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It seems like 90% of the blossoming painters I talk to have difficulty comprehending the idea that it is possible to paint without buying a specific set of citadel paints and following a formula that GW has bottled and sold to them. I can't count how many times I've had to explain that mentality holds you back. Once you've got the basics down, you should stop trying to treat painting like baking; instead of thinking about recipe, think about theory and technique. There are great videos out there on theory behind highlighting and color composition. Moreover, GW isn't even the best paint brand. There are so many other great ones out there for a fraction of the price (pro acryl, vallejo, AK interactive 3rd gen acrylics).
Honestly this is something I’m trying to improve about my painting. Getting away from the “recipe card” mentality and just experimenting or learning to understand theory. One day…one day
Tried my first citadel paint today. I fucking hate it and I’m new. Vallejo and army painter is easier to open and use, it’s easier to paint with. I just want tabletop standard and get into games. I’ll do a little work here and there on miniatures. But it’ll take me years to become good. People need to chill, can’t all be gods at painting
That’s easy to say, but for me, I don’t have a choice. GW is literally the only place I can go and physically buy paints. I hate GW too! I can buy stuff online, but I have to wait 2-5 days, then I get it, and it’s not quite the right colour etc, it’s supper annoying. Wish I had a proper hobby shop near me that stocked the paint brands I want. 😢
@@djvertical I only buy my paints online. It works for me. If you constantly find that the colors you're buying aren't exactly what you want, then one of two thing is occurring: 1) your monitor isn't calibrated correctly. 2) You're still in the 'recipe' headspace where you're trying to exactly match a formula someone has created for you. Both are things I would try to amend. Instead of trying to buy a specific set of colors and follow the formula, it's better to build a collection of colors that you like to work with. If a color isn't an exact match for one project, it will be useful later. Besides, mixing colors is also an important skill.
Perfection is the enemy of good. Thanks to you and Vincie V I've learnt to be comfortable with my noob skillset and limitations rather than getting frustrated with my inability to paint really well. At this point all projects are learning exercises! 👍😁
Honestly, probably the aspect that I love the most about the hobby, that it's a never ending learning experience. I've been collecting and painting for over 20 years (with some massive multiple year long breaks in between) and I am by *no means* a "great" painter, but still, after all this time, each and every project is a learning experience. I recently started a Horus Heresy Alpha Legion army, and wanted to try my hand at using Akhelian Green Contrast over a silver basecoat. The first 20 marines look different to the latter 20, as I improved my process while learning how to use the new tool. I figured out that my workflow for small marines did not work at all on a big tank. I had like 7 or 8 test runs before I got that Spartan Land Raider even close to "right" but it does not matter in the end. I can look at my army coming together and see the progress I made over the course of the project and to me, that is actually even more awesome than a "perfectly painted" army. Having said that, painting contrast on a mini as big as that tank with a brush did make me ache for finally owning an airbrush xD
@@maxmagnus377 I've got 5 airbrushes if different makes and qualities. They are not the panacea that they are often portrayed to be! Each has their own quirks and airbrushing in general is fraught with issues (tip drying, spider-webbing, cleaning the airbrush, wearing masks etc ..)
I joined a painting competition at my LGS because I loved the mini. Oh man, was that first model horrible! Every model I've submitted has come in last so far but I am happy I'm seeing improvement with each one. I was also recognized as being the most improved painter last year which was a real boost!
The best possible advice I can give is related to nr 3: "Finish more miniatures." At some point, say "This is good enough" and actually finish your project, and feel proud of what you did.
This is the most important thing I learned when I started 3d sculpting. I'm happy that I k ow when to stop on a miniature, because I can appreciate at what I have learned and take that to the next mini/project.
for gear: reaper paint starter set - $40. Has the basic paints you need and a few minis to get you started. Includes brushes and a guide. some random plastic box, paper towel, and some parchment paper (wet pallete) - maybe 5 bucks total. Brush soap - 10 bucks. Good natural hair brush - only buy one size 1 or 2 brush and use it for normal paints. Never use it for metallics or effect paints or oils (use the synthetic brushes you got in the reaper starter set). This set up is all you really need to get started. Any other gear, just get over time as you get better. Think of it as leveling up and getting new skills. You've mastered base coating and coloring within the lines - that's a level up. You can now buy a wash (or make your own) and try to master layering and shading. Once you master that you can try NMM or OSL and buy gear that would help you with those effects.
i'm a new painter with less a month of experience and only a handful of basic paints (I got suckered into the citadel starter paint kit) and after hundreds of videos of this paint is bad and this method is terrible and if you're not doing this you're trash. Honestly none of that is true. While it may be good to have pots of paint that match each color you shoot for as long as you kind of work in an assembly line with a good amount of those colors prepared it will be ok. Paint is expensive, expensive brushes when you start aren't good if you dont know how to take care of them, elitists and gatekeepers are the devil. Seek out folks who are good painters and ask for feedback and never shy away from doing a paint scheme or some completely unhinged idea that you think will look cool. At the end of the day its a hobby for enjoyment and shouldn't become a begrudging chore that you must complete. If all you can do is a nice even base coat and some other colors great! When its time to move forward with your skill you will know. Also just give the harder things a try for fun. after all its just paint.
I'm one of the people that's avoided the hobby for years because of a lack of confidence in my skills, but recently I've fallen in deep with Blood Bowl and have finally dived in. Going to try painting my first minis soon. I really hope I find it fun even if I am sure my efforts are going to be pretty amateurish.
The part about „their vision doesn’t match up to their skill level“ is one of the hardest thing to overcome, at least for me. It’s not really about perfectionism really, I‘d put it into a different category. It’s the most frustrating part of any hobby when you know exactly how you want something to look when it’s finished but your competency is nowhere near to achieving that end result and you don’t know when - if ever - you’ll get to where you can actually create the thing that is already in your mind. Letting go of that and stepping back to where you can enjoy your hobby again can be really hard
I paint just for fun, dont do whole armies, so one of the hardest things for me is choosing a model that is cool enough to be fun but still within my ability to paint it in a way that is satisfactory. Ive definetly gotten in over my head with minis that were too challenging for my skill level.
