The Solis Media
Guide to painting miniature figures

INTRODUCTION

Since we have been painting for about 20 years we felt it was about time we passed on some of our techniques! We have experimented with all manner of media, from oil through enamel to acrylic and everything in between, adding inks, water colours and gauche just for a bit of flavor! We have more or less settled on pot acrylics, and all the techniques here relate to them, unless we specify otherwise. While we don't think we are the best painters in the world (by quite a way....) we do think we are pretty good! Let us know what you think. Your feedback would be appreciated.

Techniques and areas covered

• faces
• flesh tones
• gallery page
• shields and banners
• HIGH IMPACT
• 15mm examples
• Preparation including cleaning and undercoating.
• Dry brushing for various effects.
• Shading and Contouring to accentuate relief and give a figure depth.
• Washes of Ink and paint to glaze and lift colours Updated Sept 2005
• Varnishing for that finishing touch.
• Leather and Clothing Updated July 2005
• armour
• fur and feather
• trees and rocks
• scales, fangs and all things nasty.....
• For banners check the RPG Archive

Details of paints, brushes, accessories, cleaning old figures, making dioramas and displays may be added later too!

I am currently using Vallejo Acrylics (Game Color) and Daler-Rowney Sapphire Sable/synthetic mix brushes. Oh, and Tamiya flat black and flat brown XF1 and XF10 for undercoats.

You can buy the Osprey Publishing book on figure painting from Amazon in the UK or USA - Click the flag to jump straight to the book!   

© 2000 Solis Media

Solis Library