Quazen

The art of painting using non-metallic paint was invented in the olden days to represent metallic objects in canvas paintings. Since metallic paints were not invented yet, artists utilize this technique to achieve the illusion of metal colors. This old painting technique have recently been revived once again in airbrush painting and more recently in the form of miniature painting for war-gaming figures.

With Sir Ian McKellen reprising his role as Gandalf the Grey in the upcoming yet to be film movie “The Hobbit” (to be directed by Guillermo Del Toro), it would be a great idea to get to know some background information about the wizard character that he would be starring as. I am writing in this article also in conjunction with the video on painting the 28mm miniature of Gandalf the Grey from Games Workshop.

What do you do to your coffee jar when it is empty? How about scraps of balsa wood or the cardboard boxes when we are done with them? Most of the time we throw them in the trash or dispose them as recycled items. The problem with recycled items is that we always think that it is thrash and therefore it will never be a valuable item in our possession-let alone be showcased in our display cabinet.

Many of us enjoy painting paint miniature figures, wielding weapons or in dynamic poses. What happens when you suddenly find a miniature in your possession with no weapons, wearing no armor whatsoever and standing in a static pose? Do you cast it aside or give it away?

What is the secret to painting great looking miniatures? Is it a secret art only known to a small number of people? Is it only possible if one is a master painter? If so, what does it take to know the secrets to become a great painter?

Four adorable knit characters based on The Lord of the Rings movies. My favourite movie and my favourite characters rolled up into one, well, four actually.

The topic of painting female miniatures are far and few and even with those that are currently available, covers more on scantily clad or nude miniatures. It seems that the only interest in collecting and painting female characters are when they are wearing nothing. What can I say, the miniature hobby is a male dominated market.

J. R. R. Tolkien (1892-1973) was an English writer and academic with a love of languages. His interest in myths and legends brought us “The Hobbit”, “Lord of the Rings” and the many races of Middle-earth. These stories made him the father of the fantasy genre.

Origami, the traditional Japanese art of paper folding, has been used to create fan art figurines of popular characters.