Miniature painting is a series of manageable decisions: choose the right model and undercoat, lay down clean colors, show shadows and highlights, then finish a base that supports the figure. These guides prioritize repeatable brush skills and material compatibility over collecting paint bottles. Start with one figure, record what worked, and add new techniques only when they solve a real problem.
Start painting with a practical first project
Before buying tools, identify whether your project is plastic, resin or metal; read the kit and primer instructions, and choose a safe space for any spraying or solvent use. Opaque acrylics suit controlled layers, while transparent one-coat paints can bring out sculpted texture. Neither technique substitutes for a clean surface or careful brush loading.
- Miniature Painting for Beginners: From First Model to Finished Base
- Choosing Your First Miniature Paint Set: Colors, Brushes, and Extras
A simple painting order that works
Prepare and assemble the model using its kit instructions, apply a compatible primer in the conditions stated by the maker, and cover the largest regions with controlled thin base coats. Add shade to recessed details after the base coats dry. Place small highlights where light reaches raised surfaces, then finish and label the base. If a mistake occurs, correct it with your original base color after drying rather than adding another heavy wash.
Choose your next technique only when you need it
Use the beginner walkthrough first if you want an end-to-end project. Choose the paint-set guide if you are still building a compact kit and want to avoid a drawer full of unused colors. As further articles are published, this hub will add primer choice, zenithal undercoats, base coats, washes, highlights, palettes and paint-consistency techniques.
Diagnose visible finish problems
Common early problems have different causes: grainy primer can reflect application conditions, streaky paint may need mixing or another thin coat, shiny pooled recesses can mean excess wash, and chalky highlights can indicate dry paint or a poor color transition. Diagnose what happened on a spare part before making a drastic change to an otherwise good miniature.
Explore more of LootBandit
Browse all Miniature Painting and Dioramas articles, the Hobby Articles directory, and the Hobby Buying Guides. See our editorial methodology for how instructions and source references are prepared.
Primers, shading, highlights, and palette techniques
Build on the introductory painting project with practical primer choices, directional underpainting, consistent base layers, controlled shading, and reliable wet-palette maintenance. Each guide addresses a different decision or technique, from choosing a starting undercoat to controlling paint viscosity.
- Black, White, or Gray Primer for Miniatures: Choosing a Starting Color
- Zenithal Priming Explained: Planning Light Before You Paint
- Base Coats, Washes, and Highlights: A Simple Miniature Painting Routine
- Citadel Contrast vs Army Painter Speedpaint: Comparing the Systems
- How to Set Up and Maintain a Wet Palette for Miniature Painting
- Paint Consistency for Miniatures: Base Coats, Layers, and Glazes
- Why Do Miniature Washes Leave Rings and Tide Marks?
- Glazes vs Washes: Controlling Color and Shading on Miniatures
- Painting Miniature Faces: Skin Tones, Shadows, and Highlights
- How to Paint Black Armor While Keeping the Details Visible
- How to Paint White Cloth on Miniatures Without a Chalky Finish
- Metallic Paint vs Non-Metallic Metal for Miniature Painting
- Object Source Lighting for Beginners: Planning a Believable Glow
- How to Batch-Paint Miniatures With Consistent Colors
- Pinning Metal and Resin Miniatures: When a Joint Needs More Support
- Magnetizing Miniature Bases for Secure Transport
- Miniature Basing Materials: Cork, Sand, Texture Paint, and Tufts
- How to Plan Modular Tabletop Terrain That Stores Easily
- Painting Stone and Brick Terrain With Clear Texture and Variation
- Foam Terrain and Spray Primer: Checking Material Compatibility
- Building Your First Dungeon Tiles: Scale, Grid Size, and Layouts
- Drybrushing Miniatures: Brush Loading, Texture, and Highlight Placement
- Edge Highlighting for Beginners: Control on Armor and Equipment
