Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
A beautifully painted miniature on a plain black or white background can look great under the right circumstances and concentrates entirely on the painting, but if you're looking for a way to emphasize its character, its place in the universe, or just want a more interesting-looking photo to show around social media and painting groups... well, grab some coasters for a start!
Just a few suggestions on how to get the most from some simple materials and tweaking your lighting with backdrops or photos that'll help make your painted miniatures really look at home in their setting.
Here's the Warhammer Community article which talks about lighting, focal depth, and other 'mechanical' aspects of photography which I found massively helpful: warhammer-community.com/en-gb/articles/JAcksor8/the-model-photograph
More on the Jon Hodgson backdrop books can be found here: https://handiwork.games/jon-hodgson-backdrop-books There's also a ton of useful hobby tips and even more on getting the most out of the books, as well as general tips on photography in general.
Backdrop by Jon Hodgson Backdrops - https://handiwork.games/product-category/everything/backdrop-books #jhbackdrops everywhere a hashtag works for more!
A beautifully painted miniature on a plain black or white background can look great under the right circumstances and concentrates entirely on the painting, but if you're looking for a way to emphasize its character, its place in the universe, or just want a more interesting-looking photo to show around social media and painting groups... well, grab some coasters for a start!
Just a few suggestions on how to get the most from some simple materials and tweaking your lighting with backdrops or photos that'll help make your painted miniatures really look at home in their setting.
Here's the Warhammer Community article which talks about lighting, focal depth, and other 'mechanical' aspects of photography which I found massively helpful: warhammer-community.com/en-gb/articles/JAcksor8/the-model-photograph
More on the Jon Hodgson backdrop books can be found here: https://handiwork.games/jon-hodgson-backdrop-books There's also a ton of useful hobby tips and even more on getting the most out of the books, as well as general tips on photography in general.
Backdrop by Jon Hodgson Backdrops - https://handiwork.games/product-category/everything/backdrop-books #jhbackdrops everywhere a hashtag works for more!
![Paint & Review - Wargames Atlantics Werewolves [How I Paint Things]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/SPz3JYuDlVY/mqdefault.jpg "Paint & Review - Wargames Atlantics Werewolves [How I Paint Things]
I do worry a little sometimes that anything other than glowing praise of something sounds like disinterest or dislike; seeing reviews online these days feels like 4 out of 5, or Nine out of Ten are scathing criticisms of something perfectly reasonable! Which is what these guys are: A solid little kit that does exactly what it promises, with its only real crime to be not quite what I would have done.
That and I still cant figure out 20 werewolves in a box - that is a lot of teeth and claws. Luckily, theyre every bit as easy to paint as you want them to be. Even the box art versions feature slightly less bare skin than my examples, so go nuts with them how you like!
If you want to see another way of painting werewolves, theres this classic video where I tackle the Konflikt 47 Schreckwulf! https://youtu.be/epZ2WD2yR1s Now thats a _Dog Soldier!_ 😂
Thanks again go to Wargames Atlantic for being kind enough to ship out a box of these for me to play with!
00:00 - Intro
00:44 - Quick Review
03:00 - Priming Notes
03:24 - Ten Minute Werewolves... Go!
10:28 - The Finished Miniatures
Thanks to Producer Patrons Alan, Kyrie, Andrew, Jimmy, Rod, Phil, Robison, Woodcock, David Kinney, and Matt Dischner - as well as all the other Patrons that made this video possible, and Exit23 Games for recording equipment that helps keep the channel ticking over! Find out more at the following links:
https://www.patreon.com/sonicsledgehammer
https://twitter.com/sonicsledge
https://www.instagram.com/sonicsledgehammer/
https://ko-fi.com/docwholigan
http://exit23.games
PAINTS USED:
PRIMERS: Uniform Grey (Army Painter Spray)
ARMY PAINTER:
Great Hall Grey (Army Painter Fanatic)
Uniform Grey (Army Painter Fanatic)
Topaz Skin (Army Painter Fanatic)
Barbarian Flesh (Army Painter Fanatic)
Brainmatter Beige (Army Painter Fanatic)
Grim Black (Army Painter Speedpaint)
Strong Skin Shade (Army Painter Wash)
Speedpaint Medium (Army Painter)
Ancient Stone (Army Painter Fanatic)
VARNISH:
Varnish+ (Instar)
BASE:
Thick layer of thinned PVA, followed by sand. Thin down a dark brown paint to wash-like consistency and paint over the sand once dried, then drybrush with a mid-brown like Brown Sand or similar. Drybrush then with a light beige, add tufts or static grass as you like.")
