Beginner paint set

[capnbishop]

I picked up the Battletech Introductory Box Set and am interested in painting the included mechs.  I am totally new to this, but it looks like there are plenty of good tutorials out there (including the one that came with the box).  My question is regarding a good set of paints to start with.

The painting guide which came with the box lists 17 individual colors.  Looking on Amazon, I think I can expect to spend roughly $6 per color.  A total of $100 is far higher than I want to spend on a *potential* hobby (and that's just paint, not to mention all the other tools and materials).

What's a good set of basic starter paints that will get me started painting Battletech minis and has the most bang for my buck?  I'd like something better priced than what that guide suggests, but still give me a good range of colors/options.  Would something like the Vallejo intro set do me just fine (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000PHCTRK/)?  $50 seems like a far more reasonable beginner paint budget (or am I out of my mind, not realizing how expensive this hobby really is?).

The painting guide from the intro box also lists a lot of what look to me like duplicates, like Vallejo Bone White and Skull White (as if skulls aren't bones).  Is there really any significant difference that couldn't otherwise be achieved by combining other paints?  Are these shades of white anything that couldn't otherwise be accomplished by Dead White from the the Vallejo intro set?

I'm really interested in painting my minis, but the cost barrier seems pretty high so for something that I could potentially get quickly bored with.

Thank you.

[worktroll]

Cap,

Welcome aboard!

The main thing I'd say is you don't need to buy a whole bunch of paints up front. If you wanted to paint every unit in the game, yes, but start small.

For a beginner painter, I'd recommend making a decision - "Is there one faction I really like, or am I happy to do generic camouflage schemes?"

Let's say you want to do camo. Then I'd recommend starting with medium green, medium brown, black, white, and metallic paints - acrylics, of course - and either some "Army Painter Magic Dip", or - it's cheaper direct equivalent - a small can of teak varnish ;)

Wash the mini first - removes any oils or other things left over from casting - and then paint it all white. This is priming, and helps the colours stick, and come out better. Then base coat in one of green or brown. Add stripes, patches, whatever of the other colour. Do cockpits in black, and any bits you want to emphasise - joints, gunbarrels, heat sinks - in metal. Then brush on a layer of the teak varnish. (Note: acrylics come off your brushes in water, but the varnish needs turps. Varnish also takes much longer to dry.)

That's it for a first up! You'll be suprised how effective this comes out.

Then, pick up a sand or tan paint. Tan and brown makes mountain camo, tan and green for plains. Maybe pick up a faction colour - purple for the glorious Free Worlds League, red for the admirable Draconis Combine, jade for the "they try harder" Capellan Confederation, & so on. Paint some panels, or features, in those colours to show allegiance.

There's some very basic ways, using limited paints, to get some really great results - what we call "table ready".

The reason for having several shades of the same colour comes down to more advanced painting techniques. Bone white is slightly yellower than flat white, for example. Have a look at www.camospecs.com to see what people who've been in the game for a long time can get up to. But for a beginner, don't stress it. Do what you like, try what you want to do, and - hard-won advice from someone who works at 'table-ready' via the cheap shortcuts - avoid yellow and white until you're ready ;)

Cheers,

W O0

[cavingjan]

I'll echo some of WT's thoughts. Personally I would want a second blue which that set appears to lack. The question I have for you is what do you want to paint? Many different schemes? Predominantly one scheme? Another option is cheaper craft paints. I occasionally use Apple Barrel paints. They are about $1 per bottle and provide good quality.

Brushes are a little more important. You however are probably going to destroy some before you learn proper care and feeding of them. Don't buy cheap one but don't buy expensive ones to start. $3 brushes are a good starting point. Two or three different sizes should work to start.

[Sharpnel]

I picked up the Battletech Introductory Box Set and am interested in painting the included mechs.  I am totally new to this, but it looks like there are plenty of good tutorials out there (including the one that came with the box).  My question is regarding a good set of paints to start with.

