Our Miniature Hobby Lifestyle
At some point in your miniature painting journey, you may wonder if you’ve reached a point where you’re considered “good”. Many years ago, I wondered this myself, whether my skills with a brush and paint had reached a level that could be admired and respected by others in the miniature painting community. It sounds vain, […]
An Enduring Reason to Paint Miniatures for Money Read More »
Imagine walking through the enchanting lanes of Disneyland, each step unlocking a new realm of fantasy and adventure. Now, picture a small lump in your shoe, barely noticeable at first but growing into an unbearable discomfort as the day progresses. This was my reality during a visit to Disneyland, where I walked more than 20,000
Lessons from 20,000 Steps: The Impact of Comfort in Miniature Painting Read More »
As a miniature painter and hobbyist for many, many years, it is rare for me to find a product that excites me. “The Hobby Deck” by Frontier Wargaming is one of those hobby products, as it fills a gap in niche that I haven’t seen. The Hobby Deck, as it is coined appropriately, is a
“The Hobby Deck” by Frontier Wargaming (Full User Review) Read More »
Miniature painting, an art that demands precision, patience, and a sharp eye for detail, can be significantly enhanced by mastering the skill of achieving seamless blends on surfaces like cloaks. This technique has the potential to make your miniatures truly stand out. “Layering opaque color” to create smooth transitions between two colors is a basic
How to Blend Paint on Miniatures (Simple Tips for Layering Color) Read More »
If you’ve ever tried painting those tiny miniatures for games like Warhammer or Dungeons & Dragons, you know it can be pretty tricky to hold onto them. That’s where painting handles come in—they’re like little pedestals to stick your miniatures on while you paint. The Citadel handle has been the go-to for a while, but
Game Envy Hobby Holder (Hands-on Review): A Worthy Painting Handle? 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 »
Testors Dullcote is one of my favorite matte varnishes for protecting my painted miniatures. I’ve used Dullcote for years as a commission miniature painter and modeling hobbyist. As a spray-on aerosol varnish, Dullcote produces reliable results, creating a protective finish that enhances color vibrancy and improves surface contrast. In this article, I review Testors Dullcote,
Best Matte Varnish for Miniatures? Testors Dullcote Review Read 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 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 »
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 »
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 »
I work in a job that requires high emotional resilience against judgement. And, I also engage in a creative hobby that often requires that I share my work in the public domain, open to harsh criticism. I wish I could say that I’ve unlocked a secret to enduring the emotional rollercoaster. But I wrestle between
How to Build Emotional Resilience Against Judgement (Editorial) 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 »