I have this same problem... it's helped me to remind myself that these models are all living in the grim dark and have seen some shit. Of course they're going to be messed up or stained or "repainted" etc. Also when you look at them on the table, you'll never notice detail or not.
i have begun painting 3 years ago, and being myself the most problematic part for me was point 8. the perfectionist part. i can spend hours over single mini tweaking a single stroke here or there, but still the result was underwhelming. eventually, over few dozen miniatures i have learnt to stop myself saying "its fine, you can be done with it, its satisfying result, go to the next bro"
Late reply to this but same here, I practically burnt out after afew months because of this mindset and once I finally got them on the table to play I was surprised by how much I actually liked them, it always looks imperfect, but it’s those imperfections that make you love them all the more
I think it's also part of the you know how it's done so the magic is away. I usually put it away for a while and get a look later and really loving it. But it's still hard for me to trust the proces. Sometimes I think why do I even start. There are better people then me. And then remind myself practice makes perfect and just when you are done with it and look at it and just be proud at it. You will get better.
I used to win prizes for my citadel orcs... Way back in the 80s. Even won a trip to the GW in Nottingham! Having spent most of this afternoon watching these videos... I might take up the hobby again, especially now there are so many experienced painters on YT.
Worked through one or two of these problems recently, I had used a burgundy over white and it was to bright, I was going reprime and start over but I tried a more redish burgundy then used a dark watered-down red over that and it gave me a nice burnt red color that I became very happy with. It wasn't what I wanted in the beginning but I'm happy I stuck with it and tried a different idea instead of starting over.
One of the most important things that let me improve is that I don't need to paint my minis to look like the ones in the books or on the boxes. I can paint them so that I enjoy painting them and then enjoy the way they look.
I have a question I hope someone can answer. I'm a super newbie by the way. :) Yesterday I painted a model with a lot of black on it, and this morning I realised that a lot of dust particles had stuck to the black paint. It was probably extra noticeable when contrasting with the black, but even so, very disheartening. People with experience painting; do you do anything to mitigate dust on the models? Do you put them inside a container to dry or anything like that? It could just be that my workspace was too dusty, and I've cleaned it thoroughly today, but ahead of trying again I'd love some tips if this is a known concern when painting. Thanks beforehand! And thanks for this video! It really never ceases to amaze me how readily info is available when starting a new hobby, and the miniature painting community seems absolutely wonderful. ❤
i did not undertand the point against the yolo colour scheme, it''s fun to try to remeber the color you mixed on that previous unit i painted last year :D
Thoughts on your points: 1) I am a huge advocate for never forgetting the basics. No only in the begining, but also later in your career. I still find a purpose for washes and "slapchop" even though. 2) I always fail to look at pictures before start painting. Then I look at pictures and have to start all over. 3) I have gotten myself in a predicament where I accepted a HUGE MASSIVE project. Then I continue to want to paint for others so I look for more opportunities. I get sad because I put off projects that I have promised others for new projects and that is not good for anyone :( 4) Art is an opportunity to experiment so much. I love it when I decide to challenge myself to use a new technique. As you said...I use art as a chance to teach others that any mistake in life can be fixed. You might have to start over, but you never start from scratch. You have knowledge of what didn't work. 5) yeah....I struggle with this (see #2) It sets me back a lot. 6) I semi-agree with you on this. In the end it does come down to skill. However sometimes I think that needing better tools can be the one thing that is keeping someone from growing. That being said, you don't need the best of the best out there. You just need decent. 7/8) You can grow so much faster by doing 100 models and working on a better model than doing 10 model to perfection. 8) What people think go into a decent model is much less than others think. a quick and even semi-sloppy base coat with a wash can look so amazing to an untrained eye. 8 bonus ) In everything in life, I follow this mantra: "Do things today to be better tomorrow, than you were yesterday. 9) Hurrying to paint a next layer has set me back sooooo much :( 10) There is no such thing as hard. If something feels hard, it just means you have a chance to grow. If things are too easy then it likely means you are depreciating. Do not give up. Look for ways to grow, even if its just a little.
Fantastic video!! Great job helping others learn from the mistakes you have already made so we dont have to experience the same hobby heartache you already have!! Thank you Z!!
Hey man I am new here but I have seen in several of your videos you complaining about sweaty hands. I have the same problem I started talking a medicine call Oxybutynin and it really changed my life. No more sweating. Thanks for making these videos the have really helped me.
Sooooo I think I have enough tools with five brushes, one for bases and base coats, one for washes or small base details, one for large (still small) areas on a mini, and a brush for very good detail and I use this the most, and a dry brush….i have never used the dry brush. Oh I also use contrast paints for the bulk army, detail is (supposed to be) reserved for my larger minis or special ones. (Doesn’t mean I do)
Miniatures painting is -often- a solitary hobby. But I know many, many people who enjoy painting together, have clubs for painting together, paint with their spouse/SO/Roommate/etc or even go down to their FLG to paint. Painting minis can be a very fun, social hobby. Not that that in any way invalidates your point about seeking help to get past plateus :)
Honestly, I think the 3D printer may be one of the best investments so you don't have a giant pile of shame because they are just saved as stl files. Totally not influenced by my giant pile of shame that takes up two bookshelves, two organizing shelves, and a couple of sorting boxes.
Oh, it's still there. It's just digital. You might try to hide it. Maybe try and hide it in amongst the pr0n stash so your friends and family don't know. But *you'll* know. There's no escaping it...
3D printers are a good thing for beginners as it lets them paint without worrying about ruining an expensive model kit, that half the time will cost as much as the printer. If you screw up a printed model, you can just print a new one.
I feel like this video couldn’t have been posted at a better time. I know it’s just a general tip video, but the comments on perfectionism hit a nerve in me that really made me think. I’ve recently started trying to paint my age of Sigmar army again and I had (and still have) plans to paint these models to the best of my ability. And while everyone around me was saying they looked good, in my eyes they looked god awful, but you’re right in this video. When is it enough? Even I don’t know, and I’m afraid if I keep adding and removing paint over and over it’ll just cause an expensive mess. Who cares about perfect. The people I’m going to play with think the models look fine. People I’ve played games with using bottle caps instead of troops. And hey, at least a learned something that I wouldn’t have if I just trashed the models midway for not being perfect. Anyways, sorry for the rant. Just seemed like ironic timing. Great videos as always, man, keep it up. Always love seeing new posts by you.
