Miniature Painting: Beginner's Guide 2026 | Mr Resin

Hey, maker! If you're reading this, chances are you're itching to bring some color to those resin figures sitting on your shelf. You want to ditch that flat grey and create something truly stunning, right? Don't worry — I've got you covered. 😉

The good news is that getting started is simpler than you think: hobby-specific acrylic paints, a decent primer, and a couple of good brushes. Trust me, that's honestly 90% of what you need to give your minis a personality that'll blow people away.

Your journey into the world of colour starts here

As a 3D printing enthusiast myself, I know there's nothing quite like watching your wargaming characters or your own custom creations come to life brushstroke by brushstroke. It's that finishing touch that transforms a cool print into a piece you're genuinely proud of.

With this beginner's guide, we're going to bust every myth about miniature painting. Forget the idea that you need special talent or an expensive studio setup. You really don't.

We're going to focus on what actually matters — getting you off to a great start and, most importantly, making sure you enjoy every moment of it. Together, we'll explore why using hobby-specific paints is a total game-changer and which materials you absolutely need from day one.

My golden rule: Don't overcomplicate it at the beginning. Take it slow, focus on the basics, and celebrate every small win. Painting your first miniature is a feeling you'll never forget — I promise.

If you're not sure where to start looking, check out Vallejo paints for miniatures. They're an industry standard in the hobby, hugely popular, and in my experience, absolutely brilliant for beginners. They're easy to work with and the colour range is seriously impressive.

So, if you're feeling ready — grab your brushes, because this creative adventure is about to begin! 🚀

Why hobby-specific acrylic paint is your best friend

One of the questions I get asked most often is: "Hey Mr. Resin, can I just use cheap craft store acrylics on my minis?" And my answer is always the same, straight to the point: if you want results you're genuinely proud of, you need paint specifically made for miniature painting. Full stop!

Think of it this way: it's like comparing instant coffee with a freshly ground specialty brew. They're both technically coffee, sure — but the experience and the end result are worlds apart.

Miniature paints, like the Vallejo ranges I'm such a fan of, have two key qualities that make all the difference: ultra-fine pigments and high pigment density.

The magic is in the pigment

This combination is pure alchemy. Thanks to those incredibly fine pigments, you can apply ultra-thin layers that cover beautifully, but — and here's the best part — they preserve every last detail you worked so hard to achieve with your resin printer. Every wrinkle, every rivet, every texture... it's all still there, crisp and clear.

What about cheap craft paints? They use much coarser, lower-density pigments. When you apply them, you risk "burying" fine details under a gritty, rough texture. Trust me, it's the fastest shortcut to frustration.

Miniature and hobby paint ranges, on the other hand, are formulated with the ideal consistency for brush or airbrush work. They thin effortlessly, and their colour palettes are designed specifically for the fantasy, sci-fi, and historical worlds we love.

Investing in quality paint isn't an expense — it's a shortcut. It'll save you hours of frustration, layers you'll need to strip back, and most importantly, it'll keep you motivated when you see great results right from day one.

A hobby built around 3D printing

3D printing has completely changed the game. Interestingly, industry studies suggest that around 65% of newcomers to miniature painting start with 3D printed minis. That shows just how deeply connected printing and painting have become.

That's exactly why it's so important to use paints that do justice to the level of detail your printer can achieve. Fast-drying acrylics like Vallejo Xpress Color are ideal for this. If you want to stay up to date, you can check out the latest trends in the hobby here.

In short: choosing quality paint isn't a luxury reserved for pros. It's the foundation for enjoying the process and making your minis look the way they deserve to.

Decoding the miniature painter's toolkit

When you first step into the world of miniature painting, it's easy to feel a little overwhelmed. Suddenly you're hearing terms like 'Base', 'Layer', 'Wash', and 'Xpress', and it can sound like a foreign language. Don't worry — we've all been there. I promise it's far simpler than it looks.

Think of each paint type as a different tool in your toolbox. You wouldn't use a hammer to drive in a screw, right? Paint works exactly the same way. Each pot is designed for a specific job, and once you understand what each one does, you'll paint faster and get results that genuinely surprise you.

Types: Base, Layer, Wash, Contrast, Metallics...

To make it crystal clear, let me use an analogy that works brilliantly: building a house.

