Painting The Song Of Ice And Fire: A Beginner's Guide

A Song of Ice and Fire is a popular miniatures game that involves painting figurines and playing wargames. The game is based on the book series of the same name, and players can choose to play as different factions, such as the Baratheons, Lannisters, Starks, or the Night's Watch. Painting the miniatures can be a challenging but rewarding task, with painters aiming to recreate the intricate details and colours of the various characters and factions. Tutorials and guides are available online, offering step-by-step instructions on how to paint the miniatures, from planning and priming to mixing colours and highlighting details. The game and painting process has gained a dedicated following, with players sharing their experiences, tips, and creations through blogs and forums.

Gameplan, Prep, and Prime

Before you begin painting the miniatures for A Song of Ice and Fire, it's important to have a clear game plan, prepare your materials, and prime the models for painting. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

Gameplan

Decide on the colour scheme and painting technique you want to use. For the Baratheon Wardens, a straightforward interpretation of the in-game art is recommended, featuring plate metal with some gold accents. If you're painting Renly Baratheon, you might want to mix Army Painter Plate Mail Metal and Citadel's Caliban Green for a nice dark green to represent his infamous armour.

Prep

Gather all the necessary paints and tools. You'll need a variety of colours, including black, white, gunmetal grey, old gold, chocolate brown, goldenrod, and plate mail metal. You may also need to thin some of the paints with water, so have some on hand. Additionally, consider the specific colours and paint brands you use to help others reproduce the same effect.

Prime

Start by priming the miniatures with a suitable primer designed for miniature painting. This will help the paint adhere better to the surface and create a smooth base for your colours. Once the primer is dry, you can begin painting the finer details.

For the Baratheon Wardens, mix black and white paint in a 50/50 ratio, thinned with equal parts water, to paint the tunics or skirts. If the miniature includes scale mail, you can use gunmetal grey for this section. Paint over any cloth that will be yellow later with thinned white paint, such as cloaks or flags. You may need to apply a second coat of white to ensure none of the black shows through.

Now, you can move on to the shields and paint them with pure old gold paint, straight out of the bottle. Use the same gold paint for any filigree and the stag insignia on the breastplate. For leather straps, hammer handles, belts, and flagpoles, mix chocolate brown paint with water and apply it to these areas.

Once the white basecoat is dry, you can add the yellow colour on top. Mix goldenrod paint with water and apply it to any cloth or flag fields that you want to be yellow. Finally, use plate mail metal paint to add detail to hammerheads, pommels, belt buckles, and any ornamentation. This paint can also help cover up any mistakes on the plate armour.

By following these steps, you'll have a solid foundation for your A Song of Ice and Fire miniatures, capturing the essence of the characters and factions in the game.

Painting the skirt

First, it is important to plan, prepare, and prime your miniature. This includes deciding on the desired colour scheme and gathering the necessary paints and tools. For the standard bearer's skirt, a mix of black and white paint, thinned with water, can be used to create a base layer. This mixture should be equal parts black and white, creating a neutral grey tone. Apply this mixture to the skirt area, ensuring a consistent and smooth finish.

For added detail, consider the material of the skirt. If the skirt is made of scale mail, as is the case with the standard bearer, you can use gunmetal grey paint to highlight the individual scales and create a metallic effect. This step can add depth and texture to the miniature. If the skirt is made of fabric or another material, you can follow the folds of the clothing to guide your painting and create a sense of movement and realism.

Once the base layer is dry, you can begin adding additional colours and details. For the standard bearer, the next step would be to paint any areas of cloth that will be yellow. Mix a small amount of white paint with goldenrod to create a light yellow colour, thinning it with water. Carefully apply this mixture over the areas you wish to be yellow, such as the trim or highlights on the skirt. You may need multiple coats to achieve the desired opacity, depending on the paint and your personal preference.

Finally, you can add further embellishments and details to the skirt. Using a thin brush, carefully paint any insignia, patterns, or designs that are specific to your character. For the Baratheon Wardens, this could include painting a line along the top of the stag insignia, similar to how you would highlight belts or other details. You can also use this step to cover up any mistakes or imperfections in the previous layers of paint.