I've been painting minis since 1991 as a casual hobby, never did get into wargaming. I prefer to take my time and enjoy the process of bringing that piece of plastic (or pewter, hehe) to life one layer at a time. bottom line is if you are enjoying your hobby time then you're doing it right. I have far more half finished models than completed ones but they were all enjoyable. Cheers!
Has an older person getting back into the hobby one tool I can't live without is a large magnifier on a stand. Even with my bifocals small mini's can be hard to see with tired eyes and is your painting is giving you a headache it might be eye strain. I would recommend a higher quality one from a sewing shop as the cheaper Amazon ones have poor focal areas.
Calmly watching informative mini painting video from a master of the art, nodding along. Very informative, this is helpful. Reach for my water tumbler while Mr Z. begins to discuss gear, a topic I'm keenly interested in. Just as I begin to drink, the Mini-Painting-Mad-Man strikes, and my monitor, keyboard and desk are rendered a watery mess, with a side of what I assume had to include some of my spit. Presently most of my family peek in to my office, curious to know what calamity befell that caused such an outburst of mild swearing and laughter. Well played, master Zumikito. I'm quite chagrined to find myself caught out by what my wife refers to as "adolescent teen boy humor".
Since it was the thumbnail, making a pot holder that is STABLE and will not tip over is a good idea as well. I made a stupidly simple wire frame from curtain a hook. Bottom prongs bent around to make a base with a pair of magnets glued on, since my work surface is metal. Another set of prongs bent to hold the pot in place, with another clipped and bent to hold the lid open. The shades cost 10$ CAD so spilling it once is rage inducing enough that spending several hours making a perfect pot holder is worth it.
The thumbnail; C'mon man, we all know you can't call yourself a model painter without the hazing of cleaning up the nuln oil. And true on all points but #2 is a big one, I've always found that nearly all communities related to warhammer at least have always been suprisingly supportive, even pretty crapposty discords have a surprisingly helpful paint posting channel. Most will be happy to help, offer advice or even explain how they got a colour/effect themselves if you ask.
Which are the best brushes when starting out? I have a small fine citadel brush for a box of space marines I've bought, but I am in no way tackling the without the know how or tools. Appreciate any help!
Number 8 is a good one: I set unrealistic goals, which prevent me from actually starting and picking up a brush. It's 300 Guardsmen; WTF do you think you're going to do!? Make them all GD winners? That kind of thing.
I'm still a beginner but my big suggestion is get a better mini rather than better paint. I use craft paints for my acrylics, and have gotten amazing results and awful ones. It depended far more on the quality and detail of the mini than the actual paint. The other thing is, it can be done. Walk away from a mini if it looks good. You can return later when you develop more skills.
I've been cracking citadels "box art schemes" the biggest thing I can say is alot of times they are not as simple or even possible sometimes with the box recenended colors. Nurgle demons being one of the offenders
As strange as it sounds I only paint for my opponents sake and making the game more appealing to random onlookers. I've run into far too many painting elites that have ruined the hobby part of wargaming. Too many times I've been told I need to do some technique to make the mini look 10X better but most just look terrible to me.
im new to painting but i figure no skin, flat surfaces, and 2 main colors with maybe an accent or two. where im really hoping to make it stand out is with extra bits and bases which are cheap on the 3d print side and trying out that slap chop. we'll see how it turns out, and going to try to take it slow despite going for huge amounts of infantry lol
Painting minis at a game shop is fun, it's a great way to get feedback as well. I remember painting a gnoll and I was going to paint the leather brown, but the mini had brown and red furr. If it wasn't for the feedback I would have painted it brown and stuck to it, but because of the feedback I painted the leather blue, and it cvame out looking way better.
Great tips and I sufer from profectionn... Hince the 10 hours p;ainting my first mini and amm only half way done and my screme is nothing fancy just primary, secondary and accent colors... But thats the thing it's simple so what is onn the mini needs to look good... and my basic brush skill sucks... really badly... so I make a ton of mistakes and then fix them... Hince the 10 hours of a "Base coat." But I am having fun and it looks fine at table top distance just not in my hands... Which is fine.
can you recommend time to use for paint one miniature for boardgame like mansion of madness? I just wish too know how much time I should invest on detail.
Recently been branching out by no longer just either mixing black/white with paints or mixing different colours, but doing both, it's a more advanced skill I don't think people talk about enough, but it feels so liberating compared to people I see who only use paints from bottles without any mixing.
While I love mixing my own colours, for me that really only works on small projects that I know will be finished over the course of a few days or weeks. At some point I had a scheme for my eldar with a certain mix of paints, and months or years down the line I could never quite remember how I mixed up the original colour.
@Max Magnus yeah there is that, but at the same time there is a whole world out there once you're willing to go past just the colours you've brought, which is a real novice trap I've seen. Like not to take digs at people but when you buy two of pretty much the same colour except one has a bit ot white added, that's not a good use of your hobby funds when that one with white is just being used for edge highlighting or the like.
I agree as someone who ended the hobby a decade ago because of the paint I was using. My current project is finishing some models I have left from Battle for Skull Pass. I am trying to do NMM on them.
hey zumikito i have a massive problem where whenever i paint a model i always hate how it looks im never happy with the results and i always keep adding more and more and hating it even more i dont know how to actully like my models please help!
The perfectionist point hit very close to home. I just started in the hobby and I'm learning through the process, so far enjoying it. Love your channel and videos!
I did a stormdrake and messed up really badly but did the underwing beautifully but I felt like crying because I spent 5 hrs just on the membrane on the under wing but got some alcohol and gonna give it a clean to redo it
So one thing on number 8 that a lot of people may get hung up on: Remember that painting is a skill just like anything else. The idea you have in your head about how good it's going to look is a worthy goal, but you get better at things with time. Remember, even fighter pilots were just kids who wanted to fly planes at some point.
Any tips for cheap paint that's not crap I would ideally like to use only citdel but then again my first minis aren't even here yet and I don't paint I got some decent few tools for cheap at a harbor freight closing sale but im gonna use black rustpleom flat black paint and primer is that ok ?
