Welcome to my site! Keep scrolling for an index of links to blog posts that might interest you. (Updated 09/25/2021)
Would you like to support the blog and additional learning materials? I’ve started a Patreon! Here’s a post with more info.
If you’d like to look at a gallery of painted miniatures, please check the photos section of my Facebook artist page.
I post miniature related work on my birdwithabrush Instagram page.
I post my traditional media artwork on my rhondabenderart Instagram page.
Index to Key Blog Posts
Miniature Preparation and Storage
The Reaper Bones Miniatures FAQ video , with a reference PDF you can download.
How to make your paint jobs sturdy and long-lasting.
How to transport miniatures safely to contest and game events
How To Paint Topics
Common Feedback Issues Index
Wondering how to improve your contest entries or painting in general? This is an index of articles that outline common miniature painting (and prep) issues. These include example critiques and before and after photos so you can visualize what it looks like to put feedback into practice.
Tips for how to paint object source lighting. (Ghost of Christmas Past)
How to paint hair – reference photos and link to instructional video.
How to mix and test washes.
Study guide for practicing along with tutorials.
Example of how to decide what order to paint areas on a figure. (Dark Sword Female Ranger)
Another example of choosing the order of painting on Finn Greenwell the Leprechaun.
How to make natural looking fur patterns. And another post with techniques for painting fur patterns.
How to paint the colour red. (Mistletoe Goblin)
Step by step for painting a kangaroo.
Tips for painting freehand. And tips to practice painting freehand.
Painting fantasy skintones: succubus 1, succubus 2, succubus 3, wings (Demonic Temptations figures)
Non-metallic metal requires a particular kind of painting patience. (Christmas Hugs)
Non-metallic metal and weathering: How to Paint Baran Blacktree
Painting Contrast on Miniature Figures
Explore all the kinds of contrast you can use in the Catalog of Contrast.
The Contrast Series Guide
Check here for links to popular and useful posts on my site about painting contrast!
Video Materials
I have created several tutorial and painting class videos for Reaper Miniatures, and am starting to release videos to my own YouTube channel. I have additional private videos and handout supplements for the classes available only to members of my Patreon.
Painting Scales – class from Reaper Virtual Expo 2021
Additives, Mediums, and Texture Pastes – class from Reaper Virtual Expo 2021
How to paint hair – reference photos and link to instructional video.
Reaper Bones Miniatures FAQ: How to prep, paint, and store Bones miniatures – class from virtual ReaperCon 2020
Freezing temps vs miniature paints – what does a frozen paint look like?
Problem Solving – a look at how to analyze something you’re not happy with to learn from your mistakes
Colour and Paints
Anatomy of Colour – definitions and examples of key colour terms
What is paint – binder, pigment, mediums, additives, dyes, inks, single pigment paints – what does it all mean!?
How to maintain your miniature paint collection.
What happens when miniature paint freezes?
Is it important to match colour to artwork or photo reference?
A brief overview of a split complementary colour palette.
Choosing and testing a fall colour scheme on Stephanie Law bard figures.
Bones HD paint swatches (scans and photos), including the new Dungeon Dwellers colours.
Reaper Pathfinder paint preview.
Scans of the paint swatches from Reaper Virtual Expo 2021.
Scans of paint swatches from ReaperCon 2021 colours.
Tips for Study and Practice
Why do You Paint Miniatures? It’s important to know what you enjoy!
Use the Good Stuff! Don’t ‘save’ your favourite figures and supplies.
Tips for learning at a workshop or from a tutorial.
Why you should attend a workshop or bootcamp.
Who ‘should’ attend classes and workshops.
Why you should measure improvement by more than whether you’re just getting ‘better’.
Why I want you to fail.
Tips for how to set goals and expectations in miniature painting practice.
Be kind to yourself when you set goals in tough times.
How to analyze problems, create and test theories – video!
How to approach miniature painting problems in a different way.
Paint Process Posts
Colour choices and process for the Bones 5 goblin band.
Light, shadow, and colour for visual interest on the Bones V Hydra.
Colour choices and textured cloth on Madame Delia.
A not-quite analogous colour scheme, and the exact paints used for the Reaper Bones Black Efreeti.
Problem solving during the painting process. With Tara the Silent: part one, part two, part three, part four
The painting process and critique of awarding winning figure Promenade.
An example of creating a focus area on a figure. (Mistletoe Goblin)
Another example of creating focus on Finn Greenwell, Leprechaun.
Beyond the Kit Related Posts
The posts include links to related videos.
Wash colour experiments on skeleton bone.
Wash colour experiments with saturated colour washes.
Before and after blacksmith touchups and ReaperCon 2021 paint swatches.
How to transport miniatures safely to contest and game events.
Miscellaneous Painting Topics
The unique constraints of miniature painting compared to other art forms. Part I and Part II.
Display painting versus tabletop painting. (Bones 5 Hydra)
Tips for painting more when you lack time, space, and/or motivation.
How to hobby when you lack space/time/energy.
Painting figures to match art – ReaperCon 2018 Sophie.
Unexpected paint desk tool – compressed air.
Mistakes were made. And that’s okay. (ReaperCon 2019 Mousling)
Convention and Show Information
Why you should go to a painting convention or show.
Miniature contest information, with links to conventions and shows.
ReaperCon general information.
AdeptiCon general information.
IMPS shows include miniatures, and there may be one near you.
How to Teach Painting/Sculpting Classes Part 1: Why, Who, What, and Where
Miscellaneous Topics
Painting the Bones V Hydra.
Quick tips: painting eyes, triadic colour schemes, cloth patterns on Asandris Nightbloom.
The value of painting with friends.
Award winning figure Promenade.
Painting Stitch Thimbletoe with Pathfinder paint colours.
Art challenges for traditional artists and miniature painters.
Pictures of Archer the Heroic cat. First blog post!
Link Ups
Links to videos and pages that I have found instructive, and that you might, too.
Link Ups 2: Atlanta show photos, Reaper skin tones, colour theory 201 video, why it’s hard to see value accurately.
Link Ups 1: Colour theory 101, tips to choose colours, painting true metallics, my appearance on Reaper Live.
Convention Onsite Reporting and Photos
Swatch Party Video – Reaper Virtual Expo 2021 paint swatches and general paint chat
RVE Swag Boxes Unboxing Video – includes a look at assembled items for Reaper Virtual Expo 2021
ReaperCon 2018 MSP Open Contest entries sampling.
ReaperCon 2018 Contest and general photo galleries.
ReaperCon 2018 Day One.
ReaperCon 2018 Wednesday Pre-Show.
ReaperCon 2018 Vendors.
Bird with a Brush 