Andrew M. Tan

Andrew M. Tan, PhD is a commissioned miniature painter, photographer, and writer with more than 15 years of hands-on hobby experience. He founded and edits Tangible Day, drawing on a PhD in neuroscience and peer-reviewed research to write about attention, learning, and the craft of making things by hand. Full bio: https://tangibleday.com/andrew-m-tan/

Speed Painting Miniature Armies (Simple Tips and Tricks)

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Want to paint miniatures faster? Have a horde army collection that still wears bare plastic gray? Speed painting and quality don’t usually mix well. But, with some planning and a few shortcuts, you can get a decent quality paint job on a miniature with little effort. In this article, I share some of my tips […]

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A Miniature Nostalgia Zone: Reviewing Sally Wallace’s “Christmas Emporium”

Banner showcasing the book 'Christmas Emporium: The Miniature Shop of Imagination' with vibrant text highlighting miniatures.

The magic of miniatures lies in their ability to transport us to entire worlds contained within the smallest of scales. As an enthusiast of miniature art and a lover of holiday traditions, I was thrilled to check out Sally Wallace’s Christmas Emporium. This book is more than just a collection of beautiful scenes; it’s a

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Miniature Paint Sealers: Tips, Tricks, Guide

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There are many different types of sealers that you can use to finish your miniatures and models. Miniature sealers come in both lacquer-based varnishes as well as water-based sealers, which have a lot of advantages over their solvent-based counterparts. There are also different finishes for the miniature sealer–matte, satin, or gloss. In this article I

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11 Best D&D Miniature Carrying Cases and Storage Options

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I game, I travel. Campaign nights in worlds afar need some careful planning, especially if you’re playing with miniatures. How are traveling with your painted minis? Need a good way to store your stuff while you’re busy with real life? You’re not alone… In this article, I run you through some of the coolest and

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How to Paint Stone Ruin Bases for Miniatures (Tutorial)

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Are you looking for a fast and easy way to paint a stone base? The base of a miniature adds a huge amount of atmosphere to a model. Stone or cracked rocky terrain is a common motif in a lot of fantasy miniatures, e.g., Warhammer Age of Sigmar, and other tabletop hobby games. A base

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Smartphone Vs Camera for Miniature Photography

Best Camera for Miniature Photography: Smartphone vs Camera – how to take better pictures of miniatures and models – smartphone or camera for miniature photography – take better miniature photos with your smartphone – a comparison between smartphone and camera photos of models and miniatures – wargaming photography - primaris dreadnought imperial fist warhammer 40k - banner image

Did you know that your smartphone can take amazing photos of your painted miniatures? Compact camera technology has come a long way! The image quality gap has narrowed between smartphones and cameras. Under proper conditions, images taken on smartphones are indistinguishable from consumer grade cameras. These include DSLR, compact bridge cameras, and mirrorless systems. So,

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What a 48 Hour Fast Taught Me About Boredom and Creativity

'Lessons from a 48-hour fast and real boredom,' with clock image.

Fasting is something people try for all sorts of reasons—health, spiritual growth, or just curiosity. For me, it was about pushing my boundaries. Getting to know myself a bit better…I wanted to see how my body would react, sure, but more importantly, I wanted to understand how my mind would cope without food. Would I

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135 Unique Hobby Gift Ideas for Miniature Painters and Tabletop Gamers!

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Are you trying to find a great gift for a miniature painter or tabletop gamer and not sure where to start? You’re not alone. Picking something thoughtful for a hobbyist can feel impossible when you’re unsure whether they need a brush set, a terrain-making tool, or the newest board-game expansion. To make it simple, I’ve

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Can You Make a Living Painting Miniatures Full Time?

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So you want to turn your miniature painting hobby into “a real job”? Tabletop gaming has been around for centuries, but the advent of miniature painting has allowed for a greater level of immersion in these games. As long as people are gaming with miniatures, enjoying them in their various hobbies, there will always be

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Badger Airbrushes: Best Beginner to Advanced Models for Painting Miniatures?

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Badger airbrushes are made in the USA. They make a ton of models, with new updates and iterations coming out all the time. As they are known for their hefty build-quality, balanced ergonomic grip, and low-cost maintenance, I love working with Badger airbrushes as a freelance miniature painter. Of course, the question you may ask

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Reaper VEX Airbrush Review for Painting Miniatures (Yay or Nay?)

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Are you wondering whether the Reaper Vex airbrush is right for you? If you paint miniatures for tabletop games, e.g., TTRPGs, DND, Warhammer, an airbrush is a powerful tool. Of course, there are many airbrushes to choose from. The Vex airbrush is a professional-grade airbrush, designed for the serious hobbyist or pro painter looking for

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How to Dry Brush Miniatures and Models (Tips, Photos)

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Okay, so you want to dry brush miniatures? Dry brush painting is one of the simplest and most under-rated ways to paint miniatures. When painting miniatures, many people head straight for the more advanced techniques. But, why? Dry brushing is not only simple, but many professional painters rely on it to complete their work. In

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How to Thin Hobby Paints for Miniatures (10 Useful Ways)

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How do you thin your paint when working on miniatures and models? Most hobby acrylics—Citadel, The Army Painter, Vallejo, and others—perform better when they flow smoothly and don’t bury the tiny details. Thinning helps you control the paint on your brush, spread it evenly, and build clean layers on any surface. Each thinning method has

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