Finishing touches
Protective finishes:

    When you've finished painting your miniatures, apply some sort of protective coating to help prevent paint from chipping off while handling.

    What I do is first spray the minis with a matte finish (Partha Paint clear matte sealing spray), then paint on a gloss finish (Polly S). I need to spay before I add the gloss to prevent the inks from smearing with the gloss finish.

    After the gloss is dry, I paint a flat finish over this (Polly S), to tone down the finish. Next I add another matte spray over this (I think this finish looks best, but doesn't protect as well as a painted on gloss finish).

    If there are any gems or metal parts, I usually then add another coat of gloss to these areas. That's it.

    Basically, a painted on gloss finish provides the best protection, while a spray matte finish looks best.

Transfers:

    To apply transfers:

    1. Finish painting the area beneath the transfer first. (I like to finish the mini completely before applying transfers).
    2. I suggest spray sealing the mini before applying the transfer. This is especially important if you used inks on the area where the transfer will go. If you don't, the ink may run while you apply the transfer. Also, transfers don't go on too well to perfectly smooth surfaces. The spray sealer provides a surface that the transfer can stick to.
    3. Carefully cut the desired transfer from the sheet of transfers with a sharp hobby knife.
    4. Soak the transfer in warm water for around 30 seconds. You want the transfer to slide on the backing, but not to float off while in the water. I poke the hobby knife into into the backing, and put the knife tip and transfer into a small cup of water.  This allows the easy removal of the transfer from the water.
    5. Using a paint brush, add some water over the area where the transfer is to be placed.
    6. Remove the transfer from the water, and using a paint brush or toothpick, slide the transfer off the backing paper into the desired area.
    7. Use a toothpick to carefully position the transfer in the desired position.  If the transfer does not slide freely on the mini, apply a little water with a paint brush.
    8. Once the transfer is in place, using a paper towel, firmly press down on the transfer.  This removes the water from underneath the transfer, which helps set it.
Painting Transfers:

    You may find it necessary to paint over a transfer after is has been allied (and dried/set). Reasons include:

  • Transfer edges are too visible: Paint the background color over the edges of the transfer.
  • Background color shows through transfer: Paint over the transfer with the color(s) used in the transfer.
  • Large transfer/no highlights: Paint small highlights over the transfer to break up the appearance of large solid colors on the transfer.  Use a lighter shade of the colors used in the transfer. Only needed for larger transfers. 
Detailing bases:

    I use white glue to attach fine sand (or model railroad ballast) to the bases. I've also added some pieces of cat litter to give the appearence of a rocky base. Just add glue to the base, and add the cat litter to the glue. Sprinkle a little sand over this to fill in.

    Now, once this dries overnight, take white glue, thin with water, and add over the cat litter and sand. This will help set the material, so as not to fall off.

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Have any painting tips that you'd like to share? Email them to David: [email protected]

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