Our Miniature Hobby Lifestyle
So, you’re looking for the best brush for painting minis? Ever feel like you’re one split hair away from tossing your model across the room? I’ve been there. Here’s a pro tip: No brush makes the painter. Thousands of hours with the tools you already own bring you there. In this article, I share my […]
Top 10 Best Brushes for Painting Miniatures (My Top Picks) Read More »
Have you ever wondered if investing in a high-end paintbrush could actually improve your miniature painting? I asked myself the same question when I first bought the Winsor & Newton Series 7 Kolinsky Sable size 1 brush. It’s legendary among miniature painters for its precision and performance, but at over $20 a brush, I had
Are Winsor & Newton Series 7 Brushes Worth It for Miniature Painting? Read More »
Ever want a miniature sword to look like it’s glowing with energy? A lightsaber or lightning power sword of some sort, perhaps. Or maybe you want understand how to paint an object glow effects but don’t know where to start. This practice drill teaches you the object source lighting (OSL) technique on a flat surface
How to Paint a Glowing Lightning Effect (OSL Practice Drill for Miniatures) Read More »
Ever feel like every hobby you enjoy eventually turns into a job? You pick up a brush, a camera, or a open your sketchbook just to unwind, and before long someone’s asking, “You should sell that.” It’s flattering. Maybe even exciting. But I’ve learned—sometimes the hard way—that turning your hobby into a money-making side hustle
How Monetizing My Hobby Quietly Took the Joy Out of It Read More »
Magnetic carry cases make taking your miniatures and models a “snap”. You literally plug your models into the case and go. Over the years, magnetic carrying cases have become more popular because of their simplicity and ease-of-use. No hassling with pluck foam, prickly bits getting stuck (and breaking), and oddly-shaped models not fitting into your
Top 10 Best Magnetic Miniature Army Transport Cases Read More »
Are you looking to take great pictures of your miniatures? After you’re done painting your miniatures, you may want to take photos of them in various locations. Professional photos always tell a story or evoke an emotion. With miniature photography, you have an excellent way to document your work, tell a narrative, and share what
Simple Camera Guide for Miniature Photography (7 Easy Tips) Read More »
The Citadel Water Pot is an attractive hobby product, which I noticed at my local game store (LGS). On a whim, I bought it because of the unique aesthetic that caught my eye. For the water pot’s price, I thought it was a tad expensive. But, after using the water pot in multiple projects, I am
Citadel Water Pot Review: Good Buy or Not? Read More »
Ever spent an hour perfecting the light reflection on a single gemstone? Or repainting a shoulder pad three times because the edge highlight didn’t “feel right”? If that’s you, you’re not alone—and more importantly, that level of focus reflects something meaningful about how your brain engages with creative work. It reveals a capacity for depth,
Ever notice how some days you can paint for hours, totally locked in—while other times, you can’t focus for more than ten minutes? Your lighting might be the reason. A good lighting setup in your hobby space doesn’t just help you see better. It can actually boost your motivation, sharpen your focus, and help you
Struggling to Stay Focused While Painting? Fix Your Lighting Read More »
You’ve spent hours, perhaps days, meticulously painting your miniature models. They’re tiny works of art, deserving of more than a blurry, poorly-lit photo snapped in haste. So, you reach for your smartphone. After all, smartphone cameras have come a long way, right? Well, you’re not wrong. Despite what the DSLR purists might preach, your smartphone
Best Camera for Miniature Photography? Try Your Smartphone Read More »
If you’ve ever obsessed over brush strokes under dim light or tried to photograph a miniature only to fight off shadows, you already know: your task lamp can make or break your hobby experience. I’ve used both the Redgrass Creative SOLO Task Lamp and their flagship R9 Desk Lamp extensively at my hobby desk. This
Redgrass SOLO Task Lamp vs. R9 Desk Lamp (Comparison): Which One Belongs on Your Desk? Read More »
Ever painted a flame and ended up with something that looked more like a blob of ketchup and mustard than fire? You’re not alone. Painting fire can be deceptively tricky. Many painters instinctively highlight the outer tips, but real flames glow brightest at the core. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the one trick
How to Paint Realistic Flames: The Trick You Need to Know! Read More »
What is the best primer for painting plastic or metal miniatures? It depends! Some primers work best on plastic, whereas other primers work best on metals. In principle all primers act as a preparatory coat to prevent the absorption of overlying layers of model paint. The ideal miniature primers are spray or brush-on primers that
Best 10 Primers for Miniatures (Reviews) 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 »
You sit down to paint a miniature. The idea is clear, your paints are ready… but something’s off. Maybe your back aches, maybe the lighting makes your colors look wrong, or maybe you’re just not feeling it. Your creative space is a mood-space; a place where you alone can do whatever the heck you want.
7 Creative Workspace Upgrades That Will Make You Actually Want to Sit Down and Paint Read More »