Let's Paint - Wizards, Pirates, and Thieves, Oh My! (RPG Mini Painting)
Last time we painted some wolves from the Castle Ravenloft Board Game. This week I finally get around to showing off the Reaper Bones Learn to Paint Kit: Layer Up.
A few weeks back I went through the Reaper Bones Learn to Paint Kit: Core Skills and went beyond the figures included in the set as I painted skeletons, orcs, and a knight.
With the Layer Up kit, I started by reading through the guide, but I quickly abandoned this in favor of my own ideas.
When it's possible, I like to re-base my minis on Reaper Bases to save that game-like black edge.
This time I didn't cut the minis from their molded base. In the end I regretted this decision, especially with the pirate, as even with my usual superglue and baking powder trick, the smaller ring of his original base is still noticeable. Once they were based, I primed them with a layer of grey craft paint.
A few weeks back I went through the Reaper Bones Learn to Paint Kit: Core Skills and went beyond the figures included in the set as I painted skeletons, orcs, and a knight.
With the Layer Up kit, I started by reading through the guide, but I quickly abandoned this in favor of my own ideas.
When it's possible, I like to re-base my minis on Reaper Bases to save that game-like black edge.
This time I didn't cut the minis from their molded base. In the end I regretted this decision, especially with the pirate, as even with my usual superglue and baking powder trick, the smaller ring of his original base is still noticeable. Once they were based, I primed them with a layer of grey craft paint.
I started with Anirion, Wood Elf Wizard. I didn't like the guides suggestion of a red-cloaked wizard and I instead decided to make a blue-cloaked, winter-themed wizard. I did use the guides explanation of layering. I found it difficult to properly gauge ratios with the already-thin reaper paints, but I did eventually get a bit of a hang of the process. I found it difficult to reach some of the smaller details, and her face was especially hard to paint.
I decided to be brave and risk ruining the hours of painting I'd done and add in snowflakes on her cloak. Honestly, I'm pretty happy with the result.
The next mini I worked on was Hajad, Pirate. I've been working towards running a pirate-themed D&D game for awhile now, so I was excited to paint this guy. I did follow the guides recommendation to make him black, and I enjoyed figuring out how to highlight the darker skin.
I had fun with this character, and he gave me the boost I needed to finish the trio. I took a stab at painting stripes on his pants and I'm really happy with the result. For his pant stripes, and smaller details, I ended up using a shaved-down toothpick in lieu of a brush as non of my brushes retained their fine tips. I also used this technique to paint the eyes. I used the technique of painting the whites, placing black stripes in the centers, and then painting the skin back on above and below like eye lids. I think he turned out pretty cool.
Finally I worked on Ingrid, Female Gnome. She was a pain. Her sculpt was so small and hard to interpret and I spent a lot of time painting and repainting. I started off trying to follow the guide but I hated the red cape. I decided instead to go with more roguish colors and mixed up a purple. I kept her outfit dark and tried focusing on creating contrast on the overall piece.
I'm still not completely satisfied with her, but I have to learn to put my brushes down eventually. I really am only looking to get tabletop quality. I am happy that I got her eyes looking at the crystal in her hand, and I do like the layering on her cape.
I can't speak too much on the quality of advice from the guide. I do like the selection of paints that came with it, but they do take a bit of work to loosen up. I'm pretty certain the kits are still being sold from their first run and the paints included have been sitting in storage for years. I had to shake them a lot the first time I use them, and sometimes I needed to clean the nozzle with a pin and running water.
The explanation of layering was well explained and did help me figure out how to tackle to process. So in that regard, the kit does what it was meant to do. It builds on the skills taught in the Core Skills kit and is definitely another great tool for beginners. But I definitely recommend following your own impulses and learning by experimentation as well.
Having completed another kit, I felt it was time for something different. Come back next week to see me convert an awful Mage Knight figure into a pretty cool Ice Witch.
Miniatures Used:
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