Back to Basics: Then and Now [part 1]

This section of Back to Basics is completely driven by YOU.

I'd like to show new artists not to be discouraged when they see what masterclass artists are creating. We all start at a basic level and progress as we practice and learn, perhaps bringing something new to the hobby but at least painting from the heart.

You can contribute by visiting Wargaming Tradecraft to send an email to me. Include photos of a mini or two that you painted when you first started out and another that shows how you've improved; if you like, also share some words of wisdom. As a reward for baring all, I'll pimp your blog if you tell me where to point the link.

This series will continue as long as you keep sending me content - currently, I need more!

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from Gimnir of The Brush Gimn

winter from Iron Bar Theory says:

"I originally got in to 40k 10 years ago and started up some Space Wolves. I painted up a decent amount of them over a year or two, but then stopped for 6 years. I started painting again late in very late in 2009 and joined a gaming club in Jan 2010. Since then I've been playing and painting and having fun! I think my first ever model is actually not that bad. I tried to do some highlighting and some blending. Since then I'm not sure I've really improved that much :-/ I still can't blend at all, but at least I've started shading in addition to the highlights."

fester from fester 40k says:

"I started Orks 5 years ago as an outlet for my general zanyness. I quickly started scrathbuilding things and painting them up.

It took a long time for me to realise that my work was not only bad, but actually very bad.

Saying that, I still scored well at tournaments as all my minis were 3 colours, drybrushed, washed and based.

I never got a look in for "best army" as the models only filled "tabletop quality".

Recently I went to a large 60+person event and score very poorly on painting. It was then that I realised I needed to not only revisit the army [120 boys ++ :( ] but improve my skills.

I subsequently started another Ork army (extending my collection) and have stopped, read, looked at, thought about, and moved forwards slowly, steadily, and with the goal to have a 30/30 painted army.

fester's Tips for painters:

1. Work out a paint scheme you like, then paint an army fast to tabletop. Get it done, you dont have to be perfect.
   My space marines can knock out 40+ marines in 4 hours (which is mostly drying time), painted, based, detailed. Its all in the colour scheme you pick.
2. Pick a squad a month to repaint. Don't limit the time you can take, limit the minimum time you can take. 1 HQ in 20 hours, no less
   OR
   Start extending the same army, or a new army, having another painted army to play. You can't play with the army until its painted, and you can't say its "painted" until 95% of the people who see it at the LGS say "oooh"."