How to paint your first Miniature!

Miniatures are an awesome hobby to get into but it can sometimes be difficult to know where to start when it comes to painting. There are many methods of miniature painting that can be utilised but we recommend a more modern method for your first mini. This modern variation makes heavy use of the innovative contrast paints. Check out a step-by-step guide of the method down below.

Priming

The best way to get the most out of contrast paints is to do a specialised style of priming your model. This step is very easy if you happen to have an airbrush but we will lay out a method that only requires some good quality paints and brushes.

The first step is to prime your model completely in black and then create an illusion of shadow by dry-brushing heavily with a white base paint. This method has gained the name "slapchop" in the painting community as it is a quick way to gain a good level of depth and definition. This is a similar concept to "underpainting" which was utilised by many classical painters.

Contrast Paint

You can then apply special contrast paints to each area in turn. Contrast paints are similar to washes in that they are translucent but have heavier pigments in them that allow them to act as a base coat and wash with one application. There is a massive range of contrast paints now available, so there is no shortage of options. Although we recommend contrast paints from Citadel we also think Speed Paints from the Army Painter!

Contrast Paints should be applied with a good-quality brush and we recommend shade brushes.

Layering & Finishing Touches

At this point, many miniatures can be considered finished, but you can also add extra detail by following the finishing touches step laid out in the Traditional method above.

Protecting your models

Once your models have been painted we recommend that you protect your paint job from harm and chipping by applying a layer of varnish. This can either be a spray varnish or you can apply it by brush.

Check out the related products section down below to grab a selection of paints, brushes, and more to start your painting experience. If you need some models to paint, then you can browse our entire range of miniatures by clicking the button below.