The placement of your highlights looks fine, i think you just need to practice your brush technique a little. Try to apply less paint in thinner layers, i know you've probably have heard it a 100 times, but it is really part of the secret to painting cleaner surfaces. Get some test surface where you can check your color thickness, i usually use my fingernails\^\^, before you apply it to the mini. Also think about getting good expensive brushes 10$+ range, they have a much better feel and everything, worth it imo. Like honestly if you would do exactly the same as you do now, but with much thinner layers, the result will improve immensely already. Also it's much more easy to paint clean with thin layers, you don't need to apply any pressure like you would have to with thick paint, that makes it much more easy to paint very precise.
It looks like a good work in progress model.
[Tamiya Panel Liner](https://youtu.be/C1nYvmxsDKI?t=1202) is one of the easiest ways to recess shade your models if you don't have the patience to [dark line](https://www.reddit.com/r/minipainting/wiki/usefullinks/blending#wiki_dark_lining.2C_black_lining.2C_shadow_lining_and_recess_shading) everything with the brush to define the details better. [Edge highlights](https://www.reddit.com/r/minipainting/wiki/usefullinks/blending#wiki_edge_highlighting_.26amp.3B_blacklining) would help with this as well.
The colors look good on the armor.
[Tommie Soule](https://www.instagram.com/the_miniature_painting_tutor/) is a color blind painter and his how to paint miniatures book is the best I have read, so don’t let that get you down.
If the value jumps are what's bothering you, I would recommend a really thin glaze of the midtone over the area. It tends to unify the transition without erasing it.
I'm sure we've all felt similarly from time to time. Do yourself a favor and take a look at your first mini (or the oldest one you still have). You don't get worse.
For what it's worth, I think you've already done a good job with this model so far.
Yeah those jumps are bothering me. I was thinking I could come back and make the gradient more subtle but I’m not sure if it’s better to rough it out and then come back or to plan it out more carefully. I’ll consider the glaze midtone!
Thanks for the encouragement!
I think it looks great! I mean it’s not going to be a competition piece, but it looks better than most of my paint jobs and I’d be extremely happy with this!
Not bad mate! Some more brush control just to help keep the colors from bleeding from one panel to another but that just comes with practice. Remember, a large portion of the miniatures you see posted online are from people who have been painting for years (even many of the "LoOK At my FIrsT MOdEl" lies), probably a couple commissions that they try pass off as their own, and/or professional mini painters. This is a good start and something to be proud of! Photographing minis is very difficult, and so it can be a bit difficult to tell all the detail you have here bc of the photo. Generally, I would say keep going, if you feel it isn't done yet then that explains why you think it isn't good, 80% completion is always when models look the worst in my experience. Finish him up, be proud of how he turned out, and keep going upwards from there. Happy painting and good luck! Cheers!
Thanks! I did rush the highlights now that I’ve thought about it more. I got sloppy. I have wondered about the “first model” posts sometimes myself…
Seriously thanks for the encouragement.
Everyone rushes, no big deal. We all want the 100 hour paintjob in an afternoon lol. Youre on the right track and Im glad i could help keep the spirits high, cheers!
Thanks! I started with an orange mixed with a little bit of blue and was just trying for a brighter highlight. I didn’t consider what the actual light source was.
First off, I think you're doing a wonderful job.
Second, remember that no one is ever going to look at your mini as close as you took this picture. This handsome gentleman is going on a tabletop that is a few feet away from both you and your opponent. He's also likely to be mixed in with other painted models and terrain, which will blend everything in more. Remember to literally take a step back and look at what you're going to see on the tabletop and not what you have inches from your face while you paint.
Thanks you! The discouragement is/was real. I feel more positive after working on it a little more and after reading all of the encouraging and helpful comments here.
Hi, u/its-a-process! It looks like you are asking for help or are a new painter. If you haven't yet, take a look at our wiki pages in the Sidebar (the About tab if you are on the Reddit app). Here are some links you might find helpful:
* [FAQ](https://www.reddit.com/r/minipainting/wiki/rules/faq) - A list of frequently asked questions about minipainting
* [Miniature Painting Guide Collection](https://www.reddit.com/r/minipainting/wiki/usefullinks) -A collection of some of the best guides and tutorials on a variety of techniques and topics, plus recommendations on what to buy to get started, and more.
