Best paint set to get back into it?

[Pan]

Greetings,

So I have lots and lots of Bones reaper minis and I had painted 2 of them :) I've moved a few times had a lot of different things go in my life that delayed painting minis. Though, im finding myself with time do paint again.

That said, what is a good solid starter set? For the painters here, if you had to start over and collect the paints you want/need what would you do?

Cheers.

[Marc Radle]

I would suggest the Reaper Lean to Paint sets
https://www.reapermini.com/paints/learn-to-paint-kits

Great value and a great way to build a good collection of quality paints

[Pan]

Thanks Mark! I still have some Reaper paints I got with Bones from a few years ago. Any idea how long they stay good for?

[Marc Radle]

It depends on the climate / temp / humidity etc. they’ve been stored in as well as age.

Honestly though, if you want to get back onto painting again and have the fewest number of possible issues, I would consider ditching the older paint and start fresh with one of the Learn to Paint sets - that way you set yourself up to succeed :)

[Pan]

Ill probably grab them both. I was expecting to spend around 100 bucks.

[Haladir]

I was into painting minis when I was younger, and had gotten halfway-decent at it in the early '90s. I would paint the completion date on the bottom of the base, and the last one I'd painted was in 1992.

Three years ago, I found a bunch of my old unpainted lead minis from the '80s up in my attic (mostly Ral Partha and Grenadier), and decided to have another go at it after a 30 year break. I picked up a can of white primer and a Warhammer starter paint set from the FLGS.

And after a few hours, I concluded that my eyesight has deteriorated to the point that I just can't do the detail work anymore.

[Bluenose]

Pan wrote:

Ill probably grab them both. I was expecting to spend around 100 bucks.

I'd suggest a couple of cans of spray primer - one white and one black - and if you've a local craft/hobby store selling acrylic painting sets that they'll be a better buy than ones that are for models, and you're very unlikely to notice a difference. They'll also sell decent brushes. The top advice I have is to get a decent light that'll swivel, and a magnifying glass with a stand for the detail work.

Also, if you're going to be painting any designs onto shields, take a look at some historical miniatures sites where they sell medievals and see if they've got shield transfers for the figures - I use Battle Flag or LBMS but there are plenty more, and they're a lot easier and better quality than anything most people can paint (or that I can paint, at any rate).

[Pan]

I still have a can of grey primer. Im not sure the Bones need any primer tho. Ive just been washing them in soapy water and letting them dry and paint. its worked like a charm (for the handful I painted a couple years ago)

The main reason I wanted to get back into this is my recent hasbro backing of Hero Quest. My copy should be arriving about this time next year. The original was carboard and plastic and didnt need to be painted. I expect this entire set to be plastic and just grey.

Im going to paint the entire set and present it as a x-mas gift for my nephew. He is only 1.5 now so I got time before he will be ready for it.

I'm also setting up an old little Martin parlor guitar for my nephews first guitar. Wont be a while for that either. Wish I could fast forward some years on this kid!