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/

How to Paint a Cracked Base in 5 Minutes (Tutorial)

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The cracked earth effect is a great way to add some depth to your miniatures. It can be used for all sorts of ideas, from lava effects, ice and dried desert scenes. The base of a model adds key scenery and context for your painted models, which completes the overall look of a great paint

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Redgrass Games Sprue Cutter and Precision Nipper (Review)

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I’m a hobby miser when it comes to fancy tools. I don’t like spending money on things that I don’t need, aren’t going to improve my craft, or I find overvalued. Redgrass Games, a company dedicated to providing high-quality tools for miniature painters and creatives, released two new tools in their line up: the Sprue

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Black Paints Compared for Miniature Painting

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When it comes to painting miniatures, choosing the right black acrylic paint can make a significant difference in the final appearance of your models. In this article, I compare several popular black acrylic paints, examining their application, drying time, finish, and overall performance. Key Points The Contenders In my comparison, I evaluated the following black

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Join the Speed Painting Club: Best Practice and Exercise

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The HABIT of speed painting minimizes overthinking and helps maintain a natural, dynamic look. The miniatures usually require fewer touch-ups when painted quickly. Slowing down often invites unnecessary fussing, which can detract from the overall effect. Ultimately, I often find that faster painting results in better miniatures. In this overview, I focus on sharing things

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Facing The Creative Paradox: Uncertainty and Confidence in Art

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The blank canvas, the empty page is both horrifying and thrilling. So much emptiness demands we fill it. Yet, whether you’re a seasoned creative—the professional—or someone who enjoys casual doodling, the path is often marked by self-doubt and the relentless quest for perfection. In this post, I felt the need to explore the common challenges

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3D Printing Organic Shapes: Technology, Capabilities, and Overview

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3D printing is a disruptive technology that has completely redrawn the product manufacturing, art, and creative landscape. Even the medical industry has assimilated 3D printing, e.g., dentistry, prosthetics, surgical settings. Moreover, until a few years ago, the 3D printing of organic objects—which are characterized by their natural, flowing forms and complex geometries—has present a unique

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Speed Painting Miniatures Without an Airbrush: A Quick Guide

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Speed painting miniatures can be a rewarding way to quickly enhance your tabletop gaming experience. In this tutorial, I’ll demonstrate how to paint a Fane Knight Cavalry model from Privateer Press without an airbrush. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced painter, I hope these tips will help you achieve the results you’re looking for

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Why Focus Stacking can Help Your Miniature Photography

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Today’s camera technology in smartphones, DSLRs, or mirrorless compact cameras, has made it possible for anyone to take a picture at a moment’s notice. But, miniature photography brings unique technical challenges. If your photos are out-of-focus, blurry, and you’ve tried all the other tricks, then maybe the process of focus-stacking multiple images will help! In

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How To “Focus-Stack”: 13 Steps to Improve Your Miniature Photos

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For miniature painters who want to share their work, or gamers that want to record their battle reports, capturing sharp and clear images is pretty important. The best way to take miniature photos is to keep your entire model sharp. You can also use a technique called “Focus-Stacking” to help you post-process your images to

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Masterson Sta-Wet Palette for Miniature Painting (Review)

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Are you looking for review of the Masterson Sta Wet Palette? The Masterson Sta Wet Palette is the popular starter wet palette for many hobbyists because it is budget friendly, works reliably, and available at almost any local store. In this article, I share my experience as a miniature painter using the Masterson Sta Wet

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