Hobby Articles

How to Shade Panel Lines and Recesses with Watercolor (Fast and Simple)

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Are you looking for a fast and easy way to paint the armor panel lines on your miniatures? The thin, narrow panel lines you find on miniatures like Gunpla, Warhammer 40k armored units, or military scale model vehicles, aren’t easy to paint. For best results, the panel lines should be painted with a dark paint, …

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3 Reasons You Need a Hair Dryer for Miniature Painting

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You need a blow dryer, absolutely! The dry, hot air from a hair dryer will accelerate paint dry time, which increases productivity, and reduces the risk of a poor finish due to high humidity. As miniature painters, we all need good brushes, glue, and great lighting. But, the most underestimated tool for any hobbyist is the …

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13 Best Lights for Miniature Painting and Hobbies

Are you looking for the best miniature painting lamp or light? Every hobby at modeling scale requires your ability to see and work with small details. Good contrast and correct color temperature are essential for consistent, high-quality output at any scale. The best light for hobbies such as miniature painting and scale modeling are those …

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How AI Tools Stifle My Creativity and What I Learned

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Artificial intelligence (AI) tools are here to stay. Whether it is ChatGPT, AI image generators, or other emerging AI tools that seemingly create something from nothing (a misnomer, by the way), they are becoming more accessible and easier to use. Of course, in my career and artistic pursuits, I’ve often found myself relying on these …

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Strategic Triage: Prioritizing Your Creative Concepts

Miniature painting is an intricate art that requires patience, focus, and attention to detail. As with any creative endeavor, it’s easy to get lost in the process and become overwhelmed by the sheer number of tasks that need to be completed. That’s where the concept of triage comes in. Triage is the practice of prioritizing …

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Better Photography, Creative Content? SANDMARC Wireless LED Ring Light Review

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Are you looking for a wireless, portable LED ring light with enough power to create high-quality images and video? I’ve reviewed many lights and lamps over the years, so I was excited to try out the SANDMARC Wireless LED Ring Light. In this article, I’ll break down the features of this light and provide a …

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Best Budget Magnetic Miniature Carrying Case? A Review

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In the world of miniature gaming, safely and efficiently transporting your painted army is a universal need. Like an armored troop carrier, a magnetized army carrying and storage case will help you get to the frontlines ready for battle. After reviewing a number of foam tray systems for taking your models on the go, I’ve …

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Vallejo Surface Primer for Miniatures (Review and Tips)

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The most important step of any miniature paint job is priming. A primer or undercoat is a preparatory coating placed on the surface of a miniature before painting. The use a primer ensures that paint adheres to the surface and helps paint durability. This is especially important if you’re using the miniature or model for …

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Warhammer 40k JoyToy Action Figure Review: The Imperial Fist Heavy Intercessor Space Marine

I love miniatures because they simplify a complex world. You can hold a piece of your imagination in your hand. You can interact with it. I’m not surprised that Warhammer 40k takes center stage whenever it comes to popular wargame culture. The lore and property has endeared itself to a community who find the grimdark …

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Zenithal Dry Brushing to “SlapChop” Paint Miniatures

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Want to paint your miniature army fast without sacrificing quality? Speed painting miniatures is something I’ve used in competition, as well as in some commission miniature paint jobs I’ve done. When you want to reach tabletop quality miniature paint jobs, getting your models battle-ready for example, then the slap chop approach using a zenithal underpainting …

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10 Best Magnifying Lamps for Painting Miniatures and Models (Review)

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Are you looking for the best magnifying lamps for painting miniatures and models? You need to see details clearly to paint and craft scale models and miniatures. If you’re a scale modeler, especially you, a lamp that combines both good light and built-in magnification can make your work a lot more comfortable. Good light and …

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