How to Paint Malifaux Miniatures With a Miniature Paint Set

Quick Answer

To paint Malifaux miniatures with a miniature paint set, start by assembling and priming your models, then apply base colors, add shading and highlights, and finish with a protective seal. Use a set with a range of colors and thin your paints for smooth coverage. Focus on tabletop-ready results rather than display-level detail to build confidence.

Why a Miniature Paint Set Works for Malifaux

Malifaux miniatures are 32mm heroic scale, supplied unpainted in high-quality plastic, and require preparation and assembly. A miniature paint set gives you a curated selection of colors that cover the core techniques—basecoating, shading, and highlighting—without buying individual pots. For beginners, this saves time and money while ensuring color harmony. Sets often include a mix of acrylic paints suitable for plastic models, and some come with a brush or two. Avoid sets that lack basic colors like black, white, and flesh tones; you can mix those, but having them ready simplifies the process.

Essential Tools Beyond the Paint Set

You'll need a few additional items: a primer (spray or brush-on), a palette (a ceramic tile or wet palette works), two or three brushes (a size 0, 1, and 2), a water cup, and paper towels. A hobby knife and files are necessary for cleaning mold lines before assembly. For sealing, a matte varnish protects your paint job. These tools are inexpensive and reusable. If your paint set includes brushes, check their quality; synthetic brushes are fine for basecoating but may not hold a point for fine details.

Step 1: Assemble and Clean Your Miniatures

Before painting, assemble your miniatures using plastic glue. Remove mold lines and flash with a hobby knife or file. Wash the models in warm, soapy water to remove release agent, then let them dry completely. This step ensures paint adheres properly. A common mistake is skipping the wash, which can cause paint to bead up. Check that all parts fit well; gaps can be filled with putty. For Malifaux models like the Whiskey Golem, which has large, flat surfaces, take extra care to smooth any imperfections.

Step 2: Prime Your Models

Apply a thin, even coat of primer. Spray primer works well, but do it in a well-ventilated area with low humidity. Hold the can 6–8 inches away and use short bursts, rotating the model. Alternatively, use brush-on primer for more control. Let the primer cure fully (usually 30 minutes to an hour). A common mistake is spraying too close or too heavy, which obscures detail. If you live in a humid climate, brush-on primer is safer. Check that the primer covers all surfaces without clogging recesses.

Step 3: Basecoat Your Colors

Thin your paints with water to a consistency like milk. Apply two thin coats rather than one thick coat, letting each dry before the next. Start with the largest areas—skin, clothing, and major equipment. Use a size 1 or 2 brush for coverage. For Malifaux's detailed models, work in sections. A common mistake is not thinning paint, which leads to loss of detail and a lumpy finish. If you're painting a model like the Whiskey Golem, use a large brush for its broad surfaces and a smaller brush for details like the Tri-Chi keyword elements.

Step 4: Add Shading With Washes

Once basecoats are dry, apply a wash (also called a shade) to create depth. Washes are thin, watery paints that flow into recesses. You can use a pre-made wash from your set or dilute a regular paint. Apply it over the entire area, then wick away excess from flat surfaces with a clean brush. Let it dry completely. A common mistake is applying too much wash, which can pool and leave stains. For Malifaux models, focus washes on folds, armor joints, and textured areas. If your set lacks washes, mix a dark version of your base color with water and a drop of flow improver.

Step 5: Highlight to Define Details

Highlighting makes edges pop. Use a lighter version of your base color—either from your set or by mixing white or a lighter tone. Apply thin lines along raised edges and prominent areas. Use a size 0 brush for precision. For a smoother blend, layer highlights gradually. A common mistake is using pure white for highlights; instead, use a light tint of the base color. On Malifaux miniatures, highlight faces, weapon edges, and any distinctive features. If you're painting the Lords of War, highlight Fuhatsu's armor and the Ten Thunders Brothers' clothing to emphasize their disciplined look.

Step 6: Seal and Protect Your Work

After the paint is fully dry, apply a matte varnish to protect your miniatures during gameplay. Spray varnish in thin coats, or use a brush-on formula. Let it cure for 24 hours. A common mistake is skipping varnish, which leaves paint vulnerable to chipping. For Malifaux models that see frequent handling, varnish is essential. If you prefer a gloss finish for certain areas (like gems), apply gloss varnish selectively after the matte coat. Ensure you varnish in a dust-free environment to avoid a textured finish.

Painting Steps at a Glance

1. Assemble and Clean: Remove mold lines, wash models in soapy water, and let dry. Check for gaps and smooth surfaces before priming.
2. Prime: Apply thin, even primer coat; use spray or brush-on. Avoid heavy coats that obscure detail.
3. Basecoat: Thin paints and apply two thin coats for solid color. Don't rush; let each coat dry.
4. Shade: Apply wash to recesses; wick excess from flats. Test wash on a spare model first.
5. Highlight: Use lighter colors on raised edges with a fine brush. Build up layers for smooth transitions.
6. Seal: Apply matte varnish in thin coats; cure 24 hours. Varnish protects your paint during games.

Malifaux Miniatures to Practice With

• Malifaux Third Edition: Whiskey Golem: The Whiskey Golem is a walking monument to Bayou industry, magical liquor, and structural decisions best left uninspected. Faction: Bayou. Keyword: Tri-Chi. Contents: Whiskey Golem. Miniatures are 32mm heroic scale, supplied unpainted in high-quality plastic, and require preparation and assembly. Its large, flat surfaces make it an excellent model for practicing basecoating and shading techniques without intricate details overwhelming you.
• Malifaux Third Edition: Lords of War: Fuhatsu and three Ten Thunders Brothers bring old-school discipline backed by very modern firepower. Respect is encouraged, but range is available. Faction: Ten Thunders. Keyword: Versatile. Contents: Fuhatsu, 3 Ten Thunders Brothers. Miniatures are 32mm heroic scale, supplied unpainted in high-quality plastic, and require preparation and assembly. This set offers multiple models with varied textures—armor, cloth, and weapons—giving you a chance to practice different painting techniques like highlighting edges and painting folds.
• Malifaux Third Edition: Untold Tales: Damian Ravencroft, Miya Murakami, and Linh Ly return as keepers and tellers of dangerous stories. Witness and Red Library crews gain truths the page could not contain. Faction: Arcanists, Ten Thunders. Keywords: Witness, Red Library. Contents: Damian Ravencroft, Unbound Miya Murikami, Linh Ly, Storyteller. Miniatures are 32mm heroic scale, supplied unpainted in high-quality plastic, and require preparation and assembly. These character models have distinct details like faces and accessories, making them ideal for practicing fine brushwork and shading after you've mastered the basics.