The HABIT of speed painting minimizes overthinking and helps maintain a natural, dynamic look. The miniatures usually require fewer touch-ups when painted quickly. Slowing down often invites unnecessary fussing, which can detract from the overall effect. Ultimately, I often find that faster painting results in better miniatures.
In this overview, I focus on sharing things that may help you get into the habit of painting 28-35mm scale miniatures in under an hour. Indeed, I’ll underscore the point: Painting faster is a habit, and here’s how’d build it.
I remember when I first tried speed painting miniatures. I set a timer and made a run for it. One hour is all I needed: priming, base coating, detailing, and done. Speed painting generates a momentum—a relentless feeling. It creates flow.
1. Preparation (5 Minutes) — Just start!
The most challenging part of painting is starting. But, just start!
Yes, I empathize—Staring at a bare model can be daunting. What colors will you use? Where will you begin? Feeling blocked is common if you haven’t laid down a single brushstroke. Preparation can solve this problem.
Start simple! I break it down. Really, go for it by starting! Check out these four quick steps.
Step 1: Choose Your Color Scheme
Be decisive. Choose your colors. The fewer the better. Less than 5 colors is my suggestion. Less means fast.
Choose colors. Do this quickly, within a few seconds. The key is to get this decision done asap to break the paralysis of indecision. You can only create something by disturbing the blank canvas of your mind.
Step 2: Gather Your Supplies
Collect all the paints, brushes, and tools you’ll need. Having everything within reach saves time and keeps you in the flow.
Step 3: Prime Your Miniature
A well-primed miniature takes paint better and speeds up the painting process. Use a spray primer to quickly and evenly coat your model. I love Vallejo Surface primer because it’s reliable, inexpensive, and easy to use with a brush or airbrush.
Step 4: Create a Plan
Decide on the main steps you’ll take to paint your miniature. This could include base coating, shading, highlighting, and detailing. Having a plan keeps you focused and efficient. Here’s an example of a basic miniature painting workflow I use a lot.
2. Painting (40 Minutes)
After your preparation, it’s time to start painting. This process is straightforward and quick.
Set your timer for 40 minutes.
Paint – without stopping – until the timer goes off.
That’s all there is to it. You’ll see how easy it is and how quickly you can finish a miniature if you try it.
The race to complete the entire piece—to finish before the timer alarms beeps is thrilling and the secret to speed painting.
The key ingredient to painting models faster is the finish line, and getting past the white tape before that third-party racer beat you to it; in this case the clock’s alarm.
Your color scheme and plan will guide you through the process, ensuring you stay on track.
If you can apply paint smoothly and efficiently, you’ll have a finished miniature in no time.
Here are some additional tips to maintain speed:
Hint 1: Use Washes and Dry Brushing
These techniques add depth and highlight details quickly. Washes flow into recesses, creating natural shadows, while dry brushing highlights raised areas.
RELATED: 8 MUST-KNOW MINIATURE PAINTING TECHNIQUES FOR BLENDING COLOR
Hint 2: Don’t Overthink Color Choices
Trust your instincts. If a color feels right, use it. You can always refine your technique and choices later.
Hint 3: Embrace Imperfection
You can only create something by disrupting the blankness. Speed painting isn’t about perfection; it’s about creating a visually striking miniature quickly.
Let go of the need for every detail to be perfect. Often, the most dynamic and engaging miniatures come from a spontaneous approach. Yes, you’ll want to stick to good technique. But at the same time, remember this: perfect is the enemy of good.
Hint 4: Keep Going
Whatever happens, keep painting. If you’re unsure what to do next, focus on another part of the miniature. You’re teaching yourself the habit of continuous, efficient painting.
3. Finishing Touches (15 Minutes)
When the timer goes off, review your miniature. You’ll likely be surprised by how much you’ve accomplished. It might need a few touch-ups, but it should be mostly complete.
During the finishing touches phase, go through these steps:
Step 1: Evaluate Your Work
Take a good look at your miniature. Does it have the right balance of colors and details? If it flows well, you can move on to step 3. If it needs adjustments, go to step 2.
Step 2: Refine the Details
Fix any areas that seem out of place. Ensure the structure of the paint job is solid. Remove any stray marks, add missing details, and make sure the miniature tells a coherent visual story.
Interestingly, the more you speed paint, the less you’ll have to return to fixing and refining details. You’ll slowly gain that sense of purpose to these things the more often you paint a model to completion.
You magically get better at being efficient with a few hundred painted models under your belt.
Step 3: Polish Up
With the main painting done, clean up any rough edges. Make sure the colors are smooth, and the details are crisp. This final step will take your miniature to that tabletop-ready quality (or better).
Conclusion: Welcome to the Speed Painting Club
If you’ve read this far, you’re clearly interested in speed painting. Set aside an hour, and follow the three stages above. If you have time now, start now. Within an hour, you’ll experience the joy of speed painting. Welcome to the speed painting club!
For another, more introspective look into how I “see” differently when I’m painting for speed, check out this related article about the topic of speed painting.
I hope this write up inspired you to try something new, or gave you a different way to approach your miniature painting. As always, I’m looking for other ways to help our community and I’m looking for feedback.
Please share your thoughts with me in the comments!
Enjoying Your Visit? Join Tangible Day
Free newsletter with monthly updates (no spam)
Tangible Day on YouTube (Miniatures and More!)
