Welcome to the grand finale of “A Girl Obsessed With Dragons – A Miniature Painting Story”! Join me as we complete this epic miniature painting journey together.
Mary Crabtree
MeepleGamers
I must admit, following up after Part IV is quite intimidating. My brother’s exceptional writing skills and artistic talent have set the bar incredibly high! For those who haven’t experienced our journey from the beginning, I encourage you to check out Parts I-IV through the links provided elsewhere.
This concludes our adventure with the magnificent Mythic Games Legendary Dragon. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed sharing this creative process with you all, and I’d love to hear in the comments if you’d like to see more narrative painting guides like this one in the future.
The Base Construction
After my brother masterfully executed the intricate facial details and shading, I needed to tackle the castle foundation beneath our majestic dragon. I selected a subtle gray from Apple Barrel’s paint line for the castle structure itself, then complemented it with their Nutmeg Brown to create a convincing muddy terrain surrounding the fortress.
For the textural elements around the base, I ventured into uncharted territory! Despite never having watched tutorials or received formal instruction on flocking or applying basing materials to miniatures, I followed my instincts and creative judgment.
A generous friend provided me with some fine sand material and those realistic grass tufts (from Army Painter). I strategically positioned and secured the grass tufts with super glue at various points across the base. Then, using an old paintbrush designated specifically for this purpose, I carefully applied super glue to sections of the base and sprinkled the sand material over these areas, shaking off any excess. I repeated this process methodically until I achieved complete coverage, working delicately around the grass tufts.
Initially, I wasn’t satisfied with how the sand texture contrasted against the muddy base, so I made the bold decision to paint over the entire sand area! This unexpected adaptation actually yielded fantastic results. What do you think of this approach?
The Magic of Washing and Inking
While most miniature painters rely on specialized inks to enhance details, I’ve adopted an alternative method. A friend introduced me to this technique early in my painting journey, and I’ve remained loyal to it due to its simplicity and effectiveness.
I experimented with Army Painter inks previously, but encountered difficulties with their rapid drying time and application technique. Instead, I now employ what my friend affectionately terms “The Wonder Wash.”
This special mixture consists of Pledge Floor Care Finish combined with acrylic paint. The preparation is straightforward: fill a small container with the Pledge solution, add 5-10 drops of your chosen paint color, shake thoroughly, and allow it to settle briefly to eliminate air bubbles. For those concerned, this Pledge product is an acrylic floor finish designed for hardwood surfaces and is completely safe for miniature applications.
Once the solution has settled, apply it generously across your miniature. It naturally flows into recessed areas, creating concentration pools that dramatically enhance the model’s dimensional details. Use a separate dry brush to manage areas where the wash accumulates too heavily.
For most miniatures, a single wash color suffices for the entire piece. However, given the impressive scale of this dragon, I implemented three distinct wash colors. A green wash beautifully enhanced the dragon’s body and wings, while a blue wash accentuated the facial features and spinal ridge. Finally, a black wash brought depth to the castle base. The before-and-after transformation is truly remarkable.
A fascinating serendipitous effect occurred during this process. After applying the black wash to the castle elements, some of the subsequent green dragon wash inevitably dripped onto the castle structure, creating an unexpectedly realistic mossy appearance. These happy accidents often produce the most authentic-looking effects!
The Protective Final Touch
Upon completing the painting process, I always apply a protective sealant. While there are certainly premium options available in the market, I’ve remained faithful to Krylon Clear Matte, as recommended by my mentor. It provides reliable protection at an economical price point without compromising the aesthetic quality.
Testors also produces an excellent protective coating, typically found in craft stores within their model airplane/car sections.
A critical warning regarding any protective spray: never apply it outdoors in humid conditions. I learned this lesson the hard way after a single disastrous experience where the humidity caused a “frosting” effect on my carefully painted miniature, forcing me to strip and repaint the entire piece.
Exercise caution with application environments! I’ve now adapted to indoor spraying using a clever makeshift system. I’ve modified a cardboard box by removing its top and bottom panels, then position it sideways facing an open window. This allows me to spray through the box and out the window, preventing fumes from circulating throughout my home.
Final Reflections
This collaborative project has been immensely rewarding for both my brother and myself. We completed the entire dragon over just three evenings – quite an achievement considering its complexity. While either of us could have tackled it independently, the imposing size of this “miniature” and the fact that we only had one specimen meant we both wanted to participate in its creation.
Despite its impressive dimensions, the dragon wasn’t particularly difficult to paint, except for occasional challenges in handling it comfortably. Its substantial size actually made most areas easily accessible for detailed painting. Now with this experience under my belt, I feel fully prepared to conquer those Arcadia Quest dragons waiting in my collection! Though I still have quite a journey ahead with that particular series.
The combination of artistry, technical skill, and sibling collaboration made this project truly special. I hope our dragon painting adventure has inspired you to attempt your own ambitious miniature painting projects, regardless of your experience level. Remember, even the most impressive painting achievements begin with a single brushstroke!
