Hobby Blog

Ok! First in this series of inspiration posts. The goal here is to give you options. I’m finding a mix of amazing, detailed works of art, and achievable paint jobs. Classic color palates and some innovative looks. Paint brush and airbrush work. Everyone always asks the same two questions: What model is that? and What… Read more: 22 Warhammer Imperial Fist Paint Jobs You’ll Want to Try in 2024

Warhammer 40,000 (aka Warhammer 40K, WH40K or just 40K), is a tabletop miniature wargame created and produced by Games Workshop.  To play the game you buy, build and paint your miniature army. Once it’s ready you then play against other people and their armies on a tabletop game space.  Each army is based on units… Read more: What is Warhammer 40k? Unveiling the Grimdark Universe

Speed painting is relative.  To some that means getting a miniature fully painted in under 30 minutes.  To others, 2 hours is the pace they are comfortable with.  Realistically I like to look for the best ways to simply speed up what I am normally doing, without losing much quality. The other major benefit is… Read more: The 4 Most Popular Techniques for Speed Painting Miniatures

To make a diorama, we’re going to need more materials than we would for a typical mini build or conversion. The process is somewhere between painting, kitbashing, and terrain building. However, there’s another element that’s maybe the most important of all: storytelling.  Even a simple diorama tells a story.  Here, a squad of Blood Angels… Read more: How to Make a Diorama with Miniatures

Kitbashing is more of an art than a science. For me personally it was trial and error, and starting with simple swaps. But I’m getting ahead of myself. What is Kitbashing?   Kitbashing involves taking parts from different miniatures—sometimes from entirely different games—and combining them to make something new.  You can also create fully customized parts… Read more: What is Kitbashing for Miniatures, Warhammer 40k, and More

The Best Wet Palette for Miniatures, Figurines and Models: Best of the Best Not too long ago the options for a wet palette were pretty limited.  They aren’t terribly hard to make if you wanted to do it yourself, so that was a good option.  While we did have a few basic products from well… Read more: Best Wet Palette for Miniature Painting in 2023 (The NEW Champ!)

A wet palette is one of the first things you hear about when you work with acrylic paints.  After the paints and brushes, you’ll need a palette. I personally had no idea what it was when I first heard the term.  In Miniature Painting, we typically work with acrylics and a lot of the techniques… Read more: What is a Wet Palette?  Why You Need One For Acrylic Paints – DIY or Pro

Miniature photography focuses on capturing small-scale objects in a way that either emphasizes their miniature scale or makes them appear life-sized. Miniature figures are often highly detailed and well painted. This genre of photography relies on balancing focus and depth of field with well lit, still objects. While there are advanced techniques like photo stacking… Read more: Miniature Photography: 34 Settings, Apps and the Golden Angle

What is Color Theory? What is Color Theory?  Color Theory is the term we use to label our collective understanding of how humans perceive color.   It is a framework that guides the use, combination, and impact of colors in any visual composition. We apply Color Theory in art, marketing, design and any discipline that uses… Read more: What is Color Theory in Miniature Painting?  5 Concepts to Know in 2023

What is Wet Blending in Miniature Painting? What is Wet Blending?  Wet blending is a painting technique used on miniatures to create smooth transitions between colors. It involves applying and mixing different paint colors while they are still wet. This method is popular for achieving realistic lighting effects, gradients, highlights and shadows on small-scale models.… Read more: Wet Blending Acrylic Paint on Miniatures in 3 Easy Steps

What are FDM and SLA 3D Printing Technologies: A Quick Summary FDM vs SLA 3D Printing Summary:  SLA and FDM are two of the most common 3D printing technologies. SLA stands for Stereolithography Apparatus, while FDM stands for Fused Deposition Modeling. SLA uses a laser to cure liquid resin, while FDM uses a heated nozzle… Read more: FDM vs SLA 3D Printing Explained:  Filament and Resin Pros and Cons

I always love to see other people’s hobby desk set ups. It’s one of my favorite forum posts to read. You get to see how others paint and hobby, and it usually give you some ideas. That said, there are always similarities and common themes. Are they wide and flat, or do they have shelving… Read more: Best Hobby Desks for Miniature Painting and Modeling in 2023

3D Printing Resolution Basics What is 3D printer resolution?  3D printer resolution refers to the level of detail and precision with which a 3D printer can produce objects. It is typically measured in microns (one millionth of a meter) and represents the smallest layer height the printer can achieve. A higher resolution means finer and… Read more: What is 3D Printer Resolution?  + 12 Tips to Improve 3D Print Quality in 2023

