Miniature Painting
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A note from the painting bench

A portable miniature painting setup: pack, paint and reset

Plan a brush-painting kit for a shared table or club session, with separate model protection, liquid containment and a repeatable packing routine.

By the Miniature Painting Stations team · Updated 2026-11-02

A portable station works best when it carries one planned painting session. Choose the models and next task first, then pack the paints and tools that task needs. A bag holding your entire collection can take longer to unpack and repack than the session allows.

This guide covers brush painting with suitable water-based hobby paints at a shared table, club or temporary workspace. The packing routine below is an editorial suggestion, not a transport certification or a report of product testing. Follow each product's instructions and any venue or carrier restrictions.

Build three separate groups

Keep model protection, potentially wet items and dry tools separate. A single large compartment leaves a paint bottle free to strike a miniature or a damp palette free to soak your notes.

Group Suggested contents Before closing
Models Selected miniatures in a fitted transport box Nothing bears on a banner, weapon or painted surface
Liquids and palette Closed labelled paint containers, contained palette, empty rinse pot Closures checked; secondary containment closed
Dry tools Clean brushes, handle, paper towel, mat and project notes Brush tips protected; no loose hard tools beside models

You can use separate containers inside an existing bag. Buying a dedicated case is a response to a fit or protection problem, rather than the starting requirement. For the permanent home arrangement, see the painting station guide.

Measure the packed kit before choosing a bag

Measure internal usable space, including the opening, rather than relying on the bag's outside dimensions. A palette may fit inside but refuse to pass through a narrow zip opening. Include closures, side attachments and protective sleeves in your measurements.

Lay the proposed kit out at home. Can you lift out the palette without moving the model box? Can the paints remain upright? Can the bag close without pressing down on the models? Try loading and unloading with everything dry before adding paint containers.

For miniatures, measure the whole silhouette, including raised swords and scenic bases. Feldherr's official transport overview lists both foam tray and magnetic carrying systems. These are different ways to retain models, not interchangeable inserts. Check the particular system's requirements and clearances; an advertised model count does not establish that your tallest conversion fits. Source checked 2 November 2026.

Decide whether the palette travels dry or hydrated

Packing a clean, dry palette and preparing it at the destination avoids carrying its working water. This is our suggested default when you do not need to preserve paint mixes. Carry suitable paper or membranes flat and protected, and confirm that water is available where you will paint.

If retaining mixes matters, read the instructions for your precise palette model. A lid that reduces evaporation does not by itself establish how any palette behaves when tilted in a bag. Conversely, do not assume that every wet palette leaks: Redgrass currently describes its Everlasting Wet Palette v2 seal as water-tight and suitable for bag transport, while describing the Painter Lite's securing strap separately. Those are manufacturer statements for named designs, not evidence about another palette or its condition. Source checked 2 November 2026.

For a hydrated palette, follow its filling and closure instructions, inspect the seal and put it in separate secondary containment. Keep it level where practical. Do not treat a strap or outer bag as permission to overfill it. Our wet palette guide covers working hydration once you arrive.

Protect brushes without trapping the working kit wet

Do not drop loose brushes into a pocket with handles, clips or paint pots. Choose a holder that keeps the bristles clear of its end and prevents neighbouring tools crushing them. Check the longest brush, not just the one you use most often.

Daler-Rowney describes its extendable brush tube as adjustable for different brush lengths and intended for transport and storage. This illustrates why usable length and closure design matter; it is not a recommendation to buy that model. Caran d'Ache's brush-care advice recommends drying brushes flat and using protectors to prevent bristles rubbing during storage. Both sources checked 2 November 2026.

After a session, clean and reshape brushes using the appropriate instructions. If they are still damp when you must leave, unpack them promptly at home and let them finish drying. Keep wet cleanup materials away from the brush holder. See brush care for the longer routine.

Example: one club evening

Suppose the task is to finish the cloth areas on three infantry models. Pack those models, the recorded cloth colours, a mixing colour, your working brush, a spare brush and a palette. Add a mat, empty rinse pot, paper towel and the project note. This is a planning example, not a prescribed colour recipe or minimum equipment list.

Before leaving, ask about table space, water, lighting and cleanup arrangements. If bringing a lamp, check the venue permits it and that its base or clamp fits; plan the cable so it does not cross a walkway. A compact kit still needs a stable working surface.

On arrival, place the mat and lighting first, position water away from the model box, then open the paints. Leave the transport box closed until you have somewhere safe to put each model.

Pack the return journey deliberately

Stop with enough time to clean brushes and close containers. Dispose of paint water according to the product guidance and venue arrangements; transport the rinse pot empty. Check each paint closure before returning it to secondary containment. Do not put a freshly painted model against foam or another surface until its coating is ready for contact according to its instructions.

At home, unpack damp items, inspect for leaks, return paints to their normal storage and write the next task on the project note. Replace used paper towel and missing supplies then. The next session should begin with a known kit, rather than a bag containing last week's cleanup.

Sources & further reading