1. Do not use a ton of different paints on every mini (draw focus on key parts with the color) 2. It is going to look worse before it looks better 3. You need multiple coats not just in applying base coat 4. Work on your contrasts (boost them) 5. Brush control is a skill that will improve over time 6. Use a bigger brush (more paint, more coverage, less scratching, better wet blending) 7. You do not need a lot of gadgets 8. Do not wait until you are good enough for a special model The model you like will actually motivate you to paint better
Thank you for this list. I appreciate the chapters in list videos, but when the creator doesn't add a short description with chapter start times in the video description, is frustrating at times.
@@barrett_miniatures3408 I am too, but from some of the other vids I've seen to learn basics and tips, they discussed painting competitions. I have no ideal how you go about learning when they are or how to enter, but yes, they exist.
@@toddwright2670 There's a secret knock on the side entrance to the abandoned hobby store. You need the entrance fee of 1 unpainted squat miniature and a schmeckle made out of green stuff. From there you will kearn how deep the rabbit hole goes. Be warned, once you enter the competition you can never go back to the world you leave behind. The ancient neckbeard sages know all.
Something that really helps me is when I'm stuck or get hobby block on an army, open up your codex or a novel and read, this gets my hobby juices flowing and really inspires me to pick up the brush again.
Watching you paint and the way you talk to your audience, you have such a nice honest, simple way of talking to us. Its like you wrap us in our favorite fuzzy blanket, turn on the fireplace and give us a cup of tea, and then tell us a great story that makes us laugh, or cry depending on the video, it just feels wonderful :D
Brush control...YES! I think that way too many miniature painters talk about not worrying about how messy the base coat is because you can fix it later. To which I always think, "how do you fix it later if you don't work to develop the skill to fix it? And, if you have the skill to fix it, why not practice brush control when accuracy matters less in the first place?" I mean, I understand that sometimes speed matters, and also you want to make miniature painting less scary to those that are new to the hobby. But practicing brush control only on the highlights/clean up is nerve wracking because that's when mistakes can ruin a paint job. Practice your brush control during your base coating, don't just slap it on. Work on getting that fine, accurate line at the transition where the hair ends and the flesh tones begin. Because you can fix it later, it's the perfect time to practice.
Much of my intermediate painting years was spent fixing little mistakes and it really increased the time to finish a model. Now I'm more careful. I still make mistakes but I keep a clean damp brush nearby to try and wipe them away (a tip I learned from Meg Maples). It's a lot easier than having to go over (and over and over) a mistake.
I loved the moment when you said: Are there any turtle folk in D&D? Pfff I don't care, I 'll do it anyway! That's the essence of D&D! Great tips and great paint job by the way, cheers!
Funny enough there is an offical playable turtle folk in 5e D&D. The rules for them are even on a free PDF Wizards of the Coast threw out there, so you can go right into an open adventurers league with a literal Ninja Turtle, and they just have to deal with it.
Yes. Tortles. They showed up in Basic D&D back in the...mid 80's? I think? I first remember seeing them in the adventure module "X9: The Savage Coast". That's probably their first actual appearance/creation/addition. .. And yes, I'm old. I've been DM'ing since 1980 when I was 11 years old. I'm now 51 and still going! :)
I really liked that you mentioned not waiting until you're "good enough" to paint a model. I printed a bust of the batman who laughs and I was so intimidated by the piece but I decided to go for it. I learned all kinds of new stuff, dry brushing for chains, rust, using washes etc. I wouldn't have learned those techniques if I stayed in my bubble of comfort using just flat colors. If you have a model that you want to paint but its imtimidating, go for it! You'll surprise yourself with what you learn
“Not good enough” I’m stuck in that phase for my kingdom death monster miniatures. I don’t want to touch them lol. I almost didn’t want to do my dark souls minis either. I wanted to practice on small minis that I could buy. Instead I’m doing my dark souls minis. I will remember this. Thanks for sharing great video keep them coming.
