How to Paint Resin Miniatures: The Complete Beginner's Guide
Painting resin miniatures is one of the most rewarding parts of the tabletop hobby.
Whether you're preparing a character for your next Dungeons & Dragons campaign, creating an army for tabletop gaming, or simply building a fantasy display collection, painting your own miniatures allows you to add personality and creativity to every model.
A plain resin miniature is just the beginning. With some basic tools, patience and practice, you can transform a detailed 3D printed model into a unique piece that stands out on the gaming table.
In this beginner's guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about painting resin miniatures, including preparation, priming, painting techniques, recommended tools and common mistakes to avoid.
Why Paint Resin Miniatures?
Resin miniatures are popular among tabletop gamers and collectors because they capture incredible levels of detail.
Modern high-resolution printing allows miniature creators to produce:
- Detailed armour
- Intricate weapons
- Realistic faces
- Flowing clothing
- Scales, fur and textures
- Dynamic poses
At Just Re-Roll, our miniatures are designed with hobbyists in mind, using high-detail printing materials that are suitable for priming and painting with standard acrylic miniature paints.
Painting allows you to:
- Match your character's personality
- Create unique colour schemes
- Improve your painting skills
- Build a personalised collection
- Bring your tabletop adventures to life
What You Need to Paint Resin Miniatures
Before starting your first miniature, you don't need an expensive setup.
A basic painting kit should include:
Miniature Paints
Most hobby painters use acrylic paints because they are:
- Easy to work with
- Fast drying
- Available in thousands of colours
- Easy to mix
Popular colours to start with:
- Black
- White
- Red
- Blue
- Green
- Brown
- Silver
- Gold
- Skin tones
Paint Brushes
A small selection of quality brushes will make painting much easier.
Recommended brushes:
Large Basecoat Brush
Used for covering larger areas such as:
- Armour
- Cloaks
- Monsters' bodies
Medium Detail Brush
Perfect for:
- Faces
- Weapons
- Clothing details
Fine Detail Brush
Used for:
- Eyes
- Small symbols
- Tiny highlights
Primer
Primer is one of the most important steps.
It creates a surface that paint can stick to and helps your colours apply more smoothly.
Common primer colours include:
Black Primer
Great for:
- Dark characters
- Monsters
- Villains
- Armoured figures
White Primer
Great for:
- Bright colours
- Magical characters
- Vibrant designs
Grey Primer
A good all-round option for beginners.
Step 1: Prepare Your Resin Miniature
Before painting, your miniature needs some preparation.
Although quality resin prints are designed to arrive ready for hobby use, taking a little time to prepare your model helps achieve the best possible finish.
Clean the Miniature
Remove any dust or residue using:
- Warm water
- Mild soap
- A soft toothbrush
Allow the miniature to dry completely before moving on.
Remove Any Support Marks
Depending on the miniature, you may notice small areas where supports were attached during printing.
Carefully remove these using:
- Hobby knife
- Fine sanding tools
- Small files
Take your time, especially around delicate areas like:
- Swords
- Staffs
- Wings
- Thin armour pieces
Step 2: Apply Primer
Never skip priming.
Primer gives your paint something to grip onto and prevents paint from separating from the surface.
When applying primer:
- Shake your primer well.
- Apply several thin layers.
- Avoid spraying too heavily.
- Allow the primer to fully dry.
A thin primer coat preserves the miniature's fine details.
Step 3: Start With Base Colours
The first layer of paint is called the basecoat.
This establishes the main colours of your miniature.
For example:
A fantasy warrior might have:
- Silver armour
- Brown leather
- Red cloak
- Skin-tone face
A dragon might have:
- Green scales
- Dark claws
- Bright eyes
- Metallic treasure details
Don't worry about perfection at this stage.
The goal is to cover the main areas neatly.
Step 4: Add Shadows With Washes
Washes are one of the easiest ways to make a miniature look more detailed.
A wash is a thinner paint that flows into the miniature's recesses.
