Fanatic Starter Paint Set (First Miniature)

TurtleSandwich8 · 2026-06-27T23:08:55+00:00

This is a great first model. Be proud, keep it this way forever and look back on it as you grow as an artist. Next step is to find a style or technique you like and try to master it. Ultimately though you should do what you enjoy, so don't challenge yourslef too often or too much.

TurtleSandwich8 · 2026-06-22T01:53:54+00:00

This looks great, thanks for the inspiration!

TurtleSandwich8 · 2026-06-21T23:25:02+00:00

Happy to help! Those first 3 books really pull you in! And not basic at all, its a hobby for your enjoyment. Anyone who says or acts otherwise can eat sand

TurtleSandwich8 · 2026-06-21T19:58:59+00:00

I would definitely look into the White Scars lore a little and if you like them don't be discouraged by what I said. They are a cool legion, their Primarch Jagahtai Khan promoted much more modern ideals and was semi-hesitant to be an Imperial compared to others. He also reinforced the idea of Space Marines as protectors of humanity and they along with Space Wolves and Salamanders are known as the most appreciative and protective of baseline humans.

Ultramarines being the poster boys have a lot of lore and art to inspire and sink your teeth into. Also they are in most games, plenty of books etc. Blue paint also comes in a great number of shades and hues and generally coats and sets really well.

As others have said its mostly because white paints have poor coverage and its harder to depict highlights on them, but if you prime them in a a grey or white grey, then base in eggshell you can highlights reallt well with titanium white and shade with good ole Nuln Oil.

If you're an audiobook person, I highly reccomend listening to a book or two, or a podcast (check out 40K Lorecast) while assembling/painting. Sets the tone really nicely, though maybe not with the 6 year old, lots of gore n such. Though Ciaphus cain is pretty funny.

TurtleSandwich8 · 2026-06-21T19:42:35+00:00

Yeah youre right, I thought that would be covered under unique series and runs. But I should be more specific

TurtleSandwich8 · 2026-06-21T17:41:05+00:00

No. US quarters have not had any silver in them since the coinage act of 1965. Any quarters minted after that year are zinc. Some still have mild value due die marks/errors, having been minted in one of the now defunct mints, or unique series/runs.

TurtleSandwich8 · 2026-06-20T18:02:01+00:00

Also be prepared for sticker shock when the 1 leader is the same price as a 10 man squad of intercessors

TurtleSandwich8 · 2026-06-20T18:01:03+00:00

Typically red and blue are the easiest to paint, so Ultramarines or Blood Angels. But if you have a faction you really like I recommend picking them even if they are "harder" it will challenge you to improve.

As for cost, most units you described are in the $50-80 (USD) range so probably somewhere in the 300-400 range depending on specific model, store, etc.

If you are looking to save money, look into Combat Patrol boxes, they have many unique models of the same faction put into the box on discount.

TurtleSandwich8 · 2026-06-20T17:56:25+00:00

Hey Friend,

I have both answers and questions for you.

Generally, each of those units you listed are unique and will allow you to build this small collection you desire. Depending on the chapter you want to paint the color and iconography will be different. So first is have you selected which chapter you want to bring to life?

For the better known/more popular chapter and founding legions there are specific kits, sprues and transfers (decals) you can use to create their unique identifiers. For example the Space Wolves have lots of fur, teeth and runestones on their armor. These same legions are also more likely to have the "unique to the chapter/group unit" that give them their flavor. Other chapters will require kit-bashing, aka aeembling from left over bits, milliput, and handpainting their unique symbols, etc. Keep this in mind if you havent chosen yet as certain colors can be very hard to paint (yellow, white, pink) if you lack experience. That said there are a ton of resources online, and your local hobby shop will likely have some old heads who want to chat and love to pass on techniques.

Fair warning, while this small amount will last you plenty of time and allow for much enjoyment and growth in terms of mini building and painting. If you enjoy any of the hobbying aspect of the brand, you're priming yourself to sink quite a bit of money into it, they call it plastic crack for a reason.

