willowwind78

[willowwind78]

Toad King

Ta da! Isn't he gorgeous? I have no idea why his mace is cut off in this photo because it isn't cut off on my end. Maybe it won't be on your end either, who knows? It's Tumblr. They do what they want and they can because I don't pay for this blog hosting.

A little dry brushing here and there and we have a Toad King.

Like I said, three basic techniques. Base, wash, dry brush= incredible miniatures. There are some touch-ups and other things employed here such as I have spent years working on eyes and this is the best I've got. They're nice. Functional. I won't win any awards for them but they look god to me.

I am quite proud of my amphibious little friend here. I did not bring any bases with me though and I won't be home until next week so it will be awhile before I can finish this miniature and put him up for sale on my WillowWind78 eBay page. You'll see him there eventually if no one buys him with lots of pictures. So, even if you aren't interested in buying anything, check out my page for ideas and other miniatures of varying quality.

#miniature painting #how not to paint miniatures #dungeons and dragons #painting miniatures #d&d #vallejo model color #citadel colour #toad king

[willowwind78]

Wash It. Shade it. Give it some depth.

Amazing what a little wash can do. All of the sudden he has come to life!

Washing is an easy technique. To start out simple if you've never done it before, I highly recommend Citadel Colour's Agrax Earth Shade. It universally will shade any mini. It's dark brown and can be used essentially as a dip. It's not what I did here though I'm just recommending it to you. I will make a mental note for later post to show you what just the earth shade can do that takes your miniature painting from the boring base to extraordinary in seconds. All you have to do is remove excess. Instantaneous improvement.

Anyway, back to what I did here. This is a Citadel Contrast Paint called Snakebite Leather, one of my personal favorite. When it's thin it's yellow and when it seeps into crevices it's dark brown like Agrax Earth Shade. I often use it for hair since it easily creates such natural looking depth for a brunette.

The body is done in the same Citadel Contrast paint you might have seen a couple of posts ago when I compared the Vallejo Model Color to the Contrast coverage. I find if you use multiple washes it just looks a little bit better. Take note however with this mini using a single Agrax Shade would have sufficed. The extra work I put in only made it minutely better to trained eyes. Still not professional, but up to my hobbyist standards.

The main point of this is I want new miniature painters to see how just the simple technique of washing makes a miniature so much better. The wash picks up a ton of detail you otherwise don't see. Worth the few moments or hours effort depending on how you want to go about it.

#miniature painting #how not to paint miniatures #painting miniatures #dungeons and dragons #d&d #vallejo model color #citadel colour #zombie #citadel contrast #wash #miniature wash

[willowwind78]

Base of Toad King

I am away from work for a family funeral so I have had some time to paint. Time to paint means... time to blog too! I brought with me a travel case of paint and some miniatures to work on. It's been amazingly relaxing. Ahhh... feel the peace...

Here is our Toad King fully base painted with Vallejo Model Color. Such solid coverage. It's beautiful. I love him. I particularly like how in this miniature there are a few points to create some sharp accents and drop in a little color.

There is the flower strapped to his belt which I am quite certain his queen gave to him and a tiny seashell on the back of his belt to make sure he has a splash of color on both sides.

Not too much to say here so let's just admire the view for a little while...

Depending upon your interest and painting skills, you could just stop here. He looks fine; he's functional; you don't need to risk ruining your nice paint job. If you want to stop at base painting, you stop at base painting. Just do you.

#miniature painting #how not to paint miniatures #painting miniatures #vallejo model color #vallejo paint

[willowwind78]

Vallejo vs Citadel Contrast

Ever wonder what the difference is between a contrast paint and a standard paint? Ta da! There are both plusses and minuses to each of these different types of paints, it depends on what you are trying to do with it.

The Citadel Contrast paint is on the left. It is thinner straight out of the pot as it is designed to sink into the crevices of the miniature and create... contrast... go figure. If you paint in the basic rhythm like I do, base, wash, dry brush, it makes it so you can skip the wash step. However, you are going to have to apply 2-3 coats of paint anyway so are you really skipping a step here?

