Military Mini Paint-Up

Summary

Acquire and paint up a miniature to practice my paint skills.

This mini was salvaged from a local bulk items thrift store. It sat in my pile of shame in a zip lock bag for at least 2+ years until I finally decided to paint and base it. It is not the first cheap mini I have painted up, but I wanted to get back into the hobby.

I prepped the mini by base coating it in a basic black acrylic paint (I used Folk Art Multi Surface 2934E Licorice/Black – part of 10-pack). I used a basic brush from an inexpensive brush set. BTW – I am using a cork stopper as a model holder with a piece of poster tack . You can re-use the poster tack for the next mini.

I then painted on the flesh parts using a mix of red and orange. I found that a color wheel is helpful. Also, this I wanted to try out a wet palette to see what all the accolades was about. before I go and spend some cash, I went the DIY method. The parts are a relatively flat sponge, an air-tight shallow container, and parchment paper. I will have a separate page on this shortly. It seems to work out for my hobby painting needs so far.

I cut off the base using some hobby cutters and used a pin vice to pin the feet to a wooden disc. You can buy the wooden disc in bulk (1.5″). I got my pin vice and drill set from a local hobby shop. The pins are just a cut up paper clip.

I felt the mini was missing a backpack, so I fabricated one from some cut-up craft foam and standard bond paper. Basing and adding matching colors, then gluing it on to the model using some CA glue and Accelerator.

Lastly, I based the mini using some fine ballast gravel – I bought mine years ago and have yet to go through a fraction of it. Just use some PVA glue on the base and pour on some gravel. I suggest putting some paper under you mini while doing this so you can catch the excess and put them back in the container. Wait for the PVA to set and then paint the gravel, dark color first then follow-up with a light color dry-brush. Finish up by painting the base rim – I chose Folk Art 2945E Camel – you can choose any color you wish. You do you.

With that, the model, and this write up is complete. Now to start on those other mini figures in the background…

Happy crafting.