Reply To: [unofficial weekender] Twenty-five years and my life is still trying to get up

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I totally forgot that we didn’t get an Unofficial Weekender yesterday. Thanks for picking it up @blinky465 ,   @sundancer deserves a rest now and then.

My pledge this weekend is to assemble a few bits and bobs I’ve been ordering, including a few things from Midlam Miniatures (thanks to last week’s show (did the Kickstarter as well)), some more card ruins from Battle Systems and a couple of Reaper Bones miniatures, including a dragon.

Might even paint something as well (probably more Northumbrian Tin Soldier Night Folk).

Do you treat every miniature as your next masterpiece? Does fear of getting it wrong, or spoiling your mini(s) prevent you from trying out new things, or are you happy to burn through half a dozen and end up with just one or two that you’re really happy with?

Not every miniature. It kind of depends. For unique characters (such as all Moonstone miniatures, Night Folk) I’ll try a bit harder, for others such as a random plastic npc bowman I need for a game of Rangers of Shadow Deep I’ll paint him fast and quick.

Is it ever ok to treat minis as disposible?

I suppose you could treat a miniature as a practice mini painting wise. I don’t, but all miniatures I paint I want to keep. I have sacrificed the odd miniature to the gods of kitbash and conversions, if I need a part for another miniature, a miniature may loose an arm for example.

Are you happy with your own painting style?

I like to think that I continually develop my painting style (current I paint in the style known as messy). Most miniatures I’m fairly happy with but there are always parts that I wish I could do better.

If there’s anything you’re not happy with, which one thing would you change that would make the biggest difference?

My highlighting work. Currently it’s a cross between layering and drybrushing. I want smoother transitions and a less scratchy look.

Do you have any particular colours/brands that you particularly don’t like when painting?

It used to be browns, how to make them look more interesting, but I think I’ve become better this year having had a fair amount of practice, although it still needs work. Don’t really have a paint line I don’t like, just certain paints that are consistently bad in particular lines (such as Army painter purples).

What’s your go-to colour? The one that you’re always happy to dip a brush into, and slap on a mini with a satisfying “aaaah, that’s how it should be”? If you could only use one colour for painting (over a white/black primed mini) which one would you reach for?

I use Army Painter’s Desert Yellow for a load of stuff but their Army Green has seen the most use this year, great coverage as well.

But do you ever smear your half-dried-out paint straight from the pot lid and think “ah, it’s only a little bit and the coverage will be better anyway”? Honestly? Never?

I almost always thin my paint, except for drybrushing of course. But yes, a few times I’ll quickly use paint straight from the pot.

That’s a lot of questions, I need a cup of tea now.