I bought my very first set (Mechanicus dudes) and felt a bit overwhelmed at first. After asking around and seeing videos like this, i feel much at ease about the process. I just need to get a few more basics (like primer. No hobby shops near enough to me) and I'll get to assembly and painting. I have my ideas of what i want out of my minis, and feel like i got the hang of the basic ideas
Honestly brother, you picked up one of the hardest armies to paint. Just keep at it and try not to get disheartened. If anything pick up some cheap minis to practice on separately to keep from burning out and you’ll get there but by bit.
I'm guilty of #2. I don't seek help and just try to figure stuff out on my own, watching vids and reading tons of shit about painting. Also, I don't show anyone my progress, I don't post pics of my minis. Lastly, I'm never finishing anything, but 1 Primaris Lieutenant. A year and a few months into the hobby and I've only completed 1 mini and I just completed it about a month and a half ago.
Keep at it! As long as you enjoy your time spent it's okay not to finish all your projects. Do you perhaps have a gamestore nearby where you could ask to paint every once in a while? If you do, and it's a somewhat active one, I'm certain there will be people there who have tips or pointers, would be excited to see you work and even more so what the finished result is. A little encouragement can go such a long way.
@@maxmagnus377 I will for sure. I don't have a local game store (my town is very small in the country) but I try to show my stuff now and then. My wife mostly, lol. My problem is I'm very shy about my work. I never feel good enough to show it, but at the same time I'm not hung up about my current skill level. Problem is, showing it is how ppl see it and give you tips to get better, so a catch 22 for me.
Perfectionism and intimation the reason I stopped after I briefly started again in lockdown. Hopefully looking to just start small again. Thank you for the content
So just start about 8 months ago. At first I was very intimidated after all you watch tutorials and see beautiful pieces. I picked a simple arm ultra marines. Don't judge me. But ever squad I tried new techniques and try to improve. You can tell my first squad but I am happy and getting better every weekend.
On one of those final points, the notion of speed painting is misguided anyways. Strive for efficiency, not speed. Speed leads to mistakes. Efficiency saves you time without making you feel rushed. Efficiency is planning the paint job ahead of time and ordering the steps in a way that reduces backtracking and unnecessary steps.
I’m just not very creative, I’m pretty new to painting minis so I’m just practicing techniques and getting good. I struggle with coming up with colour schemes that aren’t on the box or from others online
The way I learnt was that I purchased a bunch of old minis that were dirt cheap and ruined, stripping the thick paint and practicing my techniques on them
I started to paint star wars imperial assault, well.. it's almost all black gray and white :,) but i'm having fun and playing the game now is 100 times better!
I made some mistakes and compared them to others. But I beat myself up. I’m starting to get back in to painting and such. I have plenty of models but I just felt like I did a shit job so I stopped and I regret it.
I'm my harshest critic. I find when you finish a mini leave it to dry overnight then look and critique it. Usually I'm like this is ass until I sleep on it.
From my experience it can be rather exhausting to paint a total squad of 10 heavy intercessors, for instance, one after another. I'd recommend to add something different in between to, let's be real, a range of more or less similiar marines. Like, I don't know, a piece of Imperial Knight armour. Routine can get boring rather quickly and anyway I guess most of us have enough of it at work.
Thnks for the hints, those help, its for sure not an easy hobby to learn, but it can be fun to make mistakes as well sometimes! AlsoI think the Nurgle Plushie on your shelf secretly sips your paints. :O
In that case just start painting and troubleshoot when you are stuck, much better than trying to absorb everything at once - and of course, enjoy the journey :) Cheers
Actually i did the same thing with my nuln oil, but syringe and some dedication helped me to bring it back to the pot, since then i always check my pots to be closed
I don't really enjoy painting models. Painting is not my hobby, gaming is. So, I rush paint them. I have been enjoying the "slapchop" method for its speed and simplicity.
I don't share my pictures online after people on Reddit screaming "thin your paints" at me even though I do the trying to explain my problem isn't thinning the paints, it's simply the ratio of thinning and the fact that Dyscalculia and having an unsteady painting hand that I prefer not to share my finished models, that and I'm not good at taking pictures.
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whats wrong with rolling ya brush on ya tongue?
It seems like 90% of the blossoming painters I talk to have difficulty comprehending the idea that it is possible to paint without buying a specific set of citadel paints and following a formula that GW has bottled and sold to them. I can't count how many times I've had to explain that mentality holds you back. Once you've got the basics down, you should stop trying to treat painting like baking; instead of thinking about recipe, think about theory and technique. There are great videos out there on theory behind highlighting and color composition. Moreover, GW isn't even the best paint brand. There are so many other great ones out there for a fraction of the price (pro acryl, vallejo, AK interactive 3rd gen acrylics).
Honestly this is something I’m trying to improve about my painting. Getting away from the “recipe card” mentality and just experimenting or learning to understand theory. One day…one day
Tried my first citadel paint today. I fucking hate it and I’m new.
Vallejo and army painter is easier to open and use, it’s easier to paint with. I just want tabletop standard and get into games. I’ll do a little work here and there on miniatures. But it’ll take me years to become good. People need to chill, can’t all be gods at painting
Ok, but just know u can also bake without recipe and just using theory and technique
That’s easy to say, but for me, I don’t have a choice. GW is literally the only place I can go and physically buy paints. I hate GW too! I can buy stuff online, but I have to wait 2-5 days, then I get it, and it’s not quite the right colour etc, it’s supper annoying. Wish I had a proper hobby shop near me that stocked the paint brands I want. 😢
@@djvertical I only buy my paints online. It works for me. If you constantly find that the colors you're buying aren't exactly what you want, then one of two thing is occurring: 1) your monitor isn't calibrated correctly. 2) You're still in the 'recipe' headspace where you're trying to exactly match a formula someone has created for you. Both are things I would try to amend. Instead of trying to buy a specific set of colors and follow the formula, it's better to build a collection of colors that you like to work with. If a color isn't an exact match for one project, it will be useful later. Besides, mixing colors is also an important skill.
Perfection is the enemy of good. Thanks to you and Vincie V I've learnt to be comfortable with my noob skillset and limitations rather than getting frustrated with my inability to paint really well. At this point all projects are learning exercises! 👍😁
Honestly, probably the aspect that I love the most about the hobby, that it's a never ending learning experience. I've been collecting and painting for over 20 years (with some massive multiple year long breaks in between) and I am by *no means* a "great" painter, but still, after all this time, each and every project is a learning experience.
