Set Up Painting Station
1 hourOrganize lighting, wet palette, and ventilation for acrylic work.
Beginner1-2 weeks
First Miniature Paint Guide
Learn first miniature paint from scratch with a clear step-by-step workflow, recommended tools, safety guidelines, and expert tips.
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Workflow
Assemble and Clean Miniature
2 hoursRemove mold lines, wash resin/plastic, and dry-fit subassemblies.
Apply Primer Coat
30 minutesCalculate primer coverage; spray or brush-on in thin even coats.
Apply Base Colors
2-3 hoursBlock in major color areas with thinned base coats.
Review and Touch Up
30 minutesCheck coverage under good light; fix missed spots.
Tools Used
Checklist
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Planning
Prep
Baseline
Quality
Tracking
Reference Materials
Acrylic Thinning GuideTable
Key benchmarks for first miniature paint.
| Technique | Paint:Water | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Basecoat | 1:1 | Even coverage |
| Layering | 2:1 | Smooth blends |
| Glaze | 1:4+ | Color shift |
Paint CoverageFormula
Paint (ml) ≈ surface area (cm²) × 0.05 for single thin coat
Primer RuleStandard
Always prime — raw plastic/resin repels thinned paint.
Thin Your Paints
Thin acrylics to milk consistency — two thin coats beat one thick glob.
Primer Essential
Always prime raw plastic or resin — unpainted surfaces repel thinned paint.
Spray Booth
Use respirator and spray booth for rattle-can primer — aerosol is toxic indoors.
Safety Notes
- Use spray primer outdoors or in spray booth with respirator.
- CA glue fumes are toxic — ventilate workspace.