How did I Paint a Full Army?

Painting an entire army for a tabletop game can seem daunting task, or not. For me it has taken almost a year. Not one year of actual painting, but to finally find the commitment to get through it all. In this video I talk about some of the things that helped me get my army painted.
A very large thank you to Alpha Spel gamestore, for letting me film on premises. Don't forget to support your LFGS folks.
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[@ml6158]

I came here for hobby, I left with a philosophical reflection.

[@52Miniatures]

Welcome to the channel :)

[@lincolnwillis3345]

I feel the need to tell you this. I listen to a lot... A LOT of painter KZbinrs. And I can honestly say you are among the best. And it's not because of your voice, which is silky smooth and incredibly easy to listen to. Nor is it your video production quality, which is absolutely top notch. I think you are the best because you inspire me to paint more. You break things down perfectly (I believe your wet blending video to be the best on this site and it is the video that got me to start practicing) make them digestible and give me confidence to actually put them in to practice. It all seems doable with you. Thank you so much for your videos. I truly appreciate them.

[@52Miniatures]

Thank you Lincoln. I really appreciate this comment. Immensely.

[@orenfox4828]

"The paints smell nice, I want to stay" Best Warhammer quote I've ever heard

[@52Miniatures]

Hah! 🙌

[@DanielEbeck]

“The paints taste nice…”. FTFY.

[@orenfox4828]

@@DanielEbeck So true

[@clintseppowitz5642]

This is Edgar Allan Poe of tabletop. You, Sir, are doing visual and audible poetry about plastic toy soldiers. I appreciate - a lot.

[@52Miniatures]

Thank You Clint. I do appreciate you watching :)

[@archfrank]

Picking up a box of cool minis is how every army should begin! Seriously your content is outstanding, please keep it coming

[@52Miniatures]

Thanks A! I appreciate it.

[@pytle]

"Completion of the whole is where the perceived Rainbow ends" - Mind Blown

[@52Miniatures]

😁

[@mcdanger1985]

I'm staring down the barrel of a Kharadron Overlords army and this has given me some good perspective! Love the style as always.

[@52Miniatures]

That's a lot of barrels though! :)

[@Mikey__R]

I bought a crew to convert into 40k Squats, I need to swap out all of those barrels.

[@Marconius6]

I actually have two armies, which weirdly enough helps with motivation. Part of it is that the first army I chose is currently very weak on the tabletop, so I'm not super motivated to actually take them out and play, which also makes me less motivated to paint them. But mainly it's that the idea of sitting down day after day and just applying the same colors in the same to the same kinds of miniatures just seems soul-crushingly boring. Having two armies allows me to periodically switch between them (and other, unrelated minis as well); going to very different colors, applied to some very different minis, with different challenges and opportunities. That added variety really helps keep me interested. And of course add to that the idea of constantly experimenting with paints, colors, techniques, bases, materials, etc. I see painting an army as more of an ongoing, long-term project, rather than something with a deadline I have to finish by the end of a certain month or such.

[@52Miniatures]

That's a very fair point M! And a good tip. I also think, one of the biggest "stress" releases. Is to have an army to play with (if one is into the gaming). That takes the edge off "I need to get this one done so that I can play". So maybe getting two armies, if one can afford it, get one done efficiently and game with it, and then take more time with the other one.

[@init3]

I've done mostly the same thing honestly. I buy boxes of things that interest me with the 40k armies I'm working on, then build the minis and put them on a shelf next to my desk. I get to look at them every day and slowly over time I've been painting them up. I'm pretty close to finishing two armies up now actually. Having them built and visible to me has definitely helped "remind" me to get'er done.

[@52Miniatures]

It really helped me too. Good work on the armies!

[@seregor3247]

2:31 this is such a nice shot, seeing thepowder flying off the mantle and the brush carefully applying it, very nice!!

[@52Miniatures]

I'm glad you liked it S

[@jesseheard6686]

Well, Neave is pretty badass so as far as gurus go, I'm sure she's doing you right. Another excellent essay, Alex. I wanted to comment on how good your shot framing was, as well. The composition is just fantastic. Your writing is getting much crisper, too. I already thought you were excellent but you are just getting better. Thanks again for the work you put in to these, my friend. It's always a bright spot in my day. PS: Ork army progresses. Unfortunately, I watched a crossover video with Dana Howl and Billion Dollar Clown Farm and now I'm stuck with the idea of making a 600 son Ork army. Good thing wet blending has turned out to be so relaxing. Lot of Ork skin to go. I wish there was a video about how to stay motivated painting large batches of miniatures for armies ;) Your timing was perfect.