I recently started a Horus Heresy Alpha Legion army, and wanted to try my hand at using Akhelian Green Contrast over a silver basecoat. The first 20 marines look different to the latter 20, as I improved my process while learning how to use the new tool. I figured out that my workflow for small marines did not work at all on a big tank. I had like 7 or 8 test runs before I got that Spartan Land Raider even close to "right" but it does not matter in the end. I can look at my army coming together and see the progress I made over the course of the project and to me, that is actually even more awesome than a "perfectly painted" army.
Having said that, painting contrast on a mini as big as that tank with a brush did make me ache for finally owning an airbrush xD
@@maxmagnus377 I've got 5 airbrushes if different makes and qualities. They are not the panacea that they are often portrayed to be! Each has their own quirks and airbrushing in general is fraught with issues (tip drying, spider-webbing, cleaning the airbrush, wearing masks etc ..)
I joined a painting competition at my LGS because I loved the mini. Oh man, was that first model horrible! Every model I've submitted has come in last so far but I am happy I'm seeing improvement with each one. I was also recognized as being the most improved painter last year which was a real boost!
Great to hear! I am a beginning mini painter myself and this comment is very boosting to keep going :)
Keep up the great work!
The best possible advice I can give is related to nr 3: "Finish more miniatures." At some point, say "This is good enough" and actually finish your project, and feel proud of what you did.
This is the most important thing I learned when I started 3d sculpting. I'm happy that I k ow when to stop on a miniature, because I can appreciate at what I have learned and take that to the next mini/project.
for gear: reaper paint starter set - $40. Has the basic paints you need and a few minis to get you started. Includes brushes and a guide.
some random plastic box, paper towel, and some parchment paper (wet pallete) - maybe 5 bucks total.
Brush soap - 10 bucks.
Good natural hair brush - only buy one size 1 or 2 brush and use it for normal paints. Never use it for metallics or effect paints or oils (use the synthetic brushes you got in the reaper starter set).
This set up is all you really need to get started. Any other gear, just get over time as you get better. Think of it as leveling up and getting new skills. You've mastered base coating and coloring within the lines - that's a level up. You can now buy a wash (or make your own) and try to master layering and shading. Once you master that you can try NMM or OSL and buy gear that would help you with those effects.
i'm a new painter with less a month of experience and only a handful of basic paints (I got suckered into the citadel starter paint kit) and after hundreds of videos of this paint is bad and this method is terrible and if you're not doing this you're trash. Honestly none of that is true. While it may be good to have pots of paint that match each color you shoot for as long as you kind of work in an assembly line with a good amount of those colors prepared it will be ok. Paint is expensive, expensive brushes when you start aren't good if you dont know how to take care of them, elitists and gatekeepers are the devil. Seek out folks who are good painters and ask for feedback and never shy away from doing a paint scheme or some completely unhinged idea that you think will look cool. At the end of the day its a hobby for enjoyment and shouldn't become a begrudging chore that you must complete. If all you can do is a nice even base coat and some other colors great! When its time to move forward with your skill you will know. Also just give the harder things a try for fun. after all its just paint.
I'm one of the people that's avoided the hobby for years because of a lack of confidence in my skills, but recently I've fallen in deep with Blood Bowl and have finally dived in. Going to try painting my first minis soon. I really hope I find it fun even if I am sure my efforts are going to be pretty amateurish.
so? How did it go?
The part about „their vision doesn’t match up to their skill level“ is one of the hardest thing to overcome, at least for me.
It’s not really about perfectionism really, I‘d put it into a different category.
It’s the most frustrating part of any hobby when you know exactly how you want something to look when it’s finished but your competency is nowhere near to achieving that end result and you don’t know when - if ever - you’ll get to where you can actually create the thing that is already in your mind.
Letting go of that and stepping back to where you can enjoy your hobby again can be really hard
I paint just for fun, dont do whole armies, so one of the hardest things for me is choosing a model that is cool enough to be fun but still within my ability to paint it in a way that is satisfactory. Ive definetly gotten in over my head with minis that were too challenging for my skill level.
Very similar to music in that sense.
I have this same problem... it's helped me to remind myself that these models are all living in the grim dark and have seen some shit. Of course they're going to be messed up or stained or "repainted" etc. Also when you look at them on the table, you'll never notice detail or not.
Engaging, entertaining, AND informative. What a combination! Better than 90% of what's streaming on Netflix.
i have begun painting 3 years ago, and being myself the most problematic part for me was point 8. the perfectionist part. i can spend hours over single mini tweaking a single stroke here or there, but still the result was underwhelming. eventually, over few dozen miniatures i have learnt to stop myself saying "its fine, you can be done with it, its satisfying result, go to the next bro"
Late reply to this but same here, I practically burnt out after afew months because of this mindset and once I finally got them on the table to play I was surprised by how much I actually liked them, it always looks imperfect, but it’s those imperfections that make you love them all the more
I think it's also part of the you know how it's done so the magic is away. I usually put it away for a while and get a look later and really loving it. But it's still hard for me to trust the proces. Sometimes I think why do I even start. There are better people then me. And then remind myself practice makes perfect and just when you are done with it and look at it and just be proud at it. You will get better.
I used to win prizes for my citadel orcs... Way back in the 80s. Even won a trip to the GW in Nottingham! Having spent most of this afternoon watching these videos... I might take up the hobby again, especially now there are so many experienced painters on YT.
Worked through one or two of these problems recently, I had used a burgundy over white and it was to bright, I was going reprime and start over but I tried a more redish burgundy then used a dark watered-down red over that and it gave me a nice burnt red color that I became very happy with. It wasn't what I wanted in the beginning but I'm happy I stuck with it and tried a different idea instead of starting over.
Fantastic video Simon, some great tips in here! And some good reminders too, I'm guilty of not progressing due to perfectionism 😅
One of the most important things that let me improve is that I don't need to paint my minis to look like the ones in the books or on the boxes. I can paint them so that I enjoy painting them and then enjoy the way they look.
