Painting Better Every Day: by Kenneth Taba revised –5/2/2000
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MODEL PREPARATION
Removing Flash, Mold Lines and Correcting Imperfections
Make sure you remove the flash from your miniature and file any mold lines smooth. Buy and use a good set of files.
After removing any visible flash and filing any visible mold lines, I use a paint on primer. Then I will use a wash of watered down black paint on the whole miniature, this really shows any missed mold lines and imperfections on the miniature, not to mention darklining the whole miniature.
It also helps when I try to visualize the look of the miniature when I'm trying to imagine what colors to paint on the various details of the miniature
If you do not remove all flash and moldlines, they will be visible on the finished miniature
Washing Miniatures
You need to wash the miniatures before you prime them for painting. The mold release substance used on the miniatures so they don't stick to the mold will also make it difficult to your primer and paint to stick to the miniature. If you did paint over this substance, your paint will be easily rubbed off.
After all the flash and mold lines have been removed, wash and scrub the miniature in warm soapy water using an old toothbrush. Use a Dish Soap that cuts grease (Like Dawn) but not one that has skin softeners. You want to clean the miniature of the mold release substance, which are used so that the miniature doesn't stick to the mold after casting.
Continue on to next section "Assembling Your Miniature"
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to Index of Painting Guides
[Table of Contents] [Preface] [Tools]
[Model Preparation] [Assembling
Your Miniature] [Cleaning] [Environment] [Physical]
[Mental] [Bases] [Techniques] [Q & A and Other
Tips] [Improving Your Painting Skill and Winning
Contests]