* [What to buy- Recommendations on brushes, paints, supplies, palettes and more](https://www.reddit.com/r/minipainting/wiki/usefullinks/what_you_need_to_get_started#wiki_general_advice_on_what_to_buy)
* [Beginner's Guide Collection- How to prep, base, paint and varnish your first model and learn the basics needed to start out right](https://www.reddit.com/r/minipainting/wiki/usefullinks/beginner_tips)
* [More Tutorials](https://www.reddit.com/r/minipainting/wiki/tutorials) - A list of additional tutorials about minipainting
* [Manufacturers](https://www.reddit.com/r/minipainting/wiki/manufacturers) - A list of miniature manufacturers from around the world
* [Painting Terminology](https://www.reddit.com/r/minipainting/wiki/terminology) - Common painting terms, acronyms, and initialisms
* [The Art of... Tommie Soule Volume 5](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGIfySMnUPQ) is one of the best beginner to intermediate teaching books, and even experienced painters will learn some good tips. Explains what brush strokes are best in different situations, how to identify when you have the perfect thinning for any type of paint for different techniques, and a masterclass on getting smooth paint jobs. Available in [pdf](https://www.ironheartartisans.com/shop/the-art-of-tommie-soule-volume-5-pdf/) and [world wide in hardbook as well](https://www.instagram.com/the_miniature_painting_tutor/).
* [Airbrushing Miniatures](https://www.reddit.com/r/minipainting/wiki/usefullinks/airbrushing)
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/minipainting) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I’m fairly new to the figure painting myself. That doesn’t look bad at all. The old adage “practice makes perfect” holds a lot of weight. I 3d print my figures, so I just burn off a handful of practice pieces to try different things. I had an old LotR board game laying around that has a ton of little figures in it to paint, so I’ve been using those too. I’ve seen my stuff noticeably improve over the last few weeks just by practicing on my spares.
I don’t really know how to help with the color blind part. I’m sure there are painters here that know how to deal with that.
Keep it up and keep practicing!
The placement of your highlights looks fine, i think you just need to practice your brush technique a little. Try to apply less paint in thinner layers, i know you've probably have heard it a 100 times, but it is really part of the secret to painting cleaner surfaces. Get some test surface where you can check your color thickness, i usually use my fingernails\^\^, before you apply it to the mini. Also think about getting good expensive brushes 10$+ range, they have a much better feel and everything, worth it imo. Like honestly if you would do exactly the same as you do now, but with much thinner layers, the result will improve immensely already. Also it's much more easy to paint clean with thin layers, you don't need to apply any pressure like you would have to with thick paint, that makes it much more easy to paint very precise.
It looks like a good work in progress model. [Tamiya Panel Liner](https://youtu.be/C1nYvmxsDKI?t=1202) is one of the easiest ways to recess shade your models if you don't have the patience to [dark line](https://www.reddit.com/r/minipainting/wiki/usefullinks/blending#wiki_dark_lining.2C_black_lining.2C_shadow_lining_and_recess_shading) everything with the brush to define the details better. [Edge highlights](https://www.reddit.com/r/minipainting/wiki/usefullinks/blending#wiki_edge_highlighting_.26amp.3B_blacklining) would help with this as well. The colors look good on the armor. [Tommie Soule](https://www.instagram.com/the_miniature_painting_tutor/) is a color blind painter and his how to paint miniatures book is the best I have read, so don’t let that get you down.
If the value jumps are what's bothering you, I would recommend a really thin glaze of the midtone over the area. It tends to unify the transition without erasing it. I'm sure we've all felt similarly from time to time. Do yourself a favor and take a look at your first mini (or the oldest one you still have). You don't get worse. For what it's worth, I think you've already done a good job with this model so far.
Yeah those jumps are bothering me. I was thinking I could come back and make the gradient more subtle but I’m not sure if it’s better to rough it out and then come back or to plan it out more carefully. I’ll consider the glaze midtone! Thanks for the encouragement!
What'd you end up deciding, if you don't mind my asking?
I think it looks great! I mean it’s not going to be a competition piece, but it looks better than most of my paint jobs and I’d be extremely happy with this!
Thank you!!
