Our Miniature Hobby Lifestyle
Published editorials with think-piece articles that express opinions related to the miniature painting hobby, wargaming, model building, and tabletop games. The opinions expressed in these articles are those of their individual writers.
“The other shoe is about to drop,” they say—and I often feel. As you get older, it seems that life’s burdens accumulate, building up toward a critical mass, crossing a threshold into a state-of-being that becomes your everyday. Is this you? Here, I explain how anxiety operates in my own life, shaped largely by uncertainty […]
Anxiety is the Future, and It is Bright Read More »
I grew up playing the original StarCraft until my computer fans screamed for mercy. Long nights on Battle.net, LAN parties packed with half-empty Dorito bags, too much soda, and custom-map tournaments where I was convinced my APM (actions per minute) was essential to glory (I used to “practice” improving my “micro”). When I heard a
Why the StarCraft Miniatures Game Is Exciting for Painters and Tabletop Gamers Read More »
Painting miniatures with ADHD is like trying to write a school essay and you weren’t listening. Wait, what was that? The paint brush doesn’t move, and you’re thinking about the dirty-dishes; your mind races from thing-to-thing. Mind racer? It could be something or another, maybe not even the “80-HD” as my kids call it. Here’s
The 10-Minute ADHD Mini Painting Routine Read More »
Ever pick up a pen and feel like it belongs in your creative space, not just in your pocket? That’s how I felt when I first started using the Leuchtturm1917 Drehgriffel Nr. 1. It’s a pen with heritage roots, modern reliability, and a design that makes even the most ordinary notes feel intentional. If you’re
The Leuchtturm 1917 Drehgriffel Nr. 1 Pen Review (My Favorite Everyday Pen) Read More »
Early feedback breaks momentum. Learn how to finish first, protect your creative flow, and build confidence without chasing approval.
Stop Asking for Feedback—It’s the Pebble Killing Your Creative Flow Read More »
Are you looking for miniature hobby stuff for Halloween? Is a bit of horror, mystery, or spooky-boo, your thing? Maybe this post will give you some ideas! Etsy is a treasure trove for unique, custom made finds that you may not find anywhere else. From Halloween-themed DnD accessories to eerie terrain pieces and creepy miniatures,
Halloween Vibes with Miniature Hobby Finds on Etsy Read More »
Ever feel like every hobby you enjoy eventually turns into a job? You pick up a brush, a camera, or a open your sketchbook just to unwind, and before long someone’s asking, “You should sell that.” It’s flattering. Maybe even exciting. But I’ve learned—sometimes the hard way—that turning your hobby into a money-making side hustle
How Monetizing My Hobby Quietly Took the Joy Out of It Read More »
When it comes to painting miniatures, color theory is one of those things that a lot of people seem to think is necessary. However, in reality, you don’t need it. Sure, it can be helpful in some ways, but it’s not absolutely essential. In this article, I write as a working artist who doesn’t rely
Why You Don’t Need Color Theory (Editorial) Read More »
Ever spent an hour perfecting the light reflection on a single gemstone? Or repainting a shoulder pad three times because the edge highlight didn’t “feel right”? If that’s you, you’re not alone—and more importantly, that level of focus reflects something meaningful about how your brain engages with creative work. It reveals a capacity for depth,
Ever notice how some days you can paint for hours, totally locked in—while other times, you can’t focus for more than ten minutes? Your lighting might be the reason. A good lighting setup in your hobby space doesn’t just help you see better. It can actually boost your motivation, sharpen your focus, and help you
Struggling to Stay Focused While Painting? Fix Your Lighting Read More »
Do you enjoy playing tabletop wargames? I have a personal take on why I love playing these miniature battles. One of the goals of this site is to help the community grow. A challenge, of course, is that not everyone understands why people like playing tabletop wargames. So, in the following article, I’ll attempt to
Why I Enjoy Tabletop Miniature Wargaming (Editorial) Read More »
Ever sit down at your miniature painting desk and immediately feel the clock press in on you? That happened to me the other day. I had ten minutes—just ten—before I had to jump into another responsibility. Everything was laid out: the brushes, the water cup, that model I’ve been meaning to finish for weeks. But
When You Can’t Paint—7 Ways to Stay Creative Between Sessions Read More »
Creative momentum takes time. That’s something I was reminded of the other evening as I crouched beside a fire pit, coaxing a stubborn flame to life. I was out there alone, watching the smoke curl and twist in the fading light, trying to remember how I usually get these fires going. It took me longer
From Spark to Blaze: Building Creative Momentum the Natural Way Read More »
Fear. It has driven humanity forward, kept us alive, and forced us to adapt. It fuels our creativity, our resilience, and our determination. Fear of the unknown sparks innovation. Fear of failure pushes us to improve. And yet, AI—this grand technological marvel—does not fear. AI moves forward without hesitation or doubt, but in doing so,
AI Can’t Replicate This Essential Human Power Read More »
Dry brushing is one of the easiest miniature painting techniques you can learn. It is the foundation for so many cool special effects that I always recommend dry brushing to new painters. Of course, for reliable results, you’ll want to use dedicated dry brushes, which have durable, stiff bristles that help you apply dried pigment
The Notts Hobbies Complete Drybrushing Set: A Practical Review Read More »