For the A-to-Z Blogging Challenge this month, I'm going to be tackling topics relating to the wild world of miniature painting - by that I mean tiny models used in board games, tabletop roleplaying games and wargames. Stop by every day to learn a little about my newest hobby and obsession!
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The Army Painter is a manufacturer of wargaming/modeling supplies and paint based out of Denmark. It’s a great beginner’s line because their products tend to be a little cheaper than others, and while they're not the top quality, they are perfectly functional and they make a little bit of everything (paint, brushes, modelling tools, decorative materials, glue, etc) so they're a handy one-stop brand.
I started with AP paints because their line is carried at my local Gaming Store and, personally, I find their paints mostly easy to work with. They come a little thinner than other model paints, and thinning is one of the first and most important techniques you need to learn in painting minis, so I appreciated the head-start. That said, their pigments aren’t as rich as some thicker paints, so they wash out quickly. When you know what you’re doing, you’ll want to thin your paints yourself the exact amount you need, so you’ll need the colour of the paint to be more flexible. Another drawback of Army Painter is the consistency across the colours. For instance their Matte Black is superb—smooth, glossy, covers well—while their Matte White is terrible—lumpy and grainy. Over time, you will come to know your preferred colours in different lines.
Army Painter also makes the “Gamemaster” line of terrain building kits, which are an awesome way to get into another facet of the hobby. Terrain building (building the forests, dungeons, villages, etc where your games take place) is a whole other complicated discussion that I’ll touch on in later posts.