What Are the Benefits of Using Minis in D&D What are D&D Miniatures?  D&D Miniatures are small plastic, resin or pewter figures used to represent characters and monsters in the tabletop role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons. They help visualize where the characters are in the environment during gameplay.  Official D&D Miniatures are between 25 and… Read more: How to Use Miniatures in DnD:  Tips and DIY Mini Alternatives 2023

Miniature and Tabletop Wargaming in 2023: Summary What is the Tabletop Wargaming hobby? What is Tabletop Wargaming?  Tabletop wargaming is a strategy game played on a flat surface, where participants can use miniature figures or tokens, or imagination, terrain pieces, and specific rulesets to simulate battles and conflicts. These games can encompass historical, fantasy, or… Read more: What Is Tabletop Wargaming in 2023: Explained (Best in Miniature Wargaming)

How Do I Strip Paint Off Of Miniatures?  Removing paint from miniature, models, plastic or resin is done with the use of solvents, cleaners, soap and water.  Acrylic paints are easier to remove.  Oils and Enamels are typically more challenging than Acrylics but can be stripped successfully without harming a plastic or resin model.   I… Read more: Strip Paint From Miniatures in 3 Quick Steps (Plus Ultrasonic Cleaner advice)

The goal of a primer is to give you a solid foundation that allows paint to stick well.  This prevents it from chipping or warping off the 3D print or whatever you’re painting. A clean, smooth prime should be a part of any painting process.  Unless you’re using colored filament or resin, you’ll usually want… Read more: Best Primer for 3D Prints: Resin and PLA, Spray vs Brush On Primers

I started out in the miniature painting world before getting into 3D printing.  It turns out they both have a lot in common.  I frequently have to paint my 3D prints and it was great to already have the skills and tools to do it. These techniques are not just for miniatures, they apply to… Read more: The Best Paint for 3d Prints: What to use for Resin, PLA and More

If you just got a new 3D printer or are considering one, you probably have a big list of things you’re looking to create.  Toys for the kids (or yourself!), figurines to display, miniatures for your D&D game, a cool Star Wars Mandalorian statue or X-Wing model.  Once they’re printed, you’ll have a grey resin… Read more: How to Clean, Prime, Paint and Seal your Resin 3d Prints and Miniatures (Simple Guide)

The Iwata Eclipse HP-CS sits neatly in the premium airbrush slot. It’s easy for a beginner to use, but a notch above the entry level airbrushes. I’ll walk through why it’s worth that bump in price. If you’re in the market for a gravity feed, dual action, internal mix airbrush, this is one of the best to consider.

The Badger Line of Airbrushes has been around for quite a while.  The Patriot 105 delivers the quality and reliability users want in a workhorse airbrush.   The Badger line up is quite popular in the miniature painting world.  Few come more recommended than the Patriot 105.  It really sets the bar for what entry level… Read more: Badger Patriot 105 Airbrush Review – 2023 (The Reason it’s Still On Top)

3D Printing technology has been a revolution for miniatures and tabletop gaming.  The ability for creators to make and share their miniatures, figurines, models and accessories with others has definitely gotten the attention of hobbyists everywhere.   The dominant technologies in 3D printing are Resin (SLA) and Plastic (FDM).  Resin is the superior choice for tabletop… Read more: Best 3D Printer for Miniatures in 2023 (3 New Winners!) 

3D Printing Your First Miniature – Quick Start Guide How to 3D Print Miniatures: 3D printers for miniatures use either resin (SLA) or plastics (FDM) to print items.  To print your first model you will need access to a printer, a computer to run slicer software,  and the appropriate material to print with (resin or… Read more: How to 3D Print Miniatures in 2023 (Now Its Easier Than Ever)

What is a Resin 3D Printer? The two most common Resin 3D printers use either stereolithography (SLA) or digital light processing (DLP) technology.  The two are similar, and generally speaking SLA is considered better for smaller prints, DLP is better for larger prints.  Each version uses a vat of liquid resin.  The resin is cured… Read more: What is a Resin 3D Printer and How Does it Work? (SLA DLP in 2023)

Miniature painting is much easier with a dual action, gravity feed airbrush. We explain why you want these features and how they help you achieve amazing results.

FDM Printers: What are they, how they work, and what you can do with them. You’ll learn all you need in this simple guide.

3D printing is booming.  Every year brings us better print quality and vastly improving ease of use.  Even looking back 5 years it’s come such a long way.  The performance for the best 3D printers is amazing and prices are very affordable now. If you’ve recently gotten into 3D printing, you’re jumping in at a… Read more: 6 Great 3D Printer Sites for Free or Paid STL Files (+4 extras!)