I have a question I hope someone can answer. I'm a super newbie by the way. :) Yesterday I painted a model with a lot of black on it, and this morning I realised that a lot of dust particles had stuck to the black paint. It was probably extra noticeable when contrasting with the black, but even so, very disheartening. People with experience painting; do you do anything to mitigate dust on the models? Do you put them inside a container to dry or anything like that? It could just be that my workspace was too dusty, and I've cleaned it thoroughly today, but ahead of trying again I'd love some tips if this is a known concern when painting.
Thanks beforehand!
And thanks for this video! It really never ceases to amaze me how readily info is available when starting a new hobby, and the miniature painting community seems absolutely wonderful. ❤
i did not undertand the point against the yolo colour scheme, it''s fun to try to remeber the color you mixed on that previous unit i painted last year :D
Thoughts on your points:
1) I am a huge advocate for never forgetting the basics. No only in the begining, but also later in your career. I still find a purpose for washes and "slapchop" even though.
2) I always fail to look at pictures before start painting. Then I look at pictures and have to start all over.
3) I have gotten myself in a predicament where I accepted a HUGE MASSIVE project. Then I continue to want to paint for others so I look for more opportunities. I get sad because I put off projects that I have promised others for new projects and that is not good for anyone :(
4) Art is an opportunity to experiment so much. I love it when I decide to challenge myself to use a new technique. As you said...I use art as a chance to teach others that any mistake in life can be fixed. You might have to start over, but you never start from scratch. You have knowledge of what didn't work.
5) yeah....I struggle with this (see #2) It sets me back a lot.
6) I semi-agree with you on this. In the end it does come down to skill. However sometimes I think that needing better tools can be the one thing that is keeping someone from growing. That being said, you don't need the best of the best out there. You just need decent.
7/8) You can grow so much faster by doing 100 models and working on a better model than doing 10 model to perfection.
8) What people think go into a decent model is much less than others think. a quick and even semi-sloppy base coat with a wash can look so amazing to an untrained eye.
8 bonus ) In everything in life, I follow this mantra: "Do things today to be better tomorrow, than you were yesterday.
9) Hurrying to paint a next layer has set me back sooooo much :(
10) There is no such thing as hard. If something feels hard, it just means you have a chance to grow. If things are too easy then it likely means you are depreciating. Do not give up. Look for ways to grow, even if its just a little.
Fantastic video!! Great job helping others learn from the mistakes you have already made so we dont have to experience the same hobby heartache you already have!! Thank you Z!!
Hey man I am new here but I have seen in several of your videos you complaining about sweaty hands. I have the same problem I started talking a medicine call Oxybutynin and it really changed my life. No more sweating. Thanks for making these videos the have really helped me.
Top tip dont put your tea next to your water pot!!! Every time i do i end up with a greenish tea (i play orks)
Sooooo I think I have enough tools with five brushes, one for bases and base coats, one for washes or small base details, one for large (still small) areas on a mini, and a brush for very good detail and I use this the most, and a dry brush….i have never used the dry brush. Oh I also use contrast paints for the bulk army, detail is (supposed to be) reserved for my larger minis or special ones. (Doesn’t mean I do)
Miniatures painting is -often- a solitary hobby. But I know many, many people who enjoy painting together, have clubs for painting together, paint with their spouse/SO/Roommate/etc or even go down to their FLG to paint. Painting minis can be a very fun, social hobby.
Not that that in any way invalidates your point about seeking help to get past plateus :)
Definitely should do a video about hobbying with some sort of disability and/or health limitations with tips/advice.
Honestly, I think the 3D printer may be one of the best investments so you don't have a giant pile of shame because they are just saved as stl files.
Totally not influenced by my giant pile of shame that takes up two bookshelves, two organizing shelves, and a couple of sorting boxes.
Oh, it's still there. It's just digital. You might try to hide it. Maybe try and hide it in amongst the pr0n stash so your friends and family don't know. But *you'll* know. There's no escaping it...
3D printers are a good thing for beginners as it lets them paint without worrying about ruining an expensive model kit, that half the time will cost as much as the printer.
If you screw up a printed model, you can just print a new one.
What song starts playing at 5:19? Many thanks!
I feel like this video couldn’t have been posted at a better time. I know it’s just a general tip video, but the comments on perfectionism hit a nerve in me that really made me think. I’ve recently started trying to paint my age of Sigmar army again and I had (and still have) plans to paint these models to the best of my ability. And while everyone around me was saying they looked good, in my eyes they looked god awful, but you’re right in this video. When is it enough? Even I don’t know, and I’m afraid if I keep adding and removing paint over and over it’ll just cause an expensive mess. Who cares about perfect. The people I’m going to play with think the models look fine. People I’ve played games with using bottle caps instead of troops. And hey, at least a learned something that I wouldn’t have if I just trashed the models midway for not being perfect.
Anyways, sorry for the rant. Just seemed like ironic timing. Great videos as always, man, keep it up. Always love seeing new posts by you.
I thoroughly recomend learning from the mistakes of others. Its quicker and easier than learning from your own.😉
I've been painting minis since 1991 as a casual hobby, never did get into wargaming. I prefer to take my time and enjoy the process of bringing that piece of plastic (or pewter, hehe) to life one layer at a time. bottom line is if you are enjoying your hobby time then you're doing it right. I have far more half finished models than completed ones but they were all enjoyable. Cheers!
Has an older person getting back into the hobby one tool I can't live without is a large magnifier on a stand. Even with my bifocals small mini's can be hard to see with tired eyes and is your painting is giving you a headache it might be eye strain. I would recommend a higher quality one from a sewing shop as the cheaper Amazon ones have poor focal areas.
Calmly watching informative mini painting video from a master of the art, nodding along. Very informative, this is helpful. Reach for my water tumbler while Mr Z. begins to discuss gear, a topic I'm keenly interested in. Just as I begin to drink, the Mini-Painting-Mad-Man strikes, and my monitor, keyboard and desk are rendered a watery mess, with a side of what I assume had to include some of my spit. Presently most of my family peek in to my office, curious to know what calamity befell that caused such an outburst of mild swearing and laughter. Well played, master Zumikito. I'm quite chagrined to find myself caught out by what my wife refers to as "adolescent teen boy humor".
Having a friend like you, just someone who likes to paint or kitbash. Hard to make friends as an adult. Not really sure what I'm doing wrong.
