What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Recommended Free Tools
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
ThatPainter is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn More
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
To paint your first miniature, you need a figure, miniature paints, a brush with a good point, and a little water and palette space to prepare paint. Add a primer or undercoat, then work through a forgiving sequence: prepare the figure, apply the undercoat, paint the main colors, add shadows, try highlights if you like, and finish the base. You do not need every tool or technique before you begin.
What do I need to paint my first miniature?
Start with the essentials and add tools only when a project calls for them. Games Workshop’s getting-started guide offers beginner paint sets that include paints and a brush, with some sets also including tools or miniatures. Buying supplies separately is also an option; a broader beginner guide from Wargamer covers preparation and painting basics.
#1 Best Overall
- 【Premium Acrylic Model Paints for Miniatures & Models】Professional-quality acrylic model paints designed for plastic models, miniatures, scale figures, dioramas and more. The 18 high-pigment colors (0.68 fl oz / 20 ml each) brush on with smooth, even flow and strong adhesion to plastic, resin, wood and metal for both detail work and full coverage.
- 【All-in-One 32-Piece Miniature Painting Kit】Complete acrylic model paint set with 18 colors, 1 acrylic paint thinner, 8 detail brushes, 3 drybrushes, a plastic mixing palette and a color wheel. Open the box and you have everything you need to start painting miniatures, figures and tabletop armies (miniatures not included).
- 【Model Paint Brushes for Every Technique】The miniature paint brushes set includes 8 precision detail brushes and 3 domed drybrushes in different sizes and shapes. Flat, angled and fine round tips from larger #2 sizes down to ultra-fine 10/0 cover basecoats, lining, edge highlights, textures and drybrushing on models, figurines and paint-by-numbers.
- 【Matte, Durable Finish & Easy Thinning System】Water-based paints dry to a professional matte finish with strong opacity and lightfast color—ideal for long-lasting tabletop and display pieces. Pre-thinned for brush painting straight from the bottle; use the included thinner and palette to fine-tune consistency for smooth gradients, glazes, washes or airbrush use (about 1:1–2:1 thinner:paint).
- 【Guided Painting Support for All Skill Levels】Includes a printed instruction sheet and color wheel to simplify color selection, mixing and shading so you can achieve realistic effects on historical models, miniatures, scenery and diorama bases. The lightweight plastic palette is ideal for practice and small projects, making this kit beginner-friendly while still powerful enough for experienced hobbyists.
- A miniature: Follow its product instructions for assembly and handling.
- Miniature paints: Choose a small range that suits your figure and the tutorial you plan to follow.
- A pointed brush: A brush that holds a point helps with both larger areas and smaller details. A premium brush is not a requirement for starting.
- Primer or undercoat: This prepares the surface for painting. Keep the coat light enough to preserve the figure’s details.
- Water and a palette: Use these to prepare and manage paint as you work. A simple palette is enough to begin.
You can add other tools later. A wet palette, for example, is an optional accessory, not a prerequisite. The first goal is to have a manageable setup and learn how paint behaves on your miniature.
Which paints and brushes should a beginner start with?