Vallejo Model Color is on the right side. Vallejo Model Color paints often require some dilution as they are thicker that Citadel Contrast paints. They are designed for coverage not seepage. I do however find that if you dilute them slightly with a little acrylic paint thinner (my personal favorite is Tamiya Color Acrylic Paint X-20A Thinner) you will get much better and smoother coverage.

Be forewarned, dilute too much and all you have is a wash that doesn't stay where you want it. If you use too thick of a paint it looks bulky and uneven. Find the happy medium, it takes some practice. I prefer to dip my paint brush in thinner and go from there. This works fairly well as it doesn't overthin all my paint in case I have too much thinner so I can just get more paint or dip my brush in thinner and have at it. I am not a professional.

Back to the Contrast paint, I use them most often as my wash. I like the color consistency and coverage of Vallejo Model Color as a base and the functionality of Citadel Colours as washes or Shades as they call them. Sometimes, they require a slight amount of thinning but that's life, if you're going to get picky and you're striving for good results, put in the work.

What I end up doing on this Toad King is basing with the Model Color, using the Contrast paint on the base, and then highlighting with Model Color. He looks fantastic, at least I think he does. Keep reading my blog to see his progress!

#vallejo model color #miniature painting #how not to paint miniatures #painting miniatures #dungeons and dragons #d&d #vallejo paint #citadel colour #citadel contrast

[willowwind78]

All About that Base

I wanted to share more of my insanity with you and put in another plug for Masterwork Miniatures on Etsy whom I purchased multiple boxes of Mystery Minis from. Look at the variety of these bases! They're incredible. About a 50/50 split of 28mm and 32mm bases and nearly all of them are different. I could not be happier. These minis come out to less than $2 a piece which is a phenomenal deal for the quality and variety of the bases, minis, appendages and weapons.

These little bases are all lined up and ready to be primed. I have carefully set them on two bamboo skewers. The How Not to Paint Miniatures lesson is this: DO NOT place them directly on the surface you are painting, they will stick and make a mess. You'll waste more time removing paper or whatever back, prying them off the surface, it's just a nightmare, don't do that. I just happen to have these bamboo skewers floating around my house. Use toothpicks, pencils, pens, fly swatter handles, whatever you've got handy to lift them up off the surface a little and lay them out. You will be much happier with the results.

I prime with Vallejo Hobby Paint white spray. Some like gray, some like black, I like white because I can't get the false idea out of my head that primer needs to be white even if another color like black would make the whole process easier. For instance, with these bases, black would be so much better because you wouldn't have to struggle with the shading in the cracks, the primer would do that for you. That's How Not to Paint Miniatures bonus lesson for today: Don't do what I do, use other colors of primer.

Personally, I do not like brush on primer, I am not good enough or patient enough with it to get the smooth even results you see here that is so easy for me to achieve with spray paint. I find the primer is thin and wants to fill in gaps which ruins the detail (also another reason to use darker primer: you would have one less coat of paint in the gaps).

When using spray primer, don't get too close! Your paint will pool and run. Stay a good 10-12 inches away and mist from multiple angles keeping the spray can in constant movement. I'm too cheap to buy a paint spray gun. At this point in my miniature painting hobby, I am starting to consider a resin printer. Spraying paint would only lead me to having to buy even more paint. Not good. I'll stick with the cans that I buy 3-4 of at a time from various sites, whichever offers me the best rate on the Vallejo Hobby Paint I love including shipping. Since I buy cans, that is also why everything is white as I prime a lot of things at once as you can see.

Check out Masterwork Miniatures on Etsy: Masterwork Miniature - Etsy https://www.etsy.com/market/masterwork_miniature

Especially the Box of Minis, the bases are what you see here. I've got other posts that include the miniature bodies and appendages.