[@52Miniatures]

Thank you Jesse! I'm working on Orks as we speak! :) It's just so much fun.

[@patpaintsminis]

I love comming back to some "older" videos. They are juste nice, it is like rewatching the classics on a rainny sunday or reading some nice books.

[@52Miniatures]

Thank you Pat 💜

[@NYIKAZENO]

I just realized that I enjoy your videos because they are more essay (or even journal), than lesson. it is n enjoyable way to consume the information. Thank you very much for sharing.

[@52Miniatures]

Thank you for Watching N, I appreciate it.

[@jamesharrison142]

Got back into painting three weeks ago. Have been loving it & your videos. Seeing how far I can get painting thing that excites me - then turning them into things for games 😊 Thanks for the videos, they are fun!

[@52Miniatures]

Great James, welcome back into the hobby!

[@BillMakingStuff]

Everything about this video is 'enjoyable'. Keep it up!

[@52Miniatures]

Thanks Bill! I’ll be keeping on with the up.

[@tripod222]

I've recently taken my first commission work for painting though I am more of a player than a painter. After finishing the first two models using a 2D picture - which I had never done before as I always do what I want with a mini - I realized that I could actually do it really well. I could convert 2D artwork into a 3D painted model. And then it hit me, as your muse hit you. "I have actually learnt how to paint." What a wonderful and relaxing realization :)

[@tripod222]

Also, hobbying in a nutshell: It didn't go fast but it got done. Reminds me of the first time I brought my fully painted army after a year of work. No feeling like it :)

[@52Miniatures]

Lovely to hear. Nice to hear about the commission. I think a commission would probably stress me out :)

[@shawnslaymaker4810]

I just found your channel last week and you have sky rocketed to the top of my favorite creators. You seem like a very genuine and humble individual plus extremely talented painter. Keep it up

[@52Miniatures]

Wow, thanks Shawn. I very much appreciate it.

[@Jonobrow969]

How am I only just finding your channel now. This is fast becoming my favourite miniature channel. Keep up the great work!

[@52Miniatures]

Glad to hear it J, thank you

[@fuzzyvibes6156]

This really related/spoke to me. I've been struggling to paint my army because it's so repetitive and I've set a high painting standard this the units I've already done. This lead to me finding other more exticing things to try/paint. Thanks for the video, it definitely gave me some insight/tips

[@52Miniatures]

Glad to hear it, and good luck :)

[@bradlothrop4076]

I find the first troop model you work on, sets the "tone" or the base standard of the army. Then I could change slightly from squad to squad. Hero models are a relief since they are unique so can afford to be different. Vehicles are like character models and are a quite different methodology. All with the end goal to have a game with a "complete" army that has an epic look to it. Satisfaction, to inspire, to improve enjoyment, to make opponent friends "happy" about playing my army. It can be as much for selfish attention seeking as it is a gift to others to make my chosen hobby more engaging. Your channel is as much a dialogue of the journey along the way as exploring what is out there for product, models and techniques. It is apparent you always seem to ask the question "Why am I doing this thing right now? What is my motivation?". What is really fun and strange is the answers change over time. You present a unique perspective I value. Thanks.

[@52Miniatures]

Thanks Brad. I guess that's one of the things with armies. They can take quite the time, and during that time, our mindset can change. I guess that is what happened for me. So I just changed the army... instead of forcing my way through something I don't enjoy.

[@ellebea6665]

Thanks Alex, always a pleasure.

[@52Miniatures]

Thanks for watching E :)

[@andygorman858]

Fantastic video, bring to the surface many things I have experienced in my years of painting figures. I have never finished an army completely as there is always something new to add to it that might help me get that elusive win against my opponent. I pretty rarely paint eyes, the smaller the scale the less relevant they are to paint. A dark line is more than acceptable to me. Thank you for sharing this with us....you may just have got me out of a painting slump I have had for the last 3 weeks!

[@52Miniatures]

Well I'm glad to hear that Andy. Hope you get to slap some paint on :)

[@garrgravarr]

My god. You're speaking my brain. That's legit freaky. This is an amazing mental journey. Thank you for creating this video.

