To Paint or Not to Paint?

[srw1417]

Hi, all!

I recently purchased some Mechwarrior Dark Age clix miniatures and I'd kind of like to paint them, but I'm not sure if I can do a good job.

So can you guys put up some pictures of your custom Mechwarrior (not BattleTech) painted clix miniatures? I'd really appreciate it! Thanks!

[Mason]

Really not sure this is in the right place....

[srw1417]

Sorry, I didn't have a lot of time to post and this seemed like an O.K. place to put it, so I did!

Do you have any painted 'Mechs?

[Conquistador]

I would think if properly painted some of them might make good VSF figures (with appropriate smokestacks and rivets added, of course.) 

Otherwise, Future Wars would be the proper place I think.

Gracias,

Glenn

[srw1417]

And also, do you think I should use acrylics or enamels?

(I don't know if I can move this topic)

[Cypher226]

paint - personal preference I guess. I've had pretty good results with spray primer and acrylics over the top though. I've always wanted to be able to paint strip them first but haven't found anything that will do the job yet :-/

[dijit]

Another option is to give them a black wash over the existing paint job, then highlight/paint details. Quick and easy.

[Sgt. Scream]

I use acrylics that are water based (such as GW or Vallejo). I just primed the existing paintjob and applied the new scheme.

Here are a few examples:
http://smallscaleoperations.blogspot.de/2012/12/tomorrows-war-meets-battletech-house.html

http://smallscaleoperations.blogspot.de/2012/06/tomorrows-war-meets-battletech-clan.html

http://smallscaleoperations.blogspot.de/2012/04/tomorrows-war-meets-battletech-clan_22.html

[kalamadea]

Because they're elready painted, you can just do some touch-ups and make them really look great. I would suggest some washes (GW and Vellejo washes are pretty fantastic). A wash of dark brown over just about any mini will look great, brown is pretty much a catch-all for making it dark and dirty and used, but still adding shading and definition to a miniature. A simple drybrush after you wash it will go a step further, a grey or light bone/ivory will go over most colors. The trick is to dip the brish in paint and wipe off most of the paint onto a rag, then wipe off even more. Key word is "dry"brush, just a little paint on it will only hit the raised edges of the model and help give definition on the table. Using both washes and drybrushing is incredibly easy, and will really kick up the look of your stuff.

As for pictures, my gallery is in my sig. Also, anybody interested in clickytech scale painted models needs to check out Spaceman Spiff's galler here: http://s295.photobucket.com/user/darrin-teigen/library/?sort=3&page=1. The man does fantastic things, although much of his models now are sculpted and conversions and not actual retail kits.

[srw1417]

Thanks for the tip on dry brushing! I wondered how to do that.

But, should I never use enamels? I mean, I can't really spend any more money on paint after just buying a bunch of miniatures! Will enamels still work for dry brushing? Plus, those minis look great!

[kalamadea]

Enamels are great for airbrushing, generally bad for traditional brushing and are generally bad for minis painting. You can make em work pretty well if you thin them down (although thick paint works a lot better specifically for drybrushing), but they're just hard to use right and a pain in the rear to clean. You are much much MUCH better off going to your local arts and crafts store and picking up some of the acrylic ceramic paints, Delta Cermacoat are really good if you have a Micheal's or a Wal Mart close enough that carries em. Only about a dollar for a 2 oz bottle, and it's pretty good quality paint and most hobby paints come in 0.4 oz bottles for around $4. Folk art and apple barrel are usable, but if they have Delta, grab that since it's on par with a lot of the actual "miniature" acrylic paints.

[srw1417]

Delta, huh? I didn't know it came so cheap.

Thanks for all your help. This should be very useful!