• Base Paints (The Foundation): These are your starting point. They're packed with pigment, which means they cover primer with a solid, opaque colour in one or two thin coats. They're the perfect foundation to build everything else on top of.
• Layer Paints (The Building Blocks): Once you've got your base down, it's time to add depth. Layer paints are slightly more translucent than base paints, and that's actually a good thing. You can apply thin coats over the base colour to gradually build up highlights and colour transitions, brick by brick.
• Washes (The Rain Effect): This is where the real magic happens! Washes are super-thin, almost ink-like paints. When you apply them, the paint naturally flows into the recesses and crevices of your miniature. Think of it like rain pooling in low spots — it creates deep shadows almost automatically. It's a foolproof trick for instant depth!
• Contrast or 'Xpress' Paints (The All-in-One Shortcut): These paints are a brilliant invention, especially if you're just starting out or you've got a whole army to paint and not unlimited time to do it. A single brushstroke of an Xpress-style paint gives you the base colour, shading in the recesses, and an initial highlight on raised areas — all in one go!
• Metallic Paints (The Shiny Finish): To make armour look like real steel or a treasure chest gleam like gold, you need metallic paints. They contain tiny metal particles that reflect light, creating a convincing metallic effect. The perfect finishing touch for swords, engines, or jewellery.

Understanding these five categories is the first major step towards truly painting your miniatures rather than just slapping colour on them.

Vallejo Ranges for Beginners: Model Color, Game Color and Xpress Color

One brand I highly recommend when you're starting out, for its quality-to-price ratio, is Vallejo. To help you navigate their range without getting lost among the bottles, here's a quick cheat sheet to know which range to reach for and when.

With this table, you've got a clear guide to choosing your first paints and getting started with confidence.

Of course, even the best paints won't get you far if you're applying them with a cheap brush. If you want to get it right from the start, I'd recommend checking out my guide on the best brushes for painting miniatures.

Essential supplies for painting miniatures

You don't need to break the bank or set up a professional studio at home to start painting your minis. Far from it! The key — and I'm speaking from experience here — is getting your hands on a few quality tools that make the whole process easier right from day one.

A basic but well-chosen kit is more than enough to get started and see real results. I always say it comes down to four things: brushes, a palette, water, and primer. Let's break each one down.

Brushes: your most important tool

If there's one area where you shouldn't cut corners, it's this. A good brush is the difference between getting frustrated and actually enjoying the process. Don't overthink it — you don't need a collection of fifty. Three or four well-chosen brushes are plenty to get you going.

My recommendations for your first miniature painting brush kit would be:

• A detail brush (size 0 or 1): Your best friend for painting eyes, lining edges, and nailing those tiny details that really bring a mini to life.
• A standard brush (size 2): This is your workhorse. You'll use it for base coat layers and larger areas. It's the one that'll see the most action, without a doubt.
• An old brush or a dedicated drybrushing brush: Don't sacrifice a good brush for this technique — that's criminal. A larger brush with splayed bristles from regular use is exactly what you need.

In my experience, Kolinsky sable hair brushes hold significantly more paint than synthetic ones, which means less dipping and less time wasted. If you're curious, you can find out more about the materials that make a real difference in the hobby here.

The wet palette: your new secret weapon

This is one of those tricks that, once you try it, genuinely changes the game — and you'll wonder how you ever managed without it. A wet palette is a total before-and-after, keeping your paint fresh and at the perfect consistency for hours. Or even days!

Keep it simple! You can make a DIY version in two minutes. Grab a flat container (a basic food storage container works perfectly), lay down a sheet of damp kitchen paper, and cover it with a piece of baking parchment. Done! Your wet palette is ready to go.

Water and paper towels: the essentials you already own

Along with your brushes and palette, there are a couple of things you almost certainly already have at home that are absolutely essential:

• Two water pots: Why two? Simple: one for the first "dirty" rinse where you remove the bulk of the paint, and a second with clean water for the final rinse. This keeps your colours pure and your brushes will last much longer.
• Paper towel: Essential. You'll use it constantly to dry your brushes after cleaning them and, most importantly, to remove excess paint before touching your miniature.

Primer: the foundation of a great paint job

Last but just as important, we have primer. For me, using Vallejo primer is a sacred, non-negotiable step. It prepares the resin so the paint adheres properly, creating a smooth, even surface to work on.

You can apply it with a brush, an airbrush if you want an ultra-fine finish, or a spray can if you want to prime several figures at once and save time.

With this starter kit, I guarantee you have everything you need to dive headfirst into the incredible world of miniature painting.

First steps: primer → base coat → shading → highlighting

Right then, let's get into it! The time has finally come to bring that figure sitting on your desk to life. Don't worry — we're not diving into any overly complex techniques. I'm going to walk you through a simple step-by-step method that will have you amazed at the results from your very first mini.

