How to Paint 3D Printed Pokemon (Beginner's Guide)
Prime, base-coat, shade and highlight. A simple, repeatable painting process that makes a single-color print look like a finished figure.
A crisp resin print or a clean FDM figure is a blank canvas. You don't need airbrushes or years of practice to make it look great — just a repeatable four-step process.
From the shop · Etsy 16 Pokemon STL Bundle | Pikachu Charizard Mewtwo Lugia and More | 3D Printable Figures | FDM & Resin | Instant Digital Download 20.00 EURWhat you need
- Grey or white primer (spray or brush-on)
- A few acrylic paints (craft acrylics are fine to start)
- A cheap wash (a dark, thinned ink) for shading
- A soft brush, an old stiff brush for dry brushing, and a matte varnish
Step 1: prime
Primer gives paint something to grip and unifies the surface. Thin coats, from ~20 cm away if spraying. Grey primer is the most forgiving. Let it cure fully before painting.
Step 2: base coat
Block in the main colors flat — yellow body, red cheeks, black tips for a Pikachu. Two thin coats beat one thick one; thick paint drowns detail. Don't worry about neatness yet.
Step 3: shade, then highlight
This is the step that does 80% of the work:
- Wash the whole figure with thinned dark ink. It flows into recesses and instantly creates shadows and definition.
- Dry brush a lighter tone of each color: load a stiff brush, wipe most paint off on a towel, then lightly stroke across raised areas so only the highlights catch paint.
Step 4: seal it
Finish with a matte varnish to protect the paint and kill the plastic shine. A gloss coat on eyes and the flame tip adds a nice pop.
Want a forgiving first model to practise on? A rounded figure like Eevee or a starter from our bundle is perfect.
Beginner painting mistakes to avoid
Thick paint is the number-one killer of detail: it pools in recesses and softens sharp edges. Always thin your paint and build up in two or three coats. Skipping primer is the second mistake — acrylics simply won't hold on bare PLA or resin and will chip within days. And don't rush the wash: let each stage dry fully before the next, or you'll lift the layer beneath.
A cheap starter kit
- Grey primer (rattle can is fine).
- A small set of acrylics in primary colors plus black and white.
- One dark wash (or make your own with thinned black ink).
- Two brushes: a fine detail brush and an old stiff brush for dry brushing.
- Matte varnish to seal.
That's under the price of a couple of filament spools and it'll paint dozens of figures.
FAQ
Do I have to prime before painting?
Yes, if you want it to last. Acrylic paint peels off bare PLA and resin; a thin coat of primer makes everything grip and look smoother.
What paints work on PLA and resin?
Standard acrylics work on both once primed. Cured resin should be washed and fully cured first so paint adheres properly.
How do I shade without an airbrush?
Use a wash (thinned dark ink) to fill recesses for shadow, then dry brush a lighter shade on raised areas for highlights. No airbrush needed.
