Quick answer: the best practice miniatures are single human-sized figures on 25–32 mm bases with big, clearly separated areas: a cloak, a sword, a wooden staff, armour plates and a bare face. Avoid fur, chainmail, tiny layered details and fragile poses at first. Choose one model per skill you want to learn, so each practice piece has a clear goal.
A good practice model can teach you more in one evening than a complicated one teaches in a month. This guide explains what to look for, what to avoid and how to pick models that build your skills in a sensible order.
What makes a miniature good for practising painting?
Big, simple shapes with crisp edges and obvious textures. Large flat areas let you practise smooth basecoats and blending, raised edges make highlighting easy, and clear separations between materials stop colours bleeding into each other. A calm, upright pose also makes every area easy to reach with a brush.
What features should beginners avoid?
Fur, chainmail, dense layered clothing, tiny faces under hoods and thin spears or wings that snap. These hide detail under paint and punish wobbly brush strokes. Save them until your thinning and highlighting are reliable.
Which details teach which painting skills?
| Feature on the model | Skill it teaches |
|---|---|
| Sword, armour or helmet | Metal shading and edge highlights |
| Wooden staff, bow or shield | Fine line control and wood grain |
| Long cloak or robe | Layering and blending across folds |
| Flames, spell effect or lantern | Light-to-dark fire and glow effects |
| Bare face and hands | Skin tones and eyes |
| Textured rocky base | Drybrushing |
Should you practise on plastic, resin or metal miniatures?
Plastic is the easiest: it's light, cheap and needs only a quick check for dust. Resin-printed models offer huge variety but need washing, curing and support clean-up before priming; see how to prep resin miniatures. Metal models need washing and a good primer, but they're very sturdy.
Are board game miniatures good for practice?
Yes, very. Board game sets give you lots of cheap, matching figures, and a painted set makes the game itself more fun. The plastic is often softer with less sharp detail, so they're best for practising basecoats, washes and drybrushing rather than fine highlights.
Should your first practice model be a hero or a basic soldier?
A basic soldier or simple adventurer is better. Heroes usually carry the most detail, dynamic poses and fiddly accessories. Practise on the plain figure, then paint the hero once your basics are solid, so it gets the paint job it deserves.
How many practice models do you need?
Four to six is plenty to cover the core skills: one each for metal, wood, cloth and skin, plus a spare or two for retries. Paint them as a set and you'll have a small finished group, which is far more motivating than a pile of half-painted tests.
What should you do with your practice models afterwards?
Keep them. They are your record of progress, and comparing them with what you paint six months later is the best motivation the hobby offers. Many painters keep a small shelf of firsts beside their best work.
Give your practice pieces a progress shelf
A compact tiered stand turns a handful of practice models into a display you'll actually look at. The WarSplay Classic Mini holds 8 models on 25–32 mm bases, about one practice set plus a few favourites, and the WarSplay Classic holds 17 when the collection grows. Both connect together as you add more. WarSplay stands are compatible with Warhammer 40,000® miniatures and most other ranges on standard round bases (WarSplay is an independent UK maker and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Games Workshop). See all modular miniature display stands.
Frequently asked questions
What base size is best for a practice miniature?
25–32 mm round bases. Human-sized figures on these bases are big enough to see clearly and small enough to finish in a few sessions.
Are cheap miniatures worth practising on?
Yes, as long as the detail is crisp. Soft, blurry detail makes highlighting harder and can make you think you're doing it wrong.
Should beginners paint large models first?
Not first. Large models take many sessions and can be discouraging. Start with single human-sized figures and move up once you can finish one comfortably.
Can you practise painting without a miniature?
You can practise blending and line control on a plastic spoon or spare plastic card, but nothing beats a real model for learning edges and textures.
What is the easiest texture to paint on a miniature?
Rough stone or a textured base, because drybrushing gives an instant, convincing result.