![ABC Warriors: Painting the Volgan Faction in an Afternoon [How I Paint Things]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/TK0LNrNpFg0/mqdefault.jpg "ABC Warriors: Painting the Volgan Faction in an Afternoon [How I Paint Things]
The best thing about robots is that theyre easy to paint! Knocking out the entire Volgan faction from the Warlord Games Increase the Peace starter set for their ABC Warriors game took just a couple hours, and by the time theyre done these Soviet-inspired war droids hit the table theyll look the business!
Check out the ABC Warriors starter set along with the rest of the range from Warlord Games here: https://store.warlordgames.com/products/abc-warriors-increase-the-peace-starter-game-howard-quartz-mr-ten-per-cent-special-miniature
00:00 - Intro
01:10 - Painting the AK-47s
06:22 - Painting Volkhan
14:52 - The Finished Volgan Faction
Thanks to Producer Patrons Alan, Kyrie, Andrew, Jimmy, Rod, Phil, Robison, Woodcock, David Kinney, and Matt Dischner - as well as all the other Patrons that made this video possible, and Exit23 Games for recording equipment that helps keep the channel ticking over! Find out more at the following links:
https://www.patreon.com/sonicsledgehammer
https://twitter.com/sonicsledge
https://www.instagram.com/sonicsledgehammer/
https://ko-fi.com/docwholigan
http://exit23.games
THE BASE:
Thick PVA with a rocky sand mixture applied over the base - Ive used Army Coarse from War World Scenics. Paint with thinned-down Basalt Grey, then drybrush with Stone Grey from Vallejo. Add a couple tufts of your choice, then work on some Valhallan Blizzard from Citadel. Paint the base rim and youre done!
PAINTS USED:
PRIMER:
Mechanicus Standard Grey (Citadel Primer)
ARMY PAINTER:
Plate Mail Metal
Algae Green (Speedpaint)
Speedpaint Medium
Strong Tone
Poppy Red (Speedpaint)
Matt White
Tidal Wave (Speedpaint)
Grim Black (Speedpaint)
Orc Skin (Speedpaint)
Greedy Gold
Brainmatter Beige
Strong Skin Shade
VALLEJO:
Silvery Grey
VARNISH:
Instar Varnish+")
![Painting Napoleonic Russians, Quick & Simple [How I Paint Things]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/TvwGxCOzOE4/mqdefault.jpg "Painting Napoleonic Russians, Quick & Simple [How I Paint Things]
The uniforms of the Napoleonic period have a reputation for being tricky to paint. Nah! Just start from white, take your time and be tidy as you go, and its a breeze.
The uniform guidance (along with some alternate colour choices) can be found here: https://www.warlordgames.com/russian-army-uniforms-1807-1815/
You can find the STLs for these particular miniatures here: https://www.myminifactory.com/object/3d-print-russian-gothic-napoleonic-squad-408762
The official Silver Bayonet miniatures are availble through North Star (or wherever excellent miniatures are sold!): https://www.northstarfigures.com/list.php?man=302&page=1
00:00 - Intro
00:44 - Quick Note on Miniatures & Priming
01:49 - Basecoats
08:20 - Shading
09:52 - Highlights & Finishing Touches
14:06 - The Finished Musketman
Thanks to Producer Patrons Alan, Kyrie, Andrew, Jimmy, Rod, Phil, Robison, Woodcock, David Kinney, and Matt Dischner - as well as all the other Patrons that made this video possible, and Exit23 Games for recording equipment that helps keep the channel ticking over! Find out more at the following links:
https://www.patreon.com/sonicsledgehammer
https://twitter.com/sonicsledge
https://www.instagram.com/sonicsledgehammer/
https://ko-fi.com/docwholigan
http://exit23.games
PAINTS USED:
PRIMERS: White Scar (Citadel Primer Spray)
ARMY PAINTER:
Jasper Skin (Fanatic)
Matt White (Fanatic)
Guardian Green (Fanatic)
Demonic Yellow (Fanatic)
Plate Mail Metal (Fanatic)
Oak Brown (Fanatic)
Strong Tone (Wash)
Speedpaint Medium
Barbarian Flesh (Fanatic)
Kobold Flesh (Original Warpaint)
Leather Brown (Fanatic)
Greenskin (Fanatic)
Legendary Red (Fanatic)
Space Dust (Fanatic)
True Brass (Fanatic)
CITADEL:
Baal Red (Contrast)
Garaghaks Sewer (Contrast)
Black Legion (Contrast)
Retributor Armour (Base)
VALLEJO:
Cork Brown
Steel (Model Air)
VARNISH:
Varnish+ (Instar)
THE BASE:
A thick layer of Vallejos Brown Earth texture paste, followed by a Dark Sand drybrush. Add small dots of PVA and sprinkle on a little static grass, then a couple of tufts for volume and variation in height. Paint the base rim in Brown Sand, and done!")
