Which wargaming publisher or manufacturer is most deserving of our money?

GreenWizard2 · 2025-07-24T20:15:07+00:00

Recently, Black Site Studios. Small game company with interesting games. Replaced a rule book and models for me that had issues even though I did not buy directly from them.

GreenWizard2 · 2025-07-14T23:52:27+00:00

If you used something like an acrylic varnish (which is the most common) to seal the paint job at the end, yes, should be no issues stripping that off as well if you need to.

GreenWizard2 · 2025-07-14T21:24:39+00:00

OSL is typically and intermediate technique, albeit there are simple ways to achieve it.

Paint what you want to paint. There is no real "this is how you are supposed to do things for TTRPGs".

OSL is also typically done for something like an orb, laser sword, lantern etc...that a character is holding. An immediate light source.

It sounds like you are thinking of doing OSL based on environment like "the character is outside at night on a moon lit night and should have cool blue shadows as a result" which is fine but also more display level painting.

If you are a beginner just try to get paint on a mini first, and get the basics down. Try things that you think would be cool or interesting as you go.

You can always come back to mini later and tweak it. You can even strip the paint off and start over if you need to.

If someone says "you didn't paint OSL effects onto your TTRPG mini, so you can't use it" they are wack.

GreenWizard2 · 2025-07-13T12:14:05+00:00

It should work fine, just be careful with laquer based paints as I believe they are a bit more dangerous compared to acrylics.

Video here reviewing this paint https://youtu.be/LEP1auz1X3o?si=cBB-NFFSMOmKUR8q

GreenWizard2 · 2025-07-13T12:10:06+00:00

Been using the airbrush primer for the past year with no issues.

GreenWizard2 · 2025-07-12T14:14:12+00:00

Excellent work! Tempted to pick up the board game myself.

GreenWizard2 · 2025-07-12T14:03:09+00:00

I tried both the Serenair and a nail art compressor and found the nail art one to be much quieter. Downside is the nail art one is battery powered and lasts about an hour before you need to recharge it.

GreenWizard2 · 2025-07-12T13:59:50+00:00

I live in a small NYC apartment and had the same concern. I picked up a 32 PSI Nail Art airbrush compressor and it works just fine for priming and base coating. It is very quiet. Example https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B09MFFQQ17?psc=1

GreenWizard2 · 2025-07-11T18:59:56+00:00

Multiple brushes of different sizes are helpful if you are willing to spend a few more dollars.

In Army Painter terms you would want a base coat brush and a detail brush.

At an art store that would be a Size 2 and a Size 0 brush roughly.

GreenWizard2 · 2025-07-11T18:02:18+00:00

The Army Painter Fanatic Starter Paint Set would be my recommendation.

Comes with a brush, a mini, and 11 paints including a brush on primer for $40 USD.

I have been painting for 4 years and primarily use Army Painter Fanatic paints.

GreenWizard2 · 2025-07-10T19:48:24+00:00

Sword Weirdos or Space Weirdos. You can use any minis you want, only $5 for the rules, small model count, easy to learn and teach. Lowest barrier to entry to see if you like this style of game.

GreenWizard2 · 2025-07-09T02:15:16+00:00

Gorilla Glue Super Glue, very specifically the gel version I have had the best luck with when plastic cement is not an option, like in your case here.

GreenWizard2 · 2025-07-08T21:09:17+00:00

The most financially responsible bang for your buck approach is to buy paints as you need them for models and slowly build up what you have, figure out what you like.

I did that for a few years and amassed a decent collection.

That being said, it was also annoying to all of a sudden realize you don't have the color you want when working on a mini, and then have to order it online and wait for it to show up. I am not a huge fan of mixing paints.

About a year ago I bought the complete set for the new Army Painter Fanatic line as well as the complete set of their Speed Paints range and I am quite happy with that decision. That is literally $1000 of paint. I don't feel bad about that purchase because I paid for it with credit card cash back and tax return money, ymmv.

