I’ve been painting miniatures since the release of the first Warhammer Fantasy set. I vividly recall my dad buying me paints and setting up a dedicated table for me to delve into my newfound hobby.
Over the years, I’ve amassed a wealth of tips and tricks for painting miniatures, particularly focusing on cost-saving measures and do-it-yourself solutions for the initial setup. Nowadays, I find myself immersed in painting Zombicide 2nd Edition minis, Pathfinder 2e, and D&D 5E terrain. It’s a passion I want to share with my children.
In this article, I aim to guide you swiftly into the world of miniature painting. I want to help you avoid overspending on seemingly essential but pricey accessories, proposing instead practical DIY alternatives and highlighting crucial items you’ll genuinely need.
The Wet Palette
The acrylics wet palette takes the top spot on my list because it’s a trick I wish I had known when I first started. Keeping your paints from drying out ensures consistent brush strokes and coverage throughout your miniature painting session. To create one, grab a plastic tray and parchment paper sheets. Add a little water to the tray and place the parchment paper on top. The parchment slowly wicks up water, keeping the paint moist without saturating it—achieving the perfect balance.
Optional AMAZON STORE Wet Palette
Dry Brushing
Dry brushing is a commonly used technique in miniature painting that allows you to apply a minimal amount of color to the raised areas of a model. The brush is called “dry” because it’s almost dry, and as you brush it across the model, the remaining paint in the bristles transfers onto the model. Optimal dry brushes are blush brushes, which can be trimmed shorter for a firmer brush, enabling more aggressive dry brushing. In the photo above we used a couple of different used brushes to highlight the raised areas of these Zombicide 2nd Edition miniatures!
Optional AMAZON STORE Dry Brushes
Mini Fingernail Dryers
In the world of miniature painting, time efficiency is crucial. Mini fingernail dryers can be your secret weapon for accelerating the drying process of batch painting projects. The Jamberry 0 is a small compact device, originally designed for drying nail polish and decals, that works wonders for speeding up the drying time of miniature paints.
After applying a layer of paint to your miniature, turn on the mini fingernail dryer and position it about a foot away from the painted miniature. Ensure that the airflow covers the entire surface and is not too hot. The focused airflow from the mini dryer accelerates the drying process, allowing you to move on to the next step or layer more quickly. This is particularly useful when applying multiple layers or working on intricate details, mini fingernail dryers can significantly reduce overall painting time.
AMAZON STORE Jamberry 0
Paints and Brushes Organizer
Given the assortment of brushes, having an easily accessible organizer is essential. I use 12oz plastic coffee containers, separating brushes used for metallic paints from others. These containers also serve as a convenient spot for a little warm water to quickly wash your brush. Remember to keep water washes separate for metallic colors to avoid metal dust specks on your brush.
Optional AMAZON STORE Organizers
Painting Area
My painting area is a simple shelf board that sits under my keyboard. When it’s time to paint, I move my keyboard elsewhere and use the shelf board, providing a slightly elevated surface for my wrists. Optionally painting the shelf white enhances lighting, reflecting the light source for better visibility.
Optional AMAZON STORE Craft Table
Paint Agitators
A must-have! My top recommendation is the Precipette Mini Vortex Mixer from Amazon. It efficiently mixes hobby paints in less than a minute. Alternatively, add a metal mixing ball to each paint container to aid the mixing process, preventing endless shaking and wrist strain.
AMAZON STORE Precipette Mixer
Mini Grip Holder
Repurpose plastic containers (like those from Ice Breaker Ice Cube gum) turned upside down with a little cut along the side to create a slot for the miniatures BASE to slide into functions as a holder for your miniatures. It keeps your fingers clean and prevents paint mishaps during the painting process.
Optional AMAZON STORE Mini Grips
Light Source
Invest in a TaoTronics LCD desk lamp with variable settings that can stretch down close to your miniatures. It even supports the weight of a phone for recording purposes.
AMAZON STORE TaoTronics LCD
Pour Medium
For thinning or mixing acrylic paints, consider using a pouring medium instead of water. A few drops of pouring medium make brush strokes disappear and create a smooth finish. The Royal-Langnickle Essentials Pouring Medium from Walmart is a personal favorite.
Optional AMAZON STORE Pouring Medium
Primer Paints: Building the Foundation
Before diving into the colorful world of miniature painting, establishing a solid foundation is key. Primer paints not only enhance paint adhesion but also provide a uniform base that brings out the details of your miniatures. Among the myriad choices, my personal favorite is Rust-Oleum 2X Grey Primer.
Rust-Oleum 2X Grey Primer is a versatile choice suitable for a wide range of miniature projects. Its neutral grey tone serves as an excellent canvas for various color schemes. The 2X formula ensures a smooth and even application, minimizing the risk of obscuring fine details on your miniatures. Time is of the essence in miniature painting, and Rust-Oleum 2X Grey Primer excels in this regard. It dries quickly, allowing you to move swiftly through the priming process. This primer provides exceptional adhesion, ensuring that subsequent layers of paint adhere securely to the miniature’s surface for a long-lasting finish.
AMAZON STORE Rust-Oleum 2x Grey
Vallejo Paints
Start with the Vallejo Game Color Extra Opaque paints, providing a long-lasting set with a variety of mixable colors. Place a bit of the mixed color on top of the cap for visual reference. Then thin the drops of color on the wet palette with a pouring medium for your desired consistency.
Next, grab the Vallejo Xpress Color set, a premixed answer to Contrast Speed Paints. It offers consistency without the challenge of replicating the balance every time, making it a reliable choice.
Finally, add a couple of bottles of Vallejo Pigments in colors that mimic weathering and grunge effects. After finishing the model, these pigments can be applied for effects like mud or rust, providing an affordable alternative to technical paints.
Conclusion
In the realm of budget-friendly miniature painting, we’ve explored key tools like wet palettes, DIY solutions, and time-saving mini-fingernail dryers. From versatile primers, including Rust-Oleum 2X Grey, to efficient paint agitators and Vallejo paints, our journey aims to unleash creativity without overspending. Embrace these tips, dive into the world of miniatures, and craft your masterpieces economically and efficiently. Happy painting!
