Elena Rossi
Painting miniatures is a fun hobby that can add a unique touch to your favourite board games and role-playing games, such as Dungeons & Dragons (D&D). Whether you're a seasoned artist or just starting out, there are a few essential tools and techniques you'll need to know to paint figures from D&D board games effectively. This includes choosing the right brushes, paints, and assembly methods, as well as understanding the basics of basecoating, shading, and drybrushing. With the right guidance and practice, you can create beautifully painted miniatures that enhance your gaming experience.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Equipment | Paint, brushes, palette, glue, varnish, primer |
| Preparation | Clean and assemble the miniature, prime with black, grey or white spray paint |
| Basecoating | Apply main colours, use thicker paint for better coverage, use multiple coats for a smooth finish |
| Shading | Add shade to the recesses to imply shadow, use a contrasting paint colour for drybrushing to make details pop |
| Details | Paint eyes, mouth, teeth, nails, etc. in appropriate colours |
| Wash | Thin paint with water and apply over the miniature for a consistent finish |
| Varnish | Use a matt varnish to finish and protect the paintwork |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right paintbrushes
- Brush Shape: Pointed round brushes are the most versatile for miniature painting. They have a wider belly for holding paint and a pointed tip for details, making them ideal for layering and all levels of detail work. Round brushes are also excellent for base coating models and bigger detail work. Flat brushes, on the other hand, are mainly used for dry brushing due to their large surface area and paint-holding capacity.
- Bristle Type: Natural bristles are generally preferred over synthetic ones for miniature painting. They are softer, more flexible, and easier to clean. Natural bristles also allow for a finer point for detailed work. However, they are more expensive than synthetic bristles. If you opt for synthetic bristles, be aware that they may require more care to maintain their shape and cleanliness.
- Brush Size: Miniature painting requires a range of brush sizes. You'll need smaller brushes for detailing and highlights, a slightly larger brush for minor areas, and an even larger brush for base coating and washing. For drybrushing, a stiff-bristled brush is recommended.
- Brush Brands: When it comes to brands, Artis Opus is highly regarded in the miniature painting community, offering Artist's Grade Miniature Paint Brushes dedicated to miniature painters. Their Series S and M ranges are excellent starting points. Other popular options include Winsor & Newton (particularly their Series 7 Kolinsky Sable Brush set), Da Vinci, Raphael, and Monument Hobbies. If you're on a budget, Rosemary & Co Series 33 brushes offer high-quality sable hair at a reasonable price.
Remember, proper brush care is essential to prolong the lifespan of your paintbrushes. Taking care of your brushes will ensure that you get the best results from them and avoid unnecessary expenses.
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Preparing your miniature
Preparing your D&D miniature for painting is an important step in achieving the best results. Firstly, consider whether your miniature requires assembly. Some miniatures may need to be glued together, while others come pre-assembled and ready for painting. If your miniature is made of plastic, use plastic glue, and for non-push-fit models, use poly cement. Metal and resin miniatures will require superglue.
Next, you'll want to prime your miniature. Spray primer paint in black, grey, or white is commonly used, with black being the most forgiving as any hard-to-reach areas will remain shadowy. Ensure you get a thin and even coat by holding the can about 15-30cm away from the miniature and using short bursts. Allow the primer to dry for around 30 minutes, and repeat as needed until the miniature is fully primed.
Before you begin painting, it's a good idea to gather the appropriate brushes. You'll need a brush with a very good tip for detailing, a small brush for minor areas, a larger brush for base coating, and a stiff-bristled brush for dry brushing. You may also want to thin your paint on a palette, which can be the lid of a plastic container or a ceramic tile.
Now your miniature is prepared and ready for the painting process to begin!
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Applying the basecoat
The first coat will look thin and sketchy, but a few coats will provide a good base to work from. You should build up an opaque base coat, while preserving the details. To do this, thin your acrylic paints with water until they have a thickness similar to milk. You can use a wet palette to keep your paint consistently thin, and your custom mixed colours won't dry up before you get a chance to use them.
