I briefly wanted to talk about trying new techniques for the hobby and how I’ve recently come to embrace trying something new on every project I’m doing. I hope this article helps someone try something new, that is its main purpose.

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As a human, a blogger and a hobbyist I sometimes get little thoughts pop into my mind about what to write about. I mean that’s just how our minds work. I’ll flesh them out in my mind and if it comes to nothing it doesn’t get written.

Other thoughts get created into a draft on my blog ready for my thoughts later to see if it turns into something of use. About half of such posts get binned eventually as I can’t form them into anything of worth.

This article nearly went that way. Until Adam on Tabletop Minions made a video about the 90/10 rule.

90/10

In this video, Adam talks about spending 90% of your time doing and 10% of your time learning. Wise words. By learning he means spending time learning about painting techniques, eg watching YouTube videos, browsing Instagram or reading blogs about painting methods.

I seem to be accidentally doing this recently. I’ll spend some time learning about a technique such as wet blending or using pigments. Then spend a load of time using the method. I’ve found this has helped a lot in improving my painting and the final finished model.

New Techniques in 2019

Doing a bit of learning and then a lot of doing has helped me learn a few new methods. I’m no pro at these new methods but we all have to start somewhere. I bet there was a day when even Duncan did one thick coat – I wrote that as a draft before Contrast, haha – before he did many thin coats. Although he’s probably come full circle now and does one thick coat.

But joking aside I’ve recently done the following…

• Revisited wet blending and improved – I think – Tech-Priest Done and Priest Done
• Used Vallejo Pigments for the first time
• Created an ice base for my Valhallans – Valhallan Scheme
• Pinned many models and parts of models – Pinning Tutorial
• Used tape to do my first ever Hazard Stripes – Video
• Added thick mud to tracks and weathered metal a little – Sponging Tutorial
• Painted white/grey clothing for the first time
• Used a soot pigment
• Tried rust on a Valhallan base
• Used the Valhalla Blizzard texture paint
• Updated my method of using Greenstuff World Sandbags

Also, if you’re looking for new methods to try please do check out Miniature Hobby Tutorials. It is a great site and has links to many different new techniques for veterans and new painters.

You can keep up to date on my current projects on Instagram.

New Techniques Gallery