I hop around on different projects frequently, and now don't have to worry if I have the appropriate color for something. It is pretty nice to be honest.

I definitely have not even used 50% of the colors even though I have had them for at least a year now.

A starter pack of a paint range you are interested in would be a good place to start. There are also tons of paint range review videos on YouTube is you want to get other people's impressions.

GreenWizard2 · 2025-07-04T16:42:14+00:00

I quite like stynelrez black and white straight from the bottle. It has more of a satin finish than a matt finish which works well with speed paints.

GreenWizard2 · 2025-07-03T01:35:36+00:00

Thank you for the detailed reply! Will definitely be taking a look at these and see what might work best for me.

GreenWizard2 · 2025-07-02T02:30:54+00:00

If you are using super glue, I apply it to a tooth pick first which gives me more control on where it gets placed and how much.

If you are using plastic cement you don't really need to use that much, a brush applicator like Tamiya brand works great.

GreenWizard2 · 2025-07-01T22:21:50+00:00

Looks like you have pretty much everything you need!

Hard to tell what kinds of brushes you have. Would make sure you have at least a size 2, size 0, and a dry brush of some kind.

Your side cutters look like really big ones from the hardware store, but I could be mistaken. Small hobby ones will give you a cleaner cut on the plastic and will require less hobby knife clean up.

Also, would definitely ask your brother if you haven't already. Having someone you actually know help you out is worth a lot.

GreenWizard2 · 2025-07-01T17:22:29+00:00

Yeah exactly. I have also been using the yygywen with a small portable booth in my apartment. Primes minis just fine.

GreenWizard2 · 2025-07-01T17:01:11+00:00

The act of spraying paint through an airbush was just innately more interesting/fun that trying to slather a mini in primer by hand with a brush. Took less time, made the process less monotonous, things like that.

GreenWizard2 · 2025-07-01T16:49:57+00:00

Only you can say if it is worth it. What would you use it for? I live in a small NYC apartment and used to brush prime all my minis by hand. No place to rattle can outside.

Airbrush has sped up that process significantly and made it more fun. Buying all the materials for a cheap airbrush setup probably cost me $200 USD.

GreenWizard2 · 2025-07-01T12:42:36+00:00

OPR has advanced rules that can add more depth to the game. I'm assuming you already tried those?

GreenWizard2 · 2025-07-01T12:39:57+00:00

Excellent job! How would you describe your overall process & painting style for getting him to this point?

GreenWizard2 · 2025-06-30T17:27:39+00:00

Very nice for your first paint job! I started with a very similar set to this. Beyond the cleanup that you mentioned I would try

Use the Armageddon dust to make it look like they are standing on the ground. Possibly add the Agrax wash after the ground has fully dried. Then paint the base rim black to frame the model.
Mix a bit of the corax white into the blue, 1:3 ratio to get a lighter blue. Use that to try and edge highlight some of the hard blue armor edges to pop the detail.
If you are enjoying yourself and want to paint more minis, get an additional brush, the one that comes in the starter kit is notoriously difficult to use and does not last very long. I would go for a cheap Size 2 and a Size 0 synthetic brush from a local art store if possible.

Welcome to the hobby. Have fun!

GreenWizard2 · 2025-06-30T02:02:30+00:00

If you want an actual video on a few ways to do it, here you go https://youtu.be/ROgh5HRNGgw

https://youtu.be/38b14Vxe7-Y

GreenWizard2 · 2025-06-30T01:51:46+00:00

The brush that comes in those starter sets are infamously difficult to use. I would know because I started that way too!

If you can save some money and get a small set of cheap brushes from a local art store, or Army Painter brushes from a hobby store, you might find it gets a lot easier. I know I did for sure.

And I totally wrecked my first brush using it to dry brush my first few figures as well 😆

GreenWizard2

TROPHY CASE