The painting guide which came with the box lists 17 individual colors.  Looking on Amazon, I think I can expect to spend roughly $6 per color.  A total of $100 is far higher than I want to spend on a *potential* hobby (and that's just paint, not to mention all the other tools and materials).

<snip>

Thank you.

$6?! Go to www.reapermini.com and get them for a whole lot cheaper than that

[NeonKnight]

Welcome!

Depending on how complex you want your schemes, you can do almost all houses' default schemes with the following set:

All Red - Kurita

All Blue - Steiner

Green - Davion/Liao

Purple - Marik

And, it's only around $30 if in the US

[capnbishop]

Thank you all.  Excellent advice.

I have no idea what faction to pick, so I guess I'm better off with a generic scheme (either that or Draconis for no other reason than because I favor red).  In any case, I feel a bit better about picking up fewer paints, and going with cheaper paints.

Does anyone have good recommendations for a paint 'set' similar to the Warpaint Starter Set or Vallejo Game Color Intro Set that I might consider?  That would make my purchase easier, and also bring the price down per bottle (Reaper looks reasonably priced, but their site requires a minimum of 54 units to order).

[Psycho]

I'll echo the others that $6/paint is too much. Most brands will have a starter set or groupings of colours. I'm fond of P3 http://privateerpress.com/formula-p3/paints and you'll be looking at around $3 per paint. I don't think their sets are great for BT, simply due to the inclusion of fleshy colours that don't have much use on big stompy robots. One difference to note here is that the paints come in a pot with a flip top rather than the dropper bottles of Vallejo, etc. It's not an objective good or bad difference, but you may find it helpful or a hindrance depending on how you paint.

[ph423r]

If you have a Hobby Lobby near you (possibly other craft stores, but I can't say for sure) and check out their plastic model section they usually have a decent supply of Vallejo paints for around $3 a bottle. Plus some decent, and decently priced brushes.

edit: Oh, and many times your FLGS (friendly local game store) will have a selection of paints and other supplies.

[Recklessfireball1]

It depends on how polished you want them to look.  Are you trying to do camospecs online display level work, or looks good on the table work?

For the latter, I just use craft paints that I buy at Wal-Mart or Target for 50 cents to a dollar a bottle.  Then I buy a can of spray on clear coat (another buck or two).  They've always turned out nicely for me.

[Weirdo]

I'll second/third/upgoat the recommendation for Apple Barrel or Delta paints. They're much easier to find, available at Wal-Marts, Michael's, Joanns, and other such places, often for a little more than a dollar per bottle, and often for bottles much larger than the Vallejo, Reaper, or Citadel stuff. If you don't know what faction you want yet(or don't want to be tied to a specific faction), my advice would be to pick your favorite two colors and buy a few different shades of each, so you can mess around with shading and highlighting when you feel comfortable. Add in a black, at least one brown for terrain, and probably a grey or some sort or metallic steel color, and you'll have just about all you need for a while for probably less than $20, and it should really last you until you want to try getting fancy.

One last bit of advice: Don't get white yet. White can be VERY hard even for experienced painters.

[cavingjan]

Another tidbit: dark greens, dark blues, greys, and tans are very friendly to new painters.

[capnbishop]

Thanks to everyone for the help.  I ended up going with these two sets:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007SQ3C18
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GZQZ38C

That seemed to include a solid variety, and came in at under $2.50 per bottle (after looking around, you're right; $6/bottle is outrageous).

Thanks again for your help.

[pheonixstorm]

When you get comfortable with painting and want to start basing your minis Army Painter has a large line of flock and other materials. You can order off their site, use litko.net (has a lot of stuff for various games), or Amazon if the other two feel too high.

Don't forget the primer though. I use Army Painter, some use krylon (I think thats it).  While its not one of those "never paint without it" deals it does help. I'm sure since I brought it up that others will post what they use and whats the cheapest. One thing to remember though is don't over spray or over paint your mini, it takes away from the detail. Which brings me to another topic.

