Learn to Paint
A structured course for complete beginners. No experience needed -- just your paint set and a mini.
Color Theory
Why never to shade with black, warm vs. cool, hue shifting, and how PaintGuide builds your shade/highlight ladder — with an interactive explorer.
Why You Should Never Shade With Black
Pure black shadows flatten a miniature. Learn why experienced painters shade with dark blues and browns instead — and how to pick the right one for your base color.
Warm vs. Cool: The Color Split Every Painter Should Know
Warm colors advance, cool colors recede. Here's how to use that one rule to add depth, focus attention, and make your miniatures read better on the tabletop.
Hue Shifting: Why Your Highlights Shouldn't Just Be Lighter
A highlight that's just a lighter version of the base color looks flat. Learn hue shifting — nudging the hue warmer as you go lighter — for richer, more natural transitions.
Saturation as a Spotlight: Directing the Eye With Vividness
Where you put your most saturated color is where the viewer looks first. Learn how to use saturation like a spotlight to control focal points on your miniature.
Complementary Accents: Small Doses of Maximum Contrast
Complementary colors — opposites on the color wheel — create the strongest visual pop when used sparingly. Learn how to place complementary accents on your miniatures.
How PaintGuide Picks Your Shade & Highlight Ladder
PaintGuide suggests shade and highlight partners for any paint using OKLCH color math, not guesswork. Here's exactly how the ladder is built and why it makes those color choices.
Mindset
Build the right mental foundation before picking up a brush
4 lessons
It's a Hobby, Not a Competition
Social media makes painting seem competitive — here's why it doesn't have to be
4 min read
'Good Enough' Is Great
Perfectionism kills hobbies — learn to love tabletop standard
4 min read
Every Painter Was a Beginner
Even the best painters started with messy first models
3 min read
Embrace Your Mistakes
Mistakes are learning opportunities, not failures — and paint is forgiving
4 min read
Fundamentals
Essential skills and knowledge every painter needs
4 lessons
Setting Up Your Workspace
You don't need a fancy setup — just good lighting and a bit of organization
4 min read
Understanding Paints & Tools
What different paint types do and which brushes actually matter
5 min read
Color Theory for Mini Painters
Just enough color theory to make smart painting decisions
4 min read
Basic Techniques Crash Course
Four techniques that cover ninety percent of miniature painting
5 min read
Paint With Us
Follow along with guided painting projects
3 lessons
Project: Paint a Fantasy Creature
A step-by-step guide to painting a four-legged beast from start to finish
5 min read
Project: Paint a Sci-Fi Trooper
Paint an armored infantry soldier with crisp armor and clean details
5 min read
Project: Paint a Terrain Piece
Transform a plain terrain piece into a realistic battlefield feature
4 min read