Updated 2026-06-17 · 6 minute read
Start small and finish something
Miniature painting looks intimidating because the finished models online are often display pieces. Your first goal is simpler: turn grey plastic or resin into a readable gaming piece. A neat model with three colours, shaded recesses and a protected finish will look good on the table, especially in a squad or party.
Begin with a few models you like but are not terrified to spoil. Avoid starting with a centrepiece monster, a large vehicle or an entire army. Paint five soldiers, one hero, or a small group of RPG figures. Finishing a small batch teaches more than owning a perfect paint rack.
The basic kit
- A hobby knife or clippers for cleaning parts.
- Plastic glue for hard plastic kits, or super glue for resin and metal.
- Spray or brush-on primer in black, grey or white.
- A small selection of acrylic paints: skin, cloth, leather, metal and one strong colour.
- One general brush, one finer brush and an old brush for drybrushing.
- A wash or shade paint to darken recesses.
- Matt varnish to protect models used in play.
The first workflow
Clean the model, assemble it, prime it, then apply base colours in thin coats. Do not worry if the first coat looks patchy; two thin coats are usually better than one thick coat. Add a wash to folds, armour gaps and details. When dry, tidy the raised areas with the base colour. A light drybrush on fur, stone, chainmail or textured bases can add quick definition.
What to avoid
Do not chase every specialist paint at the beginning. Contrast-style paints, technical effects and airbrushes can be useful, but they are not required for a first painted miniature. Also avoid painting straight from a clogged pot rim; put a little paint on a palette and thin it with a touch of water until it flows smoothly.
Where this fits in the hobby
RPG players may only need a hero, familiar and a few monsters. Wargamers often need units that look coherent from three feet away. Display painters work to a different standard again. Decide which lane you are in before judging your own results.
Useful next steps
For games that use miniatures, compare Warhammer 40,000, Warhammer Age of Sigmar, Star Wars: Legion and BattleTech. Browse miniature manufacturers, terrain makers and wargaming clubs when you are ready to put painted models on a table.