How is the best way to paint in warhammer 40k?
Here’s the deal: I suck at painting. For a few days now, I’ve spent about four hours each day trying to paint on space marine and I just can’t do it. Right now I’m stuck on painting the gold banners on his shoulder pads, I always get really close but then I screw up again. It is just really hard for me to draw such small, straight lines like that. What I’m wondering is the really basic things, like how should you hold your brush, what height you should be above the table, and just if there are any techniques that help. Thanks!
Well, first of all – and I realize that this isn’t much consolation, but it’s true – you will get better with practice.
But something that might help you is a simple technique called “masking”. Taking your banners as the example, let’s suppose you want to paint gold banners on a black shoulder pad, you first paint the shoulder pad black (ideally using Chaos Black spray) and then paint the banner gold. So far, so obvious, right? But often some of that gold with blob onto the black, no matter how careful you are. Well, don’t worry about it. Let the gold dry and then go back over it with more black, just tidying up the gold that’s blobbed onto the pad.
This technique, with practice and planning, can be used to paint razor-sharp edges on your chapter markings, to paint fine lettering and beautiful freehand designs, and it’s really very easy. All it really needs is patience.
But, to go wider on the issue and to tackle your other questions, I’d say that two things are more important than any other: first is the quality of the light on your workspace. Ideally, you should work at a window facing north (if you’re in the northern hemisphere) or south (in the southern), in daylight and out of direct sunlight. Failing that you can buy what’s called a “daylight bulb” from most artists’ suppliers. Put this in an anglepoise lamp for the best results. Daylight bulbs have a very long life – much longer than most regular bulbs – but they do cost a fair bit.
The second most important thing is the quality of your brushes. Now, they don’t have to be super-super-brilliant, but sable is pretty much essential for any sort of detail work. I use a small, square bristle brush for drybrushing, as well.
As for how to hold the brush and how to sit and suchlike, that’s really down to personal taste. If you were to go into the ‘Eavy Metal studio, you’d see that every one of their artists sits in a different posture and uses his or her brush in a distinctive style.
Apart from “keep at it”, the only other piece of advice I’d pass on is to register with one of the bigger fan forums, like warseer.com or dakkadakka.com, where veterans and newbies alike can share ideas, tips and projects. You might also like to go to www.coolminiornot.com, where you can rate other people’s painting and sculpting. Some of the best miniatures in the world can be found on the site to inspire you – along with some of the worst, to reassure you that you’re not as bad as you think you are!!
Update on the space marine shoulder pads
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Warhammer 40K Space Marine Black Templars Shoulder Pads Limited Blister Pack $19.13 |
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Warhammer 40K 4 oop Assault Space Marines w Jump Packs & Dark Angel pads $15.00 |
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211 Warhammer 40k Space Marine Bits Blood Angels Death Company Shoulder Pads x20 $12.00 |
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Studded Shoulder Pad Pre Hersey MK Pad x10 Warhammer 40k Space Marine $11.19 |
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317 Warhammer 40k Space Marine Grey Knights Terminator Bits Shoulder Pads x12 $10.00 |
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370 Warhammer 40k Space Marine Space Wolves Wolfguard Bits Shoulder Pads x10 $10.00 |
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Warhammer 40K Nurgle Chaos Space Marines Metal Shoulder Pads Games Workshop $9.99 |
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Warhammer 40K World Eater Chaos Space Marines Metal Shoulder Pads Khorne $9.99 |
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Warhammer 40k Deathwatch Space Marine set heads, shoulder pads & bolters (x5) $8.00 |
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224 Warhammer 40k Space Marine Bit Blood Angel Sanguinary Guard Shoulder Pad x10 $8.00 |
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076 Warhammer 40k Space Marine Terminator Bits Shoulder Pads (empty) $7.00 |
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077 Warhammer 40k Space Marine Terminator Bits Shoulder Pads (Crux) $7.00 |
