This week’s selection is “Arcane Arts: The Dungeoneer’s Guide to Miniature Painting and Tabletop Mayhem” by Noxweiler Berf.
One of the primary drivers for sales of desktop resin 3D printers has been self-production of miniature figurines for gaming purposes. The combination of low-cost equipment, access to inexpensive 3D models through services like MyMiniFactory have provided a huge opportunity for gamers to make their own miniatures.
There’s one catch, however: the resin 3D printers print in only a single color, usually plain old grey.
Because of the chromatic limitations of these devices, gamers must then paint the prints to achieve the proper appearance.
That’s easier said than done, as the art of painting miniatures is a bit different than painting a wall. There’s several steps and techniques that can be used to ensure the best possible results.
That’s the purpose of this 2022 book that digs deep into the act of miniature painting. It’s targeted at gamers not only by the topic, but also by the presentation in the book. The layout and theme is certainly D&D style, making the book an excellent option for gamers.
The book begins with a long discussion of the tools needed for painting, which go well beyond a mere brush and paints.
This is apparent with the first steps in miniature painting: cleaning up the models. This involves scraping off stray bits, smoothing rough surfaces, washing off oils or other deposits, filling unexpected gaps, glueing broken pieces together, etc. Only then can one proceed to the actual painting process.
Painting begins with a primer layer that sets up the model to hold more adventurous colors in later steps. I was surprised at the complexity of priming in the book.
The book describes the painting process, including shading and other advanced effects that can be produced on the surfaces. After painting the model can be sealed to protect the paint and its appearance.
I found this book to be quite a comprehensive journey through the unexpectedly complex process of painting 3D printed miniatures. If you’re into gaming and 3D printing, this book is for you.
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Via Amazon
