Painting your first Warhammer 40k miniatures is a rite of passage. It’s also where a lot of new hobbyists get stuck, overwhelmed by the sheer number of paints, brushes, and techniques. This guide cuts through the noise and gets you to a finished, table-ready model.
The golden rules
Before you crack open a pot of paint, internalise two rules that will save you a lot of grief. First, don’t rush. This hobby rewards patience. Rushing leads to sloppy paint jobs and frustration. Second, paint for yourself. Don’t compare your work to the studio models on the box. Your first mini won’t be perfect, and that’s fine. The goal is to enjoy the process and see improvement with each model.
- Take your time: thin your paints and apply multiple thin coats rather than one thick one.
- Paint for yourself: compete only with your previous model, not with award-winning painters.
- Start small: pick a small force you actually like, not a 2000-point army.
Your starter toolkit
You don’t need much to get going. A decent brush, a few paints, and some basic tools will do. Games Workshop’s starter sets are fine, but you can also buy individual supplies. The key is to avoid cheap brushes that splay and paints that clump.
- Brushes: one medium base brush and one fine detail brush. Synthetic is fine for beginners.
- Paints: start with a black or grey primer, a base colour for armour, a metallic, and a wash.
- Tools: clippers, a mould line remover, and a palette (a tile or plastic lid works).
- Glue: plastic cement for plastic models.
Basic painting: your first table-ready mini
The goal is a model that looks good on the tabletop, not a display piece. Follow these steps and you’ll have a finished miniature in a couple of hours.
- Assemble and clean: clip parts from the sprue, remove mould lines, and glue together.
- Prime: spray or brush on a thin, even coat of primer. Let it dry completely.
- Base coat: thin your paint and apply two thin coats of your main colour.
- Wash: apply a wash over the whole model to add shadow and depth.
- Highlight: lightly drybrush or edge highlight with a lighter colour.
- Base: paint the base with a texture paint or sand, then drybrush.
Level up with intermediate techniques
Once you’ve got a few models under your belt, you can start adding simple techniques that make a big difference. Edge highlighting and drybrushing are the two easiest to learn.
- Edge highlighting: use the side of a fine brush to trace the sharp edges of armour with a lighter colour.
- Drybrushing: load a brush with paint, wipe most off on a tissue, then lightly brush over raised areas.
- Basing: add texture paint, rocks, or grass to bring your model to life.
Avoiding burnout
The biggest reason new painters quit is burnout. They buy too much, set unrealistic goals, and get demoralised. Set small, achievable targets. Paint one model at a time, or batch-paint five. Celebrate finished models, even if they’re not perfect.
- Don’t buy more than you can paint in a month.
- Paint what excites you, not what’s ‘meta’.
- Take breaks and don’t force yourself to paint every day.
Key facts
- Start with a small force to avoid overwhelm.
- Thin your paints and apply multiple thin coats.
- A wash and a drybrush are quick ways to add depth.
- Paint for yourself, not for competition.
- Burnout is common; set small, achievable goals.
FAQ
Do I need to thin my paints?
Yes, for most acrylic paints. Thinning with a little water or medium helps the paint flow smoothly and preserves detail. Two thin coats are better than one thick one.
What’s the best primer for Warhammer 40k miniatures?
A spray primer from Games Workshop or a hardware store works well. Black, grey, or white are common. Make sure to spray in a well-ventilated area and in the right temperature and humidity.
How long does it take to paint a single miniature?
A basic table-ready miniature can take 1-2 hours. More detailed models can take much longer. Speed comes with practice.