Also, check out my hand painted miniatures for sale on eBay! willowwind78 on eBay https://www.ebay.com/usr/willowwind78

#Masterwork Miniatures #miniature painting #how not to paint miniatures #dungeons and dragons #painting miniatures #d&d #base painting

[willowwind78]

The Mummy

Found this strange little guy in my basement. When I found him he was just a small weird flat green mummy. I felt the need just to see what he would look like painted up nice. He is adorable. I can see why people like painting larger miniatures. The eyes were just a hundred times easier than the 28mm minis I prefer to paint. I'm sure I could have done more with the wraps but given that he was a weird little plastic figure I found in my basement. I wasn't going to go crazy. I've got too many other minis to paint that are of way higher quality than this random dude. Still makes me wonder though... why was he in my basement? Where did he come from? Is someone somewhere looking for him or did he wander in on his own and the stairs were just too big to climb so he couldn't come kill me in my sleep? Uknown. Now, he's painted and locked up tight in a box for safety.

willowwind78 on eBay

#miniature painting #how not to paint miniatures #painting miniatures #dungeons and dragons #d&d #Mummy #Undead

[willowwind78]

Zombicide Walker Extras hand painted by Jennifer

These boys are just looking for a lead singer. They are totally content playing backup.

#miniature painting #how not to paint miniatures #zombicide #painting miniatures

[willowwind78]

Sun Warrior

This little guy actually has a name: Tristan Fallow. He comes from Wildspire Spellblades and Enchanted Objects Collection. You can buy them on Amazon if you are interested.

I'll be honest, I didn't look at the picture they provided of him before I painted him. I just saw his shield and it made me think Sun so that's the theme I went with. I have another one sitting in the cupboard perhaps I'll look at the picture next time before I paint it. Only time will tell.

Regardless of whether you wanted him to look like the brochure or you like my Sun Warrior motif, this little guy is going up for sale on my eBay page under seller Willowwind78. Look me up! Buy my minis! Play with them. Love them. Crush them. Melt them. Whatever you want to do once you buy it, that's up to you. I've had my fun in painting.

#miniature painting #how not to paint miniatures #painting miniatures #dungeons and dragons #d&d #wildspire #vallejo model color

[willowwind78]

Dude, where's your shirt?

What happened to your pants?

Is he joining a riot? Lynch mob? Opening the Olympics? What is this torch bearer up to and why is he wearing a leather vest with no shirt? That's gotta chaff the nipples.

willowwind78 on eBay https://www.ebay.com/usr/willowwind78

#miniature painting #how not to paint miniatures #painting miniatures #dungeons and dragons #NPC #dnd

[willowwind78]

Wildspire Spellblades has several enchanted objects in it, including this enchanted sheet.

I suppose I could have filled in the scratches but I did not. Too late now, I would have to strip and redo the whole thing and I am not going to do that. Let this be a How Not to Paint Miniatures lesson in painting. Like mould lines, you will regret if you don't take care of them. Just do it. It's worth the time. Otherwise, you get this.

willowwind78 on eBay https://www.ebay.com/usr/willowwind78

#miniature painting #how not to paint miniatures #painting miniatures #dungeons and dragons #d&d #wildspire miniatures #ghost #enchanted object

[willowwind78]

I haven't the faintest clue as to why this image isn't cropped but oh well, here he is! Cute little monk from Monster Protector Townsfolk Miniatures.

Grace and peace be with you.

willowwind78 on eBay https://www.ebay.com/usr/willowwind78

#miniature painting #how not to paint miniatures #painting miniatures #dungeons and dragons

[willowwind78]

An assortment of Wildspire Spellblades painted

willowwind78 on eBay https://www.ebay.com/usr/willowwind78

Amazon.com: Wildspire 36 Spellblades & Enchanted Objects - Characters & Animated Objects for DND Miniatures 28mm Dungeons & Dragons Miniatures Bulk D&D Miniatures DND Minis DND Figures Fantasy Spell Effects : Toys & Games

#miniature painting #how not to paint miniatures #painting miniatures #dungeons and dragons

[willowwind78]

Executioner

I don't often use blood or gore in my miniatures, but this one moved me to do so. Just enough to let you know he means business, not enough to look like he successfully beheaded someone.

