How long should it REALLY take you to paint your miniature? YOU NON-PAINTERS YOU!!!

[Emirikol]

During our recent game, I noticed that my mini wasn't painted (yea, finally noticed..after the other players had been giving me crap for a few weeks). I whipped out the paint box and got it painted up really nice in about 5 minutes (after a 5 minute primer-drying time). I did it while sitting there at the table and playing (non combat time of course .

How long does it take you to paint a mini? Do you think you take too long trying to make it more perfect than it really needs to be? Does the 'standard' of the pre-painted D&D mini chagne things? Is it more impolite to paint a mini at the table while playing or to NEVER have a painted mini at the table (considering all the work the DM puts into the game?) What are the 'social' norms on this sort of thing?

jh

 

[pawsplay]

Try not to hit anyone in the face with the finish coat.

 

[Gilladian]

When I painted minis (I stopped painting and collecting about 10 years ago when the "scale" changed) I took about 2-3 hours a session to paint 2-4 minis at a time. I'd start with priming stuff and leave it to dry for the next session, then get busy on the current batch.

My paint jobs were fairly detailed, usually with 2-3 skin tone layers, 2-3 layers of clothing color (shading and highlighting), drybrushing of most metal surfaces, good facial detail (eyebrows and irises but rarely pupils) and usually a final wash of dark color to bring out the details. I ended up with a collection of about 400 minis, all painted.

I'd never paint at the table, and would consider it a rudeness if a player did so. But if it only took them 10-15 minutes, I'd probably not complain. Then again, the sloppiness of such a job would probably make me sad...

 

[Shadowslayer]

Don't really have much to add, except that I can't imagine painting a mini during a game. I save that for my "quiet time"

I don't think its rude. Not any ruder than the guy who incessantly tries to spin his dice like tops...and half the gamers I know do that. On the other hand, it'd be awfully rude if you spilled your paint pot on the battlemat or accidentally tipped your water cup on someone's books.

Re:how long it takes. There are no accepted time frames. It takes as long as you need to get the results you're satisfied with. Some guys don't care if its a showpiece...they just want to play D&D. Other guys spend hours shading, washing, drybrushing, layering, till they get it perfect. The guys you see posting for galleries and contests are the second type.

For the record, I really only shoot for "nice tabletop" quality. Maybe a half hour one night doing the flesh/face, then an hour or so the next time doing the rest. Mine look about as good as the DDMs...but no showpieces.

 

[Allandaros]

If I'm working on only one, maybe ~45 minutes. I usually fiddle with five or six at a time, though, painting one bit, then another on a different figure...

 

[Emirikol]

But if it only took them 10-15 minutes, I'd probably not complain. Then again, the sloppiness of such a job would probably make me sad...

I wonder if the new, larger scale seems to make this a lot simpler than in the 'old days.' I consider anything better than using dice or a stupid penny (or an unpainted miniature..e'gads!), but 2-3 levels of skin tone??? Now that's craftsmanship! It's like playing with handmade, golden dice. Is it necessary? No, but I suppose it's fun.

I've been tempted in some games to paint other people's miniatures (or dice or pennies as it may be). BTW, the first few minutes of that new "What your Mini's Really Think Of You" hits the nail!

You get the guy who neither paints his mini, nor can use a blade to smoothe off the bottom! The other person is too damn uncreative to even bother with a mini (he can't even afford carboard heroes?). Gaaaa! The insanity!




..

 

[icedrake]

I haven't painted minitures in years, but I'm very focused on the details of my mini. I might have the best skills, but I would spend a lot of time on them trying to dry brush and put several coats on it. Painting mounted characters sucks a whole lot if you want to spend a bit of time on them. Mind you, I'd normally only do one at a time. I'm amazed by the warhammer guys you paint whole squads in record time with a high quaility job.

 

[Infernal Teddy]

It takes as long as it takes. I've done figures for GW's Inquisitor in less than an hour. On the other hand, I have this Steamjack for Privateer's Warmachine that's been waiting for me to finish it for the last six months...

 

[Mark CMG]

During our recent game, I noticed that my mini wasn't painted (yea, finally noticed..after the other players had been giving me crap for a few weeks). I whipped out the paint box and got it painted up really nice in about 5 minutes (after a 5 minute primer-drying time).

Pic?

 

[airwalkrr]

I can put a decent coat of paint on a mini in 30 minutes or less after it has been primed. Unfortunately, I am such a perfectionist that a decent coat of paint never suffices. I usually take about an hour or two on each mini, painstakingly touching and re-touching every minor detail.