How to Paint Your 3D‑Printed Acrocanthosaurus Miniature - A Beginner‑friendly Guide

Difficulty: Beginner | Estimated time: 2–3 hours

This guide outlines a structured approach to painting your Acrocanthosaurus model using Vallejo paints, with dry brushing and highlighting techniques to enhance realism and texture, to produce a model similar to the one shown on our product page.

Before You Begin: Preparing Your 3D Printed Resin Model

My 3D printed resin models are fully cleaned and have the supports removed so require little prep before priming. I try to restrict supports to the less obvious areas but unfortunately they are unavoidable, lightly sand any support bumps with fine-grit sandpaper (400–800 grit), removing any small bumps will enhance the final painted miniature.

Basecoat Application

Primary Colors:

• Body: Vallejo Model Color Olive Green (70.967)
• Underside: Vallejo Model Color Beige (70.917)
• Spines: Vallejo Model Color Burnt Red (70.814)
• Claws: Vallejo Model Color Black Grey (70.862)

Steps:

1. Prime the model with Vallejo Surface Primer (Grey or Black).
2. Apply Olive Green across the main body using a medium brush.
3. Use Beige for the underside, blending softly into the green.
4. Paint the spines with Burnt Red, feathering into the body.
5. Detail claws with Black Grey.

Washes / Shading

Purpose: Deepen shadows and add depth to recesses before dry brushing.

Wash Colors:

• Vallejo Sepia Wash — for the body and underside
• Vallejo Black Wash — for claws, spines, and deep recesses

Steps:

1. Allow the basecoat to dry fully (at least 30 minutes).
2. Apply Sepia Wash over the body and underside, letting it flow into the recesses naturally.
3. Use Black Wash sparingly on the claws, spine bases, and any deep creases.
4. Allow to dry completely before moving to dry brushing.

Dry Brushing

Purpose: Accentuate texture and scale definition.

Dry Brush Colors:

• Vallejo Model Color Pale Sand (70.837)
• Vallejo Model Color Light Green (70.942)

Steps:

1. Lightly load brush with Pale Sand, wipe off excess.
2. Gently brush over raised areas: scales, spine ridges, limb muscles.
3. Use Light Green to add subtle tonal variation across the body.

Highlighting

Purpose: Enhance edges and focal points.

Highlight Colors:

• Vallejo Model Color Ivory (70.918)
• Vallejo Model Color Flat Yellow (70.953) for eyes

Steps:

1. Apply Ivory to edges of spines, jawline, and limb contours.
2. Dot eyes with Flat Yellow, adding a black slit pupil.
3. Use fine brush to trace subtle highlights along tail and neck creases.

Finishing Touches

• Add a matte varnish to seal and protect the paint.
• Optional: Apply a second targeted wash (Sepia or Black) to further deepen shadows after dry brushing.
• Consider environmental basing with earth tones and foliage for display.

Summary Palette

Share Your Work

Finished your Acrocanthosaurus? We'd love to see it! Tag @DisainStudio in your photos or upload your painted model to our Facebook page — every version is unique and we celebrate them all.

Looking for your next project? Browse our full range of Beast Realms and Fantasy Realms miniatures and keep the brushes moving.