Andrew M. Tan, PhD is a commissioned miniature painter, professional photographer, and writer. He founded Tangible Day and edits every article the site publishes, drawing on more than 15 years of hands-on painting, photography, and product testing.
He also holds a PhD in neuroscience and has authored peer-reviewed research in the field, a background that shows up most often in Tangible Day’s essays on attention, learning, and the psychology of making things by hand.
Where the hobby and the science meet
Tangible Day begins at the hobby desk, where skill develops through repetition and correction over time. Andrew’s scientific training adds a second lens for understanding why miniature painting, sustained focus, and hands-on craft feel absorbing and meaningful.
That perspective sits alongside philosophy and personal reflection as one voice among several the site draws on. When an article explores attention, learning, or the satisfaction of making something small with care, it weighs the lived experience of the hobby together with what the evidence can reasonably explain.
Miniature painting and photography
Andrew has worked as a commissioned miniature painter, alongside training in traditional painting, mixed media, and metal and clay sculpture. His event photography includes multiple years of contest work credited to Tangible Day at CaptainCon’s painting contest.
Tangible Day’s tutorials, reviews, and photography guides reflect this hands-on background.
- Non-metallic metal sword tutorial
- Redgrass Solo R9 task lamp review
- Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra resin printer review
Scientific background
Andrew’s scholarly record is indexed under a persistent ORCID identifier, which links his published work across journals and databases. This page lists the peer-reviewed neuroscience research most relevant to Tangible Day’s essays on attention, learning, and craft.
ORCID profile: orcid.org/0000-0002-0099-8814
Selected peer-reviewed neuroscience publications:
- Dendritic spine dynamics after peripheral nerve injury
- Neurodata Without Borders implementation principles
- Dendritic spine dysgenesis in neuropathic pain
- Dendritic spine dysgenesis and hyperreflexia
Recognition outside Tangible Day
Beyond Geek identifies Andrew as the founder and publisher of Tangible Day and associates the site with miniature-painting tutorials, hobby photography, and reviews.
Connect
Andrew is active on the following Tangible Day accounts, and can also be found on LinkedIn.
Contact and disclosures
Tangible Day participates in affiliate advertising programs, and product reviews disclose whether an item was purchased or supplied by a brand. Full disclosure terms are posted on the site’s Disclosure page.
Questions, corrections, or interview requests can be sent to [email protected].