Look at those abs though, those thighs, those biceps, this guy spends some serious time at gym and knows how to do a full body workout so he isn't walking around on chicken legs. If I had that body, I'd show it off too. No hiding it under a big black cloak for this dude.

Skin tight pants, massive belt buckle. WWE, here he comes.

willowwind78 on eBay

He is from the Monster Miniatures Townfolk collection. One of the nicer ones. Amazon.com: Townsfolk Mini Fantasy Figures Set- 64 Non Player Character NPC Miniatures - 1" Hex Nobility, Merchants, and More - Compatible with DND Dungeons Dragons, Pathfinder, RPG Tabletop-Games : Toys & Games

#miniature painting #how not to paint miniatures #painting miniatures #dungeons and dragons #d&d #npc #Executioner

[willowwind78]

Path Gaming Townsfolk Priest

Bow down and worship me... oh wait, God, yes that's it, bow down and worship...

Priests are funny things. Do I believe in God? Absolutely, I'm a pastor. Do I believe in the church? That's where life starts to enter into a gray area. The constant daily struggle of whether or not I want to pursue ordainment. I cannot be a part of a church that does not practice what they preach.

If you preach love your neighbor, you need to, oh I don't know, love your neighbor and all. Not love your neighbor if... just plain LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR. Any church that believes a human being can be excluded from being called by God for any reason just boggles my mind.

At any rate, this priest, bishop, vicar, deacon, whatever guarantee he's not preaching love your neighbor. At the very least he is anti-orc, anti-tiefling, anti-elf, anti-dwarf, anti well... anything not white patriarchal male. Feel free to buy him and torture him in any way you see fit.

willowwind78 on eBay https://www.ebay.com/usr/willowwind78

#miniature painting #how not to paint miniatures #painting miniatures #dungeons and dragons #townsfolk #d&d #Path gaming #npc

[willowwind78]

The Value of a Toothpick

In the wonderful world of hobbies lies the art of miniature painting. Taking something small, already useful and lovely in its own right and adding color to it because humans feel the need to make everything better. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

Miniature painting can be an incredibly cheap, fun and enjoyable hobby. It can also be an incredibly expensive, frustrating, and agonizing one. Sometimes, it is all of the above.

As I progress and learn in this hobby, I try to share valuable insights from my errors and my successes with anyone who bothers to read my blog. My dream is to make this a self-sustaining hobby. Sure, I'd love to quit my job as a minister and just paint but that does not appear to be God's will and so... here we are. Full-time minister. Part-time therapist. Occasional hobbyist painter.

I have a ridiculous paint studio for my capabilities and time. One day, I will count how many bottles of paint I have and shamelessly show them to you, today is not that day. Today, to make a short story long, I want to talk about how the f*c* do I paint those tiny pieces without making a mess of them. A question which I may have an incredibly cheap solution for as it seems to be working for me. All you need in addition to what you are painting is essentially a toothpick and super glue. In addition to those supplies I highly recommend a disposable surface cover and some poster putty or my preference, museum wax and sometimes a few random household objects.

This is what we are about to do.

Here is why toothpicks are so valuable:

They're cheap

They break easy

They're pre-pointy

They are disposable or reuseable

They are readily available

Is that enough reasons for you? I could probably come up with more.

I prefer to use the gel super glue. While the gel dries slower, it stays in place allowing you to make a droplet which regular superglue does not. Once you squeeze out a teeny tiny droplet of glue, you spin the toothpick around like you would an ice cream cone if you worked at Dairy Queen. You can either place the droplet directly onto the bulb of the hand where it will eventually connect to the miniature or you can leave it on the toothpick. Whichever works better for you and the model, it varies.