When applying the paint, work from the deepest, hardest-to-reach areas first, moving outwards to the most easily accessible areas. This has been described as painting items on the miniature "in the order you would get dressed".
If you are going to do any washings later, pick a colour that is slightly lighter than the colour you want to end up with, as the wash will tend to darken the base colour.
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Shading and drybrushing
Shading is the process of adding shadows to a model to create depth and dimension. It is done by applying darker shades of paint to the recessed areas of the model. This can be done with a small brush, by carefully applying the paint to the desired areas.
Drybrushing, on the other hand, is a highlighting technique used to add details and definition to a model. It is done by loading a stiff-bristled brush with a small amount of paint and then wiping off the excess paint on a paper towel or a silicone mat. The brush is then lightly dragged across the surface of the model, leaving paint only on the raised details. This technique can be used to add wrinkles, creases, and fine details to faces, as well as plaque or gore to teeth. It can also be used to create the appearance of musculature and tone differences.
Drybrushing is a quick and easy way to highlight models, as it does not require the same level of precision as other techniques. It is important to note that drybrushing should not be used as a second base coat, and that multiple layers of different coloured dry brushing can add tones and contour. Additionally, drybrushing tends to leave a grainy texture that differs from the smooth finish of traditional painting. This texture can be toned down, but it may be more noticeable on larger, flat surfaces.
When drybrushing, it is important to use a brush with a large surface area to maximise the amount of paint left on the model with each pass. It is also crucial to ensure that the base coat is completely dry before beginning the drybrushing process. If a mistake is made, simply let the paint dry and then go over it again with the base colour.
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Varnishing and basing
Varnishing is an essential step in the miniature painting process. It protects the miniature's surface from chipping and paint rubbing off, especially since miniatures are often handled during play. Varnish also shields your work from the oils and dirt from your hands, as well as minor scrapes and bumps. It can also be used to achieve certain aesthetic effects, such as adding a matt, satin, or gloss finish. The choice of varnish will depend on the desired look of your D&D miniature. For instance, a glossy varnish will give a high-shine, glossy finish, enhancing the depth of colours and making details pop. On the other hand, a matt varnish will remove the shine from paint and create a flat, matt finish, ideal for a more realistic look.
There are two main types of varnishes: spray varnish and brush-on varnish. Spray varnish is ideal for a quick, even coat over an entire miniature, while brush-on varnish offers more precision. You can also find water-soluble brush-on varnishes, but they are less durable than enamel-type varnishes. If you are looking for a finish that highlights texture and depth without a flat or shiny appearance, a satin varnish is a good middle ground.
Before applying varnish, it is important to prime and paint your models. Some people also recommend sealing your miniatures after painting, which serves the same purpose as varnishing—to protect your miniatures and maintain colour.
When it comes to basing your D&D miniatures, context is important, especially if they are going to be used within a game. For example, if the game takes place in a mansion, a wilderness base would not be appropriate. Board game figures typically only need simple bases, unless it's a boss monster or a central figure. Bases can be as simple as adding a layer of fine sand and dry-brushing it with paint, or as complex as building the entire base from putty.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need paintbrushes, paint, and a palette for thinning paint. Paintbrushes with good tips are useful for detailing and highlights, while small brushes are good for minor areas of the model. You will also need a larger brush for base coating/washing and a stiff-bristled brush for dry brushing. You can use the lid of a plastic container or a ceramic tile for a palette, but you can also get a specialist palette.
You should use paints that are specifically made for model painting. These paints have a thinner texture, which is better for smaller details without losing pigment. Acrylic paints are generally made to be spread over a wide surface and may not be ideal for small details.
First, you need to prime the model with a spray can of black, grey, or white paint. Ensure you get a thin and even coat by spraying short bursts from about 15cm to 30cm away. Leave the model to dry for around 30 minutes. Once dry, apply the main colours (basecoating). You can then add shading to the recesses of the model to imply shadow. You can also use the dry brushing technique to make details pop out visually.
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