Painting Miniatures and Models with Acrylic Paint: Beginner Tutorial

Acrylic paints are the top hobby paint among tabletop gamers(for example Warhammer), miniature collectors, and model builders because of their water-based formula and rapid drying. The paint has a lot of color options compared with other paint, so getting any color or effect, or design is quite easy for miniature artists. Some artists use the paint for getting a realistic effect that is pretty cool. 

This article will be the ultimate guide to painting miniatures and models. So hang tight 🙂

Step-By-Step Tutorial on Painting Miniatures and Models with Acrylic Paint

Prepare Miniature for Painting

 

Step 1: Setup proper lighting

Good lighting is very important when painting miniatures/models. You should be able to see every detail properly when you paint. So setup your best lamp or any light source in your workspace.

Step 2: Choose right model

Select the perfect model. Match it with your skill level and interests. Beginners should go for a simpler model, while experts can take on more complex designs.

Step 3: Clean the model

Ensure a pristine model by removing all mold release agents, dust, and debris. Use a soft brush, soap, and warm water for cleaning. Rinse the model thoroughly and let it dry entirely.

Step 4: Remove flash and mold lines: 

Inspect the model for any imperfections like excess plastic or metal, or noticeable mold lines. Take out these areas carefully with a hobby knife, file, or fine sandpaper. Exercise extra care during this phase if you’re not an expert to prevent damaging the model or injuring yourself.

Step 5: Assemble the model (if necessary): 

Glue multiple parts together with appropriate adhesives such as plastic cement for plastic models, or super glue for metal or resin models. Properly follow the model’s instructions for the best assembly results.

Prime Miniature 

Prime is the most important part of miniature painting. Primer makes the surface ready for painting adhesion and creates a powerful base layer that increases paint coverage, prevents peeling off and creates a smooth surface.

Prime types

There are only 3 popular types of primer used by artists.

1. Brush on (great control but time consuming) intermediate artist option
2. Spray cans (control not good but fast) beginner option
3. Airbrush (good control and fast) for expart artist 

We will learn how to prime miniatures with brush-on and spray can techniques.

Keep in mind, color selection of primer is an important option also because it influences the final appearance of paint. There are 3 most common types of color. 

• White (brighter base color, make color more vibrant)
• Black (dark and mix white with black give darker shade)
• Gray (balance between two)

Pro tip: If you paint multiple miniatures or models, it will be very helpful for work them as a batch instate one by one. If will save a lot of time and also will make it easier to work with.

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Prime Miniature with Spray Primer 

Step 1: Ventilation nassery

This is important for health safety because you are using spary that vapor pretty fast in air. Ensure mask and glove when applying spray.

Step 2: Choose right spray primer 

Choose higher quality and cpitable primer for miniature or model. Here are some best spray miniature primers.

Primer	Surface	Grade
The Army Painter Color Primer Spray Paint	Metal, Plastic	Artistic
Vallejo Fantasy Color	Metal, Plastic	Artistic

Step 3: Small test

Test your primer on a small area to ensure compatibility and desired results because different miniatures and brands may react differently. This tactic also makes you aware for future big issues. 

Step 4: Apply spary

Shake the cans properly the apply spray on the miniature. Hold the can from 6-10 inches distance and use control and short bursts. After 10-20 minutes, apply a second coat. Check carefully any missed areas or uneven coverage and fix the area.

Step 5: Dry time

Give first coat 10-20 minutes to dry and for the final coat give it around 24 hours. And then you can go painting. 

Prime Miniature by Brush-on

Step 1: Choose right primer and brush

Use high quality primer and small synthetic paint brush for primer. It will give you great control. 

Here are some best brush on primer and brush for miniature painting

Products	Category	Grade	Comment
The Army Painter Brush-On	Primer	Artistic	Populer product
Reaper Miniatures Brush-On Primer	Primer	Artistic	Good alternative
BOSOBO Paint Brushes Set	Brush	Student	Basic brush set but great for prime and cheap detail project

Step 2: Apply

Shake the liquid primer battle and the put small amount primer in a paint palette. Apply the primer with small brush, make sure cover every spots. 

Instead apply one thick layer apply multiple thin layers. It will save primer form peeling off. 

Step 3: Dry

Drying is very important. Between layers wait for 10-30 minutes and final finish wait for 1 day for complete cure. And then the miniture is ready for painting.

Paint Miniature

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Apply First Coat of Paint

Step 1: Reference style 

Step up your reference painting style in front of your eyes. References can be photos, artwork, even real life objects. It will make your artwork more accurate and realistic.

Step 2: Choose your color scheme

This is a very helpful part. If you choose and create your own color scheme before, there will be no confusion and wrong decision into painting time.  If you are a beginner, you need to do some practice, and create your own color scheme before painting. 

Step 3: Choose acrylic paint

You need best quality acrylic paint thats are compatible for miniature painting. Here are some best acrylic paints for miniature painting.

Paint	Grade
Games Workshop Warhammer	Artistic
The Army Painter Paint Set	Artistic
Vallejo Basic USA Acrylic Colors Paint Set	Artistic

Step 4: Thinning paint

Acrylic paint comes with thicker consistency in the tube.  You need to thin down before applying the paint.  Water is a very common medium for thin paint. But you can use different mediums such as glazing medium, matte medium, and flow improver to thin the paint for getting your necessary needs. 

Common thinning consistency is similar to milt like ice cream or whole milk. Add small amount amount paint each time to avoid too thin paint.

Step 5: Apply paint

Apply a thin and even stock in the first coat with a paint brush. Work from larger areas to small details. 

First coat dry then apply another coat, always be patient to build up color. Applying multiple layer make more smooth and professional. 

Pro tip: Find uneven and missed spots and then fix it with touch up. 