Not bad mate! Some more brush control just to help keep the colors from bleeding from one panel to another but that just comes with practice. Remember, a large portion of the miniatures you see posted online are from people who have been painting for years (even many of the "LoOK At my FIrsT MOdEl" lies), probably a couple commissions that they try pass off as their own, and/or professional mini painters. This is a good start and something to be proud of! Photographing minis is very difficult, and so it can be a bit difficult to tell all the detail you have here bc of the photo. Generally, I would say keep going, if you feel it isn't done yet then that explains why you think it isn't good, 80% completion is always when models look the worst in my experience. Finish him up, be proud of how he turned out, and keep going upwards from there. Happy painting and good luck! Cheers!
Thanks! I did rush the highlights now that I’ve thought about it more. I got sloppy. I have wondered about the “first model” posts sometimes myself… Seriously thanks for the encouragement.
Everyone rushes, no big deal. We all want the 100 hour paintjob in an afternoon lol. Youre on the right track and Im glad i could help keep the spirits high, cheers!
Not a thing wrong with your highlights, if you were going for an orange with mid day light source you nailed it
Thanks! I started with an orange mixed with a little bit of blue and was just trying for a brighter highlight. I didn’t consider what the actual light source was.
First off, I think you're doing a wonderful job. Second, remember that no one is ever going to look at your mini as close as you took this picture. This handsome gentleman is going on a tabletop that is a few feet away from both you and your opponent. He's also likely to be mixed in with other painted models and terrain, which will blend everything in more. Remember to literally take a step back and look at what you're going to see on the tabletop and not what you have inches from your face while you paint.
Thank you! That is great advice.
Coming from someone that is new to the hobby this looks great! Keep it up!
Thanks you! The discouragement is/was real. I feel more positive after working on it a little more and after reading all of the encouraging and helpful comments here.
Hi, u/its-a-process! It looks like you are asking for help or are a new painter. If you haven't yet, take a look at our wiki pages in the Sidebar (the About tab if you are on the Reddit app). Here are some links you might find helpful: * [FAQ](https://www.reddit.com/r/minipainting/wiki/rules/faq) - A list of frequently asked questions about minipainting * [Miniature Painting Guide Collection](https://www.reddit.com/r/minipainting/wiki/usefullinks) -A collection of some of the best guides and tutorials on a variety of techniques and topics, plus recommendations on what to buy to get started, and more. * [What to buy- Recommendations on brushes, paints, supplies, palettes and more](https://www.reddit.com/r/minipainting/wiki/usefullinks/what_you_need_to_get_started#wiki_general_advice_on_what_to_buy) * [Beginner's Guide Collection- How to prep, base, paint and varnish your first model and learn the basics needed to start out right](https://www.reddit.com/r/minipainting/wiki/usefullinks/beginner_tips) * [More Tutorials](https://www.reddit.com/r/minipainting/wiki/tutorials) - A list of additional tutorials about minipainting * [Manufacturers](https://www.reddit.com/r/minipainting/wiki/manufacturers) - A list of miniature manufacturers from around the world * [Painting Terminology](https://www.reddit.com/r/minipainting/wiki/terminology) - Common painting terms, acronyms, and initialisms * [The Art of... Tommie Soule Volume 5](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGIfySMnUPQ) is one of the best beginner to intermediate teaching books, and even experienced painters will learn some good tips. Explains what brush strokes are best in different situations, how to identify when you have the perfect thinning for any type of paint for different techniques, and a masterclass on getting smooth paint jobs. Available in [pdf](https://www.ironheartartisans.com/shop/the-art-of-tommie-soule-volume-5-pdf/) and [world wide in hardbook as well](https://www.instagram.com/the_miniature_painting_tutor/). * [Airbrushing Miniatures](https://www.reddit.com/r/minipainting/wiki/usefullinks/airbrushing) *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/minipainting) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I’m fairly new to the figure painting myself. That doesn’t look bad at all. The old adage “practice makes perfect” holds a lot of weight. I 3d print my figures, so I just burn off a handful of practice pieces to try different things. I had an old LotR board game laying around that has a ton of little figures in it to paint, so I’ve been using those too. I’ve seen my stuff noticeably improve over the last few weeks just by practicing on my spares. I don’t really know how to help with the color blind part. I’m sure there are painters here that know how to deal with that. Keep it up and keep practicing!
Buddy, i really like this model and its colors . Something just stands out . Dont feel bummed out . You're doing great.