All you are going for is just to make a temporary connection. You can see here how just the tip of the droplet touches the hand and just the tip of the toothpick connects. WE ARE NOT MAKING A PERMANENT BOND HERE. So don't go all handsy and squish the two together, we're just making a connection here. For smaller weapons, the connection only has to hold on long enough to prime the weapon and then attach it, for larger weapons we're going to leave it on the toothpick while we paint.

You do not want to get superglue anywhere that needs primed! That's why we are placing the toothpick on the bulb which will be hidden inside the miniatures arm at the connection point.

Some things to keep in mind:

Use as little glue as possible, enough to connect like a polite kiss, no tongue

Make sure you are attaching the toothpick where it won't get in the way of painting. This is especially true of shields and large axes like you can kind of see in the lower left corner of the picture

Make sure you are not gluing your miniature or the toothpick to your work surface

I have found this is quick and easy to do. The weapons can be very smoothly snapped off once they are primed or painted with minimal need to remove excess glue unless you got handsy.

Here's what the poster putty or museum wax is for:

Some miniatures, particularly shields, need to be attached perpendicular to the toothpick, like the letter T. Or, some miniatures like to roll around and be a pain in the ass. Take a small ball of poster putty or museum wax, pea sized at the largest, set it on a non-stick surface, a plastic notebook cover as you see here or a silicone baking mat if you wanna get pricey, gently flatten the ball of tackiness with your finger and then SET, not squish! Set the miniature on the tacky surface so it stand up, add tiny drop of gel super glue, lay the toothpick on it and ta da! You may need to use the poster tack or museum wax to hold the toothpick at the correct angle and allow for it to dry. If you do this, remember to very gently remove the item from the tackiness by its most secure point, most often this will mean lifting the mini off the tack by the mini NOT the toothpick. This is a gentle temporary hold. If you rip it off by the toothpick you will likely rip the toothpick off the miniature.

Then you have this! Doesn't this look way easier to prime than trying to hold all those little pieces in your hand or on a stick, or whatever else you're trying to do?

The base you see here is the plastic that came inside of hair straightener I recently purchased. A Styrofoam takeout container works amazing for this too. Now, you can hold on to the container or set it on a surface you don't mind getting paint all over and spray away!

When you're done, simply snap the little pieces off their sticks and carry on with your life. Easy. Cheap. Effective. You can also leave them on the stick which has a pointy end and can be stabbed into any number of various objects like soft cork, flower arranging foam, fruit, mushrooms, whatever you have handy to be used as a larger handle for painting.

This concludes your How Not to Paint Miniatures lesson of the day. One day this will appear in video form on my YouTube page. Ahh... the dream... Hope this helps!

#miniature painting #how not to paint miniatures #painting miniatures #dungeons and dragons #d&d #toothpick #versatility #whatever works #priming miniatures #tiny objects #how to hold small objects for painting

[willowwind78]

Animated Cauldron

Thank goodness this cauldron has an eye to see where it is going! What is that stuff? Acid? Polymorph juice? Oh, now how much fun would that be! Save versus polymorph! Animals? Objects? Other people? What does it change you into? If you're not writing a campaign right now with this enchanted cauldron in it, you better get on it before the fun, danger, and entertainment vanishes, or someone else buys this thing off my site before you get to.

Someone is turned into a tree stump, another party member becomes a candle... suddenly you need to buy this miniature too...

willowwind78 on eBay

This miniature is from the Wildspire Spellblades and Enchanted Objects Collection.

#miniature painting #how not to paint miniatures #painting miniatures #dungeons and dragons #d&d #wildspire #npc #Spellblades #cauldron #enchanted

[willowwind78]

Lizard Spearman

I got a group of lizardmen from the same printer as I got the turtle you have probably seen already in a previous post. You can see he lacks fine detail. It's not that it's terrible it's just not up to par with the quality of miniature prints available on the open market or through home 3-D printers today.

Then again, sometimes simple is best.

willowwind78 on eBay

#miniature painting #how not to paint miniatures #painting miniatures #dungeons and dragons #townsfolk #d&d #argonian #K'uul