Tips for Painting Warmachine Pieces

Cleaning

• If your miniature has not been cleaned, paint may be more difficult to apply and details may be lost. Rinse your Warmachine miniatures in warm water and use a gentle dish soap to remove leftover chemicals from the packaging process. Scrub the miniature with a hard-bristled toothbrush for maximum cleaning results. You will notice that a good cleaning reveals hidden details and surface borders.

Preparation

• Remove the mold lines on either side of the miniature. These are created by the molding process and are removable with a small miniature file or a hobby knife. Look for spurs or knobs left by excess metal and remove those. Apply a thin coat of primer to your miniature. Primer creates a base tone for the miniature's color and helps acrylic paint to stick to its surface, resulting in richer colors and finer details.

Brushes and Paint

• Every miniatures enthusiast approaches the problem of paints and brushes a little bit differently. While you will need a bit more experience before you can make your own determinations of what works best, it is usually good to start with acrylic paints and small, round-tipped brushes. Round brushes make it easier to touch up tiny details and acrylic paint is easy to apply and is water-soluble. You can usually find a simple brush starter kit at your local hobby shop.

Good Habits

• A lot of the success of your Warmachine painting comes down to your work habits. Wash your hands before you begin to strip dirt, debris and oil. This prevents you from accidentally contaminating a miniature. Hold your miniatures with forceps or other tools to prevent oil from getting on their surface. Work in a well-lit area and pick up a desk lamp and magnifying glass for dealing with very small details. Make time to paint every day and you will eventually see improved skill and comfort while you build up your Warmachine army.