Step 6: Dry 

Give 10-30 minutes for between coats to dry, and then  apply details.

Add Details and Finishing

Step 1: Brush selection 

Right brush is a key, for different effect need different types and shapes of brush. 

Already mentioned a brush set, it is cheap but good for priming, sealing, and first paint coat but for details, highlight, shade you need something more accurate and handy, these are the best details brushes for miniature acrylic painting.

Brush	Grade	Comment
Winsor & Newton Series 7 Kolinsky Sable Brush	Artistic	This brush is one of the most popular and high quality brushes in the market. Many shapes and sizes are available. Choose your right size and shape
The Army Painter Wargamer Rotmarder Sable Brush	Artistic	Specialized brand for miniature painting

Step 2: Shading

To create shadows and depth, apply washes or glazes to recessed areas. Mix darker shades of your base colors or use pre-mixed washes made for shading. Apply the washes with care, ensuring no pooling or staining on flat surfaces.

Pro tips: Little paint mistake is common. Take a dumb brush and blend the mistake with the surrounding areas. Also you can lift off the paint if the paint is wet. If paint is dry use paint thinner for removing paint, but you have to careful. Thinner can ruin the painting. 

Step 3: Highlighting

To enhance miniature details, highlight raised areas with a lighter or complementary color. Use thin, controlled brush strokes and focus on natural light-catching areas. 

Employ techniques like edge highlighting, dry brushing, or glazing. Give the illusion of light reflection with a lighter shade on raised areas and edges. For a more striking effect, try dry brushing or edge highlighting.

Pro tip: It is most important to avoid touching the painted surface with fingers because it is causing create bad spot marks. 

Step 4: Fine details

Paint small details like eyes, buttons, and different patterns carefully. For applying details choose small details brush such as size 0.

Pro tips: For adding expart details required patience and practice. So keep in mind the trick. 

Seal the Miniature Painting

Sealing your miniatures/models after acrylic painting is very impotent part. Protect your paint job from wear and tear, especially if it’s for gaming or frequent handling. A reliable sealant preserves colors and details, prevents chipping, smudging, and fading. Don’t let your hard work go to waste!

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There are 2 popular techniques for sealing paint

1. Brush on varnish
2. Spary cans varnish

Below these 2 methods will be describe step by step. 

Also, there have two popular types of varnish. 

• Matte (non-reflective finish and look like more realistic appearance)
• Glossy (Shiny effect and eye catching)

Pro tip: May be it will be more creative, you can use this 2 type of varnish in your same project for get realistic effects. Apply matte varnish to all areas of miniature and use gloss varnish in certain area like eyes or gems. 

Prepare the Miniature for Sealing

Step 1: Ensure paint completely dry

You can’t apply sealer until the paint completely dry, completely cure can take around 24 hours. To best way to check this touch lightly with finger. If it feel like tacky or stacky, paint not dry yet. Another method is gently pressing a piece of masking tape on the paint and then peeling off. If the tape come off clearly without any paint, the paint is dry properly for sealing. 

Step 2: Cleaning

Clear all dust from miniature with a soft cloth. Remember, dust can weaken the sealing surface.

Apply Brush on Sealing Vernish

Step 1: Choose right varnish

You need to choose good and reputed varnish brand. If you need more protection there UV protection varnish available. Those varnish will give you great outdoor protection. Here are the best brush on varnish for miniature painting. 

Varnish	Grade	Comment
Vallejo Acrylic Paint Varnish	Artistic	All type of varnish (gloss, satin, or matte) available, spacialize for miniature painting
Liquitex Professional Gloss Varnish	Artistic	Any type of acrylic paint project

Step 2: Prepare the varnish

Thin the varnish if necessary. Apply any thinning agent depending on the product. Make sure mix varnish well but always avoid creating air bubble.

Pro tip: Understanding the thickness you can apply a small amount on a small surface.

Step 3: Apply varnish

Choose mid length soft bristle synthetic brush for ensure even and smooth stoke. Apply thin even and long strokes and avoid overloading the brush.

Ensure complete coverage of the model by working systematically, while maintaining a consistently wet edge to avoid unsightly brush marks.

Pro tip: Apply the varnish full coverage with a steady hand. Avoid brushing over the same area multiple times to prevent streaks and uneven layers.

Step 4: Allow the varnish to dry

Give around 30 minutes to1 hours first coat depending on brand.  And for final coat give 24 hours for completely dry. 

Step 5: Second coat

To achieve best protection and a flawless finish, apply multiple coats of varnish as needed. Wait until each coat is fully dry before adding the next one. Find missing and uneven areas and follow same apply method as the first coat.

Remember, thin coats are preferable for an even finish and good protection.

Apply Spray Sealing Varnish

Step 1: Proper ventilation

Use spray-on varnish only in a well-ventilated area, as its fumes can be harmful when inhaled. And put on mask before apply spray.

Step 2: Choose right spray sealer

Here are some good spray sealer you can use. 

Spray varnish	Grade
The Army Painter Spary Varnish	Artistic
Liquitex Professional Spray Varnish	Artistic

Step 3: Shake the varnish well and test

Shake the varnish properly. Then apply it on small areas like cardboard or paper. Check the layer and spray pattern. If you happy, go for main project. 

Step 4: Spray on the painting

Spray varnish from 10-12 inches far distance. Smooth sweeping motion to apply thin. Avoid over spray and apply too much paint at once. Instead apply multiple coats. Give some time to dry before apply each coat. 

Step 5: Dry

The varnish takes 15-20 minutes between layers in and for final finish 24 hours.

Bottom line, congratulations! Now you know a lot about miniature painting. Time to go for practical projects. 

If you think this article helpful, share it with your artist friends and family. The information may help them.