Our Miniature Hobby Lifestyle
Are you looking for a unique hobby gift, or have no idea what to get that special tabletop gamer? Are you in a rush? No worries! Whether it’s for a special occasion, like the Christmas holiday season, an anniversary, a birthday, or a gift just to say “thank you for being an amazing person”, check …
135 Unique Hobby Gift Ideas for Miniature Painters and Tabletop Gamers! Read More »
I often get asked why I write so much about hobbies, thoughts, and insights. The simple answer is that it’s something I’m passionate about. But there’s more to it than that. It’s kind of an identity. I think it’s important to have a hobby or creative outlet that is entirely your own. Something that you …
Hobby Writing and Intrusive Thoughts (Editorial) Read More »
So, you’re looking for the best wet palette for painting miniatures and models? Have you considered the new Everlasting Wet Palette from RedgrassGames (RGG)? A wet palette is a helpful tool for miniature painters. It keeps your acrylic paints from drying out, and it allows you to mix paints for different techniques at a leisurely …
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 »
Why play Warmachine and Hordes, a tabletop miniatures game? The reason to play is simple: Warmachine/Hordes is a simple game with emergent gameplay (e.g., game complexity arises from many simple elements). There are many warmachine and horde factions rivaling each other within the Iron Kingdom Universe–where the game takes place. Within this context, the game …
How popular is miniature tabletop wargaming nowadays? Well, an easy to way to know if something has reached mainstream culture is to see what’s on TV. At some point, you’ll notice your favorite hobby turning up in the most unlikely of places. When that happens, you know that your hobby has gone mainstream. In this …
I have a large collection of models that I’ve painted. Too numerous for me to count. The ultimate driving force that motivates me to paint is discovery. Whenever I feel my toes are hanging off the edge of burn-out (e.g., the loss of desire to do anything), I find that I can retreat safely on the knowledge that …
Discovery and Passion: Keys to Improving Your Miniature Painting (Editorial) Read More »
I wish I had more time in the day for hobbies. With all the responsibilities of daily life as a parent, I know I have less time to do the things I want to do. Painting miniatures is one of the few fun activities I’ve kept up with, but I’m always a tad pressured to …
Looking for a review for Games Workshop Citadel miniature transport cases? I’ve been eyeing a new case to store and transport my ever expanding miniature collection from Warmachine/Hordes and Warhammer 40k. I’ve used all the foam transport options, e.g., Battlefoam, Sabol transports, but have now considered the Citadel line of carrying cases At first, I …
Citadel Crusade Case (Army Transport): Worth It? Read More »
Every miniature paint job is way to discover a bit about yourself. In art, the opposition to progress is your resistance to explore outside your comfort zone. This is true for athletes and erudites looking for the next metaphorical hill to climb. Of course, all this soul-searching and boundary pushing leads to a chaotic mess …
Painting Complexity with Simplicity: A Miniature Painting Philosophy Read More »
Should I start playing Warhammer 40,000? Is Warhammer 40k worth the hobby expense and time? The popularity of Warhammer 40k runs decades deep into gaming history. Although some love Warhammer 40k, there are others who think it’s a bad game. Warhammer 40k is a tabletop miniature wargame that pits various human and xenomorph (alien) factions …
Is Warhammer 40K Worth It? Why You Need to Play Warhammer 40k Read More »
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 …
3 Reasons You Need a Hair Dryer for Miniature Painting Read More »
You spend a lot of time on your hobbies. Ever wonder if you could monetize them? I don’t mean “make a living“. That would be work! No, I mean wouldn’t it be cool to recoup some of your expenses with your fun activities. I’ve painted miniatures on commission, because I enjoy painting. Plain and simple. …
Do you want to apply decals to your miniatures or scale models? Decals add extra details to your wargaming miniatures. If you’re looking for realism, or a more immersive look for your Warhammer 40k vehicles, space marines, or historical wargaming pieces, learning how to use transfers can help. Many model kits come with water transfer …
How to Apply Warhammer Space Marine Decals (Tips) Read More »
Can’t sleep? Insomnia troubling you? I have trouble sleeping (and this was before I had kids). As someone who paints miniatures at horrendous hours of the night (between 11-3am), sleep has always evaded me. And, little did I know my trouble sleeping was killing me, and my miniature hobbies were a part of this problem. …
Trouble Sleeping? Your Miniature Hobby May Be Killing You Read More »