[@52Miniatures]

Thank you for checking it out H :)

[@Conan_Burns]

Arts never finished only abandoned. Love your videos and humour

[@52Miniatures]

Hah. True :) Thank you C, I appreciate it.

[@TheGoodMood]

Ah man that's awesome. I can't imagine what it's like to have a finished army. Well done!

[@52Miniatures]

Well thank you G!

[@landotucker]

I don't play the games but I want to have painted armies. It's taken me a gruelling 4 months to finish painting the 40k chaos subjugator warband. That's just 22 miniatures. Most of the time I didn't enjoy the process but I'm glad they're done. I have asked myself why I put myself through that and I can't answer the question. I think if I was to start again I'd buy single miniatures and enjoy the process more, but I'm too deep in the hole and I have quite a large pile of things I've bought on a whim because they were good value rather than what I particularly wanted (like you mentioned). Anyways, I like your analytical, sometimes philosophical take on painting. Consider me subscribed.

[@52Miniatures]

I guess in a way it's a challenge. And some of us really like challenges :)

[@endlesswaffles6504]

One of the best ways I improved was trying to make each model slightly better than the last.

[@52Miniatures]

Good stuff E. And I can see that. I just don't think I would ever have finished my army if I set out to do that. Not with every single mini.

[@raediance5523]

I just started on my first 40k army and its been such a relaxing thing to work on. Its brought me back to a creative space that I was missing in life. I'm also lucky I get to work at a miniatures store and be totally immersed in the hobby 40 hours a week. Thank you for what you do!!

[@52Miniatures]

Glad to hear it. and yeah, lucky you to be working in a mini store!

[@rodneyr5266]

Phenomenal video as always. It is indeed very certain that our armies are never truly done. Sure, they may be painted and based, and look great on the table, but inevitably it will grow and change and continue to be an ongoing project. In many ways, our armies are a reflection of our journeys as painters, always growing and changing, and a visible representation of where we were, and where we are now.

[@52Miniatures]

Agreed! And it's a very fun journey. I must admit. I kind of can't wait to start on another one... Having two forces in the house would be good in case of potential game friendly guests.

[@ericarmstrong950]

Such a refreshing style and journey you've taken us on with this army. Expert work as always, just wanted to say thanks for sharing.

[@52Miniatures]

Thanks for watching Eric :)

[@picassawi5578]

I was recently thinking why I enjoy listening to your channel. And I've found some suprising answers. First of all - I see myself a bit, after coming back as an adult. Second of all - I'm not here for tips or tutorials but more to listen about your way, the road, the experiments, how you learn on mistakes and how you improve. Your videos are very nice to listen to, as you are able to keep the video enterntaining also for the listener, so watching is not mandatory. I may not agree on some stuff but Even then I don't get agitated with the need to tell "the right way" (not that there is one, but people on the internet seem to think that the way they learned is the best and only one). I really enjoy this formula and following your journey is fascinating. Thank You for that!

[@52Miniatures]

Thank you P. I try and just be honest, with some added quirkiness. I mean, there are so many people out there that are so much better at doing "how to". Not just because of the way they present, but because of many years of accumulated knowledge. I can only present my journey... Besides, there is not much "right & wrong". Personally I think enjoying the hobby as a whole, mistakes and all, is a great thing. Not trying to shortcut past the mistakes by watching "how to" do things "right". So presenting my own journey means I can pass on the tips I pick up along the way, without forcing a "this is how things should be done" attitude. I'm very glad this approach is appreciated :)

[@picassawi5578]

@@52Miniatures indeed :) There will always be someone better at everything we do, that's how the world is constructed. So no need to be bothered with that and as you say - the road, the mistakes, that's what makes us better. Now ofcourse sometimes it is quite useful to watch a tutorial from time to time, especially with dangerous or difficult things, as well as to progress. I think you mentionsd that in a video about paint sets (or am I replying to this video? 😂). Well it still sticks with me about buying the mr. Giraldez set for Orks 😂 anyway - the road is appreciated well done :)

[@52Miniatures]

@@picassawi5578 The "livery green" I got out of that set is very good though 😅 And I would never have bought it on it's own.

[@gabrielmarquez4029]

A day with a new 52 Miniatures video is always a good one

[@52Miniatures]

Glad to hear it G! Thank you.