At some point you are bound to screw up and want to remove the paint. You can use Pine Sol, or even better get a gallon of Simple Green and some small cheap Tupperware containers. 3x3 with a lid should work fine. Just let the mini soak for 12-24 hours and the paint should mostly come right off with a little scrubbing from a toothbrush.

[klarg1]

Thanks to everyone for the help.  I ended up going with these two sets:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007SQ3C18
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GZQZ38C

That seemed to include a solid variety, and came in at under $2.50 per bottle (after looking around, you're right; $6/bottle is outrageous).

Thanks again for your help.

..so now you can afford twice as many!  ;D

[Pat Payne]

Don't forget the primer though. I use Army Painter, some use krylon (I think thats it). 

Or you could just go with artist's gesso -- a good-sized bottle will last you nearly forever (and some of it goes for cheap (the house brands at Michaels or Aaron Bros. for instance). It's brush-on, which means the application may be a little slower, but at least you're not breathing in all the crud from the propellants from the rattlecans all the time :) It covers extremely well and is pretty darn forgiving of overage, as long as you're not slopping it on to an absurd degree. It shrinks tight to the minis and makes for a good base cover.

[Nomad]

In terms of primer, I've become a recent convert to those designed for modellers. Vallejo makes about the best rattle can primer I've ever seen - goes on thin and provides great coverage. Tamiya makes decent primer as well, but it's pricey. Vallejo also makes a series of brush on/airbrush polyurethane primers that are tough and nontoxic.

[ColBosch]

I use a combination of Army Painter, Citadel, and Apple Barrel paints. I'm phasing out the Citadel, however; they're too expensive, and the old-style pots are too much of a pain compared to modern dropper bottles. Army Painter is my go-to for almost everything now, though I am looking at the Vallejo line. Apple Barrel mostly fills in for when I need to mix colors or basecoat; it's not quite as good paint, but it's very cheap and a couple of thin coats can look fantastic.



Here's an Unseen BattleMaster I finished recently. I started by undercoating with Army Painter Fur Brown spray paint. Next, I gave it a wash of Citadel Agrax Earthshade. I then did a heavy drybrush - almost a "wetbrush" - of AP Fur Brown, followed by a light drybrush of about 50/50 Fur Brown and AP Desert Yellow. I then painted the weapon barrels and accordion-style joints with Apple Barrel Matte Black, followed by Citadel Leadbelcher on the weapons. Finally I painted the cockpit with Citadel Macragge Blue, then finished with a couple thin coats of Apple Barrel Bright Blue. To do the base I first filled the gaps between the 'Mechs built-in base and the edges of the hex with standard DAP Spackle. Once it dried (turned white), I painted the spackle with Apple Barrel Black, let it dry, then painted the base with Elmer's Glue-All white glue, added a couple of Army Painter rocks, and dipped the whole thing in Army Painter Brown Battlefield (tinted fine sand). After it dried, I washed the base with Agrax Earthshade (very useful stuff, if pricey), then drybrushed with Desert Yellow. To finish, I did a drybrush of white (any that came to hand) on the rocks, glued down an Army Painter "tuft", and painted around the edge of the base with Citadel Mournfang Brown.

This basic technique is a very fast way to get pieces painted and on the tabletop. The two big keys to decent paintjobs are making sure you have total coverage and keeping the layers thin. If the layers are nice and thin, it not only shows off all the details, it'll allow you to go back later and touch up the piece as your skills improve.

[Ratboy]

Thanks to everyone for the help.  I ended up going with these two sets:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007SQ3C18
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GZQZ38C

That seemed to include a solid variety, and came in at under $2.50 per bottle (after looking around, you're right; $6/bottle is outrageous).

Thanks again for your help.

If you are just starting out, you might as well get the best paints. Try these:


https://www.amazon.com/Acrylicos-Vallejo-VAL-70103-Wargames-Basic/dp/B000PHCTR0/ref=sr_1_1
https://www.amazon.com/Vallejo-Basic-Colors-Paint-17ml/dp/B009162PWU/ref=sr_1_1