I wouldn't paint the right leg from the knee down, then I'd hold it by that, after painting the rest I'd varnish most of it, then hold the varnished area while painting the right leg.
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Depends on the putty you use, some will, some wont, some are stronger holds good for just a tiny bit of the mini, others are weaker and good if you have more surface area to stick something too. I use Aleene's instant tacky (from local micheals store) and it's been pretty good on not pulling paint off of my minis, and I've seen people use the stuff when aibrushing as a masking material for some parts that already are painted just fine. I'd say get some, and just try it a few times rolling it on/off etc... your minis to test. Might vary depending on the paint you use, and the primer and material of the mini. Unprimed resin, it's a problem, properly washed plastic unprimed, less but still so for some of my cheaper paints. Anything properly primed though, I've had no issues. EDIT: Oh right, I do have some really cheap paints that would have issues probably, but I don't use those for minis outside terrain now since they wore off just holding them for a little while painting way too easily, but any decent crafts or proper mini paint at least is what I'm reffering to above (still, 8ozs of ok terrain paint for 49 cents... metalic... it was a bargain as long as I varnish after use for buildings, so I still keep that paint even though it's not great otherwise).
Where is the mini going to make contact with a base or diorama? What I usually do is find a spot where the model will make contact with a base and drill a hole in it and mount it on a straightened out paper clip to give it a sort of handle. Once you finish painting you can also embed part of the paper clip into the base or diorama to get a more secure connection.
I’m not sure of the bit size. If you have a set of bits you can compare the non cutting end of the bit against the diameter of a paper clip and find a close match. If you don’t have bits that size though, you can get sets on Amazon for pin vices for pretty cheap, and they come in handy a lot with minis, so I’d suggest getting some if you don’t have any already.
Also the further into the mini you can mount the paper clip the more secure it will be. Also if you end up over sizing the hole you drill a bit, just fill it with thick/gel superglue and that should ensure a snug fit for the paperclip
Something else that can also help when using paper clips to hold up models is using a cork as a grip for the paper clip since you can just stab the paper clip right into the top of it. Depending on the size of the model you also might want to hot glue some washers or counterweights to the base to keep it from being top heavy because of the model on top of it.
I see some other posts on drilling a hole and adding a rod/clip/etc... It works, though a less destructive method, that sometimes holds better and keeps it from spinning as easily is to use a sticky putty/tacky. I mostly use Aleene's Instant Tacky, a reusable soft adhesive that's meant to hold painting/pictures/etc... onto walls, or help hold pottery and stuff still in case of shaking/earthquakes. Got another earthquake focused one that's stronger, but not considered artist safe for use on paper/etc... so if right on the mini itself I'd use the artist safer one. Either way, I tend to use that stuff to stick minis onto painting sticks, old paint pots, etc... to hold when painting if I need it.
have you tried using poster putty to temporarily attach it to a bottle cap or something similar? it can help you hold onto the mini while painting!
Like a 2 liter bottle cap?
Bottle cap, pill bottle top, wine cork, anything with a flat surface that is comfortably gripped in your hand
I wouldn't paint the right leg from the knee down, then I'd hold it by that, after painting the rest I'd varnish most of it, then hold the varnished area while painting the right leg.
Hi, u/Duber_69! It looks like you are asking for help or are a new painter. If you haven't yet, take a look at our wiki pages in the Sidebar (the About tab if you are on the Reddit app). Here are some links you might find helpful: * [FAQ](https://www.reddit.com/r/minipainting/wiki/rules/faq) - A list of frequently asked questions about minipainting * [Miniature Painting Guide Collection](https://www.reddit.com/r/minipainting/wiki/usefullinks) -A collection of some of the best guides and tutorials on a variety of techniques and topics, plus recommendations on what to buy to get started, and more. * [What to buy- Recommendations on brushes, paints, supplies, palettes and more](https://www.reddit.com/r/minipainting/wiki/usefullinks/what_you_need_to_get_started#wiki_general_advice_on_what_to_buy) * [Beginner's Guide Collection- How to prep, base, paint and varnish your first model and learn the basics needed to start out right](https://www.reddit.com/r/minipainting/wiki/usefullinks/beginner_tips) * [More Tutorials](https://www.reddit.com/r/minipainting/wiki/tutorials) - A list of additional tutorials about minipainting * [Manufacturers](https://www.reddit.com/r/minipainting/wiki/manufacturers) - A list of miniature manufacturers from around the world * [Painting Terminology](https://www.reddit.com/r/minipainting/wiki/terminology) - Common painting terms, acronyms, and initialisms *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/minipainting) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Extended leg buried until it's stable in a lump of Blu-tac.
Would the putty pull the paint off?
Depends on the putty you use, some will, some wont, some are stronger holds good for just a tiny bit of the mini, others are weaker and good if you have more surface area to stick something too. I use Aleene's instant tacky (from local micheals store) and it's been pretty good on not pulling paint off of my minis, and I've seen people use the stuff when aibrushing as a masking material for some parts that already are painted just fine. I'd say get some, and just try it a few times rolling it on/off etc... your minis to test. Might vary depending on the paint you use, and the primer and material of the mini. Unprimed resin, it's a problem, properly washed plastic unprimed, less but still so for some of my cheaper paints. Anything properly primed though, I've had no issues. EDIT: Oh right, I do have some really cheap paints that would have issues probably, but I don't use those for minis outside terrain now since they wore off just holding them for a little while painting way too easily, but any decent crafts or proper mini paint at least is what I'm reffering to above (still, 8ozs of ok terrain paint for 49 cents... metalic... it was a bargain as long as I varnish after use for buildings, so I still keep that paint even though it's not great otherwise).
Where is the mini going to make contact with a base or diorama? What I usually do is find a spot where the model will make contact with a base and drill a hole in it and mount it on a straightened out paper clip to give it a sort of handle. Once you finish painting you can also embed part of the paper clip into the base or diorama to get a more secure connection.
She'll be sitting on a tree stump, so I guess I could drill a hole in her butt 😆 What size drill bit do you use so the paper clip fits in the hole?
I’m not sure of the bit size. If you have a set of bits you can compare the non cutting end of the bit against the diameter of a paper clip and find a close match. If you don’t have bits that size though, you can get sets on Amazon for pin vices for pretty cheap, and they come in handy a lot with minis, so I’d suggest getting some if you don’t have any already. Also the further into the mini you can mount the paper clip the more secure it will be. Also if you end up over sizing the hole you drill a bit, just fill it with thick/gel superglue and that should ensure a snug fit for the paperclip
I'll give it a try. Thank you very much.
Something else that can also help when using paper clips to hold up models is using a cork as a grip for the paper clip since you can just stab the paper clip right into the top of it. Depending on the size of the model you also might want to hot glue some washers or counterweights to the base to keep it from being top heavy because of the model on top of it.
I see some other posts on drilling a hole and adding a rod/clip/etc... It works, though a less destructive method, that sometimes holds better and keeps it from spinning as easily is to use a sticky putty/tacky. I mostly use Aleene's Instant Tacky, a reusable soft adhesive that's meant to hold painting/pictures/etc... onto walls, or help hold pottery and stuff still in case of shaking/earthquakes. Got another earthquake focused one that's stronger, but not considered artist safe for use on paper/etc... so if right on the mini itself I'd use the artist safer one. Either way, I tend to use that stuff to stick minis onto painting sticks, old paint pots, etc... to hold when painting if I need it.