I have played miniatures games (mostly at conventions) for well over
ten years, exclusively with other peoples' miniatures. I do own a
number of miniatures, but have never painted any because I lacked all
confidence in my artistic abilities. I've wanted to for years,
though.
So when I saw this book about two and a half months ago, I bought it.
I figured if I could learn to paint, anyone could. After giving it the
acid test (painting my first figures with advice almost exclusively
from this book), I'm ready to review it.
The short review: it works for beginners! I'm now painting my 20th
figure, and am very pleased with the first 19! I don't know how
valuable it would be to an experienced painter, though: I'm not any
such thing.
The long review:
53-page book, 8.5" x 5.5", $12.95
Contents:
Buying Models
Required Tools
Brushes
Paints
Preparing Your Miniatures
Plastic Figures
Filling Joints
Preparing Metal Miniatures
The Painting Process - Undercoatings
Applying the Base Coat
Mixing Exercises
1) Flesh Tones
2) Brown Tones
3) Dark Greens
4) Metallic Colors
Outlining
Shading/Painting Shadows
Washes
Ink Washes and Glazes
Highlighting
Drybrushing and Wash Project
Painting Faces
Painting Horses
1) Bays
2) Chestnuts
3) Grays
4) Browns
Stripes/Lines/Dots/Checks
Painting the Base
References
Paint Manufacturers
Ink Manufacturers
Figure Manufacturers
I had bought the Grenadier Dragon Lords game last year,
and decided to start with the dragon figures in that game. Using just
the techniques described in the book, I now have six dragon figures
that I am very pleased with. The detail is good, though not
show-winning. [1997 update: they did win a show at a small convention
in 1996!] It is nonetheless, better than I had ever thought I was
capable of. When I showed them to a friend, who has run the miniatures
painting contest at a convention for years, her response was, "Wow!
You go right into advanced techniques, don't you!" I think this was
because of the wash and drybrush techniques, which came out rather
nicely, if I do say so myself.
The only thing I did that is not covered in the book is to strip the
paint off of one figure and start over - I didn't like the way it
looked. The book does not cover stripping paint off of figures, but I
had read about household solvents on rec.games.miniatures, so I used
CitriSolv, which is what I have in the house for such purposes. It
works great.
At this point, I felt ready for human figures. I next went to Western
Gunslingers, since Desperado is one of my favorite
games. I painted six at a time, and now have 12 gunslingers, enough
for a great Desperado game. I think they're very good,
and am very happy with everything but the eyes. Eyes are tough, as he
admits in his book, so I'm still struggling with them. I tried his
technique, but feel it makes the eyes too big for the face. On the
other hand, I notice this seems to be the common style - most figures
I've seen at convention painting contests have eyes too big for the
scale. Otherwise, I think they look great.
Now I'm doing swashbucklers, and having great fun with the colors.
All in all, I recommend this book, at least to beginning painters. I'm
very happy with my work, and can honestly say that they look a lot
nicer than they would have had I just painted without any instruction
at all.
Brushstrokes is available for $12.95 from:
G.L. Books
227 Hawthorne Drive
Oakdale, PA 15071
(412) 788-6358
Note: the above information was accurate in 1993 - I haven't
checked it since then.
Disclaimer: I have no connection with Mr.
Leitzell.
Updated note as of April, 2001: I'm told the phone number above
doesn't work, sorry - I have no new contact information.
1997 Update: I'm still painting miniatures, and getting better
at it. Still have trouble with eyes, but otherwise, and pleased and
very glad I bought this book four years ago. I now have many more
figures painted than when I wrote the review!
Back to SOS' Gameviews
Back to Steffan O'Sullivan's Home Page