[@ForgottenStreams]

Great video! Another pleasant aspect about finishing a project is the opportunity of beginning a new one

[@52Miniatures]

Very true! Thanks

[@AzraelThanatos]

Last time I'd pushed at painting an entire army in one run, it burnt me out for months. Though that was 2 armies with a lot of repetition at the time. That was Star Wars: Legion at release, painted up both a full rebel and imperial army for it with a pair of boxed starters and 1 of each thing individually by the end with the only breaks being to rush some terrain for it. Got it done and started to relax and then the extra commanders came out and finished one and just gave up...and the new dog chewed up one of my rebel walkers

[@52Miniatures]

Ah, giant wookie eats walker... I think armies really can sort of bog us down. But I'm hoping it doesn't have to be that way.

[@picassawi5578]

And the commitment part - GOLD!

[@52Miniatures]

🙌 Where that commitment comes from is probably different for all. But for me was the biggest thing. No commitment… no army..

[@MichaelPorter2013]

Please do keep uploading--just discovered your channel and really love your approach.

[@52Miniatures]

Welcome to the channel M, I certainly will keep uploading :)

[@BobBob-bv7kn]

As always a great told story, support by a tremendous realisation. I saw myself in you with the difficulty to put time, motivation, repetition etc. I think in retropective with my actuel SM Indomitus project, Im gonna try to paint character between repetitive units. I dont want to see anymore my models like, I was working. Keep going man, you have an unwavering viewer.

[@52Miniatures]

Thank you, I'm glad. Hope you are on to something that helps. Anything goes.

[@m22152]

I agree the paints do smell nice, especially vallejo black primer 🥰

[@52Miniatures]

Very much so!

[@thomasblennerhassett7223]

Oil paints! Really cool to see you experimenting with them I just started using them as well!

[@52Miniatures]

Lovely stuff! Glad to hear your experimenting too.

[@zilavymarek]

This is why I love the skirmish scale games. They give the opportunity to paint an army in a microcosm and try different factions with vastly different themes. It's like a peak into the world of a full army.

[@52Miniatures]

Aye, very true. I can definitely see the appeal.

[@odin9338]

You are the David Attenborough of discovering miniatures instead of animals!!!! thank yoU!

[@52Miniatures]

Hah! Thanks!

[@CrovanBlaze]

Great perspective! I have been recently finding myself getting bogged down in details on minis I probably could put down and call "good enough" for my army project. I've started to make it a bit of a game to set a soft time limit to get a squad from gray plastic to table ready, and it has helped me prioritize the details that are actually going to be visible at a meter or more away.

[@52Miniatures]

Thank you. And Sounds very sound of you. I think, as I said, for my nest army, I will be doing a lot more test minis. Sort of figuring out a "time limit" beforehand.

[@CrovanBlaze]

@@52Miniatures It's helped me for sure, though I definitely had to adjust to not being too hard on myself for "breaking" my time limit by a bit if I legitimately enjoyed working on something.

[@52Miniatures]

@@CrovanBlaze Oh yeah! But just getting a ballpark is probably a nice thing. Knowing sort of where one is on the scale of completion.

[@leandrogaldinoalmeida3023]

As always, very good video. I think the same, it has to be pleasant. It is not a question of having to finish the army as soon as possible, but of doing what you like. Congratulations for the edition, really very good.

[@52Miniatures]

Thank you L. I agree, we have to find what we think is fun, and concentrate on that.

[@Tuskanr]

I love their videos, they are great! Fantastic paint jobs by the way. The oil paints and such can be a game changer.

[@52Miniatures]

Very much starting to like the oil paints Jacob, still experimenting... but liking it.

[@Tuskanr]

You definitely have a lot more use of it than I do. Still using mine for pin washing and weathering on armor panels.

[@ProrokLebioda]

I have started Lumineth force. I am both excited and overwhelmed... Airbrush will help, certainly, but it won't be easy. I need to prepare good plan. Especially what color scheme I want... Great video!

[@52Miniatures]

Good idea, I think getting some test minis done, and seeing how much time they might take is a god preparing thing. (And don't repaint the test minis right away, I ended up using mine in the army as is...)

[@dusanpesic8286]

Miniature painting is a journey, and I hate it when journeys end. The longer it lasts, the happier I am.

