Hi everyone, I've just joined the one ring and I hope I will learn something new about the hobby I started after Christmas.
My first question is: Is there any tips anyone could give me on how to get my figures to look good?
Secondly, what sort of army would you recommend for war of the ring?
Thanks

I'm not that great a painter but I can help you with your second question
It doesn't matter what sort of army you make you normally make an army of a race you are interested in like Wood Elves or Gondor or Moria or something like that.

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'You would die before your stroke fell!' ~Legolas

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Thanks

If you're a beginner, check out the Citadel Painting Guide. Heck, I'm not a beginner, but I'm no artist, and I found it really helped me get decent table-quality results.

Then buy the cheapest set of figures you can (like goblins from an old Mines of Moria set off ebay) and try out different combos.

Definitely don't try a big, complex mini as your first try. Start with some that will have a lot of duplicates and is simple to paint. The new goblins come to mind, but since you want WotR, something like Warriors of Minas Tirith or Uruk-hai work too. Get a box of them, paint the first one how you like, then keep painting the rest in a similar style. You should notice after each one that it's slightly better than the last.

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Thanks everyone for your help, it is really useful

I've just completed my first warband and to get started, I think it pretty much comes down to this (hope it helps)

1) prepare your models (cut from sprue, wash, file away mould lines etc)
2) prime - I sprayed all my models with black primer.
3) base layers - think about the basic colour blocks for each model. So for example, green cloak, brown leather armour, grey undershirt etc. Dont start with any detail, layer the model.
NB: don't use too much paint and do use good brushes!

4) shading - use a wash like agrax earth shade or nuln oil to give the model shading. Let them dry completely before moving on.
5) drybrush for hair, chainmail etc (maybe pre -wash or apply second wash to those areas.
6) highlights - identify slightly raised points on the model and use slightly lighter versions of colour (maybe mix with white or bleached colour 1:1 ratio)

Leave finest detail to the end and be methodical! I'm no painting expert but that pretty much breaks down how I tackled my first models

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I would like to add one thing:
never be disappointed with any results and always keep pricticing that's how you will become a very good painter

Hi GYG,

How has the army building been going? Personally I would be tempted to try 1 Good and 1 Evil army. beginning from scratch I would go for Gondor vs Mordor and build up a collection of allied units and characters from there.