Paint labels vary by manufacturer, so treat Games Workshop’s categories as descriptions of its own Warhammer Colour range rather than a universal naming system. Its paint guide describes the categories as follows:
Rank #2
- Complete Model Paint Set – 20 Colors + 3 Brushes + 1 Thinner – This all-in-one model paint set includes 20 rich colors covering essential tones for miniature and scale model painting such as base colors, skin tones, shadows and metallics. It also comes with 3 detail paint brushes for precise painting and 1 acrylic thinner for advanced techniques like blending, layering and airbrushing—perfect for hobbyists, miniature painters and model enthusiasts
- Professional Formula Designed for Model Painting – These premium acrylic model paint are specially formulated for common model surfaces including plastic, resin, metal and wood. The paint features smooth flow, strong adhesion and high pigment concentration, delivering vibrant, stable colors that apply evenly without obscuring fine details on miniatures and scale figures
- Excellent Coverage & Long-Lasting Finish – Each model paint provides strong opacity and smooth coverage, allowing you to achieve solid color in fewer layers. Once dry, the paint forms a refined matte finish while metallic shades deliver realistic metal effects for armor, weapons and mechanical details. Ensuring stunning result on tabletop figures, 3D prints, scale vehicles, architectural models, or model cars
- Ready to Use & Great for Advanced Techniques – This model paint set is pre-thinned for brush painting straight from the bottle, making it beginner-friendly and easy to start immediately. The included thinner allows experienced painters to adjust consistency for glazing, smooth gradients, thin layering or airbrushing, offering both simplicity for beginners and flexibility for advanced hobby techniques
- Beginner-Friendly Guide with Color Wheel – Designed to make miniature painting easier, this model paint set includes a printed instruction sheet and a color wheel to help you understand color relationships, mixing and shading. Whether painting gaming miniatures, scale models or diorama scenery, these tools help beginners learn faster while giving experienced painters better color control
- Base: For foundational colors.
- Layer: Applied over Base paints to brighten areas or add highlights.
- Shade: Flows into recesses to create shadows.
- Dry: Intended for drybrushing.
- Contrast: Designed to base, shade, and layer in one step over a white basecoat.
- Technical: For special effects.
- Spray: For applying a solid coat before Base or Contrast paints.
Contrast paint can reduce the number of separate steps, but it does not suit every surface equally. Warhammer Community notes that it works better on textured areas—such as fur, folds in a cloak, or a face—than on broad, flat panels, and that it dries darker in recesses. See its Contrast painting guidance. You can begin with a simple approach and add techniques as you gain confidence.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
For a first brush, prioritize a usable point over a large collection of sizes. The sources here do not establish a particular brush size or brand as the right choice for every figure; the miniature’s scale and the tasks you want to tackle matter.
Rank #3
- Versatile Paint Brushes and Dry Brushes - Perfect combination of 16 detail paint brushes (Liners 4/0, 3/0, 2/0, 1, Rounds 4/0, 3/0, 2/0, 0, 1, 2, 4, Flats 2/0, 0, 1, 2, Angled Spot 0) and 5 dry brushes (#3, #5, #7, #11, #13-1/2), satisfies all you needs of detail and model painting. Use dry brushes for base coating and texturing, and the detail brushes for intricate details. This paint brush set is ideal for both professional artists and beginners, offering depth and expressive textures for any artwork
- High Quality Detailing Brush Set - Features durable bristles with excellent paint absorption and release, ensuring smooth strokes in all mediums, including acrylic, watercolor, oil, and gouache. The triangular ergonomic handle provides comfort and precision, allowing for long painting sessions without fatigue. Durable and resistant to deformation or shedding, ensuring for a long time use without compromising performance
- Goat Hair Dry Brushes - Specially designed for model painting. Made with a blend of pure and synthetic goat hair, these drybrushes deliver even coverage and exceptional texture enhancement. Perfect for metallic highlights, dust cleaning, and texture detailing, making them essential for model painting and artistic creations
- Ideal Miniature Painting Kit - Designed for intricate work on models, miniatures, army figurines and dollhouses. Also suitable for paint-by-numbers, nail art, rock painting, and other creative DIY projects. Unleash your creativity with this versatile set for all forms of fine detail painting
- Gift-Ready Paint Brush Set - Comes with brush holder and a velvet dust bag to protect the paint brush. The compact size fits well in a backpack or carry bag, very convenient to carry with for outdoor painting or traveling. With these miniature paint brushes, you can create intricate details and textures in miniature models, figurines and other artwork. A thoughtful gift for artists, painters, students, and model enthusiasts, perfect for birthdays, holidays, or any special occasion
How do you paint a miniature step by step?
Games Workshop’s getting-started resource introduces undercoating, basecoating, shading, layering, drybrushing, and basing. You can use those techniques in a simple sequence without trying to master them all on your first figure.
- Prepare the miniature and your work area. Follow the model’s assembly and handling instructions. Arrange your paints, brush, water, and palette so you can work without rushing.