[@52Miniatures]

There is always the next army Dusan! :)

[@Cycon91]

It is really cool to see your army in the white light of the (table?). I think you could show them off more in different light? I think playing with light (literally just showing us the miniature in different shades) would make them 'pop' a lot more. Love the theme of subdued colors btw. 10/10- because of your videos I just bought a small unit of judicators which I'm going to paint in a similar theme.

[@52Miniatures]

Thanks L, yeah, I'll be doing more of a "showcase" video when the last ones are painted. Good luck on the Judicators!

[@justonsvoid]

The Bard Romances the Owl to Hatch from a Golden Egg!

[@52Miniatures]

That was my Easter paint challenge :)

[@justonsvoid]

@@52Miniatures did you have some stiff competition, or were they just soft boiled? Ha ha ha haaaaaaaaa

[@VASM160689]

A nice video to watch again and again when our "creative blocks" come up! ^^

[@52Miniatures]

Well thank you V! It does happen to all of us in some way I think.

[@VASM160689]

@@52Miniatures it does. I paint DnD minis (or started to anyway) and I'm going to a down period. This will definitely help me set back on track! ^^

[@jackmorris6566]

These miniatures all look amazing

[@52Miniatures]

Thank you Jack!

[@j453]

I have the hardest time deciding on a paint scheme for an army. It honestly makes me think I should stick with skirmish so I don't "have to" paint 30-50 or more models the same color, that or mark the bases so I can keep track of who is in what unit.

[@52Miniatures]

Aye, or just paint them differently :) Mine are all over the place to some degree.

[@cbsg5861]

He-hey, congrats!! Another excellent video 👏👏👏

[@52Miniatures]

Thanks C!

[@magnus80a]

So far I’ve stuck to Blood Bowl and Necromunda. The thought of painting an entire army still scares me.

[@52Miniatures]

It is a daunting task. Skirmish games are probably a good start, if the minis also can be used in an army.

[@JotunMinis]

This video comes as a gift of the gods, this Friday I will finish priming my hole Hammers of Dorn (40k space marines) and start painting the army. I did 6 intercessors as a test before to have a grasp. Thanks for the advice and I am also an optimist thinking that 2 months will be enough for all the units hahaha

[@52Miniatures]

Lets hope you can do it and enjoy the process! I will definitely be doing more test minis for my next army, whenever that happens. Just get get a grasp of the timeframe. I think that would relax me more.

[@JotunMinis]

@@52Miniatures the only thing that I fear is desperation feeling that I don't make progress, being so many minis painted at the same time.

[@52Miniatures]

@@JotunMinis Aye.. Personally I do try and remind myself... that they are only miniatures. And it's a hobby. I'm supposed to be having fun. Sometimes we need a break from our own expectations.

[@JotunMinis]

@@52Miniatures true, I will try and remember that. Thanks for the advice!!

[@Kamakiri711]

One of the biggest problems I have for finishing painting is analysis paralysis. As we say here in germany "Wer die Wahl hat, hat die Qual" "who has choice, has agony". All those videos, all those colour schemes and different techniques, the wish to paint as perfectly as possible on and on and on. I have an idea for a scheme, then I see something interesting -> new idea. Cost is also a factor for experimentation, so is the fear to messing up the models. I will purchase standard troops as test subjects for the next army...and probably not watch so many painting tutorials 😀

[@52Miniatures]

Aye, I guess at some point one just has do decide to get some stuff done. :)

[@Basil_Ghothickovitch]

For me, main pleasure of Warhammer is inventing MY OWN custom hand-made homebrew armies, characters, color schemes and stories. There is nothing better than creating my own Space Marine Chapter in which there are TOGETHER best friends - Primaris and old marines, with Heresy-era types, etc. That's why I loved Age of Sigmar forever, where I can use MY 'fb' miniatures as I want. Painting models ONLY as in a book - is not for me definitely.

[@52Miniatures]

Nice. Yeah, I definitely need my own “story” to keep me interested and happy.

[@WasiKaBooM]

I've grown quite fond of the last white Chickenghostdog. He should probably stay like that. Anway, congratulations on the "finished army", and the finished egg. Which is a much larger scale than i've thought

[@52Miniatures]

It's from a golden goose! And yeah.. the chicken dog.... I'm thinking parrot scheme...

[@squidly162]

Your videos are so unique, friendly, and tranquil. Please keep it up!

[@52Miniatures]

Thank you S, I appreciate it.

