Ultimate Guide to Primer - HC 318

In this Hobby Cheating Tutorial, I take you through everything Primer. All the types of primers, colors, application and everything you've (hopefully) ever wanted to know about this essential first step of getting your miniature ready to paint. Hope you enjoy!

0:00 Intro
1:06 Rattlecan Basics
2:35 Airbrush Primer Basics
3:29 Brush-On Primer Basics
5:05 Rattlecan vs Airbrush
10:52 Applying Primer
14:43 Colored Primer
18:50 Undershade & Zenithal
24:58 When to Prime Black
27:07 Wrap-Up

Hobby Supplies

My Games (w/Uncle Adam)

Monument Hobbies Pro Acryl: (paint, primer, basing paste, etc.):
10% off your total order! Enter COUPON CODE: VinceV

Element Games - (ALL your hobby needs, UK based, ships WORLDWIDE):
Use Referral Code: VIN0010 for DOUBLE STORE CREDIT CRYSTALS on your first purchase!

Social Media
Twitter: @warhammerweekly
Instagram: VincentVenturella

[stefanblackadder]

I’m a “historical figure painter “ and I’ve learned so much from you. If this is your creative outlet, then, and I’m not kidding here, you’re a national treasure.

[superlurkeable]

I found a very particular use of brush-on primer to be for broken pieces.
Sometimes part of a mini will chip slightly, or I'll have to re-glue a piece which might require me to sand the bit before glueing. Brush on is nice to have to re-prime a specific area after you glued it and then re paint over it!

[tamsinp]

Another use for colour primers is when you want to desaturate the paint colours going on top. As an example, for my WW2 Australians I used Vallejo red-brown primer which helped to tone down the greens of their uniform and provided a good base for the flesh.

[ScytheNoire]

One useful thing to do after a zenithal highlight is to take a picture of it. This lets you call back to it to make sure you are getting your shades and highlights correct.
Just another reference point tool to use. Can also then use an graphic edit program to do test paint schemes.
I think Lyla Mev was the first place I heard about doing this.

[endlessfight]

You always have such a concise delivery, while remaining personable. I truly appreciate your ability to suggest what we may already know, without condescension. It is with this approach that we are able to proceed and grow in a safe space with a safe mentor. I can’t thank you enough for your contribution to our hobby.

[drizzitdude]

My favorite primer is Vallejo Surface Primer black. Even when applied with a brush, it is almost like magic how well it comes out and it actually saves you on paint!

I have a large brush I generally use for priming when I am working and can't use an airbrush. With Vallejo Surface Primer you can put one drop of black on a wet pallet and is that will be enough to get through an entire miniature, what is really crazy about it is how thin it comes out, it never mucks up details or crevices even when I feel like I got too much on a brush. It feels like it is somehow noob-proof primer. I cannot recommend it enough.

[grumpymeggo]

I would say one advantage of "miniature rattle can primers" e.g. Army Painter is that you can get specific colors that match with the colors of their miniature paint range.

[Butter]

Your channel is an absolute treasure trove for new painters like myself! Thank you so much for all the work you put into these videos!

[kevinhayes]

A very useful “primer” on primers…..really appreciate the time you spend and the clarity you bring to each subject. And thanks for talking about the curing times on the primers: this will save me a lot of time as I usually wait at least 1-2 days to make sure it’s fully dry and set. Thanks again!

[mtnjhutch]

You sure helped this newbie! I was just going to go buy a rattle can of black primer. I love your videos. You have helped me so much. I don’t plan to do such small miniatures all the time but will probably do a lot of bigger miniature stuff

[el_passo_painting]

I have always used hardware store cans to zenithal prime from black and grey. Very cheep and effective, like Vince said. I painted 6 armies last year using this method and no complaints at all. Ive recently decided to move to airbrush primer to experiment more with single mini painting and busts. Should be fun! Great advice for anyone especially beginner painters.👍

[motorboot]

Damnit, Vince, you've got me. 1, 5 years into the hobby and I've already spent enough on rattlecans to afford me an airbrush starter set. Got 6k points of Beastmen ready to be primed, so it's either 40 bucks on more rattlecans, or bite the bullet on an airbrush.

[philipspringall]

Love seeing ya face Vince! Amazing and in depth as always!

[AllegedDev]

I've just recently started painting models and miniatures. My results were NOT good. A bunch of people recommended your videos. You have SO much good info, and these videos have been SO helpful. Thanks!

[ThePingouinter]

Great video! Just wanted to add that Vallejo Desert Tan for airbrush is a great primer for contrast paint, and gives the tonal warmth that is often sought.

[OpticFusion]

Finally received my Compressor and Airbrush yesterday. Undercoated my first model using zenithal highlighting. I will never go back to rattle cans except for terrain. An airbrush is the best thing I have ever used. It was raining last night and I could undercoat without any problems. Thank you Vince for all the tutorials on this.

Some more beginner tutorials for airbrushing techniques would be great if you have the time.

[SvenEnterlein]

12:28 one of the most important tricks! I am using the stynylrez primers and they definitely need thinning but even when thinned quite a bit, I always had issues with clogging. Adding a bit of cleaner or thinner before loading the primer works wonders! Thank you so much for pointing out all the differences. While most seem obvious, it never hurts getting them spelled out.

[theenigmaticgamer]

Fascinating explanation. Thanks so much for sharing your skills and insight. I have been painting minis for over fifty years and I am still learning thanks to your videos. Very best wishes from the UK.

[jamesgalbreath]

Very helpful video! As someone just beginning to play around the edges of this craft, I really needed a basic explanation of priming. Suggestion: it would be very helpful to have an explanation of "reading" the miniature before priming and painting. I know for those who are experts this comes instinctively, but watching you take a raw miniature and explain how you analyze that paint layering prior to doing any of the actual application of anything to the surface would be immensely helpful. Show how you "map" the project in your mind in order to choose primer and colors?

[todsmith]

'this was designed to cover your chair on your back deck' says it all. Controlling the amount of primer coming out is very important. Thank you kindly for this video.