How to Brief a Miniature Painting Commission
By Dynafabs
How to brief a miniature painting commission: colour refs, photos and quote-form details so Some Miniatures can match your vision first time.
Getting a miniature painted by a commission studio is much smoother when the brief is clear. Vague notes like "make it look cool" leave too much guesswork, while a short, organised brief helps Some Miniatures match the look you have in mind and quote you accurately.
This guide covers what to put in a painting brief, how to use their Get a Quote form, and where a Dynafabs print fits if you need new tabletop minis, bases or scenery alongside the painted figures.
Start with the job, not the paint
Before you talk colours, answer the basics. Their FAQ is clear that the more detail you give, the quicker they can start, and a well-filled quote form often gets a reply within the hour.
Include:
- How many figures, and roughly what size (for example 28–32 mm heroes, cavalry, a monster).
- Whether you are supplying the models, or whether you want Some Miniatures to order them for you (they can do either).
- Assembly and cleanup: still in the box, already built, or partly glued?
- Painting level: Bronze (tabletop), Silver (tabletop plus), Gold (premium heroes), or the display-focused Platinum and Diamond tiers.
- Deadline: a tournament, campaign start, birthday or Christmas gift — even a soft date helps.
If you are unsure which tier fits, say so. Their FAQ notes they are happy to talk through style before you commit.
Colour schemes: show, don't only tell
Painters work best from references. Helpful ones include:
- 2–6 clear photos or screenshots of the look you want (front and back if you can).
- Accent colours called out plainly: "primary red armour, steel trim, cream cloak lining".
- What must match an existing army, and what can be freer on a character model.
- What to avoid: colours you dislike, schemes that clash with your terrain, anything that must stay muted for tabletop readability.
Phone photos of painted models on your shelf, studio paint jobs you like, or a simple palette screenshot all help. Jonathan at Some Miniatures has painted figures across many ranges and brands, so a clear visual target beats a long essay.
Photos of your models matter too
If you are sending figures, their FAQ asks you to photograph them first so the studio knows the condition, and to say whether assembly and cleaning are part of the job. Useful shots: the whole batch laid out, close-ups of damage or mould lines, and any existing paint if you are asking about a refresh (they may strip and repaint case by case — see our repainting guide).
Official Warhammer models you already own can go straight to Some Miniatures for painting, with no printing involved. For new printed tabletop minis, stick to original or properly licensed designs when you order from Dynafabs.
Bases, scenery and extras
Decide early whether basing is included. Note the style you want — simple flock, rubble, snow, desert, urban — and whether it should match the rest of a unit.
Dynafabs often helps here. We can print custom bases and display plinths, scenic pieces and tokens, plus extra tabletop minis from original or properly licensed designs, ready to send on for paint. Use our file prep checklist, then get a print quote.
Progress updates and payment
Their FAQ says they photograph models on arrival, send a halfway update and share a final picture at the end. You can also ask for progress at any time. Payment options listed on their site are PayPal and bank transfer. They are based in Cuffley, Hertfordshire, just outside London, and ship across the UK and internationally. A postcode helps with the delivery fee when you request the quote.
A simple brief template
Use this in the quote form or an email to Someminiatures@gmail.com:
1. Number of models and approximate scale. 2. Supplying models / please order / mix of both. 3. Build and clean needed? Yes / no / partial. 4. Painting tier (Bronze–Diamond) or "please advise". 5. Colour scheme in 3–5 bullets plus image links or attachments. 6. Basing style, or "paint only". 7. Deadline and shipping postcode. 8. Anything that must not change (army colours, freehand motto, metallic recipe).
Keep it short. Clarity beats length.
FAQ
Do I need a perfect brief before I ask? No. Fill in what you can on the Get a Quote form. Stuck on tier or style? Email Someminiatures@gmail.com and talk it through.
Can they paint models I already own? Yes. You can send figures, or they can order models for you. Photograph anything you send so condition is clear.
Will I see the paint job before it ships? You get arrival photos, a mid-job update and a final picture, with extra check-ins on request.
Where does Dynafabs fit? We print tabletop minis, bases and scenery from original or properly licensed designs. Some Miniatures handles the painting. Official Warhammer models go to them for paint only — we do not print those.
Ready to brief your next paint job?
Write a short colour brief, gather a few reference images and send the Some Miniatures quote form. If you need new prints to go with the commission, upload your files at Dynafabs and we will get them ready for paint.
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