Hello, I started painting this week and I was wondering how to make colors stand out when im using black primer
Since it was the thumbnail, making a pot holder that is STABLE and will not tip over is a good idea as well. I made a stupidly simple wire frame from curtain a hook. Bottom prongs bent around to make a base with a pair of magnets glued on, since my work surface is metal. Another set of prongs bent to hold the pot in place, with another clipped and bent to hold the lid open. The shades cost 10$ CAD so spilling it once is rage inducing enough that spending several hours making a perfect pot holder is worth it.
Zumikito, how is the MCP going? Any nice content lined up for youtube on that game system ?
The thumbnail; C'mon man, we all know you can't call yourself a model painter without the hazing of cleaning up the nuln oil.
And true on all points but #2 is a big one, I've always found that nearly all communities related to warhammer at least have always been suprisingly supportive, even pretty crapposty discords have a surprisingly helpful paint posting channel. Most will be happy to help, offer advice or even explain how they got a colour/effect themselves if you ask.
Which are the best brushes when starting out? I have a small fine citadel brush for a box of space marines I've bought, but I am in no way tackling the without the know how or tools. Appreciate any help!
I only recently came across this channel and I have to say I love your content and your minis look gorgeous!
bruh so refreshing to not have a 3 minute intro and just get right on with it less than 10 seconds in
Number 8 is a good one: I set unrealistic goals, which prevent me from actually starting and picking up a brush. It's 300 Guardsmen; WTF do you think you're going to do!? Make them all GD winners? That kind of thing.
I'm still a beginner but my big suggestion is get a better mini rather than better paint. I use craft paints for my acrylics, and have gotten amazing results and awful ones. It depended far more on the quality and detail of the mini than the actual paint.
The other thing is, it can be done. Walk away from a mini if it looks good. You can return later when you develop more skills.
I've been cracking citadels "box art schemes" the biggest thing I can say is alot of times they are not as simple or even possible sometimes with the box recenended colors. Nurgle demons being one of the offenders
As strange as it sounds I only paint for my opponents sake and making the game more appealing to random onlookers. I've run into far too many painting elites that have ruined the hobby part of wargaming. Too many times I've been told I need to do some technique to make the mini look 10X better but most just look terrible to me.
Hi and thank you for your videos. I was a little bit down for finishing my painting these days. It helped me to advance to the end.
im new to painting but i figure no skin, flat surfaces, and 2 main colors with maybe an accent or two. where im really hoping to make it stand out is with extra bits and bases which are cheap on the 3d print side and trying out that slap chop. we'll see how it turns out, and going to try to take it slow despite going for huge amounts of infantry lol
There is an advertisment for Citadel paint pots at 3:47. RIP Nuln Oil
Painting minis at a game shop is fun, it's a great way to get feedback as well. I remember painting a gnoll and I was going to paint the leather brown, but the mini had brown and red furr. If it wasn't for the feedback I would have painted it brown and stuck to it, but because of the feedback I painted the leather blue, and it cvame out looking way better.
Great tips and I sufer from profectionn... Hince the 10 hours p;ainting my first mini and amm only half way done and my screme is nothing fancy just primary, secondary and accent colors... But thats the thing it's simple so what is onn the mini needs to look good... and my basic brush skill sucks... really badly... so I make a ton of mistakes and then fix them... Hince the 10 hours of a "Base coat." But I am having fun and it looks fine at table top distance just not in my hands... Which is fine.
Your and many other people's tips changed my painting 🙂
can you recommend time to use for paint one miniature for boardgame like mansion of madness? I just wish too know how much time I should invest on detail.
I figure to avoid #10 I'll break #6 and spend a load of money on things, then let sunk cost fallacy keep me from quitting, lol
"Don't be a perfectionist!" - heck yeah! Learn to enjoy failure, because you learn so much from it.
Recently been branching out by no longer just either mixing black/white with paints or mixing different colours, but doing both, it's a more advanced skill I don't think people talk about enough, but it feels so liberating compared to people I see who only use paints from bottles without any mixing.
While I love mixing my own colours, for me that really only works on small projects that I know will be finished over the course of a few days or weeks. At some point I had a scheme for my eldar with a certain mix of paints, and months or years down the line I could never quite remember how I mixed up the original colour.
@Max Magnus yeah there is that, but at the same time there is a whole world out there once you're willing to go past just the colours you've brought, which is a real novice trap I've seen.
Like not to take digs at people but when you buy two of pretty much the same colour except one has a bit ot white added, that's not a good use of your hobby funds when that one with white is just being used for edge highlighting or the like.
I agree as someone who ended the hobby a decade ago because of the paint I was using.
My current project is finishing some models I have left from Battle for Skull Pass. I am trying to do NMM on them.
I've been considering a air brush because... Canada its been weeks and I can't even prime my necrons to get started the painting process.
hey zumikito i have a massive problem where whenever i paint a model i always hate how it looks im never happy with the results and i always keep adding more and more and hating it even more i dont know how to actully like my models please help!
The perfectionist point hit very close to home. I just started in the hobby and I'm learning through the process, so far enjoying it. Love your channel and videos!
I did a stormdrake and messed up really badly but did the underwing beautifully but I felt like crying because I spent 5 hrs just on the membrane on the under wing but got some alcohol and gonna give it a clean to redo it
@YotoWen the username is ment to be zumikto numb skull
So one thing on number 8 that a lot of people may get hung up on: Remember that painting is a skill just like anything else. The idea you have in your head about how good it's going to look is a worthy goal, but you get better at things with time. Remember, even fighter pilots were just kids who wanted to fly planes at some point.
Any tips for cheap paint that's not crap I would ideally like to use only citdel but then again my first minis aren't even here yet and I don't paint I got some decent few tools for cheap at a harbor freight closing sale but im gonna use black rustpleom flat black paint and primer is that ok ?
I bought my very first set (Mechanicus dudes) and felt a bit overwhelmed at first. After asking around and seeing videos like this, i feel much at ease about the process. I just need to get a few more basics (like primer. No hobby shops near enough to me) and I'll get to assembly and painting. I have my ideas of what i want out of my minis, and feel like i got the hang of the basic ideas
Honestly brother, you picked up one of the hardest armies to paint. Just keep at it and try not to get disheartened. If anything pick up some cheap minis to practice on separately to keep from burning out and you’ll get there but by bit.
