Just recently, Critical Role released their newest line of unpainted miniatures for the world to enjoy, but the problem with unpainted miniatures is how exactly someone "properly" paints them.
A slight mistake can lead to tens of dollars in damage or even the ruining of an immersive experience during a game. As such, it is important to do the right job with the correct tools; at least with the correct tools, it is less likely for an irreversible accident to occur so long as they are used properly.
Series 7 Kolinsky Sable Brushes
When it comes to painting miniatures, one of the most important tools, of course, is the tool the painter chooses to paint with. It is even arguable that it is more important than deciding what paint to use. A good brush needs to be delicate yet strong enough to firmly leave its mark across the chosen canvas.
Dubbed the "world's finest watercolor brush," the Series 7 Kolinsky Sable Brushes is on the expensive side compared to its competitors. Because of that, it is not recommended for those who are inexperienced in the manner of painting miniatures to use. Hand-made with the finest materials from England, this brush has a point even during each stroke. Color flows from the point flawlessly.
The Masters Brush Cleaner And Preserver
It's a shame to spend a ton on brushes only to have them break down and lose quality after a few dozen uses. In that sense, maintenance is important when it comes to the tools being used. While probably not used by any of the 10 best Spider-Man artists, the Masters Brush Cleaner And Preserver date back to the early 1980s and is an extremely cheap alternative for how effective it is.
The Masters is a cheap and durable cleaner and preserver that practically lasts forever. Even if it were to somehow break or wear out, they can be easily repurchased for ~$11 from Amazon or the official site. Simply dab a wet brush and rub it into the cleaner. From there, it will work on the bristles and remove dried paint and help preserve bristles.
MEEDEN 12-Well Rounded Porcelain Paint Palette
Before beginning to paint, what a painter needs is something to contain their paint in. While plastic is a good alternative, it tends to be much more difficult to clean after use and leaves the probability of staining. The MEEDEN Porcelain Paint Palette can hold up to 12 different kinds of paint and is pretty lightweight for the material that it is composed of.
The porcelain material this paint palette is made of makes for easy cleaning, simply rinse off the palette and wipe it down firmly with a cloth. This palette is ideal for watercolor, acrylic, oil, and tempura paint. Even with its components being comprised of porcelain, it is surprisingly durable, so there's no need to worry about easily damaging or shattering it.
Citadel Water Pot
Having a water pot is a no-brainer when it comes to dealing with paints. After all, one would need something to rinse away the paint they formerly used if they decide to use a new paint, otherwise, the two colors would mix and create something else entirely. There are other uses of a water pot as well, such as diluting colors or for the sake of cleaning a brush when a painter is finished.
The requirements for a water pot are not very high, it just needs to be able to hold a decent amount of water without weighing too much. Extra points if it can hold a paintbrush for safekeeping. The Citadel Water Pot is stylish and matches thematically the art of painting miniatures. It is a Warhammer-themed water pot with grooves embedded into the sides to make restoring bristles simple as well, which is a small perk over using it instead of a regular cup..
Games Workshop Citadel Spray Primer
Primer is probably the most important application when it comes to painting miniatures. It is not exactly considered essential in the art of painting miniatures, but there are many experts who claim it should be. It's like trying to do a painting without any of the best painting kits for Bob Ross episodes, not impossible but just needless difficulty. Primer is the "glue" that makes sure paint sticks to miniatures without chipping or flaking.
Thanks to Primer, any paint coated over it will stick easier and be less prone to fade away over time. Primers made specifically for miniatures are quite common nowadays. The Citadel Spray Paint is simple to use and dries quickly compared to its competitors. Painters will want to consider a black, gray, or white primer to match the brightness of the colors they'll be painting their models with.
Warhammer Age Of Sigmar Paint & Tools Set
The second or even first thing to consider when it comes to painting miniatures is the paint. While painting miniatures doesn't exactly require a specific set of paint, there are, of course, some types that perform better than others. And this discussion has caused strife in the community for years. To be safe, it's ideal to purchase from a brand that caters to the specific genre of miniatures.
The Age of Sigmar Paint & Tools Set comes with 13 paint pots of specialized paints. As a Warhammer-related product, it is perfect for celebrating the recent Warhammer skulls live stream and its biggest reveals. The kit comes with clippers to clip away any excess material, a mouldline remover to erase any apparent molds in between plastic, and a basic starter brush. More seasoned painters will already have these tools and should buy their paints individually, but this is a great place for newer hobbyists to get a solid bang for their buck.
Testors Dullcote Spray Lacquer
There's no use in going through all the trouble of meticulously painting and decorating a miniature if the proper steps of preservation aren't taken. Preservation of a miniature is especially important if the miniatures are intended to be used during any game. As time goes on, the constant use or exposure to the outside will deteriorate the paint and make the colors fade.
This is where the use of a sealer is vital. Sealers are to be used after a miniature is fully painted, it is the final flourish that will keep the miniature in prime condition for years to come. The Testors Dullcote Lacquer is a reliable sealer that is commonly used for miniatures, model kits, plane kits, and the like. It is fast drying and easy to apply, ideal for miniatures that need to be presented.
Citadel Color Painting Handle
Touching something that was just painted is probably not the best idea. Thankfully, there is another way to paint a miniature without having to come in direct contact with it. That method is by using something called a painting handle. It is a device that clamps onto a miniature that needs painting without scuffing the edges of the miniature with its clasps.
The Citadel Color Painting Handle is a small handheld tool in the Citadel Warhammer theme to clasp onto miniatures without hiding too much of the model and making it difficult to paint. Its biggest strength is allowing the user to look into areas that would otherwise be difficult if not for the ability to move and angle the miniature with the tool. This tool is only $12.50 - cheap, all things considered.
Cult Of Paint Infinity Airbrush
Airbrushes are practically cheat codes when it comes to painting. It may as well be one of the best kinds of photo editing apps you could find on a mobile device. Simply aim it at the desired object the user wants to paint, and pull the trigger. Of course, things are a bit more complex than that. Specific paints need to be made sure that they are compatible, lest the tool becomes affected by it.
The Cult Of Paint Infinity is a device whose name matches the expectations. It is composed mostly of aluminum, making it lightweight, which in turn provides support for long usages and less of the usual strain a wrist would receive. The same goes with the special hand fitted for a long duration. The needle has been modified to specialize in tapering so that users can zero in on the finer details.
Neatfi XL 2,200 Lumens LED Task Lamp
Believe it or not, being able to see what you're working with is an integral part of miniature painting. A normal ceiling light often won't be nearly powerful enough to make sure that all the features of a miniature are visible and can also result in tough shadows. The Neatfi XL Task Lamp (or other similar, more affordable posable LED desk lamps) can be angled to whatever position the user needs to truly see what they're working with.
The Neatfi XL is a specially crafted lamp with a clear white light that doesn't cause any glare, flicker, or distortion in the items being worked on. The light level can be adjusted using the buttons on the device, and even at the highest setting, the lamp will not be too hot that it may cause discomfort. It is even energy-saving despite its power, so there is no need to worry about how it may raise the power bill.