Our Miniature Hobby Lifestyle
Dive into a full spectrum of creative hobby articles, including tabletop miniature games, visual art and crafts, literature, photography, and much more.
Are you looking for ways to save money in your miniature painting hobby? The miniature hobby can be as expensive or as affordable as you want. As commissioned miniature painter, I’ve learned a few tricks to budget-saving tips without sacrificing the quality of my work. In this article, I share 10 money-saving tips for painting […]
10 Money-Saving Hobby Tips for Miniature Painters Read More »
Dry brushing is an essential miniature painting technique because it has so many uses in the hobby. It’s also one of the easiest methods to learn, which makes it popular among both novice and experienced painters. Whether you’re painting minis for tabletop wargames or roleplaying games, e.g., DND, or board game miniatures, dry brushing is
3 Popular Uses for Dry Brushing Miniatures (Tips) Read More »
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
Reaper VEX Airbrush Review for Painting Miniatures (Yay or Nay?) Read More »
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,
How to Shade Panel Lines and Recesses with Watercolor (Fast and Simple) Read More »
Did you know that a hair dryer is the most under-appreciated tool in the miniature painting hobby? The dry, hot air from a hair dryer will accelerate paint dry time, increasing productivity, and will improve the quality of your final layers of paint and varnish. As miniature painters, we all need good brushes, glue, and great
3 Reasons You Need a Hair Dryer for Miniature Painting Read More »
I’ve been painting 40k and Warmachine models for a few friends. And for kicks, I’ve been trying my hand (and eye) at painting non-metallic metal (NMM). For the less well versed, NMM is the method for painting metallic surfaces without using metallic-containing paints. In this article, I share my experience trying to learn how to
Practicing Non-Metallic Metal (NMM) Read More »
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 are those that provide daylight neutral white light at
13 Best Lights for Miniature Painting and Hobbies Read More »
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
How AI Tools Stifle My Creativity and What I Learned Read More »
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
Strategic Triage: Prioritizing Your Creative Concepts Read More »
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
Best Budget Magnetic Miniature Carrying Case? A Review Read More »
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
Vallejo Surface Primer for Miniatures (Review and Tips) Read More »
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
Do your hands or fingers hurt painting miniatures? Have you accidentally touched a miniature that had wet paint? Each Citadel Paint Handle is a sturdy plastic tool with a spring-loaded clamp that holds the base of your models securely while you paint or glue them. At a price of $10-20, these miniature painting handles are
Citadel Painting Handle Review: Is It Worth It? Read More »
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
Zenithal Dry Brushing to “SlapChop” Paint Miniatures Read More »
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
10 Best Magnifying Lamps for Painting Miniatures and Models (Review) Read More »