Sofia Martinez
Painting miniatures for your D&D game can be a fun way to create a more immersive experience for you and your players. You can find miniatures in a variety of materials and styles, and they come in different states of readiness for painting. Some will need to be assembled and primed, while others will come ready to paint. You can use a range of brushes and paints to create a unique miniature, and there are several techniques you can use to add depth and detail to your work.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Materials | ABS plastic miniatures, paint, brushes, glue, primer |
| Paint type | Acrylic |
| Brushes | Medium-sized, small detail brush, stiff-bristled brush for drybrushing |
| Primer | Matte, flat primer; black or white |
| Paint consistency | Thin, like whole milk or table cream |
| Painting technique | Drybrushing, layering, edge highlighting |
| Paint application | Multiple light coats |
| Paint brands | Krylon, Testors, Games Workshop, Army Paints |
| Additional tools | Cardboard box to control overspray |
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What You'll Learn
Primer and paint types
When painting D&D miniatures made of ABS plastic, it is important to use the right primer and paint types to ensure that the paint adheres well and that the details of the miniature are not obscured.
Priming your D&D miniature is crucial as it provides a surface for the paint to stick to. Standard primers do not always adhere well to plastic miniatures, so it is recommended to use a primer specifically designed for plastic, such as the Krylon primer or the Tamiya surface primer. You can also use a black spray paint for priming, as black is generally forgiving since any hard-to-reach areas will always appear shadowy. When priming, it is important to apply a thin and even coat to avoid filling in the cracks and fine details of the miniature. Two coats of primer are usually sufficient, but you can add more layers if needed.
In terms of paint types, acrylic paints are commonly used for painting miniatures because they offer a wide variety of colours available. When working with miniatures, it is important to use paint that will not clump or obscure the intricate details. Spray paints, airbrush sprays, and acrylic sprays are all suitable options for painting miniatures, as they allow for thin coatings and precise control. For beginners, canned spray paints are a more affordable and user-friendly option compared to airbrushes or regular acrylic paints. All-in-one primer and paint combos, such as the Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch Spray Paint, are also available and can simplify the painting process by eliminating the need for separate primer and paint applications.
When selecting paint colours, it is important to consider the level of detail you want to achieve. Dark paint covers white primer more easily than light paint covers a dark primer. Additionally, using a dark primer with light dry-brushing can create visual contrast, making the details of the miniature stand out. For example, using a cold green colour for the model and a bright colour for the details, such as orange or yellow, will make the crystal of the miniature stand out.
It is also important to have the right brushes for painting miniatures. A variety of brush sizes are needed for different purposes, such as a small brush with a good tip for detailing, a small brush for minor areas, a larger brush for base coating, and a stiff-bristled brush for dry-brushing.
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Brushes and palettes
When it comes to painting miniatures for your D&D games, you'll need the right tools to get the job done. While you can technically paint a miniature with just one brush, it is not easy, and you'll need an assortment of brushes for different purposes. For drybrushing, you'll want a larger brush with stiff bristles. A large, soft brush is ideal for applying main colours, while a small tapered brush is perfect for fine detail painting. You can find these brushes at any hobby store, dollar store, or game store. Dungeons and Dragons offer a paintbrush starter set, as do Games Workshop and Army Paints.
For paint, it's best to use a paint that will not clump or obscure the sculpted detail of the miniature. Acrylic paint is a good option as it comes in a wide variety of colours. You can thin acrylic paint with water to achieve the desired consistency, and it can be easily cleaned up with water. When thinning paint, aim for a consistency similar to whole milk or table cream. This will allow for smooth transfer from the brush to the miniature without obscuring any details.
As for palettes, you can use the lid of a plastic container or a ceramic tile instead of a specialist palette. A wet palette can be useful if you want to create a smooth, blended effect with your paints, but it's best to use a standard palette for metals to prevent them from splitting. An old CD can also make a great paint palette.
Before you start painting, it's important to prime your miniature. Primer gives the paint a better surface to stick to. You can use a white primer, but paint doesn't adhere well to glossy surfaces, so a flat or "matte" primer is preferable. Black primer is a good option, especially if you plan to use a lot of bright colours in your colour scheme. You can find primer specifically designed for spray painting plastic, such as Krylon.