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40k Warhammer Forge World Space Marine MK5 Studded Shoulder Pads (5) *NEW BITS* $6.50 |
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139 Warhammer 40k Space Marine Command Sqd Bits Term. Honors Shoulder Pads x5 $5.25 |
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187 Warhammer 40k Space Marine Bits Black Templar Terminator Shoulder Pads x5 $5.25 |
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361 Warhammer 40k Space Marine Space Wolves Pack Bits Icon Shoulder Pads x5 $5.25 |
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386 Warhammer 40k Space Marine Space Wolves Wolfguard Shoulder Pads x3 (Icons) $5.25 |
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225 Warhammer 40k Space Marine Bits Blood Angels Sanguinary Guard Winged Pads x5 $5.00 |
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246 Warhammer 40k Space Marine Dark Angels Deathwing Shoulder Pads x3 Shields x2 $5.00 |
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304 Warhammer 40k Space Marine Grey Knights Power Armor Bits Shoulder Pads $5.00 |
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Warhammer 40K: Space Marine Command Squad Champion Shoulder Pads Bits (BB4) $4.99 |
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Devastator Squad SHOULDER PADS & ACCESSORIES Space Marine Bits Warhammer 40K $4.99 |
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021 Warhammer 40k Space Marine Bits Studded Shoulder Pads x3 $4.75 |
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SM24 Warhammer 40K Space Wolf Marine single furry shoulder pad $4.75 |
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248 Warhammer 40k Space Marine Bits Dark Angels Shoulder Pads x6 $4.50 |
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185 Warhammer 40k Space Marine Bits Black Templar Shoulder Pads x10 $3.50 |
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347 Warhammer 40k Space Marine Space Wolves Pack Bits Shoulder Pads x10 $3.25 |
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WARHAMMER 40K CHAOS SPACE MARINE SHOULDER PADS (X12) 6 DIFFERENT STYLES BITS $3.00 |
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Studded Shoulder Pad x1 Bitz Space Marines Warhammer 40k $2.99 |
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40k Warhammer Forge World Marine MK3 Iron Armor Shoulder Pads Set (2) *NEW BITS* $2.75 |
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Warhammer 40k Space Marine Studded Shoulder Pad Bit $2.75 |
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Warhammer 40k Space Marine Commander Shoulder Pad Set $2.50 |
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Warhammer 40K: Space Marine Studded Shoulder Pads Bits $2.49 |
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Warhammer 40K: Space Marine Command Squad Crux Veteran Shoulder Pad Bits (BA2) $2.49 |
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Warhammer 40K: Space Marine Shoulder Pads Bits (BE25) $2.09 |
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071 Warhammer 40k Space Marine Commander Bits Ultramarine Shoulder Pad $2.00 |
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072 Warhammer 40k Space Marine Commander Bits Crux Terminus Shoulder Pad $2.00 |
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247 Warhammer 40k Space Marine Bits Dark Angels Deathwatch Shoulder Pad $2.00 |
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262 Warhammer 40k Space Marine Bits Dark Angels Studded Shoulder Pad $2.00 |
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Warhammer 40K: Space Marine Shoulder Pads x20 Bits (BE8) $1.98 |
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Skyshield Landing Pad Planetstrike Warhammer 40K $34.99 You get everything you need to build one Aegis Defense Line. This 28-piece set includes four double blast shield sections and four single blast shield sections. Also included is a quad-gun emplacement that can be placed onto one of two different mounts supplied. Miniatures come unpainted and unassembled in their original packaging. Books are in brand new condition…. |
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Death Company SHOULDER PADS bits Blood Angles Space Marines Warhammer 40K $7.99 Boyd – Entice 8″ Memory Foam Set – BDME01511DB Soft anti-microbial velour. Washable Cover. 3” Solid Hypo-Allergenic Memory Foam. 5” Hypo-Allergenic High Density Reflex Foam. Weight: Approx 70 lbs… |
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Sanquinary SHOULDER PADS bits Blood Angles Space Marines Warhammer 40K $3.99 This operator’s manual gives you information on operating your equipment, as well as basic maintenance guidelines. Lots of illustrations, and instructions to help familiarize you with the machine…. |