Portfolio StoreTips for a Miniature Painter Portfolio
Small presentation choices can make precision paintwork easier to assess and commission
Portfolio Store for Miniature Painters
Make every image earn its place
Clear angles, useful captions, and deliberate grouping help viewers understand both the miniature and the painter's contribution.
Practical tips for miniature painter portfolios
Diffuse the Light
Use broad, soft light to preserve color transitions and avoid bright glare on varnish, metallics, or glossy effects.
Pair Wide and Macro Views
Show the whole model first, then crop in on one or two details that demonstrate fine brush control or surface treatment.
Name the Palette
Briefly identify key colors, contrast goals, and requested scheme elements when they help a client picture a similar commission.
State the Scale
Include the model scale or game size where it is not obvious, especially for busts, vehicles, and scenic dioramas.
Choose Process Frames
Include an in-progress shot only when it clarifies a conversion, an approval stage, or a technique that the final view hides.
Order by Commission Fit
Place the kind of work you want more often near the beginning, then use headings to distinguish one-offs from units and terrain.
Let clients judge the finish without guessing
Miniature photographs can exaggerate reflections, hide texture, or make an even unit look inconsistent from frame to frame. A repeatable setup—neutral background, stable camera, diffused light, and consistent angles—makes comparisons fairer. Then use project notes to distinguish what you painted from what was supplied or assembled, and to flag client-specific requirements such as a matched army scheme or display base. This context makes a portfolio useful for scoping a commission as well as admiring a finished model.
Three details that strengthen miniature portfolios
Consistent Photography
Comparable framing and light let a client focus on your painting rather than changes in the setup.
Specific Captions
Scale, material, palette, and brief notes explain decisions a photograph cannot show by itself.
Current Selection
Review the gallery after a major project and replace examples that no longer represent your finish or focus.
FAQ: Tips for a Miniature Painter Portfolio
How many images should I use for a model?
Use one strong overall image plus a small number of distinct angles or detail views; omit near-duplicates.
Should I include unpainted or unfinished miniatures?
Only when the conversion or process itself is relevant, and label the stage so it cannot be mistaken for a finished commission.
How do I avoid glare on metallic paint?
Move the light source off-axis, diffuse it, and adjust the miniature until reflections reveal rather than cover the surface.
Do I need to list every paint brand?
No. Mention specific materials only when the client requested them or they are important to explaining the result.
How should I present a multi-model commission?
Start with the finished group, then show one representative model and note the number of figures and repeated scheme details.
When should I update my gallery?
Add finished work when it represents your current quality or a new service, and periodically remove weaker or redundant examples.
Ready to make your miniature work easier to evaluate?
Use these presentation tips to give clients a clear view of your painting.