A Glossary of Miniature Painting Terms Every Beginner Needs
A Glossary of Miniature Painting Terms Every Beginner Needs
Meta Description: Feeling lost by terms like NMM, OSL, and drybrushing? This beginner's dictionary decodes the language of miniature painting so you can follow tutorials and talk like a pro.
https://i.imgur.com/placeholder.png Don't let jargon stand between you and a great paint job. Bookmark this guide to the essential terms you'll see in every tutorial and forum post.
You found an amazing tutorial. You have your brushes ready. The video starts, and the painter says: "First, we'll build up a basecoat with our mid-tone, then apply a wash to shade the recesses. After that, we'll drybrush the highlights and maybe add some edge highlighting for pop."
...What?
The miniature painting hobby has its own language. For a newcomer, it can feel like everyone is speaking in a secret code. This glossary is your decoder ring. Here are the key terms you need to know to understand tutorials, talk in forums, and shop for supplies with confidence.
The Ultimate Beginner's Glossary
Airbrush: A tool that uses compressed air to spray a fine mist of paint. Used for priming, basecoating, and advanced techniques like smooth blends.
Basecoat: The first layer of paint applied to a miniature, which establishes the main color of a surface.
Basing: The process of creating the ground or environment that a miniature stands on. This is the final step that makes a model look complete.
Drybrushing: A highlighting technique where most of the paint is wiped off a brush, which is then lightly dragged over a surface. It naturally catches and highlights raised edges and texture. Essential for beginners!
Dry Fit: Testing how parts of a model fit together before applying any glue.
Edge Highlighting: A technique where the sharp edges of a model are painted with a lighter color to make them stand out and define the model's shape.
Glaze: A very thin, transparent layer of paint used to tint a surface or create smooth color transitions.
Highlight: The process of applying lighter colors to the parts of a miniature that would catch the most light, creating contrast and volume.
Mold Line: A thin ridge of excess plastic left on a model from the casting process. Scraping these off with a hobby knife is a crucial preparation step.
NMM (Non-Metallic Metal): An advanced technique where regular (non-metallic) paints are used to create the illusion of shiny metal through careful placement of highlights and shadows.
OSL (Object Source Lighting): An advanced technique where a model is painted as if it is being lit by a light source on the model itself, like a glowing sword or lantern.
Palette: A surface used for mixing and thinning paints. Can be a wet palette (which keeps paints moist) or a dry palette (a tile, plate, or piece of plastic).
Primer: A special paint that creates a adherent surface for acrylic paints to stick to. It's the essential first step in painting. Usually applied via spray can or airbrush.
Shade / Wash: A very thin, watery paint that flows into the recesses of a model to create shadows and define details. Citadel's shades (e.g., Nuln Oil, Agrax Earthshade) are famous examples.
Thin Your Paints: The most common advice for beginners. Adding a little water to acrylic paint to achieve a smooth, milk-like consistency that doesn't obscure details.
Thinning: The act of adding water or medium to paint to achieve a smoother consistency.
Dry Time: The amount of time it takes for paint to fully cure on the model. Rushing this leads to smudges.
Varnish: A clear protective coat applied over finished paint jobs to prevent chipping. Can be Matte (dull), Satin (slight shine), or Gloss (very shiny).
WIP (Work In Progress): A term used online when sharing pictures of a miniature that is not yet finished.
Why This "Hobby Language" Matters
Understanding these terms does two things:
Unlocks Knowledge: You can now follow any tutorial and understand what the artist is telling you to do.
Builds Confidence: Walking into a hobby store or joining an online conversation feels less intimidating when you speak the language.
Bookmark this page. The next time you hear a term you don’t recognize, come back and look it up. Before you know it, you'll be using these terms like a seasoned veteran.
What term confused you the most when you started? Help out other beginners by sharing your story in the comments!
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