1. Gather Your Loot
Must-Have Trinkets:
• Miniatures: Find yourself some wee figures. Doesn’t matter if they’re elves, orcs, or space knights—just pick ‘em up!
• Paints: Grab some tiny pots of paint. Acrylics are your friends. Get some basic colors and maybe a few fancy ones if you’re feeling posh.
• Brushes: You’ll need a variety. Get a big brush for slopping on the base coat (size 1 or 2) and a tiny brush for those fiddly bits (size 00 or 0).
• Palette: Use a wet palette or an old plate. Anything that won’t cry when you spill paint on it.
• Primer: Spray it on or brush it—either way, it helps paint stick to your miniatures like glue to a goblin’s fingers.
• Tools for Detail: Tweezers for fiddly bits, a magnifying glass so you don’t lose your sanity, and a hobby knife to trim off any annoying bits.
2. Set Up Your Paintin’ Den
Find a spot where you won’t accidentally knock over your precious paints or your dinner. Good lighting is key unless you want your miniatures to look like they’ve been painted in the dark. Get comfy—your bum will thank you later.
3. Prime Your Miniature
Slap on some primer to make sure your paint doesn’t just slide off like butter on a hot skillet. Choose a primer color that won’t make you cringe—black for dark and broody, white or grey for light and fluffy. Let it dry, and no peeking!
4. Base Coat Bonanza
Time to get those base colors on! Use a big brush to coat your miniature in a nice, even layer. Don’t glob it on—thin layers are better. Think of it like spreading jelly on bread, not making a jelly monster!
5. Detail It Up
When your base coat’s dry, it’s time to get fancy. Use your tiny brush to paint all those little details. Eyes, buttons, or goblin teeth—whatever floats your boat. Be careful not to paint outside the lines unless you’re aiming for a messy goblin look.
Techniques to Try:
• Layering: Paint on thin layers to build up color. It’s like stacking goblin gold—more layers, more shine!
• Dry Brushing: Lightly brush a dry paint over raised bits to make ‘em pop. It’s like adding sparkle to your goblin’s favorite trinkets.
• Washing: Slosh some thin paint into the crevices to make shadows. It’s like giving your miniature a bath, but without the soap.
6. Highlight and Shade
Add some highlights and shades to make your miniature look less like a flat pancake and more like a three-dimensional masterpiece. Use lighter colors for the high spots and darker shades for the low spots. It’s like giving your goblin a shiny new hat!
7. Seal the Deal
Once you’re done, slap on a clear coat to keep your masterpiece from turning into a painty mess. Choose matte if you want it to look like a quiet goblin’s den, or gloss if you’re going for shiny and showy. Apply in thin layers—no need for a goblin-style paint avalanche!
8. Practice Makes Perfect
Remember, goblin! Painting takes practice. Your first mini might look like it got caught in a paint tornado, but that’s okay. Keep at it, try new techniques, and soon your miniatures will look like they belong in a high-falutin’ goblin gallery.
Final Goblin Wisdom
Painting miniatures is like a treasure hunt with colors. Grab your gear, get your hands messy, and enjoy the ride. Whether you’re painting for a game or just for fun, it’s all about making those little figures come alive. Now get to it, you glorious paint-slinging goblin!
How to Start Painting Tabletop Miniatures: Goblin’s Guide to Glorious Brush-Wiggling
By Manuel Enriquez