[@TheGlosoli]

oooh this is great content, glad Miniac sent me here :)

[@52Miniatures]

I'm very glad he did too. A very nice thing of Scott to do. Welcome to the channel.

[@sillywilli.27]

This color scheme is awesome

[@52Miniatures]

Thank you J!

[@silfreed1542]

Man i do love seeing a fully painted army

[@Riiccia]

We need you as a narrator in movies. Amazing content.

[@52Miniatures]

Well thank you Patrik!

[@carlmayne3519]

Really do love your videos .. and maybe 'just maybe' you've given me a bit of inspiration to get my own army painted :D

[@52Miniatures]

Lovely! And thank you. I appreciate it :)

[@fishstrats960]

Army looks great. Congrats on 25k!

[@52Miniatures]

Thanks a lot F! I appreciate it.

[@padwicin01]

Great video, could listen to your voice all day

[@52Miniatures]

Well thank you, glad to hear it.

[@jordank1489]

Really interesting. I remember when I bought my first 40k minis and the guy at the store had a similar feeling. He talked me out of buying a large boxed set as my first batch and to buy a small unit instead. Once I'd finished painting them, had made all the inevitable mistakes and had all the headaches you would associate with your first minis, I went back and bought another set. I only ended up buying a boxed set when a friend of mine was looking to offload the half that he doesn't need. Was so much better to have a slow ramp up in terms of to-do list and also detail level

[@52Miniatures]

Sounds like a wise game store person! :) I mean, getting a lot of cheap minis in a set was good for me to dig into just getting to know painting. But it was no way (for me) to build up an army. Not in AoS. The game mechanics are for me pretty advanced.. that combined with the looks of miniature... I just had to get the stuff I wanted to paint, and the stuff I wanted to play. The army would not have been completed otherwise.

[@enveritas4948]

I hope your army is still good in 3.0. Or that you're excited to paint a new one!

[@52Miniatures]

I'm thinking it should be fine. It would be weird if there where to many big changes. On the other hand. I might want to change it, some of the new stuff looks like fun :)

[@briochepanda]

These words are like a veritable balm for the soul.

[@52Miniatures]

Glad to hear it B! :) Thank you

[@markgnepper5636]

Loving your journey friend 👏👍

[@52Miniatures]

Glad you are tagging along Mark!

[@SalMi106]

Again, such a nice video. The videos are a constant source of inspirations, I even watch them multiple times :D

[@52Miniatures]

Thank you Mika, I'm glad to hear it.

[@MegaTCash]

"The paints smell nice, I want to stay" - best line ever - great video! New sub here!

[@52Miniatures]

Welcome to the channel M!

[@Plan3tBob]

I enjoy your content. Thank you.

[@52Miniatures]

My pleasure P, thank you.

[@brooksapplegate9506]

Your video really helped me out. Thank you :)

[@52Miniatures]

Glad to hear it B

[@ecMonify]

"the paints smell nice - i want to stay" those vallejo paints really do smell like candy, don't they? ;)

[@52Miniatures]

O yeah, Scale75 is my flavour though.

[@Dragonfire-tn2jg]

@@52Miniatures My flavour too, just love how matt there are.

[@stojg]

Airbrushing Vallejo game air.... mmm so good and probably unhealthy if I can smell the aroma 😂

[@geteavnroc2250]

You kinda touched on it, here. Our conundrums that cause things not to get painted, are caused by over-thinking things way too much. If i take 2 of the same minis, paint one in GW's style, and another one with fancy airbrush/brush-blending transitions, does it make a difference? You might say, "It does to me!". But when it comes down to it, your opponent will enjoy the fact that 2 fully painted armies are battling it out on the tabletop, and so will you. The best way to paint, is to paint with an enjoyable style. Something you feel comfortable with. Don't get caught up in that, "Well, if you paint everything the same, you won't grow" nonsense. If you look at every mini as some new way to paint a thing, you're going to struggle to complete a project. If you are contemplating conundrums and struggling, then you're not enjoying the hobby. Keep in mind, this advice is more for army painters, and not competition painters. Lets not forget that these types of painters have drastically different goals.

[@52Miniatures]

Yeah, this is an individual thing. What is visible on the table, and what one enjoys painting. And the resulting equation. I really like to take my time painting, but then I also need to just accept that and stop stressing about the size of the army.

