Warhammer/40k/Minatures

I just decided to pick up a few Space Marine miniatures to paint as a nice little hobby/relaxation tool. Probably won't get into the game side of it just now if I ever do. Wondering if anyone else paints miniatures for games or just as a hobby. Anyone have tips for someone starting out?

I used to paint GW 40K miniatures when i was younger. Hmmm... tips?

I guess from a starting point you need:

Two paint brushes - one medium sized and one very fine.
Paints (Obviously)
Flock or fine sawdust (if you want textured bases)
Maybe a magnifying glass (if your eyesight isn't so good)
A clear space near a large window (and probably an articulated lamp) so you can see what you're doing. Preferably with a window you can open.

Real tips...?

Er... start with models with larger areas that can be painted easily so you can build up your accuracy - do not buy characters with eyeballs... i hated having to try and get their pupils lined up, many of my guys looked gozzy/dizzy. Most miniatures need a base coat of white or black for other, thinner colours to show up properly and not slightly transparent - especially so with plastic miniatures. I used to use normal paint (from GW) and do it manually but there are spray cans you can buy for this - just be sure to keep this layer as thin as possible otherwise you'll lose detail.

Oh yeah, - some people use gloss(?) on their models to preserve the finish - which can be chipped quite easily... but i never liked the effect it gave.

The painting and the miniatures was always the only part of that whole game that appealed to me. Let us know how yours turn out. How much do the miniatures generally run a piece? I'm curious now.

Yeah painting those figurines is one of the main reason why I had so many figurines. (The other being the great stories of Warhammer 40K). However, it is a time consuming process.

I used to paint them back in high school, and one thing I like to add is that you should definitely apply a coat of "primer" before you paint. Both the metal and plastic materials for the figurines are not very "sticky" for paints. So w/o the primer layer, paints tend to run, and not stick to one place as well as they should.

I learned that the hard way...

Oh as for the price of the figurines, I think they are still very expensive, even the plastic ones... The best deal is actually to get one of those box sets which contains an army worth of figurines for one race and its associated Codex (rule books, which are great read). I think they are about $100?

Make sure you primer your pieces first. Make it white/black depending on the color scheme you're going to use.

As for the final gloss you can find some flat colored gloss now that doesn't make it look like you dropped it in some shiney goop.

You'll actually want multiple brushes. you need them to do different effects with the brushes.

After many hours of experimenting with different types i'm a huge fan of the Citadel paints. I know they're more expensive, but i've not found another brand that looks consistentaly good as Citadel.

I also recommend picking up some White Dwarfs they used to have sections in them that was showcasing paint jobs and how they did it. GW also used to sell painting guides which for a starter is great help.

RUN! NOW! A thousand dollars later they'll completely change your armies rules and you'll hate your army, GW, your dog, wife, kids, and life in general. This is a hobby ALL should avoid. It's like being on the end of a string that they control, and when they feel like yanking it around your petty screams go unheard.

Oh sure, it always starts fo with a few minis and some paint. That's how it begins. In the end you're a raving lunatic with a thousand dollars of PLASTIC and pewter sitting half painted and you're in the corner weeping about how they nerfed your Chaos loard in Xth edition...

Shoal07 wrote:

RUN! NOW! A thousand dollars later they'll completely change your armies rules and you'll hate your army, GW, your dog, wife, kids, and life in general. This is a hobby ALL should avoid. It's like being on the end of a string that they control, and when they feel like yanking it around your petty screams go unheard.

Oh sure, it always starts fo with a few minis and some paint. That's how it begins. In the end you're a raving lunatic with a thousand dollars of PLASTIC and pewter sitting half painted and you're in the corner weeping about how they nerfed your Chaos loard in Xth edition...

I don't know... i never bought that many and i just stopped when i figured it was getting too expensive. I remember a time before plastic miniatures were common and we used lead-based soft metal that didn't have as much crap on the seams (flux?)!! Ah... simpler, better times.

I also have boxed sets of Warhammer 40K, Necromunda and Warhammer Quest. No one to play them with though :/

[edit] Oh yeah and the codexes are brilliant! Though much thinner now than they used to be. The same with White Dwarf - though i haven't bought it in at least 10 years so i'm not sure about the content anymore but there was a time when you received cardboard cutout add-ons for the table top games, combat markers, scenarios and story-style written battle reports. I stopped getting it when these disappeared... i think around the time that the lizardmen arrived for Warhammer...