Remember to take your time, allow adequate drying time between layers, and refer to visual references or existing artwork to guide your painting process. Enjoy bringing your Song of Ice and Fire miniature to life!

Painting the shields

After preparing the gold paint, you can begin painting the shields. Carefully apply the old gold paint to the shields, ensuring a smooth and even coat. Take your time with this step, as the shields are a prominent feature and you want to achieve a neat finish.

Once the gold paint on the shields has dried, you can add further details. Using the same old gold paint, carefully paint the stag insignia on the breastplate, adding any other desired filigree details, such as embellishments on the knees or pauldrons. This will create a cohesive look, tying in the shields with other golden accents on the miniature.

For an extra touch of realism, consider adding some shading and highlights to the shields. You can mix a small amount of black paint into your gold to create a darker shade for shading, adding depth to the recesses of the shield. Similarly, mixing a small amount of white paint into your gold can create a lighter shade for highlighting, drawing attention to the raised edges and details.

Finally, you can add additional colours to the miniature to complement the shields. For instance, you can paint the hammer heads, pommels, belt buckles, and other armour details with plate mail metal paint. This will create a striking contrast against the golden shields, especially if you opt for a darker metal shade.

Remember, when painting the shields and other details of the Baratheon Wardens, it's important to follow the folds and lines of the miniature's clothing and armour for a more realistic finish. Take your time, and don't be afraid to add multiple coats of paint for a smooth and even coverage.

Painting the hammer

To begin, you'll want to assemble the necessary paints. For the hammerheads, pommels, belt buckles, and any other metal surfaces, you'll need a plate mail metal paint. This will give the hammer a realistic metallic sheen. You can also use this colour to cover up any mistakes you may have made on the plate armour.

Next, you'll need a chocolate brown paint, thinned with equal parts water. Use this to paint the handles of the hammers, as well as any leather straps, belts, and flagpoles. This colour adds a sense of depth and realism to the miniature.

Once the previous layer is dry, take a goldenrod paint, also thinned with equal parts water, and apply it to any cloth areas that you want to be yellow. You can also use this opportunity to paint the yellow field on the flag.

Finally, to add some contrast and detail, mix equal parts black and white paint to create a 50/50 mix. Use this to paint the stag insignia on the shields. This colour combination will make the insignia stand out and add a sense of complexity to your miniature.

Remember to take your time, and don't be afraid to add a second coat if necessary. With these steps, you'll be well on your way to painting impressive hammers for your Baratheon Wardens.

Painting the flag

First, prepare your paints and materials. You will need a range of colours, including black, white, yellow (goldenrod), old gold, chocolate brown, and plate mail metal. You will also need paintbrushes, water, and your chosen surface or canvas. It is recommended to have a simple game plan and to prep and prime your surface before beginning.

Start by mixing your paints. For the flag, you will need to create a few different colours. First, mix equal parts of black and white, thinned with water, to create a grey shade. You will use this for the tunic or skirt of the Wardens. If your figure includes a standard bearer, you can paint their skirt with a mix of black and white, two parts white and one part black, to highlight the details.

Next, you will paint the flag itself. Using pure white, thinned with water, paint over any sections that will be yellow later on, such as the flag on the standard bearer. Once the white layer is dry, apply your goldenrod yellow, thinned with water, over it. You may need to apply a second coat of white if the black colour bleeds through.

Now, it's time to add the details. Using old gold, paint the stag insignia on the breastplate and any other embellishments, such as the filigree on the knees or pauldrons. You can also use this colour for the shields, applying it directly without thinning it with water. For the flagpole, mix chocolate brown with water and paint it carefully.

Finally, use your plate mail metal paint to add the finishing touches. Cover the hammerheads, pommels, belt buckles, and the ornament at the end of the flagpole with this colour. You can also use it to cover up any mistakes or imperfections in the plate armour.

There you have it! A painted flag for the Baratheon Wardens from A Song of Ice and Fire. Feel free to add your own creative touches and experiment with different colours and techniques. Happy painting!

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