How to Paint D&D Nolzur's Marvelous Miniatures: Step-by-Step Tutorial

Quick answer

Nolzur's Marvelous Miniatures come primed and ready to paint out of the box, so you can skip the priming step and go straight to basecoating. For the best results, use thin layers of acrylic paint, apply a wash to bring out the deep cuts, and finish with a matte varnish to protect your work. Start with a simple monster like the Boneclaw or a small warband like the Kobold Inventor, Dragonshield & Sorcerer to practice your brush control before tackling larger pieces.

Painting D&D miniatures is one of the most rewarding parts of the hobby. You take a plain grey figure and turn it into a character or monster that leaps off the table. Nolzur's Marvelous Miniatures make that process easier because they are already primed and feature deep cuts that guide your brush. Whether you are painting your first miniature or your fiftieth, this step-by-step tutorial will walk you through a reliable process from start to finish.

This guide focuses on practical techniques that work on any Nolzur's figure, from a small kobold to a massive dragon. You will learn how to prepare your workspace, apply basecoats, use washes, add highlights, and seal your miniature for durability. Along the way, we will point out common mistakes and checkpoints so you can avoid frustration and get a tabletop-ready result you are proud of.

What you need before you start

You do not need a full studio to paint miniatures. A few basic supplies will get you through this tutorial: a size 0 or 1 brush for detail, a larger size 2 or 3 brush for basecoating, a palette (a ceramic tile or plastic lid works), a cup of water, and paper towels. For paints, acrylics made for miniatures are ideal because they flow well and cover evenly. If you are just starting out, a starter set with a range of colors is a smart buy. You will also want a wash or two—black and brown are the most versatile—and a matte varnish to protect your finished work.

A note on lighting: work near a window or use a daylight lamp so you can see the true colors. Poor lighting is one of the most common reasons paint jobs look muddy or flat. Also, make sure your miniature is clean and free of mold lines. Nolzur's figures are highly detailed and primed, but a quick once-over with a hobby knife to scrape away any visible mold lines will make your paint job look cleaner.

• Use a wet palette to keep acrylic paints from drying out too fast.
• Keep a dedicated cup for rinsing brushes—never dip your brush in your drinking water.
• If you wear glasses, consider a magnifier to see fine details.

Step 1: Prepare your miniature and workspace

Nolzur's Marvelous Miniatures come primed and ready to paint out of the box, so you do not need to apply a primer. However, you should still inspect the figure for any mold lines or flash—thin bits of plastic left over from the casting process. Use the back of a hobby knife or a fine file to gently scrape them away. Be careful not to cut into the details. Once clean, you can mount the miniature on a painting handle or a temporary base (a pill bottle with putty works) to make it easier to hold without touching the paint.

Set up your workspace with everything within reach: paints, water, palette, brushes, and a paper towel. Cover your work surface with a cutting mat or newspaper. Good organization prevents accidents and keeps your session enjoyable. If you are painting multiple miniatures, consider working in batches—paint all the basecoats on one figure, then move to the next while the first dries.

• Checkpoint: Run your finger along the miniature—if you feel any bumps, scrape them smooth before painting.
• Common mistake: Skipping mold line removal. Paint will not hide them; it will make them more noticeable.

Step 2: Apply basecoats with thin layers

Basecoating is where you block in the main colors of your miniature. The golden rule is to use multiple thin layers rather than one thick coat. Thick paint obscures detail and looks lumpy. Dip your brush in water, then into paint, and mix on your palette until the consistency is like skim milk. Apply the paint in smooth strokes, letting each layer dry completely before adding the next. For a typical Nolzur's figure, you might need two or three layers to get solid coverage, especially with lighter colors like white or yellow.

Start with the largest areas—skin, clothing, armor—and work toward smaller details. If you are painting a monster like the Adult Remorhaz, begin with its carapace and then move to the legs and mandibles. For humanoids like the Male Human Wizard, paint the robes first, then the face and hands, and finally the staff and accessories. This order helps you avoid accidentally painting over finished areas.

• Checkpoint: If you can still see grey primer through the paint, add another thin layer rather than slopping on more paint.
• Common mistake: Painting from the pot. Always thin your paints on a palette.

Step 3: Add depth with washes and shading

A wash is a thin, watery paint that flows into the recesses of the miniature and darkens them, creating instant shadows. Nolzur's deep cuts are perfect for this technique—the wash settles into the grooves and makes details pop. Use a black or brown wash over most colors; for warmer tones like skin or red cloth, a brown wash looks more natural. Load your brush with wash and apply it generously over the area, then use a clean, damp brush to soak up any excess that pools on flat surfaces.