Acrylic Paint Ingredients, Properties and how to make them do what you want. I’ll explain how acrylic paint is used and why they are so popular

The art of miniature painting requires the right tools for the job. It can be a very short list, but the paint brush will always be at the top. While you do not need a lot of expensive brushes like me, I will always recommend trying at least one high end artist brush. Paint brushes… Read more: Paint Brushes for Mini Painting: Parts and How They Are Made

There are a lot of high quality options for miniature paints. This is the most up to date review of all the brands. All based on my personal experience with them from years of miniature painting.

This post will be my attempt to bring light to the Miniature Painting hobby as an art form, and how it can help relieve stress, anxiety and depression.   Discovering painting has helped me personally, and I’ve seen a lot of people say the same.   The other point I wanted to make was how this particular… Read more: Miniature Painting for Therapeutic Purposes: Depression, Stress and Anxiety

With all the options for D&D minis, we break them down for you. Great value, fully painted, customizable or just the best all around options.

I list the most popular ways to paint miniatures, especially Warhammer. These are beginner friendly and step by step to get models you can be proud of on the table.

The easiest way to find a free STL file to 3D print your specific D&D creature or character is to search one of the more popular 3D printing sites I have listed below. The other method to know about is using Google to search for a file by a specific creator. If you find a… Read more: Finding Free D&D STL Files for 3D Printing (Plus Other Tabletop Minis)

Let’s start this one off with a tier list. There are a fair amount of really top quality metallic paints for miniatures now and it’s worth laying them out. After that I will get into the best for specific metal colors: Silvers, Golds, Copper, Bronze etc. Miniature Painting Metallic Paint Tier List – 2023 Vallejo… Read more: Best Metallic Paints for Miniatures – 2023’s Amazing New Picks

Keep your airbrush clean with these simple steps. Your airbrush wont clog as often, keep performing well and last longer.

A guide on using Contrast Paints, Speed Paints and XPress Color in Miniature Painting. What to make sure you are doing for best results.

The goal here is to give you answers to any questions you have on Miniature scale. If you have trouble finding any answer or don’t see what you’re looking for, please let me know in the comments! I’m planning to keep this updated with any requests. I will be focusing on 1/12 scale, 28mm scale… Read more: Miniature Scale Explained: 1/12 scale, 28mm, Heroic and more

My airbrush compressor is a Zeny Professional airbrush compressor. This type of compressor is based off the AS-186 general family of compressors and there are many similar ones to it. The Zeny remains my top pick for a number of reasons: Price, value, performance and durability. My situation might not be the same as yours.… Read more: The Best Airbrush Compressors for Miniature Painting – Noise Levels Measured

Miniature Painting Tips: The most impactful 3 tips I’ve ever gotten, plus 13 more to help you improve.

Mine has one, but it’s not essential depending on your needs No, you do not absolutely need a tank on your airbrush compressor.  The airbrush will function without a tank. The tank gives you three benefits:  Steady air pressure, increased durability of the compressor, and reduces the moisture from the air compression. For miniature and… Read more: Does an Airbrush Compressor Need a Tank? (What the Tank Does)

Inexpensive options to make indoor airbrushing easy for you The simple answer is Yes, you can use an airbrush indoors.  What you need to be most concerned with is: Safety involves a few precautions.  You can wear a mask or respirator to filter out any particles in the air.  You should be in a well… Read more: Can You Airbrush Indoors? Simple, Safe Options to Do It

Airbrushing requires a pressurized air source, typically an electric air compressor.  The compressor should have a pressure gauge on it that can be adjusted.  Some airbrushes also have a MAC valve on the airbrush itself to regulate air pressure. What PSI should I use on my Airbrush Compressor?  The ideal PSI range for a dual… Read more: Ideal PSI for Airbrush Compressor – Miniature Painting and More

I’ve tested (and bought) a lot of airbrush paints for miniature painting. Here are my top picks and what I like about them. See why you should consider both airbrush ready, and standard acrylics.

The SlapChop method is a popular speed painting technique for miniature painting. Learn why and how to do it here.

If you’re new to the site, welcome!  My name is Rich and I use my airbrushes a lot for miniature painting and modeling.  I’ve done some Gundam work too, with more on the horizon.  I’ve been using an airbrush since 2018, and painted hundreds of miniatures and models. I wanted to lend my experience on… Read more: The Best Airbrush for Miniatures in 2023 – 2 New Winners This Year

Answering the common questions on different kinds of paints suitable for Airbrushing. I give my reasons and recommendations based on years of airbrushing miniatures, gundams and models.