This is the A to Z of miniature painting for beginners. Trust me, once you've got this down, you'll have a rock-solid foundation for any project. Let's go!

Step 1: Cleaning and Priming

Before a single drop of paint touches your figure, give it a thorough wash to remove any resin residue or dirt. Once dry, grab some Vallejo primer and apply a thin, even coat. Remember — several thin coats are always better than one thick coat that buries the detail.

Primer colour matters (a lot):

• Black: Your go-to if you want deep, dramatic shadows. It also does a better job of hiding small mistakes.
• White: Perfect if you want your colours to pop and appear bright and vibrant.
• Grey: The all-rounder. A fantastic middle ground that works well with almost any colour scheme.

If you want to master this step, make sure you read my article on priming miniatures, where I share all my tips and tricks.

Step 2: Base Colours

With the primer dry, it's time for the fun part: getting paint on the model. Grab your 'Base' paints or the most opaque colours you have and start blocking in the main areas. Metallic armour? Hit it with your metal colour. Red cloak? Go ahead and lay down that red.

At this stage, forget about highlights and shadows entirely. Your only goal is a clean, solid coverage of colour on each part of the figure. If that takes two thin coats, go for it.

Step 3: Shading with a Wash

Now for the magic moment. Grab a wash (a dark Vallejo wash is a safe bet) and apply it generously across the whole area you've just painted. Don't be shy!

Watch how the wash flows on its own into the recesses, cracks, and crevices, creating shadows almost automatically. This is the trick that adds instant depth to your miniature. Just make sure you let it dry completely before moving on.

Step 4: Highlighting

Once the wash is fully dry, you'll notice your base colour has darkened quite a bit. Now it's time to bring back the brightness. Pick up the same base colour you used in Step 2 and apply it again, but this time with a lighter touch.

Paint only the raised areas, flat surfaces, and edges that would naturally catch the light. Let the darkened wash stay in the recesses as your shadows. And voilà — you've just created your first light and shadow contrast. Your miniature now has real depth and volume.

With these four steps, you've already got a solid, repeatable painting workflow.

The recommended starter kit to keep things simple

You walk into a shop — or land on a website — and you're hit with an endless wall of paint pots. Sound familiar? That's the classic beginner's paralysis, where the sheer number of options just shuts your brain down. Don't worry, that's exactly why this guide exists.

If you could only buy one thing to get started, my recommendation is straightforward: grab a good starter set. Forget about buying individual colours at first. These kits are put together by people who know what they're doing, giving you exactly what you need to begin.

Why a good starter set makes all the difference

I've tried plenty of them, but if I had to back just one, it would be the Vallejo Game Color Introduction Set. There's a reason it's the go-to choice for miniature painting beginners.

This set is a genuine all-in-one solution. It includes 16 essential colours that, with a bit of mixing practice, can get you to almost any shade you can think of. You get primaries, black, white, skin tones, browns, and even metallics. Quite simply, it's everything you need for your first miniatures.

Maker-to-maker tip: Start with a set like this. As you paint, you'll naturally notice which colours run out first — those are the ones you reach for most. That's the right moment to start buying individual pots of those specific shades. Nobody needs 200 colours on day one.

Beyond the basic set

Another fantastic option is to browse the miniature painting starter sets that come with a bit of everything. Some don't just include base colours — they also throw in a wash or two, so you can start experimenting with shading techniques right from the start.

The big advantage of these kits is that they take the thinking out of it. Someone has already done the hard work for you, handpicking the most versatile colours and paint types to get you painting quickly.

And speaking of colour — if you want to go deeper and really understand how to build palettes that make your miniatures stand out, check out my article on colour theory for miniature painting. It'll give you a solid foundation to make confident colour choices every time.

Conclusion: Grab your brushes and enjoy the process!

And that brings us to the end of the guide. As you can see, miniature painting is far less intimidating than it looks. The real secret to success isn't having a surgeon's steady hand — it's diving in without fear and, above all, enjoying every brushstroke.

Don't stress about making your first miniature perfect. Trust me, even the most accomplished painters started out with a first Space Marine covered in lumpy paint blobs. The only thing that matters right now is picking up your brushes, opening your paints, and bringing that miniature to life — the one that's been staring at you from the shelf.

If you focus on the essentials — primer, base coat, shading, and highlighting — you've already got 90% of the work done to make your minis look absolutely stunning. The rest is all about practice and experimentation.

I hope this guide has given you the push you needed to get started. Now it's your turn! Head over to the shop to check out the starter sets and all the other supplies — I can't wait to see the amazing things you'll create.