Listen to Dr. Faust for he is wise.

I've painted the Faust way for years. You can't go wrong with any piece of advice the dude has ever given.

Vallejo paints.

rabbit wrote:

Listen to Dr. Faust for he is wise.

I've painted the Faust way for years. You can't go wrong with any piece of advice the dude has ever given.

Vallejo paints.

Nice link! Bahhh, don't get me re-hooked on Warhammer 40K figurines again... Must resist the urge...

IMAGE(http://www.paintingclinic.com/ward/Warhammer%20Fantasy/Other/images/giantfix.jpg)

ahhh my favorite model in my Army! Better paint job then mine but I added a skeleton model to his right open hand!

Here are a few good resources (some are mildly NSFW):
Paintrix
Painting Clinic
Jenova

Here's an especially detailed step-by-step explanation of an amazing work of art.

As far as miniatures and gaming go I wanted to mention Warmachine and Hordes.

I prefer them over WH/40k for several reasons:

All models are metal
smaller model count for battles
no "Army" books - everyone shares the same ones and most can be skipped
simpler accounting
cheaper per model

Both systems have good looking minis and good story/flavor. Warmachine is kind of steampunk. Hordes is more tribal animal fighting. Both systems are in the same world and are designed to be used against each other.

I don't have any pics handy but I'll get some. I play Menoth.

the website is www.privateerpress.com

Also, in my area at least the warmachine/hordes crowd is older and less immature. I tried to get into warhammer, I spent a lot of money on it but I played Empire and I needed 100 spear carriers for my army. After painting 25 I was done I could not handle it. It would take me years to actually play a game.

I do love the flavor of warhammer though. If I could get some monkeys trained to paint I would be all over it again. I just like to paint warmachine more.

The good thing about warmachine is that you never need 200 figures.

Duoae wrote:

I don't know... i never bought that many and i just stopped when i figured it was getting too expensive.

First, any army "box" will only give 500-750 points of minis, and they run now around $300 (each is different). Given that most players field 2000 point armies in 40k, and you need about 3000 points of minis to put together a decent 2000 point army (This is if you're a good planner, many have more than this by the time they reach a functional 2000pt army), just based on Army box prices (which are discounted) you're at 900-1300 bucks in plastic minis for one 2000pt army. This is also army dependant. The "horde" armies like some Nids, all Orcs and Guard will cost more (even though you get more minis in a box) and require SIGNIFIGANTLY more time to paint. Other, high point cost armies like Space Marines tend to cost a bit less $$ to get going, especially if you stick with infantry.

If you haven't played in 10 years, the price difference from then till now is astronomical, even though plastic minis are (in theory) cheaper to make than metal. Heaven forbid you even think about buying something from forgeworld. Their resin models cost obscene amounts, for example:

IMAGE(http://www.forgeworld.co.uk/acatalog/chapstore.jpg)

Cost : £24.00, + each arm (x2 required) is £6.00, which totals to £36.00 or $70 USD, not including shipping. Of course, you can forgo shipping costs if you're near one of the GW bunkers, but there's only a few of those (I actually happen to be a few miles from one). Granted, as far as detail and awesomeness in models goes, these are the best, they're just gosh darn expensive for *1* unit.

IMAGE(http://www.forgeworld.co.uk/spacemarines/Dreads/chaplain6.jpg)

Don't get me wrong, I have Chaos and Eldar armies I need to get back to and finish now that colllege is over (and nights I'm not playing AOC) but don't be mistaken - Buying into GW products is like inviting a succubus into your house. Sure she's got a pretty mouth and a nice rack, but unless your cool with the no soul thing, back away now.

Shoal07 wrote:

Don't get me wrong, I have Chaos and Eldar armies I need to get back to and finish now that colllege is over (and nights I'm not playing AOC) but don't be mistaken - Buying into GW products is like inviting a succubus into your house. Sure she's got a pretty mouth and a nice rack, but unless your cool with the no soul thing, back away now.

The OP was talking about painting, not playing. 2 different worlds.

Shoal07 wrote:

Buying into GW products is like inviting a succubus into your house. Sure she's got a pretty mouth and a nice rack, but unless your cool with the no soul thing, back away now.

That's the most awesome and accurate characterization of the GW business model I've ever heard.

Ah, 40K, my dark and sinister bride. Have you missed me while I was away? I thought not you sick temptress...

