What you've learned

[Burt Hoovis]

What is the advice you wish someone was standing over your shoulder giving you when you first started playing/painting with 40k?

Two quick ones from me:

1) As Samuel L. Jackson would say, "Hold on to your bits"
It may seem like junk now, but someday you'll wish you had it. Consider this, one melta gun is about $5 online, so is a clear tackle box organizer.


2) when attaching bases, especially to models that are leaning forward, hold it upside down when you are trying to get everything just right instead of pushing it downward on the table. You can hold it up to eye level and its much easier to balance and keep it still since the lighter piece of material is on top.


I hope this is helpful to someone, and please share your tips!

[BG. Foster]

I have a similar box to that, only mine has more in it.

[Soap]

Poundland special that box. I had one but it broke. Using clear bags at the mo till I get a good one!

[WestRider]

I've got like 9 of those boxes. This stuff adds up after a decade and a half.

The biggest thing that's helped me has probably been "When in doubt, look it up." One of the main reasons I know the Game and my Army so well is that every time a Rules Question comes up, even if I'm sure I know the answer, I pull out the book and look it up. Not only does it help to cement it into my mind, it helps me remember where it is next time I have to prove it to someone.

[Paradill]

1) don't get disheartened because your models aren't as good as Cosmics. He is a Demi god, you have no chance, just keep practising and learning from your peers.

2) don't force yourself to paint if you don't want to, it can put you off the hobby for years.

3) paint in small units if five men and then move into a different unit, from power armour to terminator armour for example. Helps shake it up a bit.

4) never use GW glues. They all suck and are overpriced.

[WestRider]

Mar 17, 2013 14:33:24 GMT -5 Paradill said:

4) never use GW glues. They all suck and are overpriced.

I haven't found a superglue that stands out particularly, but I've never run across a Plastic Cement that comes close to Testor's. Their paints are crap, but they've got the best Plastic Cement going.

[Trooper One-Nine-Seven-Four]

1) Don't eat the yellow snow.



Wait. What?

But yeah, I've got multiple large containers of bits. If you collect more than one race, it's helpful to sort bits by race.

Unless you're doing something with painting that requires you to paint the mini separate from the base, I find it's generally best to glue the legs to the base first. Once they're firmly set, build the rest of the mini from there.

Zap-A-Gap is a good CA superglue. As WestRider mentioned, Testor's has the best plastic glue. GW glues are crap.

THIN YOUR PAINTS! I tend to add a few drops of water to my pots of paint if I haven't used a color for quite some time, and periodically add a little water to them as I'm using them. Yes, I paint straight from the pot, unless I need to blend a small amount of a custom color for immediate use, in which case I will use a palette.

Practice and patience. Most of us are not born as great painters, and it will take time and effort, but it's worth it. Always try to push yourself to improve, and learn from others, such as Cosmic, Adkenpachi, or any other source you can find who is willing to share tips and tricks with you. To this end, White Dwarf has actually started giving some decent painting advice again, and it was back in 1993 that I learned how to paint from White Dwarf 'Eavy Metal articles.

[sirhc89]

1. Don't throw anything away.
2. Be patient! rome and its armies were not built overnight.
3. Lots of lights are usefull. Try not to cask shadows.
4. Always put the glue lid back on after every use. If not you will ruin it. ( Think this is my OCD kicking in)
5. Have a different water pot for metallic and normal acrylic paint.
6. The internet is invaluable for tips!

[zeke]

The best glue I found is called gorilla super glue. It's about $4 and works on everything.

Also, clean up the mould lines!!!!!!

[vegna]

1. Wash Resin kits in warm soapy water.
2. gale force 9 super glue is amazing but careful you don't glue stuff to your hands.
3. Careful with modeling knives and blades!
4. if you have to use a lot of glue on terrain do it slowly and let it dry else it can soak through/run off and cause it to stick to other things (like my bed and then floor >.<)
5. plan out your model before you behind to stick it together.
6. don't out bid me on ebay.

[yvain]

Why do you thin your paints? What is the process? Water and paint together when I open a pot? Or just little by little as I use it?

I have never washed anything I better start.


My number 1 rule is to start with a plan, which involves researching things for ideas and then creating something from that plan.

My number 2 rule is don't be a moron and when your research tells you to put the magnet inside the rocket pod before you glue it make sure you listen.

[Trooper One-Nine-Seven-Four]

Thinning paints allows them to go down smoother, with better control, and without obscuring detail as shown in the video I linked to. I just add a few drops of water to the paint pot and then give it a good shake as needed to keep the paint at a good consistency.

[commisarblur]

Mar 17, 2013 14:54:18 GMT -5 Trooper One-Nine-Seven-Four said:

1) Don't eat the yellow snow.



Wait. What?

But yeah, I've got multiple large containers of bits. If you collect more than one race, it's helpful to sort bits by race.

Unless you're doing something with painting that requires you to paint the mini separate from the base, I find it's generally best to glue the legs to the base first. Once they're firmly set, build the rest of the mini from there.

Zap-A-Gap is a good CA superglue. As WestRider mentioned, Testor's has the best plastic glue. GW glues are crap.

