So recently I've noticed that a bunch of people have all these fancy shmancy paint schemes on their ships. Thought I'd join in and try out some painting on these miniatures. I went and got some pretty basic paint supplies and used a friend's fine-tip brush to try out repainting one of my TIE Punishers into the First Order color scheme.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/QenWnZhRiBuQE-f56FAdsrW9hSLBa3p2l-RfkPbf7kCmPJoyQjI1eIIMnq91WzH39AY1z0WJ2Uz5f18=w1366-h662-rw

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/9-Dq2D-9Kr9796H0F4LlQPL9WCaSc5F6YP0KU8aWjaUhmpETk-vdoPMmXZcuvL3hWpX6n-Xqb3JjZzA=w1366-h662-rw

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/tpnSQz1EhCEvV0JtkWDLN5JcRZ4oDUCt8EsCM70mLqWwenfeBa389KTtjoY-fAs1VAQWNPNZACCN50E=w1366-h662-rw

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/gpj2bhpITjkx65qgCrUCew-ljmASBytgzv8QXDt9jJaCu2dxw4sXVCJLBognhbTmZifS5qHHemiu2wM=w1366-h662-rw

Overall I think I did fairly well for my first repaint. I feel like I could have done more for the cockpit but other than that I think I did well. Any thoughts and critique would be helpful because this certainly won't be my last repaint.

I keep getting errors when I go to the links you provided.

I use photobucket. Upload your pics, then select a pic & copy the IMG info and paste into your post.

or in the thumbnail view, click the drop down menu in the upper left of your image and select "share". Then copy the IMG info and paste into your post. (Simply clicking the IMG box automatically copies the info for you.)

I cant see the pretty pictures!

Thanks for the advice with photobucket Majeure, now everyone can see the pretty repaint!

Great start! Painting the muntins (is that the right terminology for spacecraft?)--the frame that divides each window pane--can be tough to do.

First, don't overload your brush with paint, secondly try using the side of the brush instead of the tip so it catches the raised elements. And probably most importantly, thin your paints a bit. It takes longer to paint things because you're going to have to build up layers of color to get the desired value, but it allows you to have a more finished look and you don't lose the details of the sculpt.

Remember if you get paint (A) over an area you didn't intend to paint (B) you can always paint over any errors with the (B) color once (A) is dry enough. Much easier to correct goofs with thinned paints as well.

If you find that your hands shake more than you'd like, rest them on your work surface instead of in the air in front of you.

Good luck and keep posting!

Great start! Painting the muntins (is that the right terminology for spacecraft?)--the frame that divides each window pane--can be tough to do.

First, don't overload your brush with paint, secondly try using the side of the brush instead of the tip so it catches the raised elements. And probably most importantly, thin your paints a bit. It takes longer to paint things because you're going to have to build up layers of color to get the desired value, but it allows you to have a more finished look and you don't lose the details of the sculpt.

Remember if you get paint (A) over an area you didn't intend to paint (B) you can always paint over any errors with the (B) color once (A) is dry enough. Much easier to correct goofs with thinned paints as well.

If you find that your hands shake more than you'd like, rest them on your work surface instead of in the air in front of you.

Good luck and keep posting!

Thanks for the feedback!

Probably going to either try repainting either my TIE Interceptor in the same scheme or go and try to repaint one of my rebel ships.

Decided to do the TIE Interceptor. Think it turned out well but I'll have to put the photos on after work.

Droo, you know what's funny about pics of the ships we paint? Or at least the ones I paint... It's that the photos make all the smudges and imperfections that much more apparent. It makes me self conscious about my abilities as a painter. At arms length, my ships look great to me and I'm happy with them, but just don't inspect them too closely!

So I applaud you for posting, and all the other painters that have, and continue to do so.

Here's my first perfectly imperfect repaint:

Part of me wants to re-paint her, but another part of me thinks I should keep it the way it is, just to remember where I started.

Either way, I love flying this ship.

Here comes the TIE Interceptor of the First Order Repaint scheme thing!

Again, that cockpit frame gets me but I think everywhere else looks great. I now contemplate on whether or not to venture out with repainting either a scum or rebel ship, or continue to repaint some of my imperial ships into the first order still.

Also a little duo of the Punisher and Interceptor with a "little" friend in the back.

Droo, you know what's funny about pics of the ships we paint? Or at least the ones I paint... It's that the photos make all the smudges and imperfections that much more apparent. It makes me self conscious about my abilities as a painter. At arms length, my ships look great to me and I'm happy with them, but just don't inspect them too closely!

I've just now noticed that actually. I think its out of habit for me to do that because when I have previously presented objects that I've done I usually try to show off the most detail and error so I can get the best of the criticism so I KNOW what I need to fix.

Also my hands shake so much when I'm painting on the table it feels like the table will rattle and completely break... But I'll ( eventually ) get the hang of controlling my spasming hands.

They look so good! The solar panels are really clean where the black meets the white. What's your method on that spot? Inquiring minds want to know.

