How to Start Painting D&D Miniatures: The Complete Beginner's Guide
Painting your own Dungeons & Dragons miniatures is one of the most rewarding parts of the tabletop hobby.
A miniature starts as a blank canvas, but with a little patience and creativity, it can become a legendary hero, terrifying monster or unforgettable villain that represents your adventures for years to come.
Many beginners look at beautifully painted miniatures online and think:
"I'll never be able to paint like that."
The truth is every expert miniature painter started with their first model.
You don't need expensive equipment, years of experience or artistic training. You simply need the right tools, a little practice and the willingness to experiment.
In this beginner's guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about painting D&D miniatures, including:
- What supplies you need
- How to prepare your miniature
- Choosing paints
- Priming techniques
- Basic painting methods
- Common mistakes
- How to improve your skills
Whether you're painting your first character miniature or starting a full collection, this guide will help you begin your journey.
Why Paint Your Own D&D Miniatures?
Dungeons & Dragons is built around imagination and storytelling.
Your character might be:
- A brave human fighter
- A mysterious wizard
- A powerful sorcerer
- A stealthy rogue
- A legendary dragon slayer
Painting your miniature allows you to make that character truly yours.
A painted miniature adds:
More Immersion
A detailed painted figure makes battles feel more dramatic.
A giant monster appearing on the table has much more impact when every scale, claw and horn is visible.
Personalisation
You can choose:
- Armour colours
- Clothing styles
- Magical effects
- Skin tones
- Character themes
Your miniature becomes unique.
A New Creative Hobby
Miniature painting is enjoyable outside of gaming too.
Many people paint miniatures simply because they enjoy:
- Relaxing creativity
- Learning new techniques
- Displaying finished models
- Improving over time
Choosing Your First D&D Miniature
The best miniature to start painting is one you are excited about.
Don't choose something because you think it will be "easy".
Choose something that makes you want to pick up your brush.
Great beginner choices include:
- Fighters
- Wizards
- Rangers
- Simple monsters
- Goblins
- Skeletons
- Adventurers
Just Re-Roll offers a wide range of detailed tabletop miniatures suitable for painting, including fantasy characters, creatures and monsters.
If you are starting your collection, explore the available D&D and fantasy miniatures from Just Re-Roll.
What Equipment Do You Need to Paint Miniatures?
One of the biggest misconceptions is that you need hundreds of pounds worth of equipment.
You don't.
A simple beginner setup can include:
Miniature Paints
Acrylic paints are the most popular choice for D&D miniatures.
You will want basic colours such as:
- Black
- White
- Red
- Blue
- Green
- Yellow
- Brown
- Silver
- Gold
- Skin tones
You can mix many additional colours from these basics.
Paint Brushes
You don't need a huge collection.
A beginner set should include:
Large Brush
Used for:
- Large armour areas
- Monster bodies
- Cloaks
Detail Brush
Used for:
- Faces
- Weapons
- Small accessories
Fine Detail Brush
Used for:
- Eyes
- Tiny symbols
- Small highlights
A good brush makes painting much easier.
Primer
Primer is one of the most important steps.
It creates a surface that paint can stick to and helps colours apply evenly.
Common primer colours include:
Black Primer
Great for:
- Dark characters
- Monsters
- Villains
- Heavy armour
White Primer
Great for:
- Bright colours
- Magical characters
- Vibrant designs
Grey Primer
A great all-purpose option for beginners.
Step 1: Prepare Your Resin Miniature
Before painting, preparation is important.
Just Re-Roll miniatures are designed to be suitable for hobby use, with high-detail printing materials chosen to capture fine textures and sharp features.
Before painting:
Clean Your Miniature
Remove any dust or residue.
Use:
- Warm water
- Mild soap
- Soft brush
Allow it to dry fully.
Check For Small Imperfections
Look carefully for:
- Support marks
- Small bumps
- Rough areas
These can usually be cleaned carefully using:
- Hobby knife
- Fine sanding tools
- Small files
Take your time.
A few minutes of preparation can make your finished miniature look much better.
Step 2: Prime Your Miniature
Never rush this stage.
A good primer coat creates the foundation for your entire paint job.
Tips:
- Apply thin coats
- Don't cover details
- Allow drying time
- Avoid spraying too close
A thick primer layer can hide the miniature's detail.
Step 3: Apply Your Base Colours
The first painting stage is called the basecoat.
This means applying the main colours of your miniature.