[@geteavnroc2250]

@@52Miniatures See thats the thing - that stress. A hobby should never be stressful. I more state this to make it verbatim in my own mind, as i hit the very same pitfalls that you do/have. lol

[@nightfire734]

I try to keep a clean desk and I put what I need to paint in front of me in my workspace so they stare at me asking nicely to go to their brothers in the foam trays, causing all kind of inconveniences being in the way and making the desk look cluttered. If you're like me, end up painting them out of spite and doing a good job the first time because you know you're not going to be bothered to go back to them.

[@52Miniatures]

Sounds valid N! Seeing all those small folk staring with accusing eyes definitely helps.

[@28mmRPG]

My epic paint session for completion was with the Deep Madness board game (all in Kickstarter) miniatures... there was around 300 miniatures. I got pretty much all of them done for board-game standard, just a few of the boss minis to still do tho...

[@52Miniatures]

All I have to say is. OMG :)

[@28mmRPG]

@@52Miniatures lol... it took a 3 months, fortunately most of them were batches of the same mini, in 2 different poses... the player-minis had the most detail (video in my channel)

[@52Miniatures]

@@28mmRPG Still though. Makes me nervous just thinking about it.

[@rhino5419]

I started by painting historical figurines and enjoyed it so much that i have never had any interest in playing. I was very happy just to continue painting. So i don't have to paint armies i can change styles or armies as i wish. Never twice the same thing. All the best.

[@52Miniatures]

That is a very nice thing R. For me, I enjoy playing the games a lot. And that comes with baggage :)

[@Matt-md5yt]

Great video and topic today my friend

[@52Miniatures]

Thank you Matt! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@loganhillman3926]

You make me want to sit down and paint. And is there anything better to get from a video?

[@52Miniatures]

That’s the best compliment I could get. Thank you.

[@emmmmmmmmmm866]

I'm here from Miniac! Subbing for sure

[@52Miniatures]

Welcome to the channel C, that was a very nice thing of Scott to do.

[@warmagic9312]

Suggestion for the masking putty, use silly putty! No joke. Silly putty is basically the same thing as masking putty except a fraction of the cost. Great video!

[@52Miniatures]

What's a Silly Putty? I mean.. where does one get it?

[@warmagic9312]

@@52Miniatures Its a cheap children's toy here in the US. It comes in a red egg shaped container. You find them at toy stores and dollar stores, I picked up 6 for ~$10 on amazon and it would have cost me $40 for the same amount of masking putty.

[@52Miniatures]

@@warmagic9312 okay! Thanks!

[@grandadsartspace5805]

Well my friend I think you have surpast yourself with this video excellent ,I look at all the grey in my boxes and just sigh and pick just one and not think about finishing any army simply because I don't ever wargame with them so what's the point of building an army , I just love to paint and paint so the same figure might get painted a dozen times until I'm happy with what I see but then can an artist ever be happy with their end result . Take care my friend Terry

[@52Miniatures]

Thank you G. I mean, as long as we are painting. I really appreciate the gaming side, so the army is the accompanying luggage. I can very much relate to your side of things.

[@SkullsAndPaints]

This does sound a lot how I approach Army Painting as well - having a bunch of Minis sitting on the Desk, so I can grab what I'd like to paint when I feel like painting it. No pressure, just painting what I fancy painting that day (unless I'm going to a Tournament and want to make sure I have everything painted, then I'll hurry the nights before through painting the necessary stuff 😆). Oh, and participating in the #All-Out-War campaign on the Minipainting Discord also helps getting things done! I guess my Protectorate of Menoth Army will be finished at the end of this year =)

[@52Miniatures]

This really helped me. Just having them there. Not comfortably forgotten in a cupboard.

[@StormcastMarine]

Awesome video, as usual.

[@52Miniatures]

Thank you H, I very much appreciate it.

[@vorno102]

Thank you for this. :)

[@52Miniatures]

My pleasure!

[@ScienceHippie]

But how do I paint *four* full armies? Seriously though, please keep these grounded/philosophical videos up. So very well done.

[@52Miniatures]

Yeah! Personally... I tried to finish this one before starting on the next :) Thanks Ryan!

[@lloydjamieson2143]

Amazing video thank you

[@52Miniatures]

Thanks Lloyd!

[@spazzyphantasm]

Life if made up of the minis you have brought to life and the minis you have yet to even prime. My plastic minions are mostly for bringing terror to the faces and souls of my players, D&D being my game of choice. I do a few squads for AOS underworld but massive army war games are not my thing , but the minis are fun to paint.