THIN YOUR PAINTS! I tend to add a few drops of water to my pots of paint if I haven't used a color for quite some time, and periodically add a little water to them as I'm using them. Yes, I paint straight from the pot, unless I need to blend a small amount of a custom color for immediate use, in which case I will use a palette.

Practice and patience. Most of us are not born as great painters, and it will take time and effort, but it's worth it. Always try to push yourself to improve, and learn from others, such as Cosmic, Adkenpachi, or any other source you can find who is willing to share tips and tricks with you. To this end, White Dwarf has actually started giving some decent painting advice again, and it was back in 1993 that I learned how to paint from White Dwarf 'Eavy Metal articles.

I actually do thin my basics when I'm painting my Cadian guardsmen. It helps to create this worn and dusty grey look on them.


Stuff I learned so far: Get a travel case first then get the modules. I can't stress this enough. You don't want to end up with more modules then you can safely move. It always help to plan ahead.

[treadiculous]

Whats wrong with yellow snow.. I like the salty taste.

there are 2 techniques worth mastering and are quite easy:

1) washes, application of a good wash can have amazingly effective results.

2) drybrushing is really useful and is quite easy with 3 models, use the absolute minimum paint and aplly lots of layers over time for best results.

3) never throw anything away and be really organised about how you store your bits or you will loose a lot of time searching for that one bit you saw once.

4) asda superglue is cheap and very good... I'm really suprised by this, and they also sell organic food cheaper than the non-organic stuff.

5) use a sharp and sturdy blade for cutting models from the sprue, thin ones snap and blunt ones are tiring.

6) remove mold lines.. they may seem un-noticable - they are very noticable, especially now we have digital photography and large PC screens.

7) painting on the sprue can be very handy, some areas may be very hard to reach once a model is assembled

8) have good brushes for each role, I suggest a fine detail, a base coating / small area brush and a large drybrush

9) don't paint on models what you cant do first on paper - practice where mistakes won't hurt your finished piece

10) bolts and rivets get painted the same freakin' colour as the rest of the tank - no need to spend ages painting each rivet silver

11) don't give up, have a break and remember that using a pencil or pen will practice the same motions as used by a brush

12) keep your back straight and the area well lit, try resting your wrists on something to reduce wobbly hands, eat and sleep well to reduce shakes.

13) ask for advice from others and compliment people to encourage them, you have the ability to become very skilled if you put in the practice.

[Trooper One-Nine-Seven-Four]

Also: Don't overload your brushes with paint. Especially if you are doing fine detail.

[ElegaicRequiem]

Mar 17, 2013 13:07:39 GMT -5 Burt Hoovis said:

What is the advice you wish someone was standing over your shoulder giving you when you first started playing/painting with 40k?

Think before you buy. This should be accompanied by slaps on the hand when one goes to buy something.

[Colonel Beauregard]

While all of this pertains to painting... from a playing aspect- DONT EXPECT TO WIN EVERY GAME. In fact, as a noob you should accept your fate as one who will lose over and over until you get the mechanics down.

This was difficult for me when i started playing fantasy in high school. I was a little competitive... now, if my army gets slaughtered i chuckle and think... oh well. Ill get them next time.

[hacgutt]

Wear a plastic bag on your hand when you spray :3

[Cosmic]

Mar 17, 2013 14:33:24 GMT -5 Paradill said:

1) don't get disheartened because your models aren't as good as Cosmics. He is a Demi god, you have no chance, just keep practising and learning from your peers.

Whilst I am flattered there are many many many people better than me!

Everything I wanted to say has pretty much been covered! But just learn from your peers, there is no shame in asking for help or advice.

[dougeye]

this is not taking anything away from the amazing cosmics skills but his main asset seems to be that he spends a lot of time on a few models were as other (like me) want there models tidy but buy and paint too many too quickly to build large forces to play, if I could turn the clock back I would have put my money in a pot ready to spend and bought and painted my miniatures a bit at a time. unless you really love bulk painting 50 space marines lol

[syphon]

1) Ignore 'eavy Metal. Do what you want, paint how you like.
2) Get a basic paint kit. You get everything you need in there. You don't need Weathering Powders or Varnishes yet.
3) Keep your bits close, but your friends even closer. There will be times that friends have bits you need and you can organise a trade.

[Sgt. Rock]

In terms of playing... good sportsmanship goes a long way. Jokes and laughter during the play, and a handshake and "Good game!" at the end are what cements friendships. Personally, were I a tournament guy, I'd much rather win the "Best sportsman" award than anything else.

[Paradill]

Mar 19, 2013 14:11:10 GMT -5 Sgt. Rock said:

In terms of playing... good sportsmanship goes a long way. Jokes and laughter during the play, and a handshake and "Good game!" at the end are what cements friendships. Personally, were I a tournament guy, I'd much rather win the "Best sportsman" award than anything else.

Very VERY important.

[Paradill]

People refuse to shake hands? What tools, that's not just bad sportsmanship, its bloody rude.

[Trooper One-Nine-Seven-Four]

Mar 19, 2013 8:01:22 GMT -5 hacgutt said:

Wear a plastic bag on your hand when you spray :3

I actually use disposable nitrile gloves that I keep on hand for cleaning up after my dogs, chopping habanero peppers, or other things where I don't want my handskins coming in contact with stuff for this.