A Complete Beginner’s Guide to Painting

Painting miniatures is one of the most rewarding aspects of tabletop gaming. It’s not just about preparing your models for play, it’s about expressing creativity, building patience, and bringing your armies and board game figures to life with colour and detail.

At More Than Meeples, we stock everything you need to start your painting journey, from paint sets to brushes, primers, and accessories. This guide will walk you through the basics of miniature painting, helping you gain the confidence to pick up a brush and create miniatures you’ll be proud to put on the table.

Ready to start painting? Browse our collection through our online board game shop or contact us for expert recommendations.

Why Paint Miniatures?

Painting adds depth and personality to your hobby. Unpainted models are functional, but painted ones tell a story. Whether you’re collecting for Warhammer Age of Sigmar, Warhammer 40K, Dungeons & Dragons, or a board game with detailed miniatures like Zombicide, painting transforms plastic figures into striking centrepieces.

Beyond the aesthetics, painting is also a relaxing, meditative activity. Many hobbyists find it helps them unwind while still feeling productive and creative.

Essential Supplies for Beginners

You don’t need a professional studio to get started, just a few key tools:

Miniatures – Your chosen models, whether Warhammer units or board game figures.
Paints – Acrylics are the standard. We offer excellent beginner sets with core colours, washes, and metallics.
Brushes – A few small detail brushes and a medium basecoat brush are enough to begin.
Primer – Spray or brush-on primer helps paint stick to the miniature’s surface.
Water pot & palette – For thinning and mixing paints.
Varnish – To seal and protect your work once finished.

Tip: Start small with a paint set and a couple of brushes. You can expand as you go.

The Basic Painting Process

When it comes to miniature painting, consistency is more important than perfection. Here’s a simple step-by-step method for beginners:

Prime Your Miniature – Spray your model with primer (black, grey, or white). This helps the paint adhere.
Base Coating – Apply the main colours of your miniature. Don’t worry about being perfect, just block out the areas.
Washing/Shading – Use a wash (thinned darker paint) to flow into recesses and add depth.
Highlighting – Lightly brush lighter shades on raised edges to make details pop.
Finishing Touches – Add eyes, insignias, or metallic details for character.
Varnish – Protect your miniature from handling and wear during play.

This simple method can make even a first attempt look impressive.

Common Beginner Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

Using too much paint – Always thin your paints with a little water. Thick paint hides detail.
Skipping primer – Without primer, paint chips easily and doesn’t apply smoothly.
Not cleaning models first – Wash miniatures in mild soap water before painting to remove residue.
Overloading brushes – Keep paint to the tip of the brush for precision and control.

Avoiding these pitfalls will make your early painting sessions much more rewarding.

Growing Your Skills

As you gain confidence, you can explore advanced techniques like:

Dry brushing – Quickly adds texture and highlights with minimal effort.
Layering – Applying multiple shades for smoother transitions.
Blending – Creating realistic colour gradients.
Basing – Adding flock, sand, or texture paint to model bases for extra realism.

There’s always something new to learn, and the hobby has a huge online community of tutorials, guides, and videos to support you.

Start Painting with More Than Meeples!

We make it easy to buy board games online and grab all the accessories you need for painting, too. Whether you’re starting with your very first Warhammer miniature or looking to improve your painting kit, we stock paints, brushes, and hobby tools trusted by beginners and professionals alike.

At More Than Meeples, we’re here to help you build your collection, improve your skills, and find the supplies you need to succeed. Our team are hobby enthusiasts themselves, so if you’re unsure where to begin, don’t hesitate to contact us for guidance.