I may be losing crisp details when I paint


I think my method of painting may be obscuring more detail than it's bringing out on some models. I'm not sure, but I feel like I'm losing the crisp edges I sometimes see on other models. It's not a big thing, but it's enough to catch my eye and make me look at what I'm doing.

I think I need to adjust the way I prime. I may be applying too much primer over the model and killing some of the sharper edges. I use a spray paint when I prime and I usually end up with a good, solid coat of paint to work from.

I fear that may be too much though. That layer combined with a few more as I add the base colors looks like it's killing some of the crispness to my models.

I think I am going to cut back ever so slightly as to the amount I use when priming my models and focus a bit more on thinning my paints as well. The model above is a good example. He's been primed white, but not as heavy as I would have normally done before.

how to prime warhammer 40k models

I like my priming technique... I just think I may be a little heavy handed overall.

I already thin most of my paints as I apply them in order to minimize surface texture, but I think I'm going to push that a touch further as well to keep the layers from building up as quick.

Hopefully this small change will help me recapture some of the crispness to my models I feel like I have been covering up as of late.


Since my next project is the Dark Vengeance Librarian I just converted, I thought this would be the perfect model to test my new theory on. I gave him the lightest of priming and I like to think it made a difference.

I've since started adding the base colors to the model while trying to thin my paints a little more and I honestly think it's working. The end result will tell me how well I did and it will be interesting to see if it takes any longer going this route.

Make sure to check out these posts as they might help:
The actual process I use to prime my models


Ron, From the WarpIf you've got any questions about something in this post, shoot me a comment and I'll be glad to answer. Make sure to share your hobby tips and thoughts in the comments below!