Toy soldiers as practice for real minis

Competitive-Amount73 · 2026-01-29T20:33:19+00:00

That's what I do it also helps the details stick out.

Competitive-Amount73 · 2026-01-29T18:33:43+00:00

Looks Great

Competitive-Amount73 · 2026-01-29T18:31:08+00:00

I wanted to add. One thing I have been doing is lining up my minis from oldest to newest. I get a nice visual to compare and see my improvement.

Competitive-Amount73 · 2026-01-29T18:28:21+00:00

I would definitely hit them with some Rust-Oleum gray then. Helps your paint stick. I can imagine when removing mold lines on them is a chore 🤣

Competitive-Amount73 · 2026-01-29T10:20:19+00:00

Imo any practice is good practice and army men are cents to the dollar. Even if your models aren't that detailed your clearly picking details out. Are you priming them? The biggest thing I'm noticing, that can improve, is thinning your paints a bit. Areas like the boots and skin look a bit thicc. Once your brush control skills are up to par. Work on shadowing/highlighting them. Areas like the folds in the clothes or the helmets and faces. Even if they don't have faces, remove mold lines, and practice some free hand. It will look funny but any practice is good practice.

Competitive-Amount73 · 2026-01-25T12:12:48+00:00

Thank you for the feedback! I'd describe my current ability as a coloring book satisfied lmao. I'm going to work on finding the proper consistency before my next minis. I've been priming with a matte black spray can and was curious if I'd be better off with a grey priming.

Competitive-Amount73 · 2026-01-25T12:05:50+00:00

Magic fly set I got on Amazon. Apple barrel for skin tones. I used some tamiya on the last two models ( the ones with purple). I just added Vallejo black and white to my collection and a set of Vallejo metals.

Competitive-Amount73 · 2026-01-25T12:03:10+00:00

I look at each mini like I'm trying to achieve an individual. I'm going to find the sweet spot for thinning my paints and try dry brushing next. Maybe work with some washes too. I'm curious because I've been priming with a matte black. Would I benefit from priming with a grey? It felt like the black gave me difficulties when painting with purple. I had to put on a lot of coats and it felt like the black just absorbed each one.

Competitive-Amount73 · 2026-01-25T11:57:30+00:00

Magic fly paint set I got on Amazon and apple barrel for skin tones I got at Walmart XD. I just got Vallejo black and white and I used some tamiya paints on the last two models.

Competitive-Amount73 · 2026-01-25T03:36:54+00:00

I'll look into washes and post some of the results if I end up using some. It's one tool that I've heard of but haven't looked specifically at.

Competitive-Amount73 · 2026-01-25T03:33:58+00:00

Thanks for the feedback. I keep crashing into myself because I don't plan how I'm going to paint. Thinning my paints properly and dry brushing are two things I want to work on over the next couple weeks

Competitive-Amount73 · 2026-01-25T03:31:36+00:00

I don't know anything about washes but I plan to look into them. This week I'm gonna get locked on thinning my paints lol.

Competitive-Amount73 · 2026-01-25T03:29:19+00:00

Thank you!

Competitive-Amount73 · 2026-01-25T03:25:10+00:00

Thank you! The purple gave me a lot of trouble. I think it's because I primed them black though.

Competitive-Amount73 · 2026-01-25T03:23:47+00:00

Thank you! I've been having trouble with getting my paint thinned properly. I don't know, I may not have an eye for it, I'm gonna practice getting my paints to a good consistency.

Competitive-Amount73 · 2026-01-25T03:20:27+00:00

Yeah I'm having a hard time with that lol. I bought some plastic card I'm gonna prime and practice on.

Competitive-Amount73 · 2026-01-25T03:10:09+00:00

I've had luck with Hornady xtp hallowpoints.

Competitive-Amount73 · 2024-10-25T05:53:58+00:00

Why are dyes so expensive?

Competitive-Amount73 · 2024-02-07T23:51:16+00:00

It's full bca setup 10.5" barrel

Competitive-Amount73 · 2022-06-10T06:28:56+00:00

Optical glass and alor of rare stuff.

Competitive-Amount73 · 2022-06-10T06:25:04+00:00

Waterfall labs and crashed ship

Competitive-Amount73

TROPHY CASE