I didn’t paint much in 2023. I took stock in the new year and realized that after three years of painting minis for 40k, Kill Team, and BattleTech, I’d played just ten games using those minis (three 40k, six KT, one BT). Now, a big part of figuring out that I secretly enjoyed painting minis […]
Sailing out of the painting doldrums with Blood Bowl Read More »
Here’s a little old/new paint job comparison. It’s not night and day, but I can see the benefit of experience! From left to right, the Infiltrators are July 2023, May 2020, July 2023; Chaplains are July 2020, July 2023. The biggest changes are attempting proper edge highlighting, pin washes rather than all-over washes on armor,
Hobby philosophy: old and new paint jobs Read More »
I committed to learning to pin wash when I started painting BattleTech minis again, and since my first outing I’ve added it to my toolkit. That also means it’s time for an updated Blood Angels color guide, since pin washing is a big part of my Space Marine painting process now. The pin wash on
New baseline Blood Angels color guide Read More »
“I’ll get to play with these” has been a powerful motivator since I got rolling in 2020, and I’ve always speculated that “I played and I like/didn’t like X, I need to paint some Y for my next game” would be similarly powerful. Kill Team has produced that cycle for me, except instead of X
The paint-play-paint motivation cycle (and a Chaplain color guide) Read More »
I like maxims and I like self-reflection. This post combines the two: a little look at some of the maxims that have served me well over the past three years of painting, and some reflection on them — especially in light of actually getting to play. Any progress is progress Since I got properly into
Miniature painting maxims that have helped me for the past three years Read More »
I snapped these back in January, of stuff I finished in December of 2022, and then forgot about them until now. Sector Mechanicus dome/stack I had a lot of fun building this piece. All of these sets interconnect so well that it’s satisfying to play around and find ways to work in “off-book” connections. Ferratonic
Catching up on lightbox pics: 40k terrain and a mantis Read More »
Hark! A wild round-up appears. I usually find writing housekeeping posts super boring, but things have been quiet here and I wanted to post a little update on the irons I have in the fire. (This post wasn’t boring to write.) Godsbarrow and the Gilded Lands book I haven’t posted any new Godsbarrow material here
Housekeeping updates Read More »
Today I finished painting my second lance of ‘Mechs, two heavies and two mediums for my Long Nights mercenary company. No outdoor shots today, just the lightbox — but I remembered to use my grey backdrop this time! I sometimes regretted combining two colors that are notoriously difficult to paint — white and yellow —
Second lance of Long Nights ‘Mechs Read More »
Today I finished the first ‘Mechs I’ve painted since 2007. This lance for my Long Nights mercenary company is full of firsts: essentially my first time doing camo (I was about 10 for my actual first time), pin washing, flocking, detailed glass, and really pushing for subtle edge highlights. Natural light close-ups Lightbox shots These
My first lance of ‘Mechs in 16 years Read More »
In early 2021, I did a year-end retrospective photo for 2020 — the year I got back into miniature painting. I painted 97 miniatures that year, and I had a blast; returning to an old hobby I’d never quite clicked with (it’s complicated) was a perfect lockdown activity. By contrast, 2021 saw my enthusiasm flagging.
My 2021 and 2022 in miniature painting Read More »