![The Arsenal of Democracy - Painting WWII US Army Vehicles [How I Paint Things]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/TxYhSr6MdfM/mqdefault.jpg "The Arsenal of Democracy - Painting WWII US Army Vehicles [How I Paint Things]
Support vehicles, prime movers, ambulances and the like arent miniatures you often see on the gaming table, but theyre neat to have in those handful of cases where you can surprise an opponent by putting one down. The beauty of Uncle Sams arsenal of democracy is that its all painted more or less the same way, too; whether youre throwing olive drab on a half-track or an M4 tank, the same methods will do the trick!
Keep an eye out on the Wheels of War Kickstarter due to go live soon! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/nightskyminiatures/wheels-of-war-volume-1 Ive got a bunch of the Night Sky Miniatures STLs and theyre lovely.
If you havent got a printer, Night Sky Miniatures have a couple licensed printers in the UK: https://www.wargaming3d.com/licensed-3rd-party-print-services/
00:00 - Intro
01:02 - Priming
01:56 - Painting Time!
11:05 - Decals, Weathering, Finishing Touches
15:20 - The Finished Half-Track
Thanks to Producer Patrons Alan, Kyrie, Andrew, Jimmy, Rod, Phil, Robison, Woodcock, and David Kinney - as well as all the other Patrons that made this video possible, and Exit23 Games for recording equipment that helps keep the channel ticking over! Find out more at the following links:
https://www.patreon.com/sonicsledgehammer
https://twitter.com/sonicsledge
https://www.instagram.com/sonicsledgehammer/
https://ko-fi.com/docwholigan
http://exit23.games
PAINTS USED:
PRIMER:
US Olive Drab (Vallejo Spray Primer)
VALLEJO:
US Olive Drab
Canvas (Panzer Aces)
Khaki
Off-White
Flat Red
German Grey
Beige Brown
German Camo Black Brown
ARMY PAINTER:
Strong Tone
Dark Tone
CITADEL:
Nurgling Green (Dry)
Terminatus Stone (Dry)
VARNISH:
Matt Varnish Spray (Army Painter)")
![Painting WWI British Empire Troops - Wargames Atlantic [How I Paint Things]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Tx_lgRI9D4g/mqdefault.jpg "Painting WWI British Empire Troops - Wargames Atlantic [How I Paint Things]
Wargames Atlantics range of plastic Great War miniatures expands fairly regularly, with the British Empire represented alongside the French and German forces. Not bad value at all if youre looking to throw down the core of an infantry army! Theres a couple of historical oddities in this British kit, but if you dont mind a little knife work, theyre relatively easily overcome.
This box was my own purchase rather than a review box, but given some of the burgeoning interest Ive seen in gaming the Great War recently, it seemed a waste not to take a closer look at more than just the frames before putting paint to plastic.
00:00 - Intro
00:52 - WWI Equipment Overview
04:16 - Quick Kit Review
07:06 - Basecoats
13:15 - Shading
14:24 - Highlighting
17:11 - The Finished Soldier
Thanks to Producer Patrons Alan, Kyrie, Andrew, Jimmy, Rod, Phil, Robison, Woodcock, David Kinney, and Matt Dischner - as well as all the other Patrons that made this video possible, and Exit23 Games for recording equipment that helps keep the channel ticking over! Find out more at the following links:
https://www.patreon.com/sonicsledgehammer
https://twitter.com/sonicsledge
https://www.instagram.com/sonicsledgehammer/
https://ko-fi.com/docwholigan
http://exit23.games
THE BASE:
A thick layer of Stirland Mud drybrushed with Golgfag Brown, then Tyrant Skull. As the paint runs out on your brush, lightly stipple grime and dust on the soldiers boots and puttees. Add tufts to taste, paint base rim in Dryad Bark.
