MEPHISTON RED 12ML

Tutorial: Base Paints

Base paints are the cornerstone of your miniature painting process, specially formulated to create a solid basecoat. They provide high coverage with a high pigment count and give your miniatures a smooth matt finish, which is perfect for further layers and details.

Why Use Base Paints?

Base paints are designed specifically to be the first coat applied to your miniature for several key reasons:

• Strong Coverage: They cover a large surface area with fewer coats.
• High Pigment Density: With a high pigment count, base paints provide vibrant, opaque coverage, ensuring that your model’s details show up well.
• Smooth Matt Finish: This matte finish is perfect for painting other layers, as it reduces reflections and makes details pop.

Steps for Using Base Paints:

1. Prep Your Miniature:

   • Before you apply any paint, ensure your model is clean and primed. You can use spray primers (white, black, or grey) depending on the desired look. Priming helps the base paint adhere better.

2. Shake the Paint:

   • Shake the pot well before use to ensure that the pigments are fully mixed. Base paints tend to separate over time, so shaking helps to get an even consistency.

3. Apply the Base Coat:

   • Brush Loading: Dip your brush into the base paint and lightly load it. Avoid overloading your brush with too much paint, as this can lead to streaks.
   • Thin Layers: Apply the paint to the surface in thin, even layers. Allow the paint to dry between layers for a smooth finish.
   • Work in Sections: Start with large, flat areas and work your way toward details. If needed, apply a second or third layer for full coverage.

4. Drying:

   • Allow the base coat to fully dry before moving on to the next stages of painting. Drying usually takes 20-30 minutes, but it depends on factors like humidity and paint thickness.

5. After Base Coat:

   • Once the base layer is dry, you can proceed to shading, highlighting, and detailing the miniature. The smooth, matte finish provided by the base coat ensures these additional layers adhere well.

Pro Tips for Base Paints:

• Don’t Overload Your Brush: Applying too much paint at once can cause streaks or uneven coverage. A good trick is to remove excess paint by lightly brushing it against the side of the pot or a tissue.
• Use a Palette: Consider using a palette to thin the paint slightly (if necessary) and control the consistency. This is especially useful if the base paint feels too thick.
• Multiple Thin Layers: Rather than one thick coat, apply several thin layers to build up the color. Thin layers dry faster and reduce the risk of uneven texture.

Recommended Base Paint Colors:

Base paints come in a wide variety of colors, each suited for different parts of your miniatures:

• Khorne Red – A deep, dark red ideal for fleshy details or armor.
• Retributor Armour – For a gold metallic base.
• Averland Sunset – A strong yellow base for bright armor or banners.
• Leadbelcher – A great base for metallic armor or weapons.
• Corax White – A clean, light base perfect for highlighting lighter colors.
• Abaddon Black – Great for detailing or painting clothing, armor, and weapons.

Conclusion:

Base paints are essential for kick-starting your miniature painting process, providing an even, opaque layer that serves as the foundation for all other painting steps. Their high pigment content ensures vibrant, strong colors, and the smooth matte finish allows for further details and highlights to stand out beautifully.