Fighting the Gray Tide (Miniature Painting)

[gnarlygninja]

If ease of assembly and price point are your focuses, the aforementioned Reaper Bones and WizKids base line win out there. They're very cheap and you don't need to assemble most of them at all.

 

[MGibster]

So, what would you recommend to anyone starting out ? Ease of assembling and price point wise ?

I'm reminded of the often misused quote about customers: "The customer is always right in matters of taste." Since you (general you, not you specifically) is going to be the one painting these models, the most important thing is that you like the models. But if someone wanted a recommendation.

For fantasy miniatures, my first choice is Reaper because they're readily availability (here in the US at least), price point, quality, level of detail, variety, and at least for their regular sized miniatures there's very little assembly. I would avoid the old Bones white line and stick with Bones Black or metal whenever possible. If someone wants to start painting larger models, they have a lot of options with Reaper.

While I'm not the biggest fan of WizKids, I can recommend them to new painters as well for many of the same reasons I'd recommend Reaper. I just find Reaper minis look better and are easier to paint. I do like some of the monster models produced by WizKids including their dragons, Beholder, and others.

Cool Mini or Not makes a bunch of board games like A Song of Fire and Ice, various Zombicides, and others. This might be good if one of the games comes with a bunch of miniatures you actually want to paint. I purchased the old west version of Zombicide specifically for their old west heroes, zombies, and monsters.

That's kind of who I like for to recommend to new painters.

 

[abazaba]

I liked the WhizKids 'FrameWorks' line specifically (which didn't really catch on, and no new models are coming out for that line if I understand correctly) because of price point and they are on a sprue but still fairly easy to assembly (for a beginner), but also because of the way they look and the fact that they are D&D themed. No idea if they are fun/easy to paint as well, as I haven't gotten to that part yet. Thanks for the Reaper recommendations (and I get that I did ask for recommendations), but now I think about it some more for now perhaps I should just start with assembling my second mini and then painting them before I buy more mini's. Which made me think of perhaps just selling the stuff, like I said in the earlier post. Thanks for the reply's.

 

[Koloth]

I just discovered this thread. I don't really have a 'pile of shame/potential', but did discover (a while ago) WizKid's 'FrameWorks' line of mini's: D&D mini's, on a sprue, unpainted and unassembled. It sounded difficult, but fun nonetheless. And they were D&D themed, good looking mini's, at a reasonable price (to me). So I bought two of the mini's, and then thought about what else I needed to go along with that. So I watched more YouTube video's on that topic than is healthy, as it turns out. I at least got (but may be forgetting some things here):


starter set of 10 or so (mini) paint bottles
brushes
brush cleaning soap
wet palette
dry palette
tweezers
clippers
water cup
brush on primer
vile
paint handle, with putty and additional top caps
hobby knife
self healing cutting mat
paint mixing balls
glue
headband with magnifying glasses
pokey tool
hairpins


I assembled exactly one mini (which was hard, and I managed to glue my fingers to the mini multiple times despite having tweezers), and didn't even get started on the painting bit, although it has been ages ago now since I assembled it.

Now I am thinking about either giving it another go, or just selling it all. Perhaps it turned out to be a 'pile of shame' after all. Oh, well.

Might try one of the Reaper "Learn to Paint" kits.: Reaper Miniatures :: Learn To Paint Kits

You already have a good start on tools but buying a set that includes minis, paints, brushes and instructions should help things.

Suggest a sheet of emery cloth. Good for flattening the bases of minis. Also good from prepping the mini base for gluing to a different base.

 

[abazaba]

Might try one of the Reaper "Learn to Paint" kits.: Reaper Miniatures :: Learn To Paint Kits

You already have a good start on tools but buying a set that includes minis, paints, brushes and instructions should help things.

Suggest a sheet of emery cloth. Good for flattening the bases of minis. Also good from prepping the mini base for gluing to a different base.

Thanks for the suggestions; I was unaware of the learn to paint kits. I think for now, I should maybe stick with what I've already got and see if I like it enough to make it a permanent new hobby before I buy anything else.

Also: non-native English speaking person here. You mention a 'sheet of emery cloth', would that be sandpaper ?

 

[Koloth]

Thanks for the suggestions; I was unaware of the learn to paint kits. I think for now, I should maybe stick with what I've already got and see if I like it enough to make it a permanent new hobby before I buy anything else.

Also: non-native English speaking person here. You mention a 'sheet of emery cloth', would that be sandpaper ?

Emery Cloth is a type of sandpaper. Has a heavier backing. Often used for auto body work. Normal sandpaper works but is less durable. Medium to Fine grit.

 

[MGibster]

I hit some flea markets this weekend and ran across this gem. I really should have bought a few.

I hear it’s good to paint things in different scales than you’re used to. Now for something different.

 

[Clint_L]

Respectfully, I disagree. I thought the FrameWorks were reasonably priced, compared to other 'assemble from sprue' mini's from things like Games Workshop's Warhammer line. I did find them aesthetically pleasing, unlike you. But opinions differ. Also, I did find them reasonably beginner friendly, again compared to Games Workshop's mini's. Oh, well. Guess our preferences differ. Agree to disagree ?

Games Workshop is the only company that makes Frameworks prices look reasonable, and they only get away with it because they are running a pay to win racket, which Frameworks lacks.

Dungeons and Lasers offers better miniatures at a fraction of the price, if sprue-based is what you are looking for. But I would recommend that a beginner start with something they don’t have to assemble like Reaper, Steamforged, or Nolzur’s (though personally not a huge fan of the latter’s smaller miniatures).

 

[abazaba]

Games Workshop is the only company that makes Frameworks prices look reasonable, and they only get away with it because they are running a pay to win racket, which Frameworks lacks.

Dungeons and Lasers offers better miniatures at a fraction of the price, if sprue-based is what you are looking for. But I would recommend that a beginner start with something they don’t have to assemble like Reaper, Steamforged, or Nolzur’s (though personally not a huge fan of the latter’s smaller miniatures).

Thanks. I heard of 'Dungeons and Lasers' before, but somehow I never realized that it was all about mini's. I took a quick look, and at least this minotaur looks nice, and with a reasonable amount of parts.

I was indeed looking for something on a sprue, because assembling the mini seemed like part of the fun. Even though assembling my first mini took me ages (over 30 minutes ? 45 ? cant recall) with only about 8 parts or so, I still enjoyed it: difficult, but not impossible. So I get why you typically might not want to recommend it to a beginner.

Anyway, I need to look at assembling and painting the 2 mini's I already have or decide it just isn't for me and sell the tools.

Thanks again.

 

[MGibster]

I was indeed looking for something on a sprue, because assembling the mini seemed like part of the fun. Even though assembling my first mini took me ages (over 30 minutes ? 45 ? cant recall) with only about 8 parts or so, I still enjoyed it: difficult, but not impossible. So I get why you typically might not want to recommend it to a beginner.

There are other people out there who find assembling their models to be a highly satisfactory experience. Painting is my favorite part, but even I find the assembling process to be somewhat relaxing, especially when I get to make some choices in how I assemble the model. Knowing assembly is something you enjoy, I can't recommend Dungeon & Lasers enough. They make some pretty sweet miniatures for a very reasonable price. Their models don't come with a lot of customization, but they look pretty good.

Malifaux models can be an exercise in frustration. I'd avoid them for a while.