- Apply an undercoat or primer. Aim for an even foundation, not a thick layer. Too much paint can obscure small details.
- Paint the main colors. Apply the basic colors to the figure’s main areas. Work patiently with thin coats rather than trying to cover everything at once.
- Add shadows. Use a shade paint or another suitable method to darken recesses and define forms.
- Add highlights if you want them. Layering can brighten raised areas; drybrushing is another option for bringing out texture.
- Finish the base simply. A clean, basic finish is enough to make the miniature feel complete.
Primer and basecoat do different jobs: primer is the physical foundation for paint, while the basecoat supplies the miniature’s basic colors. Keeping coats thin and taking your time are practical ways to avoid burying fine detail.
Rank #4
- 【Premium Acrylic Model Paints】Professional-quality acrylic paint set for model kits, plastic models, miniatures, scale figures, dioramas and other hobby projects. Smooth, even brush flow with excellent adhesion on plastic, resin, wood and metal—ideal for both fine detailing and full coverage.
- 【Complete 33-Piece Model Paint Kit】Includes 30 rich colors (26 standard shades plus 4 metallics: Metallic Gold, Metallic Silver, Metallic Gunmetal and Metallic Bronze) and 3 acrylic paint thinners for blending, layering, glazes and airbrush paint work. Each 20 ml dropper bottle gives precise control, reduces waste and keeps your model paint fresh longer.
- 【Matte & Metallic, Durable & Lightfast Finish】Standard colors dry to a professional matte surface with strong opacity, while metallics add a refined metal sheen. UV-resistant pigments make this set ideal for long-lasting display on tabletop figures, scale vehicles, architectural pieces and model car paint projects without fading or chipping.
- 【Easy to Use & Highly Versatile】Pre-thinned for brush painting straight from the bottle—no extra mixing needed for everyday work. Use the included thinners only when you want smoother gradients, glazes, filters, edge highlights or to thin into airbrush paint, making it suitable for modelers, miniature painters, hobbyists and craft enthusiasts of all skill levels.
- 【Guided Painting Support】 Comes with a printed instruction sheet and color wheel for easy color selection, mixing and shading ideas—turning it into a practical miniature painting kit. Helps beginners learn core techniques and lets experienced artists achieve consistent, realistic results on historical models, miniatures, scenery and diorama bases.
What is a reasonable finish for a first miniature?
Set a modest target: the main areas are colored and the base has a simple finish. Games Workshop calls this standard “Battle Ready” and defines it as a miniature “painted to a standard that is ready to game with!” The target is useful because it makes completion—not flawless detail—the measure of a first project.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Should you buy a miniature painting starter set?
A starter paint set is a straightforward choice if you are beginning without supplies: Games Workshop’s beginner sets combine paints and a brush, and some include tools or miniatures. If you already own some basics, buy only what is missing. Current kit contents, prices, and availability vary, and the available information does not establish a best-value set or brand.
Best Value
- 15 Miniature Paint Brushes: The miniature painting kit has 15 assorted point tips with different thickness, including Liners 4/0 3/0 2/0 0 1, Rounds 4/0 3/0 2/0 0 1, Flats 0, 1, Angular 1, Filbert 1, Angled Spot 0.
- Perfect for all sorts of detailing: Good for nail art and face painting, work great for painting miniatures, models, figurines, action figures and doll houses, rock painting, paint by Numbers.
- Easy Grip Handles: the handle is made of wood and designed easy-grip triangular shape, make you feel comfortable and secure while holding it.
- Premium Quality: Premium thin paint brushes is designed with soft synthetic nylon bristles and chrome plated copper ferrule. these miniature paint brushes come with protective tubes, which is handy to keep them in shape after using and cleaning.
- Perfect for Precise Painting: Micro detail paint brush can handle various paintings such as acrylic, watercolor, tempera, enamel, gush, oil, face paint.
If you compare sets, check what is included, whether the paints and tools suit your miniature and chosen tutorial, the paint format and range, brush size and quality, local availability, and the current total price. Those details are more useful than judging a kit by its name alone.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