[@52Miniatures]

Yeah. I really like army sized games. But it does come with "luggage"

[@acidcoen]

I can relate to all that you've mentioned here on so many levels.

[@52Miniatures]

Thanks for watching RK :)

[@juanfelipegarciacatalan4960]

Alternative Title: Global shortage of Citadel paint handles explained :)

[@52Miniatures]

Sssshhhhh....

[@BB-pn2qv]

You are like the Christopher Walken of Cool Painting

[@52Miniatures]

That is quite the compliment.

[@Mikey__R]

Commitment, my eternal nemesis.

[@52Miniatures]

Yeah, it's a fickle one.

[@brumbz513]

"If you can't see it, you don't need to paint it..." - This is the path to inner peace my friend! Also, what are you doing at 2:17? Using a straw to deploy pigment?

[@52Miniatures]

To deploy paint! I have a video on it "splatter something..". Essentially blowing on a brush filled with paint - resulting in splatter (mud & dirt).

[@brumbz513]

@@52Miniatures ah yes i see it, sorry i had missed this one!

[@lomelyo]

You are using a qtip for that horse. Is it for blending? How does it work I've never seen that! Anyways I rewatch your videos for inspiration and just noticed it. Also thanks to this video and others about paint schemes, originality. I'm getting my first army. Is Adeptus Mechanicus :). Also I love that you've taken time to respond in my past comments. Joined your patreon to show my Support.

[@52Miniatures]

Thank you Lomo, and yes, welcome to the Patreon. Just saw you jump in on the Discord. The q-tip (with white spirit in it) I'm using to remove some of the oil paint. When painting with oils, one can first add a bit to much and then remove the excess. Sort of "subtractive" painting.

[@fokin_skaven]

I wish I would have the capacity to paint every single one of the 220 skaven infantry to my highest standart. But alas. And then I started Beastmen army with another 70 infantry in it. I'm a little bit of a masochist.

[@52Miniatures]

Aye... my army is pretty elite. Not like having a hoard army. Although, I do enjoy the mass aesthetic and gameplay.

[@paulincumbria]

"A bit of a masochist" - that nails it. I've returned to painting miniatures after 40 years (!), and I dived in with painting an ASOIAF Freefolk horde. In eight weeks I've done 86 figures. I'm loving the learning, and impressing myself with how quickly I'm improving. Masochism is underrated.

[@pwntehnoobs]

Alex with the more grim (and) dark look of your storm ninja's would you be more interested in doing 40k or do you not enjoy that style? Really enjoy your videos, this one is a good motivator to just keep on trucking and finishing my flamesofwar army.

[@52Miniatures]

Right at the moment, I'm looking into painting a bit of this and that. Having painted so much GW... I really like to try paint minis from other brands. Just for fun. So my new venture into Stargrave is going to be just that. 40K as a game doesn't tickle my fancy right at this moment, but I know a few people who play it so maybe one day it would be nice to have an army :)

[@pwntehnoobs]

@@52Miniatures Understandable, well if you ever want to do ww2 historical then flamesofwar and bolt action are great ;).

[@sirrathersplendid4825]

My biggest problem is that I never seem to finish an army. I get a unit to an “acceptable” state and use it on the table, but I always have the niggling feeling that the shading of the uniforms is not quite complete or their who-ja-me-bobs need one extra colour. And then as my painting technique improves those once “acceptable” units become unacceptable. It seems to drag on forever.

[@52Miniatures]

Ah yeah, I get it. I kind of view them as proof of progress. There’s always going to be some kind of progress and going back to touch things up would be a forever jobb. One idea is to have a “display” army and a “gaming” army. If one has the budget...

[@sirrathersplendid4825]

@@52Miniatures - My armies are 1/72 scale historical, so relatively cheap. I have about six armies in different historical periods all at varying states of completion. I guess I will have to either: a) Paint faster b) Accept a lower standard and go back at a later date and “polish” them up.

[@redbeardboss]

I bet you can do a great christopher walken impression

[@52Miniatures]

Hah! never tried. I'm terrible at impressions.

[@redbeardboss]

@@52Miniatures just gotta practice the crazy noises! Lol

[@loupiscanis9449]

Thank you

[@52Miniatures]

🙏