After the wash dries, you can add a second layer of wash in the deepest shadows for more contrast. Be careful not to let the wash pool too much on large flat areas, as it can leave tide marks. If you are painting a white dragon like the Adult White Dragon, a light blue or grey wash in the crevices will define the scales without making the model look dirty. Washes are forgiving, so this is a great step for beginners to practice.

• Checkpoint: Let the wash dry completely before moving on—it can take 10–15 minutes depending on humidity.
• Common mistake: Applying wash over wet basecoat. Always let the basecoat dry first.

Step 4: Highlight and refine details

Highlighting is the opposite of washing: you apply a lighter color to the raised areas to make them stand out. Use a brush with a fine tip and paint along the edges of armor plates, muscles, and folds. You can either layer a lighter version of your base color or drybrush—a technique where you wipe most of the paint off your brush and lightly drag it across the surface. Drybrushing is fast and effective for textured areas like fur or scales, but it can look chalky if overdone.

For character miniatures like Lae'zel & Shadowheart, focus on faces and weapons. A tiny dot of white in the eyes can bring a figure to life, but it requires a steady hand. If you are not comfortable with eyes, leave them dark—it still looks good at tabletop distance. Highlighting is where your miniature starts to look finished, so take your time and build up the brightness gradually.

• Checkpoint: Step back and view the miniature at arm's length—if the highlights are too subtle, add another layer.
• Common mistake: Using pure white for every highlight. Off-white or light grey looks more natural.

Step 5: Seal your miniature for protection

The final step is applying a varnish to protect your paint job from handling and gaming. A matte varnish is the best choice for most miniatures because it reduces shine and looks natural. Spray varnish outdoors or in a well-ventilated area, holding the can about 8–12 inches away and applying light coats. If you prefer brush-on varnish, apply a thin layer with a soft brush. Avoid gloss varnish unless you want a wet look for slime or water effects.

Once the varnish is dry, your miniature is ready for the table. If you used a temporary base, you can now glue it to a permanent base and add flocking or rocks for extra detail. Sealing is often skipped by beginners, but it is crucial—paint can rub off during play, especially on high-touch areas like weapons and faces.

• Checkpoint: Test the varnish on a spare piece first to ensure it does not frost in high humidity.
• Common mistake: Spraying too close or too heavy, which can cloud the details.

Your step-by-step painting checklist

1. 1. Prepare and clean: Remove mold lines, mount the miniature, and set up your workspace with water, palette, and brushes. Checkpoint: The miniature should feel smooth and be secure on its handle.
2. 2. Basecoat in thin layers: Thin your acrylics to skim-milk consistency and apply two or three layers, letting each dry. Checkpoint: No grey primer should show through.
3. 3. Wash for shadows: Apply a black or brown wash into the recesses, then wick away excess from flat areas. Checkpoint: The wash should darken crevices without pooling on surfaces.
4. 4. Highlight raised areas: Use a lighter color to paint edges and raised details, building up gradually. Checkpoint: The miniature should read clearly from arm's length.
5. 5. Seal with varnish: Apply a matte varnish in light coats to protect your paint job. Checkpoint: The varnish should be dry and even, with no cloudy patches.

Nolzur's miniatures that are great for practicing these steps

• D&D Nolzur's Marvelous Miniatures: Boneclaw: Comes with highly-detailed figures, primed and ready to paint out of the box, with deep cuts for easier painting. The deep cuts guide your brush and make washes and highlights easier, which is perfect for learning the techniques in this tutorial.
• D&D Nolzur's Marvelous Miniatures: Special Edition Baldur's Gate 3 — Lae'zel & Shadowheart: Each pack contains two iconic characters from Baldur's Gate 3, primed and ready with deep cuts for easier painting. Two characters in one pack gives you a chance to practice faces and details on distinct figures without a big investment.
• D&D Nolzur's Marvelous Miniatures: Adult White Dragon: Features characters, monsters, and scenery from Dungeons & Dragons, primed and ready to paint with deep cuts. A large dragon is a rewarding centerpiece project; its scale lets you practice drybrushing and layering on a bigger canvas.
• Pathfinder Battles Deep Cuts: Male Human Wizard: Comes with highly-detailed figures, primed and ready to paint out-of-the-box, fully compatible with Acrylicos Vallejo paints. If you already use Vallejo paints, this figure is a convenient choice for practicing the same steps on a different line.

Painting Nolzur's Marvelous Miniatures is a skill you build one figure at a time. Start with a simple piece, follow the steps above, and do not worry about perfection—each miniature teaches you something new. Before long, you will have a painted collection that brings your D&D games to life.