Geek & Sundry Painters Guild is hosted by Will Friedle as he explores the wonderful world of the miniature hobby! From painting minis for board games, miniature wargames, and RPGs to scratch building showpieces and creating terrain, you can learn alongside him from master teachers every episode.
Below are the minis and paints used in each episode. Each episode walks you through the technique, so if you want to hobby along with Will but aren’t aren’t yet a subscriber to Alpha, you can get a free 60-day trial by going to projectalpha.com and using the code MINI.
Lesson 1 – Advanced Weathering
In episodes 1 and 2, painting master Bryan Merlonghi shows Will some advanced weathering techniques using the following mini and paints:
Model: Games Workshop – Plagueburst Crawler
Paints: Formula P3 Umbral Umber, Formula P3 Khador Red Highlight, Formula P3 Bloodstone, Formula P3 Jack Bone, Formula P3 Sickly Skin, Citadel’s Texture Stirland Mud, Citadel’s Technical Nihilakh Oxide
Shades: Citadel’s Reikland Fleshshade & Citadel’s Agrax Earthshade
Primer: Zenithal Primed (Citadel White and Black Primer)
The miniature was base coated with Badger Styrinez Olive Green, with the metallic silver and gold details painted with Army Painter’s Gun Metal and Vallejo’s Brass before the start of the episode.
Bryan was kind enough to offer us some painting wisdom, particularly to those new to the hobby. Here’s what he had to say to encourage new and developing hobbyists, as well as the one product he considers indispensable:
“True fact: My first hundred miniatures were terrible, my next hundred looked worse, but my mom kept telling me to keep it up, that she saw the improvement. So I never stopped. Sometimes it takes even pros hundreds of times to get it right. Never give up. Also, the number one hobby product you should invest in is a good, crack-finding brown wash.”
Lesson 2: Color Theory
In episodes 3 and 4, Aaron Lovejoy joins Will to talk about color theory, and how to apply it when painting miniatures. It’s definitely a worthwhile lesson.
Model: D-Verse Publishing – The Zealot – from their game Nexus
Primer: Zenithal primed with Citadel black and white primer
Will’s Paints: P3 Bloodstone, P3 Khardic Flesh, P3 Ordic Olive, P3 Necrotite Green, P3 Murderous Magenta, P3 Losan Green
Aaron’s Paints: Paints: P3 Sanguine Base, Coal Black, P3 Eldrich, P3 Khador Red Base, P3 Cygnus Yellow
Lesson 3: Faces, Eyes & Armor
Michele Olsen joins Will for this lesson and gives him the basic pointers for the most challenging details on a lot of minis: facial details, including eyes.
Model: Cool Mini or Not – St. Mary from Dark Age
Primer: Zenithal primed with Citadel black and white primer
Paints: P3 Bloodstone, P3 Sanguine Base, P3 Khardic Flesh, P3 Midlund Flesh, P3 Ryn Flesh, P3 Menoth White Highlight, P3 Thamar Black
Shades: Citadel Reikland Fleshshade
We asked Michele what sorts of words of encouragement and advice she has for new hobbyists, and a recommendation for more experienced hobbyists who are looking to up their game.
“Keep at it! Each mini you paint will be better than the last. Your brush control will improve and your skills will grow with each mini. A nice Kolinski Sable brush with a fine point will help so much – my personal favorite is a Raphaël Series 8408 Size 0.”
Lesson 4: Airbrushing
Will Friedle is breaking free of the studio and learns airbrushing from Fon Davis at Fonco Studio.
Model: A custom made 1/32nd scale intergalactic space fighter model
