Today, we’re excited to bring you an interview with the amazing miniature painter, @ghostcat-miniart! The DakkaDakka team entrusted him with bringing one of the Stormpride Sisters miniatures to life, and we were absolutely blown away by his skill. Be sure to check out their incredible work on Twitch and Instagram:
DakkaDakka Team: You've built quite a reputation among modelers and players. How long did it take you to go from painting your first miniature to the level you're at now?
Ghost Cat: Like a lot of people, I started during COVID. So I have been painting for 4 years now! But I also paint A LOT. As a commission painter, I’m painting at least two boxes a week. I get a ton of practice. Skill came fairly quickly to me, but you can get there even faster by trying new things. For me, I would practice a technique until I felt comfortable with it, then move on to another technique. It’s all a learning experience, and if nothing else, you learn to control your brush a little better.
DakkaDakka Team: Can you take us back to your very first miniature? How did it turn out, and what did you learn from that experience?
Ghost Cat: The first models I purchased were from the Deathwatch Combat Patrol, which includes 10 intercessors, 3 aggressors, an apothecary, and a lieutenant. I picked Deathwatch because, although they are mostly black, they had other colors on the shoulders. I really wanted to feel what it was like to paint with different colors and use different techniques. I remember using a different style of painting for each intercessor. The first one I painted, I based black and dry brushed grey. I think he came out pretty cool! But not amazing.
DakkaDakka Team: There are plenty of tools and gadgets for miniature painting these days. Which tools do you use, and how much of a difference do they make in your work?
Ghost Cat: There’s sooo many products out there for this hobby. I’m pretty bare minimum when it comes to tools though. No glasses, they hurt my eyes. No holders, they always launch my models. But airbrushes are amazing. I have two! One for priming and one for extreme detail work.
DakkaDakka Team: Do you have any hacks that you rely on in your painting process? Any unique tips you'd like to share with our readers?
Ghost Cat: TOOTHPICKS. Need to get super glue in a tight spot? TOOTHPICK. Need to add texture to some green stuff you’re sculpting? TOOTHPICK. Need to splatter blood onto a model? TOOTHPICK. Have an oral fixation and need to constantly chew on something? TOOTHPICK.Also, “disposable eye shadow applicators.” They’re like Q-tips but don’t leave little fibers behind when you’re wiping off oils. OH, AND VARNISH BASE COATS. If you varnish before adding more colors, you can gently scrub off mistakes.
DakkaDakka Team: What’s your best advice for beginners?
Ghost Cat: Just have fun. Paint what looks cool. Try new techniques. Go play at your local store or just hang out. I got into the social side of it recently, and everyone has been so incredibly nice. I deeply regret not going to my local store sooner.
DakkaDakka Team: How do you decide on the color schemes for your models? Do you have a specific process for selecting colors?
Ghost Cat: Color choice is usually not up to me. As a commission painter, I have to use the colors requested. What I need to do is take those colors and figure out how to make them interesting. If I’m painting blue, I need to figure out how to make that blue pop. Where do I warm it up, where do I desaturate it, when do I cool it off?On rare occasions, I get to pick the scheme, and then I have to make considerations like: “Where does this person live? Where do they fight? Have they been there a long time? Is their armor cared for? Are they sneaky? Do they WANT to be seen?” I love those jobs.
DakkaDakka Team: When you first worked with our miniatures, what stood out to you?
Ghost Cat: First off, I’m not a 3D printer. I can 3D print, but the more hands-off I can be with it, the better. I was sent recommended printing settings and completely ignored them (sorry, too lazy!). But the model printed without a single issue. It removed from the supports well, and none of the supports were placed in inconvenient spots. Easy printing is a big deal. Not only that, but there were multiple textures to paint on the model! That’s always fun. Hair, skin, armor, a little trim, plenty of fabric and fur! I’m in.
DakkaDakka Team: Was there ever a specific moment when something clicked for you, and your painting skills made a big leap forward?
Ghost Cat: Pin washes. Pin washes make recess shading a snap. You can add a ton of contrast with low effort. Look into pin washes. Pin washes are also the gateway drug to oil painting. It’s not nearly as difficult as people think it is.
DakkaDakka Team: Taking great photos is key to showcasing miniatures online. How do you photograph your models, and do you have any photography tips?
Ghost Cat: For the longest time, I used my iPhone camera to take pics. Light your model with your hobby lamp. Level your camera to the subject, put your eye line on the top third line of your frame, and add a slight zoom. Turn down the exposure in your in-camera settings (I usually do -1.5; it should be a little dark, but adjust if needed), then take the picture. Now edit the pic and bump up the exposure. Done!When you need to take serious pics, buy a good camera and do a 3-light setup. A stock lens will probably be good enough. I hate photography, don’t ask me what to do. I just keep ramming my face into the camera until the pic looks good.
Don't forget to subscribe to the Stormstride Sisters project to get a free model and don't miss the start on Kickstarter!
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