Miniature Painting Quick Reference
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The Core 5-Step Process
| Step | What You Do | Key Rule | Common Mistakes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Prime | Spray entire model with primer before any paint | Damp or cold weather = wrinkled primer. Don't prime below 50°F | Skipping primer — paint won't stick |
| 2. Basecoat | Apply main colors to each section. 2 thin coats over 1 thick. | Thin paints to skim milk consistency with a few drops of water | One thick coat obscures detail |
| 3. Wash | Apply shade (Nuln Oil, Agrax Earthshade) over section or whole model | Let it fully dry before next step. Don't pool it. | Not letting it dry — smears when highlighted |
| 4. Layer/Highlight | Reapply basecoat to raised areas. Mix lighter for edge highlights. | Work from large areas to fine edges | Highlighting recesses instead of raised surfaces |
| 5. Base | Apply texture paint or PVA + sand/flock to model base | Always base. It completes every paint job. | Forgetting to base — looks unfinished |
Common Paint Recipes (Citadel / GW)
| Subject | Basecoat | Shade | Layer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold metal | Retributor Armour | Reikland Fleshshade | Liberator Gold |
| Silver metal | Leadbelcher | Nuln Oil | Ironbreaker |
| Caucasian skin | Bugman's Glow | Reikland Fleshshade | Cadian Fleshtone |
| Dark skin | Dryad Bark | Agrax Earthshade | Skrag Brown |
| Leather | Mournfang Brown | Agrax Earthshade | Balor Brown |
| Bone / ivory | Ushabti Bone | Agrax Earthshade | Screaming Skull |
| Red armor | Mephiston Red | Nuln Oil / Carroburg | Evil Sunz Scarlet |
| Blue armor | Macragge Blue | Nuln Oil | Calgar Blue |
| Black armor | Abaddon Black | Nuln Oil | Eshin Grey edges |
| Wood | Gorthor Brown | Agrax Earthshade | Karak Stone drybrush |
Techniques Reference
| Technique | How To | Use For |
|---|---|---|
| Drybrushing | Load brush, wipe 90% off, scrub raised areas lightly | Fur, rock, texture, bone |
| Washing | Thin shade over area, let capillary action do the work | Shading recesses |
| Edge highlighting | Very fine highlight on hard edges with lighter color | Armor, geometric shapes |
| Stippling | Pounce brush tip lightly on surface | Rust, texture, skin aging |
| Wet blending | Two wet colors worked together on surface | Smooth transitions |
| OSL (Object Source Lighting) | Light color painted as if emanating from light source on model | Glowing effects |
| Zenithal prime | Black primer, then white spray from above | Pre-shading for Contrast paints |
Contrast Paint Tips
Apply Contrast paints over Wraithbone or Grey Seer spray primer for best results. Dark primer neutralizes the effect. One coat = basecoat + shade in one step. Don't overbrush — let it flow into recesses naturally.
Tools Checklist
▢ Sprue cutters
▢ Hobby knife (sharp blade)
▢ Plastic model glue
▢ Spray primer (rattle can)
▢ Size 1 basecoat brush
▢ Size 0 detail brush
▢ Shade brush (large flat)
▢ Drybrush (stiff bristle)
▢ Water pot for thinning
▢ Wet palette (optional but great)
▢ Hobby knife (sharp blade)
▢ Plastic model glue
▢ Spray primer (rattle can)
▢ Size 1 basecoat brush
▢ Size 0 detail brush
▢ Shade brush (large flat)
▢ Drybrush (stiff bristle)
▢ Water pot for thinning
▢ Wet palette (optional but great)