Our Miniature Hobby Lifestyle
Welcome to a library of fantastic articles related to the painting of miniatures and models. If you’re a tabletop gamer, a miniature hobbyist, or artist of any genre, there is something to learn here. These painting articles are written by professional miniature painters.
As a seasoned miniature painter, I’ve learned that the journey to a stunning, eye-catching miniature starts long before the first color touches its surface. It begins with priming, an essential step that sets the stage for your painting masterpiece. In this article, I share my personal insights, tips, and best practices for using different types […]
5 Professional Miniature Priming Tips for Best Results 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 »
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 »
So, you have a wet palette. Now what? Do you know how to get the most out of your favorite wet palette? A wet palette is a painting accessory that keeps your acrylic paint moist for longer periods of time. This allows you to take your time mixing, blending, and applying acrylic paint to your
7 Wet Palette Tips and Tricks for Miniature Painters Read More »
So, you’ve got a plastic miniature to paint. Now what? Painting plastic miniatures is a simple process. But, I know that the sight of an unpainted model’s surface triggers a kind of fear in some people. I’m here to show you how I paint any plastic miniature without worrying about messing it up. Once you
How to Paint Plastic Miniatures (Step-by-Step) Read More »
What techniques do I use for paint blending on miniatures? This is a very common question, but not a simple one to answer. There are many ways to blend paint on a miniature. Each method has an advantage and disadvantage. In fact, some techniques that you may find difficult, others might find easy. And, vice
8 Must-Know Paint Blending Techniques for Miniatures Read More »
How do you paint power swords and weapons? In this article, Damon Rooney shares his talent and tips on how to paint these iconic gothic weapons for Warhammer 40k and your other favorite miniatures games. Read on to learn tips and insights into painting power weapons with that mystical glow. Whether you want to recreate
How to Paint Power Swords and Weapons Read More »
I’ve found that I’m more creative when painting miniatures at night because I can go into a trance-like state. Painting miniatures in the daytime is draining and it seems like my brain is too busy to focus on any one thing, but it’s amazingly captivating at night. It’s quiet and the light is soft, but
Do You Paint Miniatures at Night or Day? What’s Better? Read More »
As an artist and professional miniature painter with years of experience working across various artistic media, I have come to appreciate the value of truly knowing my materials. The profound impact this understanding can have on the outcome of my work cannot be overstated. One medium that has always stood out for its vibrant colors, versatility,
Understanding Acrylic Paint for Miniature Hobbies: Uses, Types, and Best Picks (Guide) Read More »
So, you want to paint the color yellow? And, I mean bright yellow. Did you know yellow is one of the hardest colors to paint? In general, yellow acrylic paints have poor coverage and can often come out splotchy and uneven. If you’re looking to paint your wargaming miniatures with the color yellow, you’re in
How to Paint Yellow Space Marines (Easy and Fast) Read More »
If you’re a miniature painter, wargamer, or scale model maker, then you know that having good quality paint brushes is essential. There are a lot of options out there, but in my opinion, D’Artisan Shoppe miniature paint brushes are some of the best value brushes you’ll find. They’re synthetic and come in a variety of
D’Artisan Shoppe Miniature Brushes: Synthetic Hobby Brush Review Read More »