Just paint one of each first. Dont commit to all of them, you are just trying something new.

Thanks for the tips on washes---much appreciated.

Being a beginner painter I have been experimenting with techniques, and have found dry brushing chrome or gunmetal over a finished model gives it a nice chipped paint look.

I used to paint WW2 miniatures and medieval miniatures when I was younger, but while I loved the act of painting, I was never incredibly good at it, and they were not for a particular game, just for display and so eventually I ran out of time to keep up with it.

When I got into Armada I decided that I would not only pick up the painting hobby again, but that I was bound and determined to be good at it this time around. While I was doing researches I stumbled onto Les' wash recipe on the Dakkadakka forum here http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/261541.page

This is what I use for my washes. Barrier to entry if you are just looking for some easy shadowing is a little higher than say just buying a premixed bottle, but one trip to hobby lobby to build this recipe got me enough to do as many variants as I needed. I got a multi pack of Daler inks on sale at hobby lobby ($19 for 6 large pots on sale, quick search and I found it for $27 on Amazon full price), a bottle of Matte medium for $10, flow aid for $7, and a 6 back of 50ml bottles with dropper lids for $3. I use distilled water in my humidor at home so I had a big jug of that just lying around. Around $40 and I have already mixed washes in probably a dozen different shades and colors and every one has looked awesome. I have seen a huge jump in the quality of my paints from before when I was using a premixed wash to now when I feel a little more equipped to tweak them. Is the difference mental, or material? The world may never know.

I have even been experimenting with adding my paint directly to the wash, using it as my thinning agent which has helped make sure the colors stay uniform since that is something I have personally always struggled greatly with.

I used to paint WW2 miniatures and medieval miniatures when I was younger, but while I loved the act of painting, I was never incredibly good at it, and they were not for a particular game, just for display and so eventually I ran out of time to keep up with it.

When I got into Armada I decided that I would not only pick up the painting hobby again, but that I was bound and determined to be good at it this time around. While I was doing researches I stumbled onto Les' wash recipe on the Dakkadakka forum here http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/261541.page

This is what I use for my washes. Barrier to entry if you are just looking for some easy shadowing is a little higher than say just buying a premixed bottle, but one trip to hobby lobby to build this recipe got me enough to do as many variants as I needed. I got a multi pack of Daler inks on sale at hobby lobby ($19 for 6 large pots on sale, quick search and I found it for $27 on Amazon full price), a bottle of Matte medium for $10, flow aid for $7, and a 6 back of 50ml bottles with dropper lids for $3. I use distilled water in my humidor at home so I had a big jug of that just lying around. Around $40 and I have already mixed washes in probably a dozen different shades and colors and every one has looked awesome. I have seen a huge jump in the quality of my paints from before when I was using a premixed wash to now when I feel a little more equipped to tweak them. Is the difference mental, or material? The world may never know.

I have even been experimenting with adding my paint directly to the wash, using it as my thinning agent which has helped make sure the colors stay uniform since that is something I have personally always struggled greatly with.

I also use Les's washes for tinting. If you want lining or detailing wash, may I recommend oil washes or watercolor washes?

https://community.fantasyflightgames.com/topic/203010-painting-tips-and-tricks/?hl=%2Btips+%2Btricks

Those are a bunch of tips I put together (which are more model-centric rather than miniature-centric: it all depends on your own preferences/style!)

I read that post when I was going through and re-learning to paint, thanks for all the nuggets of advice you have distributed literally everywhere in this forum.

I read that post when I was going through and re-learning to paint, thanks for all the nuggets of advice you have distributed literally everywhere in this forum.

Between this and it's twin in the X-Wing painting and modification I'm feeling a lot less nervous about trying myself Thanks to everyone for posting and keep it up.

I like differing approaches and options because I get to choose what I'm more comfortable trying.

Bump

Great advice here!

I want to paint my squadrons but get intimidated when I actually sit down to try.

I'm wanting to make the Ties into Tie/fo. I'm going to put some on Tie Advanced bases and paint them like Tie/sf. Feeling very intimidated.

Especially when it comes to putting the white in the solar panels.