It naturally creates shadows around:
- Armour details
- Clothing folds
- Scales
- Facial features
This technique instantly adds depth and makes your miniature appear more realistic.
Step 5: Highlight Your Miniature
Highlights bring your miniature to life.
This involves adding lighter colours to raised areas.
Examples:
Armour:
- Dark silver base
- Silver highlights
- Bright edge highlights
Clothing:
- Dark blue base
- Medium blue layer
- Light blue highlights
Skin:
- Base skin tone
- Shadow wash
- Lighter highlights
Small highlights can make a huge difference.
Step 6: Painting Details
Now comes the fun part.
Focus on the areas that make the miniature unique:
Faces
Faces can be challenging, but even simple details help.
Focus on:
- Eyes
- Hair
- Beards
- Facial markings
Weapons
Add contrast with:
- Metallic paints
- Dark shadows
- Edge highlights
Bases
Don't forget the base.
A simple base can become:
- Grassland
- Dungeon floor
- Snow
- Rock
- Battlefield rubble
A great base makes the whole miniature feel complete.
Painting Different Types of Resin Miniatures
Painting Dragons
Dragons are fantastic beginner projects because they allow creativity.
Try:
- Deep shadows between scales
- Bright highlights along the spine
- Different colours for wings
- Metallic treasure details
Explore fantasy creatures and monsters from the Just Re-Roll collection for inspiration.
Painting Character Miniatures
Character models benefit from careful detail.
Focus on:
- Clothing
- Weapons
- Armour
- Personality
A wizard might have glowing magical effects, while a warrior might have worn armour and battle scars.
Browse the range of character miniatures available from Just Re-Roll for your next adventurer.
Beginner Painting Techniques To Learn
Dry Brushing
A simple technique where you apply a small amount of paint to a brush and lightly brush raised details.
Great for:
- Fur
- Stone
- Armour
- Skeletons
Edge Highlighting
Adding lighter lines along edges creates a sharper appearance.
Great for:
- Weapons
- Armour
- Clothing
Layering
Building colours gradually creates smoother transitions and better depth.
Common Resin Miniature Painting Mistakes
Using Too Much Paint
Thick paint can hide the miniature's details.
Always aim for thin layers.
Skipping Primer
Paint without primer may chip more easily and won't look as smooth.
Being Afraid of Mistakes
Everyone makes mistakes.
The great thing about miniature painting is that you can:
- Repaint areas
- Add layers
- Experiment
- Learn
Every miniature improves your skills.
Can You Repaint Resin Miniatures?
Yes.
Many experienced hobbyists repaint models multiple times while improving their techniques.
If you're unhappy with a colour scheme, you can:
- Add new layers
- Strip the paint
- Start again
Every miniature is a learning opportunity.
Creating Your Own Custom Miniatures
Want something completely unique?
Custom resin miniatures are perfect for:
- Original D&D characters
- Campaign villains
- Special NPCs
- Unique monsters
Just Re-Roll offers custom orders where personalised models, themed designs and modified creations can be discussed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What paint is best for resin miniatures?
Acrylic miniature paints are the most popular choice because they provide good coverage while preserving fine details.
Do resin miniatures need washing before painting?
Cleaning your miniature before painting can help remove dust or residue and improves paint adhesion.
Should I prime resin miniatures?
Yes. Primer creates a better surface for paint and helps your colours apply more smoothly.
Are resin miniatures good for beginners?
Absolutely. Resin miniatures are excellent for beginners because their detailed surfaces make learning painting techniques enjoyable.
Start Your Miniature Painting Journey With Just Re-Roll
Painting miniatures is more than just adding colour — it's about creating something unique.
Whether you're preparing your first D&D character, building a monster collection or creating display pieces, every painted miniature tells a story.
At Just Re-Roll, our growing range of high-detail 3D printed miniatures is designed for gamers, collectors and hobbyists who want models ready for creativity.
Explore our:
Pick up your next miniature, grab your brushes and start creating your own fantasy world.
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