Digital dice roller

Contrast paints do a lot of heavy lifting in my painting. But that’s not to say it’s a case of slap it on and call it done. I still like the look of a neatly edge-highlight-ed model, and the slightly cartoon-y look of a high-contrast colour scheme.

I’ve spent years trying to improve my painting technique yet every time I finish a model, it’s clearly “one of mine”. Even my wife noticed it – in a display of different miniatures, she says she can always pick out the ones I’ve painted.

I spent ages trying to “lose” my own style – feeling that it should be “better” somehow – the contrast higher, the blends smoother, the details more detailed, the colours more exciting…..

In the end, I’ve finally learned to accept my painting style. It’s not the best in the world. But it’s noticeably “me”. In any other endeavour, to have your own recognisable style would be great. As a guitar player, I’d love if people heard my playing and could immediately tell it was me. As an artist, to paint a picture and know others could recognise the brushwork would be delightful.

So I’ve learned to accept (if not yet fully embrace) my own painting style for miniatures and stop trying to replicate someone else’s style.

I think this model of Badger Ben is typical of my current style of painting; zenith primer, slap on some contrast paint, get the eyes done, a t-shape for the nose, upside-down triangles for cheeks, a bit of edge highlighting and on to the next one!