The Mini Painters Learning Curve

Is there a risk with contrast paints that the quick route to painting could create a new generation of painters who are unable to develop their skills because they haven't learned the hard way? Is there value in being rubbish at the beginning of our painting career, and should we learn to love the mini painter's learning curve?  

Has IGOUGO had its day?

Has IGOUGO had its day? Is it time for this tried, trusted but a flawed system to step aside for random activation rules systems?

Fistful of Dice Mechanics

Are you a fistful of dice type wargamer or do you prefer single-opposed dice rolls for determining the outcome of a melee? In some forums, this subject seems to divide the opinion of wargamers and the games they choose to play. I on the other hand don't care what dice mechanic is used, so long as it works, is simple to understand, and is easy to remember.

Where do you buy your books?

Where do you buy your books from? At least a third of my collection was picked up from 2nd hand or charity bookshops. This is a great way to find out of print books and discover new and tempting subjects for wargaming.

Storage or Display

Do you display your painted armies, or do you store them away? I respond to another subscriber question this week and discuss some of the options open to wargamers after they have painted their miniatures. I have a range of storage options available in the Operations Room, from cheap modular plastic storage units to expensive custom metal cabinets. However, there is always a cheaper option and I also have units that I got for free, and can often be found very cheaply on auction sites like eBay. 

Mark TWO Eyeball

For the miniatures painter, there is little more aggravating than poor or failing eyesight. But age comes to us all (whether we like it or not) and sooner or later, most of us will need to upgrade the Mark 1 eyeball.

Random Terrain. No thanks!

[This video was published at the weekend and I forgot to press Publish on the post! It's generated quite a bit of conversation in the comments, so I wanted to make sure it also appeared here]

The use of random terrain generation in wargames creates ugly and illogical tables that make my head hurt! My inner Geography nerd wants to cry out in horror when I see terrain dumped on a game's table without any apparent thought. Escarpments where none should exist; towns that are not anchored on terrain features like crossings or roads; and rivers that appear to run uphill, I've seen them all.

Hard times

How are high street game stores and small traders surviving hard times? I recently spent a pleasant half an hour (and a few quid) in a local store and I was the only customer in the shop for over half an hour.

AI and Solo Wargaming

Could we one day see Artificial Intelligence used to enhance solo tabletop wargames, providing more realistic generals to fight against on our game tables? Could AI for instance enable us to play against accurate facsimiles of famous generals from the past, providing wargamers with more realistic and challenging opponents in solo games? Or is this one step too far for a hobby that has one nostalgic foot planted firmly in the past?

Wargaming Modern Warfare: How soon is 'too soon'?

How soon after a conflict has ended, is it ok to wargame that period?  How soon is 'too soon'? This question discusses the ethics of making a game out of recent (or even ongoing) conflicts. Not discussed in the video (but encouraged in the discussion) is the question of whether the boundaries of what is acceptable are different for tabletop wargames versus computer wargames? I would also love to hear the perspective of Veterans of recent wars who wargame the period they fought in.

Who chooses the games you play?

Who chooses the games you play? Are you a consumer of other people's choices or do you regularly choose what you play? Or maybe you are a provider of games, choosing to umpire or host games rather than play?

Returning to Wargaming: Rediscovering an old love, or a mid life crisis?

Have you returned to the hobby in your 40s after taking a break from Wargaming for a career, marriage, or kids? If so, is this a mid-life crisis or just the rediscovery of an old love?

My choice of brush

A quick chat about the brushes I use. Everything from premium Winsor & Newton Series 7's for the finest performance to cheap synthetic brushes for rougher jobs. I have gone through a lot of sable brushes over the years and spent a lot of money on what is arguably the most important tool on the painting table. 

Wibbly Wobbly Timey Wimey

There are some weeks where time seems to flow 'differently'. This has been one of those weeks!

Resolutions 2023 & how to keep them

Happy New Year to all my viewers. Once again it is that time of year to set new resolutions (or recycle old ones) for the year to come. I keep mine simple and achievable and like to think of them as my mission statement or stretch goals for the year. Nothing too wild or grandiose, destined to be abandoned by February.

Happy Christmas!

The Painting Challenge and The Wars of the Roses

The Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge XIII starts in a few days and once again I am using this time to get the bulk of my painting done on a new project. This year I am doing The Wars of the Roses in 6mm, but more specifically focusing on The Battle of Bosworth. In this video, I discuss some of the preparation I have undertaken before even lifting a brush. 

Wars of the Roses Useful Sites Wars of the Roses Livery Colours Database Wargames Illustrated Wars of the Roses Compilation Shed Wars Bosworth 'Poleaxed' OOB & Battle ReportTest of Resolve Website Bosworth Battlefield Survey

Getting Motivated

Real life has a habit of getting in the way of our hobbies, so when we do have time, why do we procrastinate? This week's video discusses my simple strategy for overcoming life's inertia and getting started on whatever project I am working on. 

Nature verses Nurture: Are we born Wargamers or is it all down to upbringing?

Are Wargamers born with a predisposition to strategy, tactics, and gaming, or is it entirely down to our upbringing? The significance of Nature versus Nurture has been debated for hundreds of years in science, literature, and film. But does the argument hold true for Wargamers? 

Slap Chop: Martial Art or Painting Technique?

There's a new(ish) painting technique in town and it's called Slap Chop. But is it new? Is it controversial and is it as innovative as its supporters claim? More importantly, does it have any value as a painting technique for the small-scale historical wargamer?