AVERLAND SUNSET 12ML

Tutorial: Base Paints

Base paints are the foundation of your miniature painting process. Specially formulated to provide a solid basecoat with a high pigment count, they allow you to quickly cover your miniatures with vibrant colors while ensuring good coverage.

Why Use Base Paints?

Base paints are essential for several reasons:

• Solid Coverage: They provide a solid foundation that’s easy to apply and ensures that subsequent layers of paint adhere better.
• High Pigment Content: With a higher pigment count, base paints offer strong opacity and vibrant colors.
• Smooth Matt Finish: The paint leaves a matte finish that serves as an ideal surface for further shading, highlights, and details.

How to Use Base Paints:

1. Preparation:

   • Make sure your miniature is clean and assembled (if required).
   • Prime the model with a spray primer (such as white or black primer), which provides an even surface for the base paint to adhere to.

2. Application:

   • Shake the Pot: Before you begin, shake the paint pot to mix the pigment properly. Base paints often separate, so a good shake ensures an even consistency.
   • Load Your Brush: Dip your brush into the paint, ensuring it’s not overloaded. It’s always better to start with a small amount of paint and build up layers than to overload your brush.
   • Apply the Base Coat: Using your brush, apply the base paint evenly across the miniature. Start from the top and work your way down to avoid pooling in hard-to-reach areas.
   • Thin Layers: If the base coat is too thick or doesn’t cover properly, don’t worry! Simply apply a thin second or third layer, allowing the paint to dry between coats.

3. After Application:

   • Let the base coat dry completely before moving on to further painting steps like shading, highlighting, and detailing. Drying time varies, but it usually takes around 20–30 minutes depending on the environment and thickness of the paint.
   • Clean your brushes properly after use to prevent paint buildup and ensure longevity.

Key Tips for Base Paints:

• Avoid Overloading Your Brush: Too much paint on your brush can cause streaking, pooling, or uneven coverage. It’s always better to apply several thin layers.
• Use a Palette: For better control, consider using a palette to thin out the base paint with a little water or medium if it feels too thick. This ensures smoother application.
• Patience is Key: Allow each layer to dry before applying the next one to prevent smudging or mixing the layers prematurely.

Recommended Base Paint Colors:

Base paints typically come in a variety of colors to suit the broad spectrum of miniatures you'll paint. Here are some popular base paint colors you may encounter:

• Retributor Armour – for metallic gold bases.
• Khorne Red – for deep red tones.
• Leadbelcher – for a metallic, gunmetal tone.
• Averland Sunset – for bright yellow or gold.
• Astrogranite – for a rocky texture base.

Conclusion:

Using base paints is one of the easiest ways to ensure that your miniatures start off with a solid and uniform coat, setting the stage for all subsequent painting stages. These paints are your go-to for coverage, vibrant colors, and a smooth matte finish.