Hey, same here. Been at it since the only options were Testers & mineral spirits on shitty pewter. 🤘🏽 I help run a community “mini painting” hangout in my town, and happily teach all ages and skill levels. For me, that’s what the community’s all about 🤓
Pre-Covid I put in time at a local library’s DND night as the mini painting teacher for kids. It was great. Alas, I have been out of wack with their post-Covid schedule.
Painting minis with Testors was truly a challenge. My first Warhammer minis were painted with Testors, no tutorial, and only box art as a guide.
I swear, any of us had a better chance at getting a spot on American Gladiators than anything resembling that box art, back when. 🤪
I thought they looked great at the time. Lol.
Chads, every damn one of 'em!
Is it cheating to use speed paints?
No, not in any way. They are a tool like anything else. I use them for speedpainting and getting models ready quickly. I also use them as basecoats, glazes, filters, washes like other paints as part of the process when painting slow. I really like them as a part of my toolbox along with heavy body acrylics, “regular” acrylics from various manufacturers, inks and washes. (Painted minis since 2002 or so)
I started way back in the day with high viscosity enamel paints. we impossible with my skill set to get great results. None the less we were always happy with the results. Recently got back into the hobby and used speed paints. what a difference.
I don’t think there is any way to cheat in finishing a mini. Speed paints are just one of infinite options.
I personally rarely use them, and when I do use them it is for precise purposes. I have observed that using speed paints as the default for every purpose leads to a desaturated, watercolor kind of look that tends to be imprecise.
it’s definitely flat. that said, my fable attempts have impressed. they got.me back into the hobby. so they are responsible for my poverty. and then my resin 3d printer.
Have you ever found a way to brush on primer with an even coat?
For texture and effectiveness, just applied without any water and worked well with a brush.
For a smooth basecoat, it can be tricky. I find black applies much more aesthetically pleasing than white. If primer comes out looking streaky but is otherwise covering a mini, I’ll apply a my standard base coats. I’ve had very ugly primed minis turn out well.