PAINTS USED:
PRIMER:
Premium Grey (Vallejo Spray Can)
VALLEJO:
English Uniform
Khaki
Dark Sand
Beige Brown
Leather Brown
Brown Sand
German Grey
Red Leather
Pale Sand
ARMY PAINTER:
Tanned Flesh
CITADEL:
Liberator Gold
Agrax Earthshade (Shade)
Cadian Fleshtone (Layer)
Kislev Flesh (Layer)
Iron Warriors (Base)
VARNISH:
Instar Varnish+")
![Back to the Zone: Speed Painting Anvil Industry STALKER types [How I Paint Things]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/UXOyN4csXOE/mqdefault.jpg "Back to the Zone: Speed Painting Anvil Industry STALKER types [How I Paint Things]
Faces and bases, folks. Its all faces and bases. The rest is just set dressing. Smash out the core of a miniature with some Contrast and drybrushing, and spend time painting the bits that you enjoy!
The Anvil Industry Print on Demand service is just getting started, but its worth checking out if there are any miniatures from the Digital Forge which havent yet made the leap to cast resin: https://anvilindustry.co.uk/?affiliate=sonicsledgehammer
The video where I go overboard in painting a face, hopefully queued up to the right moment! https://youtu.be/TKP_9NXQi_4?si=Do5TqBFaWixEfRqS&t=665
00:00 - Intro
01:04 - Priming
01:34 - Basecoats
07:33 - Shading
08:57 - Highlights & Finishing Touches
11:38 - Basing
13:27 - The Finished Wastelanders
Thanks to Producer Patrons Alan, Kyrie, Andrew, Jimmy, Rod, Phil, Robison, Woodcock, and David Kinney - as well as all the other Patrons that made this video possible, and Exit23 Games for recording equipment that helps keep the channel ticking over! Find out more at the following links:
https://www.patreon.com/sonicsledgehammer
https://twitter.com/sonicsledge
https://www.instagram.com/sonicsledgehammer/
https://ko-fi.com/docwholigan
http://exit23.games
THE BASE: Stirland Mud, drybrushed Ryza Rust then Eldar Flesh. Paint the base rim in Rhinox Hide, and add tufts to taste. Done!
PAINTS USED:
PRIMER:
Zandri Dust (Citadel Spray Can)
CITADEL:
Zandri Dust (Base)
Creed Camo (Contrast)
Gutrippa Flesh (Contrast)
Black Templar (Contrast)
Snakebite Leather (Contrast)
Ushabti Bone (Layer)
Death Korps Drab (Base)
Dryad Bark (Base)
Iron Warriors (Base)
Agrax Earthshade (Shade)
Lahmian Medium (Technical)
Iron Hands Steel (Layer)
Cadian Fleshtone (Layer)
Kislev Flesh (Layer)
Flayed One Flesh (Layer)
Mortarion Grime (Shade)
ARMY PAINTER:
Tanned Flesh
Filthy Cape - for gas masks
VARNISH:
Varnish+ (Instar)")
![Van Diemens Devils - ANZAC-inspired Sci-Fi Miniatures [How I Paint Things]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/UgzWt50fawI/mqdefault.jpg "Van Diemens Devils - ANZAC-inspired Sci-Fi Miniatures [How I Paint Things]
Whether youre playing Warhammer 40,000 in a club or at home, or any number of other games featuring near- or even far-future science fiction weaponry and equipment, theres a wealth of miniatures manufacturers out there with massive ranges to choose from. Victoria Miniatures is one of them! This video isnt sponsored, I just really like what she does. The Van Diemens Devils have been a long time favourite of mine, but given shipping from Australia... Ive been hesitant to pull the trigger. Now that I can get some of the STLs required to get started on a force, all the better!
