Beginner Painters shopping list? Options

[stevenr1230]

After looking over my collection of painted models I have decided that although the stuff I already have is adequately (to my ultra low standards ) but now that I want to have an army which when i put on the field I can be proud to say that the awesome looking army is mine

Aside from the obvious things like undercoat, glue and paint what are the things that should be on my (new) shopping list?

After a bit of browsing around I like the look of the army painter brushes does anyone have any experience or knowledge with these? And I know im going to need a drybrush, detail brush/s and a few others but is there anything else i should be looking for? If these are rubbish what brands would you reccomend? I'm not after the A++ quality brushes but something which are of above average quality with a price tag to match.

Thank you in advance for any help which can be offered or anything which can point me in a better direction!

Steve

[Magos_Kasen]

Francheville sable brushes. Get em from Spotlight for a few bucks each, VERY good quality and cheap.

Also, make a wet palette if you don't already use one. Biggest thing I did to improve my painting. It's very easy to make one, a simple one can be a plastic dish, blister foam and baking paper.

[Jester of Death]

i use the army painter brushes, i use the regiment and character mostly, i rarely ever drybrush as i dont like the effect.

if you really want to improve your painting, find someone local and have some painting sessions with them and get them to show you a few things, technique overrides what gear you use.




JoD

[Dragon's Lair Miniatures]

I highly recommend the Dark Sword painting tutorial. Watching two masters go at it is always a good thing and their explanations are great.

[snake-eyez]

I use an A2 green cutting mat as the central part of my hobby desk to cut, assemble, and paint my models on. Since A2 is four times the size of A4, its huge, giving lots of space to leave different models, paints, parts, etc all over it. That was only $7 from Bargain City a few months ago.

Paint and tools racks like what CNC Scenery make can be very handy too for keeping things organised;

http://www.miniaturescenery.com/CategoryPa...p?CODE=CAT_ACCP

[BorisBC]

Army Painter brushes are heaps better than GW ones, don't go there. GW paints however are awesome.

You'll need a good basecoating brush, and a fine detail brush. Don't worry about a specialist dry brush, just get a cheap pack from a $2 shop and use those. Dry brushing kills your brush, so dont waste money on 'em. Technique is more important.

A wet palette is really good, as a smooth coat is the key to a good looking mini. I usually airbrush these days, but they are a little more exxy.

[Lord of ???]

I buy the 5 for $4 from the bargain shops.

They are cheap and work well, plus when they start to fray I just turf them and pull out a new one.

At 80c each I don't get precious with them.

[Olaf the Stout]

I buy the 5 for $4 from the bargain shops.

They are cheap and work well, plus when they start to fray I just turf them and pull out a new one.

At 80c each I don't get precious with them.

I initially went this way. About 3 years ago now I bought some W&N Series 7 brushes. From memory they cost $15-$20 each including shipping. However they made a huge difference to my painting.

The first thing I noticed was how much more paint the brush seemed to be able to load up. Using the synthetic brushes I would be constantly re-loading the brush with paint. The W&N brush just held a lot more paint.

The second big thing was the fine tip I could get with the W&N Brush. All the synthetic brushes I tried developed a hook before I had even finished a single mini with them. The W&N ones have all kept their points, even after 3 years. Having said that, I do wash them out with brush soap regularly to keep them in good condition.

I still have some synthetic brushes around for transferring paint from the pot to my palette and for occasional base coating where the area I am base coating is quite large and I don't need to be careful. I definitely think I've actually saved myself money, despite the high initial outlay, by not having to constantly replace my brushes. On top of that, the brushes have improved my painting.

Olaf the Stout

[Forumrabbit]

Black spray paint from super cheap auto or bunnings; or grey if that's your thing.