I got into 40k about 15 years ago with my sensei and some of his co-workers. After playing with standard rules for a while, sensei became disenchanted with them and created a new rules system based on his experiences as a Navy SEAL in the 60's and 70's. He also created storylines, a universe and even wrote a novel based in said universe and self published it. It's actually pretty good if you can get past his penchant for alliteration. He called it Dark Crusade, and he went mad when he found out about the 40K video game expansion.

This is what tabletop gaming does to you.

To this day, I no longer remember how to play 40K, but I do have two military footlockers full of space marine, chaos and tyranid minis. My wife has been trying to get me to start painting them again...

bighoppa wrote:

To this day, I no longer remember how to play 40K, but I do have two military footlockers full of space marine, chaos and tyranid minis. My wife has been trying to get me to start painting them again...

Looking for tools in our garage my fiance and her sister came across my modded toolboxes that hold my armies. Needless to say they had a good laugh at my expense

bighoppa wrote:

My wife has been trying to get me to start painting them again...

God... why...?

To respond above, it all starts with painting. I was just warning the OP...

Finally, bighoppa, if you haven't played in years you don't need to remember the rules, they've all changed and you'd have to learn them all again anyway.

Shoal07 wrote:

God... why...?

To respond above, it all starts with painting. I was just warning the OP...

I never got into playing it. I guess some people have more willpower

Duoae wrote:
Shoal07 wrote:

God... why...?

To respond above, it all starts with painting. I was just warning the OP...

I never got into playing it. I guess some people have more willpower ;)

I never played the game either, but that is because I thought it was kinda silly (the places that I go to got a lot of really hardcore board game players which turned me off from playing completely )

Though I did want to get a whole set of model trees and buildings and stage a battle scene that I can display in my room...

Hahah wow, the raw emotions. I ordered a bunch of random miniatures off Amazon, so I couldn't make a army unless I wanted. Some space marines, a few imperial guard, some LOTR miniatures. Came out to 20ish bucks and I got like 25 miniatures. They should be here tommorow, I just picked up a can of white spray to use as my base coat.

I started painting because of Howard Tayler, author of Schlock Mercenary. His descriptions of the joy of painting minis captured my imagination (He had me at "blindingly tedious puttering")

The local GW gave me some minis to go with the starter paint set-- two night goblins and two dwarfs (dwarves? CURSE YOU DISNEY!). So far, I've painted both night goblins, and assembled a few Kroot warriors (they look like ninja turtles, but with rifles!). I've also bought some Goblin Fanatics for when I get good at using green stuff. Got a funny look from the clerk when I bought both boxes at the same time.

I, too, am making a point of not buying anything I could use to make an army with. That way I can use the minis for D&D or just display pieces.

I've already sculpted my own minis out of super sculpey, but I haven't painted any of them yet.

I don't get much time to paint, what with the obligations of new fatherhood and all, but I love it when I get the chance.

Crouton wrote:
Shoal07 wrote:

Buying into GW products is like inviting a succubus into your house. Sure she's got a pretty mouth and a nice rack, but unless your cool with the no soul thing, back away now.

That's the most awesome and accurate characterization of the GW business model I've ever heard.

While I understand this and Shoal's points overall, I still love 40k, the hobby and the miniatures. I stopped playing several years ago (after several failed attempts to paint my Space Wolves), but I think I'll probably get my fix for playing 40k from now on with Dawn of War 2; that way I don't have to spend five hours arguing rules with a dude holding a clipboard.

However, I would jump back into Necromunda in a heartbeat (Duoae, I'm looking at you) if I had somebody to play with. I really enjoyed the realism, scenarios and RPG elements, and the fact I didn't have to spend more than 30 minutes to an hour on any one battle. Making the scenery was also more fun than 40k.

Hah! I got into 40K back in college because a friend had some Space Marines he didn't want, and I had been painting fantasy minis for years. Then I got the insane Idea in my head that if I could paint a decent sized army I could sell it on e-bay and make a couple extra bucks. HAH! Then I started modding the figures. It started innocent enough, battle damage, custom weapons and bases, etc. I did some magnetic attachments to my Dreadnought and tanks, which work extremely well, but are shunned by the 40K purists. Silly me. Then I had the bright idea that I could add working lights to my tanks. HAH! I actually got one working, but never got around to actually painting it.

Damn you Games Workshop. I hate you guys.

Run away while you can. Do not get sucked into the tempting trap of collecting 40K minis. Honestly the only people I've ever met that had complete painted armies are the guys that work at the GW store, and precious few of them. Even as I sit here I want to go crack open my minis box and get some more of my Blood Angels painted. Sick, sick, evil temptress.