Eventually you're going to get to painting the Rebel and Scum & Villainy ships; it's just what happens. First and foremost: paint what makes you happy. Having said that, having a uniform looking squad with a custom paint job always looks good. And we all know painted ships roll better dice results.

They look so good! The solar panels are really clean where the black meets the white. What's your method on that spot? Inquiring minds want to know.

Its more of a step-by-step process really, along with the paint I use.

I essentially got some really cheap acryllic paint ( Walmart-esque paint ) that runs alot. I knew I WANTED running paint because the solar panels have such groves n stuff that when you go over it with the really runny paint it ends up seeping into all the groves so that its essentially uniform all along the panel.

I also started on the panels first with my TIE Interceptor this time. This is because from my learning experience with that Punisher, where the groves of the solar panel would end up flicking the brush thus splattering paint everywhere.

After getting ALL the panels done, I end up doing the chasis, AKA all the stuff that SHOULDN'T be white and ends up being the shiny black. Again I use the cheap runny paint because its all I have it gets into the groves and makes it noticeable, not to mention that for some reason it ends up creating a really nice shine.

I still have issues with the cockpit frame but I'll eventually get that thing one day.

Tomorrow (or wednesday the latest), I will have another FO scheme of one of those guys that glow blue after blowing you up with four attack die.

Here comes the TIE Phantom jumping into the fray of the First Order Squad.

Again I had issues with the cockpit frame and I probably will forever, but I think I had it down somewhat on this one. All the other areas I feel look nice with the solar panels being a bit smudgy in certain spots but going over with the paint didn't seem to help it for some reason. Even with that in mind, I feel like it turned out real well.

Here is a little squad shot of all three ships I've repainted so far.

Looking good droo.

You may have to invest in a higher quality paint at some point if you want to get past the cockpit issues. The cheaper stuff gets gummy as it dries, I've noticed.

When you do make the transition, I would recommend Vallejo brand. On the low budget end is Testors (acrylic) I grew up on that stuff and loved it at the time. In the middle is Vallejo. And for those with more cash than me is Citadel.

I use Citadel's shades & washes, but my main colors are Vallejo. And, sometimes you might find your Local Game Store is having a sale on older stock or select/specialty colors. My shop had an Italian brand on sale for $2 a bottle, so I picked up a couple of colors that wanted to experiment or practice with that I know I'd use very little of (like gold) that I couldn't justify buying otherwise.

One more thing that might help: try using some reading glasses from the dollar store. These are small models after all! Get 1x or 1.5x magnification.

2x was too much for me and made dizzy. Your mileage may vary.

And... and... there's always more I can add, but the best thing I can tell you is to go watch some YouTube videos for more tips & tricks. Check out wet palates that you can make with Tupperware. And how to clean your brushes. And... and... so it goes.

When you do make the transition, I would recommend Vallejo brand. On the low budget end is Testors (acrylic) I grew up on that stuff and loved it at the time. In the middle is Vallejo. And for those with more cash than me is Citadel.

I use Citadel's shades & washes, but my main colors are Vallejo.

Seconded...used to use enamels in my youth, but acrylics are so much more convenient...have tried Tamiya in the past, but find Vallejo much easier to work with...although I don't like their black wash, so use Citadels Nuln Oil as everyone seems to have a good word for it

...also, although they can be a bit variable in quality and derided by skilled painters, you may want to try fine-tip acrylic pens for some of the detail work...they can be quite handy for eg cockpit windows if your hands are as unsteady as mine have become

You've taken your first steps into a larger world.

You've taken your first steps into a larger world.

Very BIG steps I might add.

As of right now I've been taking the time to work "delicately" on another ship, so that it looks well.

Well I have had a long break, ( with good reason of course!) but I think its time to give you guys some of the stuff I have worked on.

First up, the repaints not only get some modification, but welcome their Patrol Leader into the fray!

Overall it was extensive process to get the magnets and all the materials but I am very happy with how the repaint & magnets worked out!

Nice! I always enjoy seeing a unified looking squad out on the battlefield.

Nice! I always enjoy seeing a unified looking squad out on the battlefield.

Thanks for the feedback.

Also later today I will put up a few pictures of the Decimator alone so you all can see the angles.

When you had forgotten to upload those pictures "later that day"...

But I got them here now, and that is all that matters!

That decimator needs some kind of engine glow!

That decimator needs some kind of engine glow!

I used to have some red engine glow stickers on the decimator, but they inevitably had to come off when I started painting.

Perhaps if I can figure out a way to do a similar glow effect then the decimator can really show off it's engines!

Nice stark paint scheme! One thing that really helped me kick my mini painting up a notch is an article that talked about black not being completely black. It was a great article with examples of how to work in just about any color (grey, blue, red, brown, purple, etc.) to really bring the mini alive. Unfortunately, I don't remember where I read the article, but I try to keep that advice in mind whenever a paint a mini with black elements.