Hobby progress has been slow and gaming non-existent for the last couple of months as I found myself called away from home for a protracted and uncertain period. That being said, I did have the foresight to pack some paint and brushes and was able to pick up rattlecan primer from Bunnings and some new models from the local Warhammer store to allow some hobby to continue. Given I’ve been without the (excessively large) collection of tools, paints and bits I normally have to hand, I’ll share my thoughts on some of the tools I’ve missed most and some I think I could legitimately live without.
Airbrush
Not to bury the lead, my airbrush is the one hobby item I’ve most missed. From priming models whenever I want, in the comfort of the indoors, to base coating, zenithal highlights and creating transitions… This is a tool I have new appreciation for given it both speeds up my painting process as well as allowing me to achieve outcomes I can’t otherwise.
Hairdryer
Not something I thought I’d miss, but there’s been a couple of points where I’ve laid down some wash on a model and then had nothing to do for twenty minutes whilst it dried (I’ve only been painting one to three models at a time, and the three were bathed together). I think some pre-planning would’ve helped here, but my backlog of models at home always gives me something to switch to so it’s not usually an issue!
600 different pots of paint
It’s interesting to think I have all these paints at home and whilst some rarely get used, some are used on every project. More pointedly, though, each of these paints has a purpose and use case which is sometimes hard to replicate with different paints. I especially missed my collection of yellows and my red-brown colour, neither of which it occurred to me to pack. I certainly learnt a little about mixing some paints more so it was a lesson in ‘making do’ with what I had. I’m pretty happy with the models I painted despite the lack of range I usually have access to.
3D Printer
I hesitated to include this, as it has proven mostly unnecessary whilst away, but I do miss running off models and bits on it, and the Patreon’s I support (TitanForge and Colossal Miniatures) have continued to produce exceptional models I’m keen to print and paint. I’ve also had a few terrain ideas which would benefit from printed gubbins, so I’m keen to play around with the printer once I get home.
What I Actually Painted
Well, I revisited my first love of orks whilst away, picking up the beastly Orruk Megaboss as well as some minions to assist him in the form of the latest Orruk warband for Underworlds. Having recently sold all my Underworlds stuff, I now of course am wondering why I did that and how hard it would be to get back into the game, but that’s for another day.
These were painted using rattlecan primer (matt black and matt white from Bunnings), a handful of different Modifx brushes from The Combat Company and mostly Citadel paints from GW. If I had of had access to my usual selection of tools and paint I would’ve done these guys differently, especially including significantly more damage to their armour. That said, I’m happy with how they came out and doing the hobby provided an excellent distraction from real life matters at the time.
Conclusion
So, I painted four models over two months (maybe six technically as I half completed four more models), with the lack of airbrush significantly reducing my output. That said, it was fun to go “old school” and paint models by hand entirely although I doubt my airbrush is under threat anytime soon. As I’m heading home soon, hopefully normal service will resume and I can get back to my usual painting rhythms. What have you been painting recently? What tools can you not live without?
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