Our Miniature Hobby Lifestyle
A scale model is a tangible representation of an object that has the same dimensions as the real object (known as the prototype). Scale models are generally smaller than the actual prototype like buildings, vehicles, or landscapes. But, they may also be larger than the real object, such as models of anatomical structures or biological organisms.
Building scale models is a great hobby that can be both enjoyable and rewarding. Whether you’re a first-time builder or an experienced modeler, there are always new techniques and tips to learn. Scale modeling is a complex and delicate process, but with a little patience and practice, anyone can produce high-quality results.
Here are some helpful articles and tutorials to help you get started or learn more about the scale modeling hobby.
The door was wrong. That’s where scale problems start. This calculator converts any real-world measurement to every major wargaming scale simultaneously — terrain presets, metric and imperial, and a reverse converter included.
Miniature Scale Calculator for Wargaming and Tabletop Games Read More »
I wanted to connect with my kids with the hobby of miniature painting. But to paint miniatures, you need consistent patience and practice and with young ones, attention can be elusive. So I realized there needed to be another entry point. For years, “RC” lived in my head as a fast, loud hobby. Dirt ramps,
How Miniature Terrain Pulled Me Into RC Rock Crawling Read More »
What magnifying tools do you actually need for painting fine details? To paint miniatures well, you depend on steady hands and sharp eyesight. Magnification aids — like visors, headsets, or even simple reading glasses — make this work easier and far more comfortable. Whether you’re a scale modeler, painter, or hobbyist working with tiny parts,
Magnifying Visors for Painting Miniatures (Tips and Recommendation) Read More »
Do you want a fast and easy way to paint highlights on miniatures? Zenithal highlighting is a technique that quickly reproduces the light and shadows produced by an imaginary light source directly over the subject. Using a spray can or airbrush with a bright color, usually white, you spray directly downward onto a dark-colored model.
How to Airbrush Zenithal Highlights (Fast & Easy) Read More »
Okay, so you want to dry brush miniatures? Dry brush painting is one of the simplest and most under-rated ways to paint miniatures. When painting miniatures, many people head straight for the more advanced techniques. But, why? Dry brushing is not only simple, but many professional painters rely on it to complete their work. In
How to Dry Brush Miniatures and Models (Tips, Photos) Read More »
If you’re like me and have a longstanding love for military history, you’ll understand the joy of bringing those stories to life through scale modeling. My passion for building models began in middle school, and now, years later, it’s rekindled by a client’s unique request. From the thrilling challenge of painting intricate details to navigating
Starting Scale Modeling? My Honest Thoughts Read More »
Assembling miniatures and model kits is a skill many take for granted, myself included. It seems simple from the surface, just put pieces together and you’re done, right? Well, not exactly. One of the most important parts of constructing miniatures is choosing the right adhesive to hold everything together. Super glue or cyanoacrylate is especially
Thick or Thin? Choosing the Best Super Glue for Miniatures 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 (Beginner Guide) Read More »
9 Recycling Ideas for Old Sprues from Warhammer and Model Kits – sprue terrain with Warhammer 40k kits – recycling Warhammer sprues – terrain with sprues
9 Recycling Ideas for Old Sprues from Warhammer and Model Kits Read More »
Do you enjoy LEGOS? Everyone knows LEGO bricks, as they’ve been around for ages. I grew up with these construction small construction bricks. The precursor to Minecraft, the emergent gameplay from Lego bricks is almost limitless. Of course, since their inception, other companies have risen to fill this market. JMBricklayer is one such brand, creating
JMBricklayer Botanical Garden Plastic Brick Set (Review) Read More »
Choosing a good basing material for a painted miniature is the easiest way to add life and story to your work. A huge variety of products allow you to finish a model with a bit of narrative flair without being expensive or requiring a ton of extra supplies. In this article, I give you an
28 Miniature Basing Materials for Miniatures (Tips and Review) Read More »
So you want to get started painting your new model kit. People who want to start painting miniatures but don’t know where to start might be wondering how to prepare miniatures for paint. It can seem daunting, but with a few simple steps you can have your miniature ready for priming and painting in no
How to Prepare Miniatures for Paint (Quick Start Guide) Read More »
Are you trying to paint models for a diorama, a tabletop wargame? Military tank miniatures from wargames like Bolt Action, Flames of War, or even Warhammer 40K can be fun but challenging to paint well. For the scale modelers who aren’t sure where to start with the process, tanks are one of the best places
How to Paint Model Tanks (8 Basic Steps) Read More »
If you’re a miniature painter, odds are you’ve heard of zenithal priming. This unique method of priming minis provides a great foundation for painting, and can really help bring out the details in your figure. In this article, I’ll walk you through the steps of zenithal priming and show you how to get the most
Zenithal Priming and Painting Miniatures – A Tutorial Read More »
A clear coat of varnish is essential to protecting your painted models and miniatures, but did you know that you can use varnishes in other ways too? I’ll show you three unique ways to apply varnishes on your miniatures that you may not have considered, but which will undoubtedly come in handy. Recommended Gloss and
Three Creative Uses for Varnishes in Miniature Painting and Scale Modeling Read More »