Uh, dude, you gotta get more specific than that
Practice. Don't be fooled into thinking that if you get some tips, read some articles, and watch some videos that you'll magically know what you're doing. Painting styles are as individual as painters, and it will take time to develop both your skills and your style. Tutorials and the like will help, but nothing replaces the time spent with brush in hand. The specifics will come as you grow and encounter problems that you can tackle one at a time.
AnejoDave needs an answer on this one, though he suspects it involves modeling clay or something similar
An epoxy putty like greenstuff (kneadatite) is good to get to know. There are numerous variations and re-packagings to choose from, and for jobs like that, the differences will be minimal.
Priming: like paint brands, everybody will have their own preferences. I use Tamiya, white and grey, spray-on. It dries very quickly and very smooth. I too live in an apartment. If you've got a balcony, it's gold. I have a box dedicated to spraying minis in. It's nothing special, just a cardboard box that I lay on it's side and then put the minis in. It prevents getting paint all over, and isn't too likely to blow away. In our old apartment we had a storage room off the kitchen that I'd spray in during the colder months. Go in, spray fast, get out and close the door.... In our new place we don't have that, and I'm considering using the bathroom as well. Just be sure to put down some extra protection from paint settling onto unintended surfaces. If you've got easy access to a parking garage, that may help too with moderating the temperature and cutting the wind factor.
So I've seem GW, Valeijo, Model Masters, and Reaper. I know others use stuff from Jo-Ann's and other cheaper stuff. I'm seriously considering Model Masters to start with as its in expensive.
Yeah, don't knock yourself out on paints when you're just starting. 90% of how the mini turns out is in the skills and techniques of the painter. Expensive paint won't make you better - it won't hurt either, but chances are you won't be able to tell the difference between paint that cost $1 or $4. I still use mostly Delta Ceramcoat. If you look to craft paints, be very wary of any that are marked as being translucent or semi-opaque. They won't cover well, and will require many coats for even coverage, often obscuring detail in the process. Anything in the yellow to red range will often be more translucent regardless of brand, even the expensive ones.
Brushes: again, I wouldn't drop a bundle right away. It's human nature to need to figure things out for yourself, so you'll probably destroy more than a few brushes along the way before it sinks in that you do need to watch out for them and give them some care (let alone
how to do that). I did. What you'll need will depend on your techniques. These days I can typically get by with a larger brush for base coats and if I'm doing an all-over wash, a 1 for most panel work, and a 5/0 or similar for details. You may have other needs.
Now what's really important in all of this: enjoy painting. You won't be a master overnight, so celebrate when you learn something new or complete a piece you're proud of. Keep the fun in it.
