- When you first start painting miniatures, you'll likely have a shop or hobby brush and a few paints from companies such as P3 or Games Workshop. There are a few other tools that can make a world of difference in your arsenal. A sculpting tool or X-acto knife is invaluable for paring away flaws in the metal or plastic prior to priming. A small drill bit and a few paperclips will allow you to pin your models together for a much stronger hold, which is important for pieces that will see a lot of play. The final tip for what tools to have is a head-mounted magnifier. A relatively inexpensive professional magnifying glass will let you use both of your hands while still being able to focus on what you are painting.
- There are three schools of thought for primers. The first is to use a black primer that allows for amazing depth of shadows and adds a realistic touch to your miniature. The second is to use a white primer. A white primer makes your base coats and details more vibrant and can bring a radiant beauty to fantasy pieces. Grey primer is the middle ground, and often appreciated by war gamers who would rather stay between the lines and go neither dark and shadowy nor light and brilliant. Personal preference will dictate which primer you go for; spray cans of primer are cheap but be sure to use them in well-ventilated areas.
- A great tip is to create a color chart for your paints that will allow you to see the results of your mixed paints before you begin to work with them. To create this, paint each color as a filled in splotch across the top and down the left side of a white piece of paper. Then fill in each one in order allowing the paints to overlap. Allow them to dry and keep this paper handy as your reference for mixing. When you mix your paints, always remember to clean your brush and keep paint away from the seals on your paint jars so they close completely. Air is paint's worst enemy.