The TTD Guide to Avoiding Airbrush Issues – Simple Tips to Keep Things Moving List of Airbrush Troubleshooting Options: Troubleshooting Common Airbrush Issues I’m going to go ahead and compile a list of the typical complaints I see for airbrushing, as well as the things that happen to me.  I’ll give you solutions that I… Read more: Why Is My Airbrush Not Working? Avoid Clogs, Spitting, Sputtering when Airbrushing Miniatures

Simple Explanations and Step by Step Techniques to Try Article Takeaways My goal here is to give you as much as you need to know about airbrushing, in as concise an article as possible.  I’m making this as easy as I can for you to find the answers you’re looking for, while still being thorough.… Read more: How To Airbrush Miniatures and Models (My Favorite Tips and Techniques!)

Takeaways Clear Coating, varnishing and sealing miniatures are all interchangeable terms that refer to the application of a clear protective layer onto your painted miniature.  The basic idea is to use a varnish to protect your work.  For tabletop gaming it’s important to protect miniatures you’ll be handling regularly while playing.   Save Points:  A lesser… Read more: How to Varnish Miniatures: Clear Coat Seal and Create Save Points

There are a near infinite number of ways to base a miniature, but there are a lot of materials that come up over and over. We’ll talk about some of my favorites here. Takeaways Miniature Basing What are Miniature Bases?  Bases are the bottom platforms that miniatures are attached to.  They provide stability and a… Read more: How to Easily Improve Your Miniature Bases – My Favorite Tips

A great way to drastically improve your miniatures readability and detail Takeaways What is Pin Washing for Miniature and Model Painting?  Pin washing, also known as panel lining or recess shading, is the technique of adding a dark, thin paint to the deepest recesses of a miniature or model.  Pin washes have very low surface… Read more: What is Pin Washing for Miniatures and Models – Most Effective Methods

Takeaways on Dry Brushing Miniatures: One of the biggest concepts in art is contrast.  The color wheel, light and shadow, warm and cold colors, highlights and shading.  Dry brushing is an excellent way to get some quick and effective contrast, typically for highlighting.   I like to think of this as the highlighting version of using… Read more: How to Dry Brush Miniatures Effectively – With 3 Extra Tips

Highlighting Your Miniatures Takes Them to the Next Level Highlighting is simply adding a lighter shade of color to your miniatures.  It is meant to mimic the effect of light falling on surfaces.  To get a simple sense of this, you can put your miniature under a lamp or other light source.  You’ll see where… Read more: How to Add Highlights to Miniatures With a Brush or Airbrush

Get instant improvement on your Miniatures with this simple technique Washes and Shades have been called “Instant talent in a bottle” by people in the hobby.  They got that name because they are a cheap and simple way to get a big improvement on your base coated models.  It’s an important tool for painting miniatures.… Read more: Talent In a Bottle:  How to Apply Washes to Your Miniatures 

Smooth finishes and details One of the first hurdles in Miniature Painting is achieving a smooth clean coat of paint on your Miniature or Model.  This article will help you get started. Takeaways  What you’ll need for smooth coats on your miniature: Pretty straight forward.  You want a good miniature, which I mention because many… Read more: How to get a Smooth Base Coat of Paint on Your Miniatures and Models

Takeaways  I will Cover: Summary:  Miniature Painting is the hobby of assembling and painting miniatures.  They can be bought at local game and comic stores or online.  You can print them on 3D printers if you create, download or buy the 3D printer files.  You’ll use clippers, hobby cutters, and adhesives to assemble the miniatures… Read more: About Miniature Painting: How The Hobby All Fits Together

Takeaways  I will Cover: How to Zenithal prime your miniatures with an Airbrush or Spray Can Primer What you’ll need: How to Zenithal Prime Miniatures in Black and White with an Airbrush or Spray Can A standard zenithal is simply priming a figure in black, allowing it to dry, then lightly spraying white over the… Read more: Zenithal Priming for Miniatures: Spray, Brush and Airbrush

Easy methods for a perfect prime Takeaways  I will Cover: How to prime your miniatures with a Spray Can What you’ll need: How to apply Spray Primer to Miniatures: Miniature Preparation:  I will start by saying I almost never have issues priming, and don’t do much prep of my miniatures.  But some brands I’ve had… Read more: How to prime miniatures and Models: Brush, Spray Can and Airbrush

How to get the ideal paint flow with good coverage Takeaways  Thinning acrylic paint is a very simple process and that’s one of the bigger benefits of acrylic paints.  They are non toxic, can be thinned with simple tap water, and dry quickly.  I will go into what you need to get started, and then… Read more: Paint Consistency for Miniature Painting: Thinning Paint Guide

How to get your first Mini painted from scratch My goal here is to help the new person get his or her miniature painted and on the table.  Understand that this guide is meant to be simple, direct, and to the point.  I’ll link to more in depth articles on topics that need it.   The… Read more: Miniature Painting Start Here Guide: Beginners Start to Finish