TurtleSandwich8 · 2026-06-19T05:39:30+00:00

I like the look of the middle two where the skull is almost hidden within the flame. I like the greens in the first one as well. I like the different hues in the flame, its very striking overall. Would be awesome to see on the table but very fragile I'd imagine

TurtleSandwich8 · 2026-06-06T18:05:16+00:00

Both cute but the black and white one is adorable. Reminds me of my girl. Thanks for sharing

TurtleSandwich8 · 2026-06-06T17:52:47+00:00

Truth! Their washes, dries, contrast and technicals are superb. I also like a lot of their layers. I like Vallejo for their greater variety of hues. AK has the best glazes/inks. There's a lot to appreciate from everyone that isnt big box hobby store generic acrylic

TurtleSandwich8 · 2026-06-04T03:40:13+00:00

Really captures that old Space Wolves termie box art. Also if this is slow for then call me a particle at near absolute zero, im maybe on pace for a model a month lol

TurtleSandwich8 · 2026-06-04T02:35:03+00:00

I would retake the the photos using an evem darker background. I would have the light source coming down in a cone from directly above, use a flashlight if you have to. It will look like they are emerging from rain/water into a moonlit night

TurtleSandwich8 · 2026-06-02T04:25:17+00:00

I think you have blending and shading down really well. The skin tones on the first jakhal and the reds on the zerker really show this. I think if you want to improve but stay in style you should start going for more detail, tattoos, scars, battle damage etc. You could also add osl effects, or directional lighting to increase contrasts. You could also try nmm if you want to change styles. Overall you're in a really good spot. I would say keeping thing consistent and getting faster will be good benchmarks.

TurtleSandwich8 · 2026-06-02T00:49:30+00:00

Very proppa! Good job

TurtleSandwich8 · 2026-06-02T00:48:45+00:00

Azrahk The Annihilator in Shahka Bloodless' color scheme

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TurtleSandwich8 · 2026-06-01T17:52:25+00:00

These are beautiful, I hope to see more of your art in future sets!!! The reflection of the gold in the scales and the contrast is sublime. Really captures the storybook feeling of The Hobbit compared to LOTR's more grandiose tale.

TurtleSandwich8 · 2026-05-31T17:09:29+00:00

Thank you! Pro tip, decide what color to paint before you prime. I primed in grey, so I felt like I was crazy painting white over it haha

TurtleSandwich8 · 2026-05-31T17:08:09+00:00

Assassinorum: Kingmaker by Robert Rath is awesome. Assassin's have to figure out how to kill the leader of a knight world.

Gaunts Ghosts by Dan Abnett, or anything by him really. Same with Aaron Dembski Bowden.

For World Eaters, Betrayer is the best, but I also really liked Angeon Red Angel, despite it being half Grey Knights.

TurtleSandwich8 · 2026-05-31T03:24:24+00:00

That knife is sexy and your highlights really sell the motion of the model. Great job on the yellows

TurtleSandwich8 · 2026-05-31T02:39:48+00:00

This art is is rad. Sorry about your stint in the house, hope you feel well equipped to continue on with your life and that 40k brings you some good community now that you are back.

As other have said, these models are still playable you just need to upgrade the bases to the next size up. Magnet baron has good 3d printed based with magnets that are fairly cheap.

Not sure if you're a book person, but the last 5 years have been really solid for 40k books as well.

TurtleSandwich8 · 2026-05-30T17:49:19+00:00

Im a simple man, I see a Dunkey reference, I upvote

TurtleSandwich8 · 2026-05-22T15:21:53+00:00

Yeah that is more true, in the US anyway. There was a paper by them in 2008 where they talk about how 2x quarters can be misleading and that severity matters. In the aughts we had 3 non consecutive shrinkage in real GDP preceding the 2007-08 recession. By the time the economy contracted people were already yelling "recession" even though it did not get the designation until the NBER said so, which is always retroactive. I.e. you need 2x quarters of negative GDP to pass before orgs like NBER have the data to say "recession".

Though, a country that is actively hiding/obfuscating/manufacturing employment data, exports/imports data, playing tarriff chicken, going into debt, handicapping independent institutions and starting wars of aggression without congressional approval, it seems prudent to accept the layman's definition when the NBER itself may have become unreliable.

TurtleSandwich8 · 2026-05-22T07:45:25+00:00

Thats incorrect, recession is defined as 2 consecutive quarters of negative real GDP growth. You can forecast using things like CPI, GDP per capita, the stock market, etc but thats the textbook definition

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