@@Balderdashing well eventually I’ll get to it. Kdm is my pride and joy but Dark souls is something that I’ve loved for years. Also between the base game and expansions I probably could buy 2 maybe 3 KDM core games 😂
KDM is a challenge for sure. The characters are easy, of course, but help set the tone for the set. I found doing the monsters in order of appearance is about the right ramp up in difficulty. I did all of mine, except for the Phoenix where I chickened out and had it professionally done. Having done a bunch of Mythic Battles Pantheon gods now, I feel more comfortable with the big figures and will be doing the rest of my KDM expansion figures myself.
I was on that boat too. Total noob at painting, and afraid to ruin them. But i HAD to start sometime..... Last one done now was the Phoenix (Took me ages to complete), and currently working on the Grom, and I am having a blast. My best tip is just start, and spend time on it. Don't rush to complete. There is not that many monsters, and I'm happy as long as I have more to paint. Rip wallet for the coming BF sale..... looking at you wave 4...
dude I'm brand new to painting minis and let me just say that your channel has taught me so much, thank you for your hard work please keep on making inspiring videos for this awesome community
I've been painting minis for 30 years. I needed to hear these tips. This is a really great video. Along those lines, the one tip I give - Don't compare your last figure to anyone else. Compare your last figure to the one you painted before it. Look to others for inspiration, look to yourself for improvement.
This is a double edged sword in my mind. Looking at others minis and comparing them to your own can give you the push you need to improve yourself just as likely it is to make you bum out that you are never going to attain that level.
Great tips/advice! The one I would add is: find reference! I think painters often forget that looking at good reference is important and can be useful in the "narrowing your palette" phase or just deciding on a color scheme.
I've been painting on and off again for almost 20 years now. These are some things that I've never even thought of. Like the bigger brush thing, I've always thought I've had to have the smallest brush to get the results I want. Thank you Ninjon! This is helpful advice, even for someone imbedded in the craft for years!
I've seen a number of these "wish I knew" tips and tricks from miniature painters over the years, but this covers the best list I've seen and I really like the...supportive? way you put everything. Few guys I have seen have very arrogant ways of delivery. You never seem to have that problem even though your skill (to my eye) is of a much higher level. You also covered my one and only suggestion to any new painter. Lists are great, but I myself only have one... Brush size is never a substitute for tip control.
I think the theme of this video is really important and Ninjon has done a great job at expressing it. If you don't just dive in, you'll never get anywhere. So, dive all the way in, don't be afraid of failing now and again, and just keep trying!
I'm not a beginner but, I haven't painted a miniature in 18 years. I'm gearing up to dive back into it this weekend. And even though I've painted a few hundred minis in my life, I honestly find the prospect of coming back after so long, kind of daunting. Your videos have been a great inspiration, not only by giving some helpful new tips, but also reminding me of things I already knew but, have forgotten. Thanks Jon!
Simply amazing and spot on. Especially #8 for me. Ive got several models that are sitting on the rack and I want to paint them but struggle with "can I do it justice." Thank you for the inspiration!
My painting skill really increased when I stopped stripping models that were at the "ugly phase". It's like a remodeling project - but if you see it through it's worth the effort! (Also, that Turtle is amazeballs)
Jon, I’ve seen you as a guest on Scott’s channel but this is the first time I’ve watched one of your videos. Everything you said in the video hits home and you explain it in layman’s terms making it easy to understand. You’ve earned another subscriber today bud. Keep up the good work and great videos friend!
I'll add another one: When you're new, you can't see the difference between what you're doing and what's good. Then your eyes get trained and you can see the difference ... and you get depressed. But eventually, now that you can see "better", your painting gets better too. (You can't paint better until you can see what better looks like.) But usually that's right about the time that you start to see the _next_ level, so you still think you suck. This continues pretty much forever. One way to counteract that "I still suck" feeling is to keep your old minis. When you look back on the mini you used to think was really good, you'll see immediately that your "it's OK, I guess" from today is better than your "I'm so freaking awesome!" from a couple of years ago. You really are getting better when you practice, even if it feels like you aren't.
