One of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make as atabletopminiature painter is what type of acrylic paint you’ll use. Choosing the right paint to suit your painting skill level and standard of quality will make all the difference inproducing the best resultswith your paint job.
Many painters will sample multiple different product lines and ultimately settle on a brand they’re most comfortable with. In a lot of cases, hobby miniature paints are synthesized in very similar ways, and it can sometimes be difficult to tell them apart. While each of these hobby paints satisfy the necessities, they each hold subtle, yet distinctive qualities that provide advantages over their counterparts. Let’s explore them together!
Updated July 30, 2025 by Alexandrea Alix: Fresh coat of paint, fresh update! This guide received a touch-up to reflect the latest and greatest paints for your miniature masterpieces. We’ve also added a handy FAQ section to answer your burning brushstroke questions. So grab your palette, because it’s time to make those minis (and your painting skills) truly legendary.
Apple Barrel Matte Acrylic Paint 2 Fl Oz Pack of 16
A Budget-Friendly Option for Large-Scale Projects
A versatile set of 16 acrylic paints in assorted colors, ideal for various craft projects.
Right off the bat, you might think it’s ridiculous to include Apple Barrel on this list, but hear us out. In nearly every case, cheap craft paints like Apple Barrel will be practically useless at achieving quality paint jobs for high-fidelity models. They severely lack pigmentation, have abysmal flow, and often require multiple coats to achieve proper coverage. But there is one area where they shine, and that is withlarge-scale objects.
If you’re painting scenery or terrain for your game of choice or are painting large-scale models like a structure,craft paint can be much more forgiving(and more affordable) than hemorrhaging expensive model paints, which will get eaten up far too quickly if you use them on larger models and terrain pieces.
Games Workshop Warhammer 40,000 Paints and Tools Set
Starter Kit for Beginner Warhammer Painters
This set includes essential tools and paints to get started with painting miniatures.
Citadel paints have had a rocky reputation in terms of value for money, especially given all the other great alternatives on the market. Many painters will swear by them as the best and only option to paint their Warhammer armies, but that is a nearsighted approach. Citadel paints excel at one thing, primarily, which is theiruniformity and smoothness.
Citadel paints are also categorized neatly into different categories designed for different applications. Their contrast paints are incredibly effective for speed painters trying to bust out their army in record timing, while their technical paints are well-suited for capturing highly specific environmental and accenting effects and garnishes.
HoneyJar Scale 75 Scale Color Metal ‘N Alchemy - Steel Series Paint Set
Superior Metallic Paints for Realistic Effects
This set offers a selection of metallic paints specifically formulated for miniature painting, providing a realistic metallic finish.
Providing a competent range of basic colors, Scale 75’s paints are another prime choice when it comes to vibrant colors and value for money. But where they truly break ground is in theirmetallics.It’s no secret that a lot of metallic paints out there have viscosity and coverage issues. Many often look too intense or fail to recreate a true metallic look, but Scale 75 manages to do it right.
If your next painting project involves a lot of metal surfaces, you might want to consider Scale 75’s Metal N’ Alchemy set, which carries a range of base metallic colors that can be mixed to derive practically any shade of metallic you need.
Tamiya Color Acrylic Paint 0.77 Fl Oz - Silver
Realistic Military-Inspired Colors for Wargamers
A small bottle (0.77 fl oz) of Tamiya acrylic paint in silver, popular for painting miniatures and models, especially for achieving realistic military-like finishes.
A fan favorite of wargamers, Tamiya Color is revered for itsmilitary-inspired hues.Many of their army tones are designed to mimic real machinery paints used in historical periods, elevating historical wargame painting to a whole other level of authenticity. They even offer some select army colors in the form of spray paints and primers for larger-scale models like aircraft and tanks.
An easy choice, Tamiya paints are the best choice to look to when colorizing your army. Be cautious when starting out with Tamiya, as their bottledacrylics are very thickstraight out of the bottle and often need to be thinned to achieve optimal viscosity.
The Army Painter Wargamers Mega Paint Set
Comprehensive Kit with Wide Color Range and Mixing Convenience
A comprehensive miniature painting kit containing 60 non-toxic acrylic paints, 100 rustproof mixing balls, and various hobby supplies.
The Army Painter rolls in as one of the most versatile paint brands, offering one of thewidest color ranges availableby any one maker. The coverage of their bottled paints is very competent (with a little bit of thinning), and their paints hold up their vibrancy fairly well when mixed with other colors.
Army Painter also makes life very convenient for painters by offeringone-to-one color matcheswith their colored spray primers and their bottled liquid paints, making the entire process of priming and painting much faster, allowing for easy corrections when necessary.
Vallejo Model Color Civil War Paint Set (16 Colors)
A Spectrum of Precision for Your Miniatures
Elevate your miniatures with Vallejo’s 16-color paint set, offering a diverse palette designed for the discerning hobbyist seeking precision and depth in their tabletop armies and characters.
Finally, we come to Vallejo Model Color, achampion of coverage.No matter if you’re new or old to painting, one truth will always be the same, and it’s the fact thatbright yellow and red paints are very difficult to get right.Pure yellow and red paints are typically made in a very different way than most other colors, and it gives them unwanted transparency that often requires numerous coats to obtain proper coverage.
In spite of that, Vallejo, although not perfect at it, is the most efficient at producing yellows and reds that cover well. Of course, that’s not the only reason they’re the best choice. Vallejo’s paints are also incredibly smooth, have superior pigmentation, and are a breeze to use. But the mere fact that they delivered an answer to the “yellow-red” issue makes them the strongest contender in the miniature hobby painting space today.
Vallejo Model Color Face/Skin Paint Set (8 Colors)
Easy-to-Use Paints for Creating Realistic Skin Tones
This Vallejo set includes 8 essential colors designed to paint realistic skin tones on miniature figures.
Vallejo’s Face/Skin Colors is a solid choice for miniature painters seeking a convenient way to achieve realistic skin tones. These high-quality, water-based acrylic paints offer a good range of colors, from light to dark, and are known for their smooth application and quick drying time. While some users might wish for a wider color selection, especially for darker skin tones, this set provides a versatile foundation for creating lifelike skin tones on your miniature figures. With its ease of use and good value, this set is worth considering for both beginners and experienced miniature painters.
FAQ
I’m new to miniature painting, what brand should I start with?
Several beginner-friendly brands offer high quality at a reasonable price. Consider exploring Vallejo Model Color, Army Painter Warpaints, or Apple Barrel Acrylics to get your creative juices flowing.
What type of paint should I use for different effects?
Acrylics are the most popular choice for miniatures, offering versatility and vibrant colors. However, explore enamels for a smoother finish or lacquers for a durable, glossy coat.
How can I thin my paints correctly?
Use a dedicated paint thinner specifically formulated for acrylics. Experiment with different ratios to achieve the desired consistency for layering, glazing, or dry brushing.
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