How to Speed Paint Miniatures (Tips for Fast Base Coats, No Airbrush)

Do you want to speed paint miniatures but you don't have an airbrush or want to use one? In this video, I'll show you how to speed paint a tabletop gaming miniature—a Fane Knight Cavalry model from Privateer Press—using tips I learned as a commissioned miniature painter.

While an airbrush is a great tool, it doesn't speed up the painting process as much as you might think. You won't need fancy tools, paints, or brushes to paint models quickly.

By following these three general tips, you can achieve great results on miniatures of any type and size:

1. Use a BIG brush.
2. Don't overly thin paints.
3. Keep the color palette simple.

I'll demonstrate how using a blunt, medium-sized dry brush can help you finish painting a model in less than an hour. Loading a fairly large brush directly from undiluted paint on a wet palette keeps coverage consistent. Using a dabbing or tapping motion with the brush bristles allows for fast and reliable base coating and layering on 3D sculpted miniatures. Remember to let each layer dry before adding more paint on top.

An advantage of using these approaches is that you can use any hobby paints you already own. You don't need fancy "contrast colours" or "Xpress" technical paint mediums. Any good quality acrylic paint will work well.

Whether you're painting for your miniature collection or casually for yourself or a friend, I hope these tips and insights give you the foundational knowledge to complete your projects with a satisfying finish.

Have fun! I hope you enjoy this video. Leave a comment and let me know what you think!

➡️🔥Here are the supplies I used in the video:

✍️🖋️Other useful tutorials and videos:
8 Must-Know Paint Blending Techniques:
How to Dry Brush Miniatures:

📸 💡 Accessories for Filming/Photography:

Affiliate disclosure: I am a participant in the affiliate programs for Amazon Services LLC Associates and other vendors. These program are designed to provide a means for me to earn revenue by linking to the above affiliated sites.

[jefffrazier]

Thank you!! Your technique, will save me days, I always get caught up in trying to detail, Waay to early!!! using LG. Rd. dry brush looks great! Thank you, Jeff f. ;-)))🎉🎉🎉

[alexanderfoust]

Love the new video! Always looking to speed up the painting process

[TheAlmightyfoon]

Suprised to see PP minis on the thumbnail. Ret stuff always looks cool.

[AkelisRain]

Random video shows up on feed, Sees Retribution. Taps screen easy!

[travman]

Love the Reaper paints! What models are these? they are what I'm looking for

[ArdalanKian]

I've been trying to figure out drybrushing for basecoats. So I get that I shouldn't be thinning the paint much if at all, but how much moisture do I still want on the brush. Is it like regular drybrushing where you get rid of almost all the moisture?