When I studied music production, a producer told me "keep one backup of every good thing you've worked in, and 5 backups of every bad one". I think this applies to everything, really. Keeping my old minis helps me see how much I've improved in this year. Even if I think "I'm not good enough yet", I can see the improvement, and get motivated to keep painting and improving.
Agree entirely with Doug, but here's a little more from my perspective. I have spent decades now not painting as much as painting. But each time I return to painting I have gotten better. This is just because your whole ethic can mature as much by passive learning as it can from active doing - in effect you can practice your eye for detail even without a brush in your hands. Look at your old models. Realise where you did good, recognise where you didn't do so great, remember what brought you to the point of being successful, repeat the good bits and work at the bad bits.
Hey Thank You Ninjon ! Just Got back into Painting Miniatures! Between You and Goober Town I am so excited to get back into it. its only been 30 years, grenadier Paints and Minis! Both of You are Awesome Spokes Folks for Our Hobby!
Turtle-folk came out badass! And thanks for the tips, I really need to take the 'you are good enough' one to heart. Maybe I will give those KDM miniatures a try...
I just started the hobby last November, your tips have made me a better painter in a short amount of time. Thank you for your bluntness, and actual usable tips. You’re really good at what you do.
Today I did my first mini with two friends and it was so much fun! I have been subscribed for a month to two, but this has made me want to watch so much more now that I know how it actually feels to paint!
I have a box of minis from Dark Souls boardgame that I was saving until I'm good enough... After this video, I think I'm gonna finally put them in my to-be-painted list. Also I totally agree about brush handling skills. I can't paint on canvas, but I have bought a colour-book like painting (the ones that comes with a numbered paints, so you can just fill the spaces between the lines). I struggled to finish it, but once I did using brush on my minis became much easier. It comes with time and experience like you said
Outstanding video. There are a million "things I wish I had known" videos out there, but few of them resonate with the ring of truth the way that this one does. From a novice, thank you!
Tip 8 for the WIN! that one is Gold - nice job on the Trutley Druidy thing. Do not be afraid to put paint on plastic, for way to many years I was to intimidated to paint my gray plastic, then when I did, I made a shed load of mistakes but none of my painted minis are hidden away I use them all, meaning the paint jobs ended up OK :)
Thank you for taking the time to paint that mini in this video ... and sharing your tips on what you wish you had heard/been told/read early in your hobby years.
I have been sitting on Ghazkhul for a couple months now exactly for that reason, and I’m finally gonna bust him out cause you’re absolutely right, and I needed to hear that
Good stuff (despite it being a topic everyone has done). Your professionalism and personality shine through. You also have a very good speaking voice (and audio) which makes the video a joy to listen to as well as watch. Keep 'em coming!
Thank you! I know people have done this topic, but I never hear the tips that really have made the biggest difference for me so I had to do my own haha.
Hey Jon, I think this was a fantastic video. Tip #8 really resounded with me. Oftentimes, I beat myself up and get too afraid to paint beautiful models as I drown in my own pool that is the lack of confidence. I know the answer is just to paint the damned models that I already paid for, but the thought of not being able to do them justice has always been an insurmountable wall to climb. Listening to your advice gives me the strength to soldier on, and I'd like to thank you for it. Smashing work on the turtlefolk druid by the way. Absolutely wonderful.
I know this comes two years late, but with the growth of 3D printing I think it's more salient now than a couple years ago. The great thing about that mini you love and want to do a great job with.... you can print it again! I'm just getting started, but I almost always do a couple prints of the same model just to play around with different schemes or something. You can always go back another time and do that model you love all over with all of your growth now making a difference. It's not unlike artists who develop OCs and such redrawing a pic from a couple years back!
...after 30 years of painting, mostly casually but since lockdown I returned with avengence....the two things that changed my results the most beyond simply practicing, are using a wet pallet and splashing cash on a decent size 1 brush!
I am glad you mentioned brush control, not said enough! I have a lot to learn and I am steadily improving and each new step of my success often centres on my brush control to give me the confidence to step to the next new skill or technique!
