Brushes
When it comes to brushes for minis you will want to have at least three different sizes: a flat brush for dry-brushing, one pointy brush for medium detail and one for very fine details (size 00000 or 5/0). Effectively high quality real hair brushes are superior to synthetic brushes, but are also much more expensive. If you are just starting out I recommend to try out synthetic brushes so that you can get a feeling for how to use them and don’t risk ruining a pricey tool. That being said my go to is the Kolinsky line from daVinci.
Paint
To properly work on your minis you will want to use water-based acrylic paints. One of the best companies in my mind is Vallejo, who specializes in paint for miniatures. Their Model Color line offers hundreds of colors and is of extremely good quality. Their Game Color extends that selection even further and includes Opaques, Inks and Washes. If you consider using an airbrush or simply need extremely thinned paint have a look at the Model Air line. Each 17ml bottle costs roughly 2.50€. There are of course many other good companies but Vallejo is the one I am the happiest with.
Before using, shake your bottle for 10 – 20 seconds to mix the paint inside properly and then carefully pour just a little bit out. You will be amazed how far you can go with a single drop. Depending on the individual pigmentation of the paint you might want to dilute it with some water to achieve a “milky” consistency. This helps your paint flow more smoothly, prevents clogging up any details and lastly keeps it from drying out to quickly.
Set Up
Pour and mix your paint in a color palette or just on a simple piece of plastic (like those containers your minis come in) – it really doesn’t make a difference. Always have a cup of fresh water ready because you will frequently need to thin paint and clean your brushes. To wipe off any excess paint a plain paper towel is your best friend. Lastly you want your workplace to be well lid, and by that I mean: it can never be bright enough!
To be continued.
DND Crafts 