For example:
A fighter might have:
- Silver armour
- Brown leather
- Red cloak
- Dark boots
A wizard might have:
- Blue robes
- Gold details
- Purple magical effects
At this stage, focus on covering the miniature neatly.
Don't worry about perfection.
Step 4: Add Shadows With Washes
Washes are one of the easiest techniques for beginners.
A wash is a thin paint that flows into the miniature's recessed areas.
It creates natural shadows around:
- Armour
- Clothing folds
- Faces
- Scales
- Weapons
A simple wash can instantly make a miniature look much more detailed.
Step 5: Add Highlights
Highlights make your miniature stand out.
This involves adding lighter colours to raised areas.
Examples:
Armour
Base:
Dark silver
Highlight:
Bright silver
Clothing
Base:
Dark blue
Highlight:
Light blue
Skin
Base:
Skin tone
Highlight:
Lighter skin tone
Small highlights create a huge difference.
Step 6: Paint the Details
This is where your miniature really comes alive.
Focus on:
Faces
Faces are challenging but rewarding.
Start with:
- Skin colour
- Hair
- Eyes
- Facial details
Weapons
Add:
- Metallic colours
- Edge highlights
- Dark shadows
Bases
Don't forget the base.
A simple base can become:
- Forest ground
- Dungeon floor
- Snow
- Rocks
- Battlefield rubble
The base completes the miniature.
Beginner Painting Techniques To Learn
Dry Brushing
Dry brushing is one of the easiest techniques.
It works by using a small amount of paint on a brush and lightly catching raised details.
Perfect for:
- Stone
- Fur
- Skeletons
- Armour
Layering
Layering involves gradually building colours.
Instead of applying one thick coat, use several thinner layers.
Benefits:
- Better control
- Smoother colours
- More realistic results
Edge Highlighting
This technique adds lighter lines to edges.
Great for:
- Swords
- Armour
- Clothing
It creates a sharp, professional appearance.
Painting Different Types of D&D Miniatures
Painting Heroes
Character miniatures are perfect beginner projects.
Think about their personality:
Is your fighter:
- Noble?
- Battle-worn?
- Royal?
- Mysterious?
Your colours should tell their story.
Just Re-Roll offers a range of fantasy characters suitable for creating your own adventuring party.
Painting Monsters
Monsters allow you to be creative.
A dragon doesn't need realistic colours.
Try:
- Ice blue dragons
- Black and purple monsters
- Fire-themed creatures
- Ancient weathered beasts
Fantasy painting has no limits.
Common Beginner Mistakes
Using Too Much Paint
Thick paint hides details.
Use thinner layers.
Skipping Primer
Paint sticks much better when applied over primer.
Trying To Be Perfect
Your first miniature will not be your best.
That's normal.
Every model teaches you something new.
Comparing Yourself To Professionals
Many painters online have spent years developing their skills.
Focus on improving one miniature at a time.
How Long Does It Take To Paint a D&D Miniature?
It depends on your approach.
A simple tabletop miniature:
1–3 hours
A detailed character:
3–8 hours
A display-quality miniature:
10+ hours
There is no correct speed.
The goal is enjoying the process.
How To Improve Your Painting Skills
The best way to improve is simple:
Paint more miniatures.
Try:
- Different colours
- New techniques
- Different models
- New styles
Keep your early miniatures.
Looking back after six months is one of the most rewarding parts of the hobby.
Creating Custom Painted Characters
Some characters are too unique for standard miniatures.
Maybe your hero has:
- Specific armour
- A unique weapon
- A special appearance
- A memorable campaign design
Just Re-Roll offers custom orders for personalised 3D printed models and unique tabletop creations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What paint is best for D&D miniatures?
Acrylic miniature paints are the most popular because they are easy to control and preserve fine details.
Are resin miniatures good for painting?
Yes. Resin miniatures are excellent for painting because they capture detailed textures and sharp designs.
Do I need expensive equipment?
No. A basic set of paints, brushes and primer is enough to start.
Should beginners paint resin miniatures?
Absolutely. Resin miniatures are a great way to learn because the details help guide your painting.
Start Your Miniature Painting Journey With Just Re-Roll
Painting D&D miniatures is more than adding colour.
It is about bringing characters, creatures and stories to life.
Every miniature you paint becomes part of your own tabletop history.
Whether you're painting your first hero, creating a terrifying monster or building a complete fantasy collection, Just Re-Roll provides detailed miniatures designed for gamers, collectors and hobbyists.
Explore:
Pick up your first miniature, grab your brushes and start creating your own adventure.
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