How to Start Painting Miniatures: Part 4 – Painting Your First Figure

The hardest part about painting your first miniature is simply getting started. If you've followed our series, you should know what you need to begin. A brush, primer, speedpaint, and varnish might be all you need to finish your figure in no time.

Or, you can choose a longer but more precise process, applying individual layers and different colors step by step. Your reward will be a miniature with stunning details.

How to do it?

If you've already played with the figure, wash it with soapy water to remove any dirt. Once it's completely dry, apply a base coat using primer, either from a bottle or a spray can.

Once the primer is dry, continue with a base layer, for which Citadel Colour Base paints are perfect. These paints and their shades create the first color layer on your miniature.

After the first coat dries, you can gradually add more layers to brighten or darken certain areas, or even add entirely new shades. If you aren't happy with the result, simply add another layer. Just remember to always let the previous layer dry first.

To achieve shadow effects, use shade or wash paints, which are thinner and flow easily into the crevices and folds of the figure. If you want to highlight raised areas or add a shine, the drybrush technique will help.

Once you're happy with the colors, the final step is applying varnish, which protects your figure and its paint job from damage and wear. And you're done!

Still not sure?

Don't worry. Every figure is a bit different, and there's no single exact guide for painting them. You'll learn a lot as you go, and you'll soon find that minor mistakes are very easy to fix. Don't believe us? See how our colleague Nicola handled painting her first miniature.

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