Rob_Anybody wrote:

Then I got the insane Idea in my head that if I could paint a decent sized army I could sell it on e-bay and make a couple extra bucks.

My armies are about 3/4 painted, but with the amount of models it just takes FOREVER. I did get where i had people pay me to paint their models, but i quit that because i take forever painting a single model and i'd always feel rushed painting other peoples even when they said take your time.

Unless I was painting a special character model I always liked to paint half a squad or a whole squad at one time. Best way to learn, and get better is to just jump in and do it. Paint some minis and show them off to people to get feedback.

One thing that I would try is gluing the figures to some sticks, like shish kabob sticks. That way you can hold the stick, and not worry about getting your fingers on the paint job. Plus you can jab the stick into Styrofoam when you need to let them dry.

I too got started playing warhammer 40k by painting minis. Eventually I was like man I almost have enough to have an actual army...

I wish I had taken pictures of all of my figures, especially my nurgle emperor titan for epic. It had a banner made out of real human skin. I had some bad sunburn when I was working on it. I do have some pictures of my spacemarine army, here, here, here, here, and here.

Brizahd wrote:

I do have some pictures of my spacemarine army, here, here, here, here, and here.

Wow... you have a very colourful army! For a second there i thought that assault bike was one of the original set but the wheel looks quite thick so i think it's from the newer models?

Oh, btw - what's the name of that LandRaider variant? I don't recognise it.

Haakon7 wrote:

However, I would jump back into Necromunda in a heartbeat (Duoae, I'm looking at you) if I had somebody to play with. I really enjoyed the realism, scenarios and RPG elements, and the fact I didn't have to spend more than 30 minutes to an hour on any one battle. Making the scenery was also more fun than 40k.

Yeah, i bought the game because i thought i'd actually have a chance of persuading my friends to play it. I had an Escher gang - though i can't remember any of the names. The rule/fiction books were a great read though. Where are you based Haakon? I'll be moving back to Liverpool next month... i think i remember seeing you saying you were near London though? Oh and i only ever played by/with myself so i doubt i'd be very good in an actual game.

I have a 500 point Tyranid army that I picked up because my former roommate is a GW fiend. I've painted half a dozen or so Genestealers. I also picked up a forgeworld Winged Hive Tyrant (because I have no control over impulse buying) which has not even been put together.

For painting tips/suggestions, If there is a GW store nearby, I would recommend going there and asking them for tips. I know the battle bunker near me will prime your models for you and let you use their paints while you're in the store (I'm pretty sure all GW stores do that).

Duoae wrote:
Brizahd wrote:

I do have some pictures of my spacemarine army, here, here, here, here, and here.

Wow... you have a very colourful army! For a second there i thought that assault bike was one of the original set but the wheel looks quite thick so i think it's from the newer models?

Oh, btw - what's the name of that LandRaider variant? I don't recognise it.

Thanks Yeah its not one of the old ones. The newer models make the old ones look small so I only kept the beak marines and tossed the old bikes, dreds. As for the marines I just combined the landraider with a world war 1 or 2 tank model. I had alot of fun just customizing the figures. I wanted to it look kinda like a Bradley, but I couldn't find any good models that were the right size at that time.

*edit actually I was thinking of my chaplain on a bike which isn't pictured. The trike with meltagun is an older model cause the guys barely fit on it.

Brizahd wrote:

Thanks Yeah its not one of the old ones. The newer models make the old ones look small so I only kept the beak marines and tossed the old bikes, dreds. As for the marines I just combined the landraider with a world war 1 or 2 tank model. I had alot of fun just customizing the figures. I wanted to it look kinda like a Bradley, but I couldn't find any good models that were the right size at that time.

*edit actually I was thinking of my chaplain on a bike which isn't pictured. The trike with meltagun is an older model cause the guys barely fit on it.

Ah, cool! I always preferred the older bikes to the newer ones (though i never owned one) - they look too boxy, IMO.

Yeah, i like the Mk6 armour too. I think my favourites are the Mk8, Mk4 and the Mk 5 Heresy armour. The Mk 7 is so well established that it's nice to have a different feel to the army.

[edit] Oh and (after looking for some miniatures) I realised that i meant Delaque gang for Necromunda... got my gangs mixed up that's a bad sign that i'm slipping... mentally. :/