Painting miniatures is a relaxing hobby which can be enjoyed by all. Here I present a guide to my painting process.

When painting miniatures, it is important to have a clean, well-lit work area with all your various necessities close at hand: miniatures, paints, water, brushes, palette, caffeine, baby monitor, and cat.

Your miniature painting toolkit should include an appropriate palette on which you can store and mix colours.

Ensure you have a wide variety of paint colours at your disposal, including basics such as black, white and primary colours.

Now you’re ready to paint! First thing to do is choose a colour scheme. It is important to decide on a base colour, then pick complimentary and contrasting colours appropriately for a balance of harmony and impact. Next, begin to doubt your selections and change your mind until you’re spending more time procrastinating than actually painting. Once you’re in a mess over exactly which shade of brown to use, realise that it’s 3am and you have work tomorrow.

Below is an example of a finished miniature. Notice how it’s just not right, but you can’t put your finger on exactly why and it’ll be going around in your head for days until you’re thinking about it at night, on the bus and at your desk.

Below is an example of a finished miniature. Notice how the paint wash you used still doesn’t satisfy the nagging voice of doubt in your mind and oh god, was it better before? Should I have left it alone? I’ve ruined it, haven’t I? Shit.

Below is an example of a finished miniature because it’s close enough and I am buggered if I am going to go through that again.

Painting miniatures can provide a great deal of satisfaction, like walking to the shops while other people climb Everest, or finding a penny on the floor as someone else wins the lottery. It’s important to keep in mind that no matter your skill level, you can have fun painting like a ham-fisted goon while other people’s work is like some unholy union of Michaelangelo and a precision robotic arm.

Expertly painted by Kirill Kanaev: CoolMiniOrNot Crystal Brush winner 2015.

I hope you have enjoyed my guide on how to paint miniatures and remember: It only needs to look good from a distance of around four foot.

That’s what I tell myself.