Sholto Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 If you had to pick just one thing, what was it that made the biggest difference to your painting? Mine would be a daylight magnifying lamp. A daylight bulb wrapped around a magnifying lens with a flexible neck. The daylight bulb is not so important (although it is very useful to ensure the colours will look right) but the magnifying lens is so good I would have difficulty in painting detail without one now. It doesn't make my painting any better, but it does make it much more precise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radium Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 Learning wetblending probably. I do it all the time now, and it just looks a lot better than layering paint on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thatnicguy Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 Time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsmiles Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 If you had to pick just one thing, what was it that made the biggest difference to your painting? Mine would be a daylight magnifying lamp. A daylight bulb wrapped around a magnifying lens with a flexible neck. The daylight bulb is not so important (although it is very useful to ensure the colours will look right) but the magnifying lens is so good I would have difficulty in painting detail without one now. It doesn't make my painting any better, but it does make it much more precise I have to agree. I picked one of those babies up about three months ago, and haven't looked back. It's the best thing that ever happened to my mini-painting. That and taking advice from CreganTur (on here, WAMP, and GitP). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mako Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 Using more coats of much thinner paint. Every technique becomes easier and smoother that way (although learning those techniques is of course still a whole different challenge!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manicmac Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 Practice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regnak Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 I think alot of people would agree that GW washes made a big difference?! For me its that and also time. I used to be in a rush or leave models with a "That'll do" attitude. Now I keep going until I'm happy which can be a double edged sword sometimes and involve stripping and repainting a number of times! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edonil Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 Ignoring the local people insisting that I should be able to paint a Space Marine in 15 minutes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LonelyPath Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 Speed Painting for me. I used speed painting methods for years and it really helped hone my skills in getting nice effective results done simply. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regnak Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 Ignoring the local people insisting that I should be able to paint a Space Marine in 15 minutes. Thats easy! For Black Templars Spray black, dry brusy very dark grey (optional) and add a couple of White crosses. Done. Thats how alot of peoples Templars look to me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cadilon Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 A must for me before even starting was an OptiVisor Headband Magnifier. Looks goofier than hell and my daughters make fun of me when I am wearing it, but I can't imagine painting without it. I see guys painting naked eyed and have no idea how they are doing it. Other than that, the thing that helped me the most was a wet pallet. It took the time pressure off since the paint doesn't dry out and I can focus on carefully applying paint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WookieeGunner Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 Investing in brushes. I used to buy brushes with the idea that a Michael's $3 red sable brush was good enough. I enventually decided that brushes are something that should be bought, they should be invested in. Once I made that decision I was able to justify the much more expensive Da Vinci series and instantly saw an improvement in speed and quality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tuesday Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 Taking the time to figure out actual shading and highlighting rather than just slapping a wash on and picking up the original color on the raised parts. It takes longer, but I love the results so much more now. That, and thinning the paint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studderingdave Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 companies actually making washes instead of me having to make them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dgraz Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 Competition. I paint something and I think to myself that it's the best / coolest/ greatest / most wonderful thing ever. Then someone else paints the same model and I think it is way better than mine, so I have to push the next thing even harder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trag Sifarin Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 Flow-Aid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaslyne Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 Honestly, learning how to pin has saved me a ton of time, because with just glue/green stuff on things like tiny showgirl arms, they kept snapping off on me and I'd have to repaint them again and get them just the right shade and respray etc... Also taking the time to sit down and read other people's tutorials before I begin on things like skin color has helped immensely, and not being afraid to strip the paint if I need to. I need to invest in a magnifier and better brushes though. Naked eyeing tiny little details is maddening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigkid Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 I used to be in a rush or leave models with a "That'll do" attitude... Doesn't everyone have a 'That'll do' point?? Actually, thinking about it, I now tend to fight through the first 'That'll do' fence until I get to the 'Sod it! That'll feckin' do!' wall... As for improved painting thing, got to be watering down my paints. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ispep Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 Realizing that some people are just better painters. Accepting that I have a ceiling to my ability, and not always striving to be the best. No matter how many times I repaint this mini, it isn't going to be a studio piece, it isn't going to win a Golden Demon, so just do it as well as I am personally capable of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChaosLenny Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 Have to say the brushes. I when I started and for years after I used GW brushes. A few years back I made the switch to Windsor & Newtons and Escoda Kolinsky sable brushes. Not only does it save money (the brushes are expensive but they last forever), it's doubled my painting skills. My magnifier goggles/head thing, have also been a great help as I get older, eyes ain't as good as they use to be:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigkid Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 Can anyone recommend one of these magnifier thingies? I've never used one before but I'm sure I'd prefer one that wasn't attached to me face. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tattyted Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 For me, the most important thing is you have got to like the miniature you are painting. This may sound odd, but I find it is true. I painted Sonnia and Seamus real nice first go, but the ortegas I have started and stripped several times. They just don't feel right. I only got them because I play guild regularly and wanted the options to field them but i don't like the models as much as the others and I think this subconsciously affects my painting. It also explains why I have lots of armies for warhammer, 40K, confrontation, hordes, warmachine, ancient romans, samurai and napoleonics all with a mass of primed metal and a couple of very well painted figures! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidKerrSmith Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 Thinning paints Better brushes Not being afraid to try something and strip the paint if it fails Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChaosLenny Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 @Bigkid this is the one I have, [ame]http://www.amazon.com/Donegan-OptiVisor-Headband-Magnifier-Magnification/dp/B0015IN8J6[/ame] I'm sure if you shopped around you can probably find one cheaper. I was against wearing one myself. I tried it for a miniature or two and I'm hooked. I have one of these http://www.southsunbeads.com/third-hand-with-magnifier-clips/ but I end up never using it, the headband one works better for me. hope that helps:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chev Chelios Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 Since my eyesight is failing I would say a headband magnifier.I see details much better now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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