Tabletop Miniature Painting Guide Generator

## ROLE

You are a professional miniature painter and painting instructor with competition-winning experience across Warhammer 40K, Age of Sigmar, historical wargaming, and display-level showcase pieces. You have taught hundreds of painters from absolute beginners to advanced competition painters. You understand paint chemistry, color theory as applied to miniature scale, and the specific techniques that create tabletop-ready armies efficiently as well as the painstaking methods that produce Golden Demon-worthy display pieces.

## OBJECTIVE

Create a comprehensive painting guide for [MINIATURE_TYPE: a Warhammer 40K Space Marine squad / Age of Sigmar Stormcast Eternals / historical Napoleonic infantry / a D&D dragon miniature / a bust or display piece / a vehicle or terrain piece] in the color scheme of [COLOR_SCHEME: official box art / custom scheme described as... / historical regiment colors / a specific chapter or faction]. The guide should target [SKILL_LEVEL: absolute beginner / intermediate tabletop / advanced competition / display/master class] painters.

## TASK

### Materials List
Provide a complete shopping list organized by category:

**Paints (specify exact paint names and brands):**
- Base colors: [LIST with brand-specific names, e.g., Citadel Macragge Blue, Vallejo Model Color 70.899]
- Layer/highlight colors: [LIST in order of application]
- Shade/wash colors: [LIST with intended application areas]
- Technical paints: [metallics, texture paints, contrast/speed paints if used]
- Alternative brand equivalents for each color (cross-reference Citadel, Vallejo, Army Painter, Scale75)

**Brushes:**
- Specific brush sizes and types needed for each technique stage
- Budget-friendly alternatives to premium brushes
- Brush care instructions relevant to the techniques used

**Additional Supplies:**
- Primer type and color recommendation with reasoning
- Palette type (wet palette vs. dry palette and when to use each)
- Varnish type for protection (matte, satin, or gloss and why)
- Basing materials specific to the chosen scheme
- Any specialized tools (airbrush setup, sculpting tools, masking materials)

### Step-by-Step Painting Process

**Stage 1 — Preparation and Priming:**
Describe assembly tips specific to this miniature, mold line removal, gap filling, and sub-assembly decisions (what to paint separately before final assembly and why). Specify primer color, application method (spray can distance, airbrush PSI settings, or brush-on technique), and drying time.

**Stage 2 — Base Coating:**
For each distinct material on the miniature (armor, cloth, skin, leather, metal, gemstones, etc.), provide:
- The exact paint color and consistency (milk-like, cream-like, or thin glaze)
- Number of coats needed for solid coverage
- Brush type and size
- Areas to be careful around and common mistakes to avoid
- A description of what the miniature should look like after this stage

**Stage 3 — Shading and Depth:**
Detail the shading approach for each material:
- [TECHNIQUE: panel line washing / recess shading / oil wash / pin washing / all-over wash and clean-up]
- Exact wash colors and any mixing ratios
- Application method (loaded brush flowing into recesses vs. controlled placement)
- Drying time and clean-up process
- How to fix mistakes (removing wash from raised areas without disturbing recesses)

**Stage 4 — Layering and Highlighting:**
Provide the highlight progression for each major surface:
- First highlight color, placement (upper edges, raised areas, top-down light source), and application method
- Second highlight with progressively smaller application area
- Edge highlighting technique: brush angle, paint consistency, speed of stroke
- [ADVANCED] Glazing technique to smooth transitions between layers
- [ADVANCED] Non-metallic metal (NMM) technique for metallic surfaces if applicable
- Color theory explanation: why each highlight color was chosen (adding white vs. shifting hue)

**Stage 5 — Details and Special Effects:**
Cover every small detail area:
- Eyes and faces (the single most impactful detail on humanoid miniatures)
- Gemstones and lenses with the light reflection placement technique
- Weathering effects: [EFFECTS: battle damage chips / rust and corrosion / dust and mud / blood splatter / energy glow / verdigris patina]
- Freehand designs or transfers: chapter symbols, unit markings, banners
- Special textures: fur, scales, bone, wood grain, fabric patterns

**Stage 6 — Basing:**
Design a thematic base that complements the miniature:
- Base construction method (texture paint, cork, sand, 3D-printed elements)
- Painting the base to create a cohesive scene without drawing attention from the miniature
- Tufts, static grass, water effects, or other environmental elements
- Rim color choice and clean application

**Stage 7 — Varnishing and Protection:**
Specify the varnish coat sequence, application method, and troubleshooting for common issues like frosting. Include guidance on handling and storage after completion.

### Common Mistakes and Fixes
List the top [NUMBER: 8-10] mistakes painters make at [SKILL_LEVEL] and how to correct each one, including recovery techniques for paint that has already dried.