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Paint consistency
It is recommended to thin your paint before applying it to your miniature. A good way to test the consistency of your paint is to paint a line on your thumb; if you can't see through it, it's too thick, and if it's transparent, it's too thin and suitable for glazes. The paint consistency should be similar to that of milk.
When thinning your paint, you can use water, but be aware that it evaporates quickly, which can change the consistency of your paint, especially during long painting sessions. Instead, you can use thinners or a medium, which is often made from the same material as the paint, allowing it to maintain its colour and properties while becoming thinner.
Acrylic paint, in particular, becomes semi-translucent when thinned, which is one of its major benefits. When applying the first coat, use less paint on your brush to avoid flooding the miniature. The paint should neither pool nor run, as this indicates it is too thin.
A wet palette is also highly recommended for thinning paint. It gives you more control over the paint flow and helps to eliminate impurities in the mix.
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Painting techniques
Once the primer is dry, you can begin basecoating, which involves applying the main colours to your model. It is recommended to thin the paint to a consistency similar to whole milk or table cream to ensure it doesn't obscure any details on the miniature. This can be done with multiple thin layers of paint until you achieve a solid colour.
After the base layer is complete, you can add shades and highlights to your model. Shades are added to the recesses of the model to imply shadow, while highlights bring attention to certain areas and create the illusion of light hitting the figure. A technique called drybrushing can be used for highlighting, where a small amount of paint is applied to a brush and then most of it is wiped off on a palette before lightly brushing the miniature. This technique uses a contrasting paint colour to make details pop out visually.
For fine details, you will need a small brush with a very good tip. You can add metallics, such as gold or silver, to represent metal armour or weapons. You can also add colours like brown for leather straps or cloth. It is helpful to refer to a colour wheel or observe other models to choose complementary or contrasting colours for your details.
Finally, you can finish with any advanced techniques you'd like to explore, such as layering and edge highlighting, which can mimic lighting and bring out the movement of fabrics or hair.
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Colour choice
When painting a model, it can be helpful to leave some of the details until the end so that you don't risk getting paint on the areas that are being worked on. Referring to a colour wheel or observing the choices made by others can help you choose a complementary or contrasting colour for your details. You can also use dedicated miniature painting apps to take the guesswork out of choosing colours. Citadel Colour App, PaintRack, and MiniPaints are a few examples.
For fantasy models, earthy tones, rich jewel hues, or ethereal pastels are great options. If you're painting multiple miniatures for a single faction, use a cohesive palette to tie them together while incorporating unique details for individuality.
When it comes to the types of paint, acrylic paints are a popular choice for several reasons. They offer a wide variety of colours and are easy to thin down and use as a wash. You can also use spray paint, but it's important to use light passes to avoid runs and drips and to ensure the paint doesn't fill in all the sculpted details.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need paintbrushes, paint, and primer. For paintbrushes, you will need a brush with a good tip for detailing, a small brush for minor areas, a medium-sized brush, a larger brush for base coating, and a stiff-bristled brush for dry brushing. You can use an old CD or the lid of a plastic container as a paint palette. For paint, you can use acrylic paint as it is easy to find a variety of colours. You can also thin the paint with water to use it as a wash. For primer, you can use any major brand of spray primer, such as Krylon, but avoid cheap options as they can clog and result in uneven coating.
First, you will need to assemble your miniature with glue if it is not push-fit. Then, you will need to prime your miniature with a thin and even coat of primer. You can use a cardboard box to control overspray. Next, you can apply the base coat of paint, followed by shading and layering. You can then add details and highlights. Finally, you can add any final touches or try more advanced techniques such as layering and edge highlighting.
You can use any colour scheme that appeals to you. You can refer to a colour wheel or observe other models to choose a complementary or contrasting colour for details. For example, you can use a cold green colour for a Sequitor or gold armour for Stormcast Eternals. You can also use metallics such as gold and silver for common elements like straps and leather.
