Studio Resources

Master Your Miniatures

Practical guides and professional techniques designed for every skill level at the painting desk.

The Fundamentals

A reliable workflow prevents mistakes early on. Follow these studio-tested steps for preparing your next model.

1
Tools used for cleaning miniature mold lines

Clean and Assemble

Carefully remove mold lines with a hobby knife and assemble the core components. Leave shields or capes off if they block the brush later.

2
Miniature model being primed in grey

Smooth Priming

Apply primer in short, controlled bursts. A smooth, even layer creates the perfect surface for acrylics to adhere without obscuring fine details.

3
Applying basecoat to miniature armor

Solid Basecoats

Thin your paints on a wet palette. Apply two thin coats instead of one thick layer to maintain a smooth texture across the entire model.

Advanced Techniques

Ready to push your skills further? Explore specialized finishing effects.

Non-metallic metal sword painting
Display Level

Non-Metallic Metal (NMM)

Learn how to simulate the reflective properties of steel and gold using only matte colors through careful placement of extreme highlights and deep shadows.

Object source lighting effect on miniature
Atmosphere

Glowing Effects

Weathering powders and rust on a model
Realism

Weathering & Rust

Our Gear

Essential Studio Tools

The right tools do not replace practice, but they remove unnecessary friction. At the studio, we rely on high-quality sable brushes for detail work, a dependable wet palette to keep paints workable, and dedicated washes to build depth effortlessly.

  • Kolinsky sable brushes for sharp points and paint retention.
  • Wet palettes with hydration foam to prevent acrylics drying.
  • High-pigment miniature paints designed specifically for fine details.
High quality painting brushes and miniature paints on a desk

Reader Comments

Join the discussion and share your own painting tips.

"The NMM guide was exactly what I needed. Breaking it down into simple steps made it so much less intimidating!"

Posted by MiniPainter99

"I've been struggling with smooth basecoats for months. The tip about the wet palette changed everything."

Posted by TabletopGeneral