the best bit is because of this, they're pre-thinned for basic brush use. Just use the dropper bottle to put as much as you need on your palette and go nuts. It seems lazy, but for a new painter it's a great shortcut. Also for lazy people - I'm in the process of replacing my paints with their Air ranges because I just get annoyed thinning paints. Once you've gotten used to how thin the paints should be, buy some regular colours you like, and have a go thinning them yourself to the consistency of the air paints. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sigmar3 Posted March 30, 2016 Report Share Posted March 30, 2016 You're on the right track and everyone above has given you some great advice. Using washes can be very satisfying as you can see a difference (hopefully positively!) pretty much immediately. Just remember to not absolutely flood whatever you are washing. You can always give it another wash once the first is dry if you think it needs it. A great beginner technique is to simply paint your base colours on, use a corresponding wash over each area, then re-apply the base colour again as a highlight. It's simple yet effective for a person starting out and gets you on the road to shading, highlighting.... then blending is the next step. I'm waffling haha. Keep on posting pics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gabbi Posted March 31, 2016 Report Share Posted March 31, 2016 On 3/29/2016 at 10:58 PM, Iron Syndicate said: When it comes to thinning paints, is thinning with water enough, should I get some proper paint thinner and use that? And how do you know what ratios to use when thinning? Water is fine. Someone suggests using distilled water. Personally, I've never felt the need, but this can change depending on the quality of the water in your area. Also, when you'll have painted a few more models and feel more confident with your technique, you can look for a Matte Medium. It is sold by Vallejo in their typical pots, but it can also be purchased in arts stores in bigger bottles for a better value. Basically, it's the clear medium in which the color pigment is suspended. Mixed with colors, it makes them more translucent without making them more fluid (like water would do). It's useful to paint subtle lights on the minis, reducing the "step" between shadow and illuminated zones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadamePigpig Posted March 31, 2016 Report Share Posted March 31, 2016 these look great for ur firsts, lol, look alot better then mine. A few tips to help. when i stated i never used primer, but as ive grown, i noticed primer really really does help. it makes the model pop. only thin (i wish someone had told me XD) if u use, say, black primer, and ur model ur painting is mostly black, or really any bit black, still paint over it with black. the primer will just come off with ppl touching it and it dosent look as nice XD also never get rid or paint over ur firsts. to me at least, those first models are more special and priceless then one ull paint in a couple years that wins a prize. its always nice to see whare u stated and how far uve come, expechly when ur down about ur art compared to others. another thing, get some cheeper models to paint and practice on. with these ur going to paint them and strip them a few times. for me i got 2 boxes of zombie vixens. hope this helps any ^^ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpankyBat Posted March 31, 2016 Report Share Posted March 31, 2016 I just want to throw this out there, but I'm loving the theme on the three girls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iron Syndicate Posted April 2, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2016 Thanks for all the comments and tips, guys! I tried to apply all your suggestions on this next pair... EDIT: How about we try this with some non-potato photos... ones where you actually see the model... Now on to the two Viks and hope I don't screw them up 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iron Syndicate Posted April 7, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 7, 2016 Finished up the crew last night... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talismaniical Posted April 7, 2016 Report Share Posted April 7, 2016 Wait a goshdarn second... Are your Ronin the Powerpuff Girls?! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iron Syndicate Posted April 7, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 7, 2016 5 hours ago, Talismaniical said: Wait a goshdarn second... Are your Ronin the Powerpuff Girls?! Well..... yes. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpankyBat Posted April 21, 2016 Report Share Posted April 21, 2016 I just noticed that nobody in your crew has any eyes. It's kinda creepy but I like it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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