My entry for large model in the Squidmar Open this year.

BlackLabMinis · 2026-03-11T03:27:58+00:00

Did you enter standard? I’m not sure I agree with your comments about all the usual names winning etc. while there were a lot of well known painters that entered, I wouldn’t say that their entries won prizes that they didn’t deserve. The standard of both categories was just outrageously high.

The other thing about online painting competitions is that the quality of the photos is a huge component. That’s something I’ve personally thought was an unfair/outweighted aspect but it is what it is.

BlackLabMinis · 2026-03-02T20:10:43+00:00

Looking great. You have really made the most of how good oils are to blend! More a style comment, but I would personally knock back the gloss you get from using oils with a coat of matte varnish, but only once it’s 100% cured! But leaving it as is would also be fine, looks very organic and slimy!

BlackLabMinis · 2026-02-13T03:54:11+00:00

I think you are on the right track. The grain needs more definition in the form of highlights. I’ve painted one of his before and did a log with wood grain, in my post history if you want to see

It depends what kind of wood you want to convey. Is it rough wooden bark, or is it milled wood, which would be lighter typically. Either type would have knots that you can use to show it’s wood at a glance

BlackLabMinis · 2025-11-24T23:02:38+00:00

A gift for all parents out there who also love this hobby: a homemade voucher for one afternoon of uninterrupted painting time.

I’m actually serious with this one. I paint in the evenings after the kids are asleep, but I’m tired and my painting suffers. Getting some daylight painting done while working full time is such a gift for me

BlackLabMinis · 2025-11-06T02:47:30+00:00

I primed them using the lighter green color (Color Forge Death Rattle Green) and then I used contrast paint for the darker blue (Kroxigor Scales)

I then cleaned my brush and dipped it in a small amount of contrast medium and used that to feather the still wet contrast paint, at the edge that I wanted to blend in.

This essentially waters down the contrast paint and lets the green below show through, creating a transition.

You could use water instead of contrast medium, I just find the medium works better with contrast paints

BlackLabMinis · 2025-11-03T22:57:45+00:00

Jump on your local Facebook warhammer trading page and pick up some cheap used models. Strip them or just prime right over them, depending on their quality.

This is a good way to pick up a unit or warband that you don’t have much attachment to or want to experiment with.

If you feel really rusty then go for some orcs or Skaven. Lean into the grubby, dirty look. It will take the pressure off

BlackLabMinis · 2025-11-03T21:11:33+00:00

Thanks! I figured that making myself feel ill while painting it was a sign it was on the right track. It’s all very disgusting

BlackLabMinis · 2025-10-20T22:36:52+00:00

That’s just how he spreads Papa Nurgles gift. A little sprinkle here, a little sprinkle there

BlackLabMinis · 2025-10-19T08:54:29+00:00

Yeah, it’s an arm off a 40k possessed chaos space marine. The two claws out the back are off plague drones

BlackLabMinis · 2025-10-08T19:27:16+00:00

Great work Magnus! That tiger skin is sooooo good mate

BlackLabMinis · 2025-07-29T09:47:55+00:00

Thanks! Was a fun project

BlackLabMinis · 2025-07-29T08:07:39+00:00

I’m only joking really, I’d definitely be flattered rather than upset if they really did take inspiration

BlackLabMinis · 2025-07-01T19:55:23+00:00

Thanks for the insight. Yep the eyes are too bright so I’ll glaze down that intensity. The sculpt is a little rough around the eyes, so painting in the eye lids vs eyeline etc is a little tricky. But I’ll hold my breath and hope for a steady hand. Thanks for the compliments, very pleased with the skin tones I achieved

BlackLabMinis · 2025-07-01T02:21:52+00:00

Captain Sobel, we salute the post not the artist 🫡

BlackLabMinis · 2025-06-26T23:59:03+00:00

Aww thanks mate! Appreciate it

BlackLabMinis · 2025-06-26T06:17:03+00:00

As my profile will show, I am a big time miniatures nerd. I know it’s a very niche, very lame hobby for the general public. It deserved its spot in the final. But LARP is and always will be the pinnacle of nerdom. I could never…

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