@@chillchinna4164 hard or not, paint them I will. Recently started priming, though irl shit got in the way
I'm guilty of #2. I don't seek help and just try to figure stuff out on my own, watching vids and reading tons of shit about painting. Also, I don't show anyone my progress, I don't post pics of my minis. Lastly, I'm never finishing anything, but 1 Primaris Lieutenant. A year and a few months into the hobby and I've only completed 1 mini and I just completed it about a month and a half ago.
Keep at it! As long as you enjoy your time spent it's okay not to finish all your projects. Do you perhaps have a gamestore nearby where you could ask to paint every once in a while? If you do, and it's a somewhat active one, I'm certain there will be people there who have tips or pointers, would be excited to see you work and even more so what the finished result is. A little encouragement can go such a long way.
@@maxmagnus377 I will for sure. I don't have a local game store (my town is very small in the country) but I try to show my stuff now and then. My wife mostly, lol. My problem is I'm very shy about my work. I never feel good enough to show it, but at the same time I'm not hung up about my current skill level. Problem is, showing it is how ppl see it and give you tips to get better, so a catch 22 for me.
Perfectionism and intimation the reason I stopped after I briefly started again in lockdown.
Hopefully looking to just start small again.
Thank you for the content
I love how for a lot of you, painting an entire unit us a manageable task, but its taken me 3 months to slapchop 5 Krieg Guardsmen 😅
Love to see how big your channel is getting. World-class, man!
Your pronunciation of "Demoness" sound like Demon-ass. I love it. Bought that kick starter set
You're the best Zumikito! Love your positive attitude and your videos are the best!
Goddammit i did a textbook spit-take at the tools comment!
Good advice overall
So just start about 8 months ago. At first I was very intimidated after all you watch tutorials and see beautiful pieces. I picked a simple arm ultra marines. Don't judge me. But ever squad I tried new techniques and try to improve. You can tell my first squad but I am happy and getting better every weekend.
On one of those final points, the notion of speed painting is misguided anyways. Strive for efficiency, not speed. Speed leads to mistakes. Efficiency saves you time without making you feel rushed. Efficiency is planning the paint job ahead of time and ordering the steps in a way that reduces backtracking and unnecessary steps.
Painting over the wet palette is giving me PTSD. I dropped my 90% finished mini into the palette once, never again.
0:22 "You gotta start with a solid foundation..."
_Shows him painting bob_
I am always looking for c&c on my paint jobs. I usally just get " looks good 👍" but I want to improve lol
I’m just not very creative, I’m pretty new to painting minis so I’m just practicing techniques and getting good. I struggle with coming up with colour schemes that aren’t on the box or from others online
The way I learnt was that I purchased a bunch of old minis that were dirt cheap and ruined, stripping the thick paint and practicing my techniques on them
I started to paint star wars imperial assault, well.. it's almost all black gray and white :,) but i'm having fun and playing the game now is 100 times better!
I made some mistakes and compared them to others. But I beat myself up. I’m starting to get back in to painting and such. I have plenty of models but I just felt like I did a shit job so I stopped and I regret it.
0:45 could've been a bit clearer what you mean if you provided an example of "the basics" before moving onto the next point
I Don't know why YT keeps giving me videos like this, OR why I keep watching them. I LOVE how my Cartoon Guardsmen have come out.
Good video. I recently got back into model painting hobby after years and I'm relearning. I will say youtube / discord have been a great resource.
Not being a perfectionist is a super useful advice for (almost) everything :)
I'm my harshest critic. I find when you finish a mini leave it to dry overnight then look and critique it. Usually I'm like this is ass until I sleep on it.
Thought this video would feel like criticism. Turned out it's one of the most supportive videos ive seen on the subject.❤
3:38 THINK AGAIN 🫵🏻🫵🏻🫵🏻
Tip 11 if ur proud of it it looks good
My black templars look terrible but I’m proud of them
From my experience it can be rather exhausting to paint a total squad of 10 heavy intercessors, for instance, one after another. I'd recommend to add something different in between to, let's be real, a range of more or less similiar marines. Like, I don't know, a piece of Imperial Knight armour. Routine can get boring rather quickly and anyway I guess most of us have enough of it at work.
Thnks for the hints, those help, its for sure not an easy hobby to learn, but it can be fun to make mistakes as well sometimes! AlsoI think the Nurgle Plushie on your shelf secretly sips your paints. :O
im about to start painting my first minis in few days. glad i found your channel before that.
Haha, don't get too overwhelmed now!
@@Zumikito im trying but i feel like i bit off more than i can chew xD will see how it goes
In that case just start painting and troubleshoot when you are stuck, much better than trying to absorb everything at once - and of course, enjoy the journey :) Cheers
Deep with Deep with Zumikito!
Glad I found your channel. Happy to throw you a fresh sub. Now to binge your content lol
Actually i did the same thing with my nuln oil, but syringe and some dedication helped me to bring it back to the pot, since then i always check my pots to be closed
Does anyone know what the cyberpunk bust shown at 2:03 is?
It's from Neko Galaxy - Alice Cross
@@Zumikito Somehow missed that you responded to this until now, thank you!
Holy shit! He painted a new mini! Get ready to see it for the next 20 videos bois! Just teasing, love your vids.
Normally I paint 1 figure for each unit and pick like 5 colors
•lining
•outerwear
•connection pieces (belts, straps)
•armor
•metal
I don't really enjoy painting models. Painting is not my hobby, gaming is. So, I rush paint them. I have been enjoying the "slapchop" method for its speed and simplicity.
Like when I discovered golden fluid acrylics... ahhh this is what real vibrant colours look like..
You can get cheap USB-powered airbrushes on Amazon for like $50 nowadays. There's honestly no excuse to not make the gateway drug I MEAN LEAP.
I don't share my pictures online after people on Reddit screaming "thin your paints" at me even though I do the trying to explain my problem isn't thinning the paints, it's simply the ratio of thinning and the fact that Dyscalculia and having an unsteady painting hand that I prefer not to share my finished models, that and I'm not good at taking pictures.
Lol, "just like your pe..." I had to subscribe immediately. New fan, loving it.
All of these points translate very well to music to.
Brilliant video