Tip #8 speaks to me hard...it's what's been keeping me from seriously getting into painting minis. I've bee practicing on cheapy bulk minis that really aren't great quality. I'm moving on to the minis I WANT to paint now...Thank you!
Solid video man, the part on not starting on a sculpt because you're not good enough has definitely applied to me; starting on said model tonight! Thanks for the great content.
I´m really happy you started your own youtube channel. Hearing you and Scott go on about painting on the podcast is awesome on it´s own, but all of your videos so far hold amazing tipps and techniques and just want to make me paint even more. So thanks for that
Sound was perfect and the video format was great. Keep up the great work, its showing. Love the turtle folk......maybe print and paint up a war band of them..... The colors are vibrant and contrast well together. Looking forward to the next video Jon.
I think the best tip for a beginner should be: don't buy any other minis if you already have hundreds unpainted... Unfortunately we know this one is the hardest to follow 🤣
As a beginner, I have made a deal with myself to not buy any more minis until I'm done with the ones I have. Except this cool kickstarter.... and that boardgame.
Appreciate hearing you talk about models being the hot garbage phase for a while; I’m painting a lot of thing where I’m planning to lock it all down with gloss varnish at the end and hit it with an oil wash, but it means I’m working without my deepest shadows until the very end, which can be demoralising.
All great tips i wish i knew. Or listened to when i started. I think your best advise you gave was put paint to brush. So often its just getting motivated to start a project but once i start, im in it for hours without realising.
@2:00 a great way to practice using different tones of the same colors: paint in gray scale. I did this as a "challenge" for my Night of the Living Dead Zombicide minis to keep in theme with the movie. Doing the entire set in black and white "sounded" easy but it was anything but! I had to do so many different tones of gray to make the effect "work" and keep the models from all looking the same. I learned a LOT about different shades of the same color. My pallet had white on one side, black on the other and every shade of gray in between. It didn't save me any time to do the entire project grayscale. In fact, I probably spent more time/mini than I would have if I just painted them full color, but they turned out great and I wouldn't change a thing.
Great vid John, really enjoyed your delivery and overall presentation as usual, all your tips are so valid. Mine would be 'prep to paint' - set out your tools and work area (in boxes/organisers etc. if required), including juice, snacks, headphones etc. so when you come to paint you're getting straight into it and not having to keep stopping to collect something else you need/forgot. I keep my hobby stuff in partitioned boxes or on a tray so I just pull it off the shelf, top up brush water and good to go.
Fantastic video, my guy. Definitely going to be the vid I share with any friends who are just starting or feel like they're stuck early on in their hobby journey. Not getting bogged down by the early ugly stages and not getting overwhelmed by all the advanced techniques are big. Keep it up!
I just watched this today and I think the "new" shirt is wonderful but what I really need to get myself some of those Ninjamas that you have in your tube commercials...cracks me up every time.
I'm 50 my sons just got me into Warhammer and you just told me all the tips I really needed to hear I had been beating my self up a lot when I use to play D&D I was much younger and when the mini game came out it took all the painting out of it so when I started painting my new figures I was like no way in hell its this hard but this truly helps thank you 8)
Jon I appreciate the heck out of your videos. I'm unfortunately stuck in a state of being afraid to touch any of my models because I'm not good enough and it's caused me to not paint for 3 months. But I'm goina pick one of my favorites and dive in. Motivation is back 😊
You have become my GO TO content producer for painting miniatures. I've been in the hobby for a long time, but have always wanted to break through the 'good enough' level of painting. Your work and words are inspiring, and your production value is insanely good. Keep up the great work man, and I look forward to joining you on the journey!
Been gathering my paints (just a few of different brands). And have ordered a few mini's between you and scott, i think i have the basics to get to painting. Thank you. And hell of a job on the turtle druid. That thing ricks!
I've taken a new approach in recent months with projects and painting the choice miniatures in a project first, rather than leaving them to last and burning out on chaff models in the project. If i die tomorrow my last mini I painted will be one of my favourites.
Great tips! Just found your channel and already enjoying the content. I appreciate that these tips are different than what I’ve heard on other RU-vid channels, these focus more on building up confidence over building up technique.
