Welcome, aspiring painter! The grim darkness of the far future awaits, but before you can unleash your armies upon the tabletop, you need to paint them. This guide will walk you through the basics of painting Warhammer 40,000 miniatures, taking you from a complete novice to confidently wielding your brush.
Getting Started: Gathering Your Supplies
Before you even think about dipping your brush in paint, you'll need the right tools. Don't worry, you don't need a massive investment upfront. Start with the essentials and expand your collection as your skills grow.
Essential Supplies:
- Miniatures: Your Warhammer 40,000 models! Choose a small squad to start with – don't overwhelm yourself.
- Primer: This is crucial. It creates a base layer for your paints to adhere to properly. Choose a spray-on primer in black, grey, or white depending on your chosen color scheme.
- Paints: Start with a small selection of Citadel paints (or equivalent). You'll need a base coat, a wash, and a highlight color for each area of your miniature.
- Brushes: A few good quality brushes are better than many cheap ones. Get at least one small detail brush and one larger brush for basecoating. Synthetic brushes are generally recommended for beginners.
- Palette: A wet palette helps keep your paints from drying out. You can even make your own using a sponge and parchment paper!
- Water Pot: For cleaning your brushes.
- Paper Towels: For wiping your brushes.
Step-by-Step Painting Process
Now for the fun part! Let's paint a miniature. We'll break it down into manageable steps.
1. Assembling and Cleaning Your Miniatures
Carefully assemble your miniatures, following the instructions. Remove any mold lines with a hobby knife. A clean model is essential for a smooth paint job.
2. Priming Your Miniatures
This is arguably the most important step. Evenly apply your chosen primer, holding the can about 6-8 inches away from the model. Multiple thin coats are better than one thick coat. Allow the primer to dry completely.
3. Basecoating
Apply a thin, even coat of your base color to the model. Don't worry about perfection at this stage – just cover the entire surface. Let it dry completely.
4. Layering (Optional but Recommended)
Layering involves applying progressively lighter shades of your base color to add depth and dimension. This technique makes your miniatures look more realistic.
5. Washing
Apply a wash (a thin, transparent paint) to recesses and details to add depth and shadows. Let it dry completely.
6. Highlighting
This adds brightness and emphasizes details. Use a lighter shade of your base color, applying it to the raised areas of the miniature.
7. Basing (Optional)
Adding texture to the base of your miniature is a great way to enhance the overall look.
Choosing a Color Scheme and Mastering Techniques
The world of Warhammer 40,000 offers endless possibilities for color schemes. Do some research and find inspiration from other painters online. Experiment with different techniques like drybrushing, edge highlighting, and stippling to refine your skills.
Advanced Techniques: Drybrushing and Edge Highlighting
- Drybrushing: This technique involves using a very dry brush to create a textured effect. It's great for adding highlights to rough surfaces.
- Edge Highlighting: This involves carefully applying a thin line of a lighter color to the edges of the model, making them pop. This takes practice but makes a huge difference.
Resources and Inspiration
The Warhammer 40,000 community is vast and supportive. There are countless online resources, tutorials, and forums dedicated to miniature painting. Don't be afraid to ask for help and share your work! Explore YouTube channels and websites for painting guides and inspiration.
Painting Warhammer 40,000 miniatures is a rewarding hobby. Start small, be patient, and most importantly, have fun! With practice, you'll be painting stunning armies in no time. Remember, the most important thing is to enjoy the process and create something you're proud of.