https://www.myminifactory.com/users/VictoriaMiniatures
https://victoriaminiatures.com/
00:00 - Intro
01:28 - Priming Notes
01:51 - Basecoats
09:39 - Shading
11:09 - Highlights & Finishing Touches
14:14 - The Finished Miniature
Thanks to Producer Patrons Alan, Kyrie, Andrew, Jimmy, Rod, Phil, Robison, Woodcock, David Kinney, and Matt Dischner - as well as all the other Patrons that made this video possible, and Exit23 Games for recording equipment that helps keep the channel ticking over! Find out more at the following links:
https://www.patreon.com/sonicsledgehammer
https://twitter.com/sonicsledge
https://www.instagram.com/sonicsledgehammer/
https://ko-fi.com/docwholigan
http://exit23.games
THE BASE: Vallejo Brown Earth texture paste, drybrushed Dark Sand. Add tufts to taste, paint the base rim XV-88. Done!
PAINTS USED:
PRIMER:
Brainmatter Beige (Army Painter Spray)
ARMY PAINTER:
Topaz Skin (Fanatic)
Barbarian Flesh (Fanatic)
Ancient Stone (Fanatic)
Necrotic Flesh (Fanatic)
Oak Brown (Fanatic)
Desert Yellow (Fanatic)
Army Green (Fanatic)
Autumn Sage (Fanatic)
Leather Brown (Fanatic)
Fur Brown (Fanatic)
Plate Mail Metal (Fanatic)
Angel Green (Fanatic)
Pure Red (Fanatic)
Matt Black (Fanatic)
Strong Skin Shade (Wash)
Speedpaint Medium
Dark Tone (Wash)
Dorado Skin (Fanatic)
Brainmatter Beige (for mixing highlights)")
![Quick Tips: Speed Painting Heresy-era World Eaters [How I Paint Things]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/UiSC9HkfTvc/mqdefault.jpg "Quick Tips: Speed Painting Heresy-era World Eaters [How I Paint Things]
The question comes up occasionally on older videos whether or not theres anything Id do differently after a couple of years - either with new techniques or new products becoming available. Sometimes the answer is yes! Rather than go through an entire video on another Marine, though, heres a quick list of just how easy it is to adjust another painting method to blast through World Eaters in no time at all.
When it comes to the True Blood, I found it useful to let the first coat dry, then blob on some bigger, chunkier goops in some spots. The blood around his gorget but not on his helmet was an idea Ive seen in artwork before, where hes bitten someone... aaaand then put his helmet back on. Gross!
Thanks to Producer Patrons Alan, Kyrie, Andrew, Jimmy, Rod, Phil, Robison, Woodcock, David Kinney, and Matt Dischner - as well as all the other Patrons that made this video possible, and Exit23 Games for recording equipment that helps keep the channel ticking over! Find out more at the following links:
https://www.patreon.com/sonicsledgehammer
https://twitter.com/sonicsledge
https://www.instagram.com/sonicsledgehammer/
https://ko-fi.com/docwholigan
http://exit23.games
THE BASE:
A thick layer of Stirland Mud drybrushed with Golgfag Brown, then Tyrant Skull. As the paint runs out on your brush, lightly stipple grime and dust on the Marines legs. Add tufts to taste, paint base rim in Dryad Bark.
PAINTS USED:
PRIMER:
Matt Black, Matt White (Army Painter Spray)
ARMY PAINTER:
Golden Armour (Speedpaint)
Broadsword Silver (Speedpaint)
Ruddy Fur (Speedpaint)
Poppy Red (Speedpaint)
Grim Black (Speedpaint)
Crystal Blue (Fanatic)
Matt White (Fanatic)
Plate Mail Metal (Fanatic)
MARINE JUICE MKII:
Equal parts Citadel Reikland Fleshshade, Army Painter Dark Tone, and Citadel Lahmian Medium (with an extra dot of medium for luck!).
VARNISH:
Instar Varnish+
Outfoxing the Fox Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/")
![Batch Painting Valor Korps Infantry - Drybrushing & Shades [How I Paint Things]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/V-jz9zVrgyE/mqdefault.jpg "Batch Painting Valor Korps Infantry - Drybrushing & Shades [How I Paint Things]
Batch Painting Valor Korps Infantry - Drybrushing & Shades [How I Paint Things]")
![Star Trek Away Team: Seriously Simple Painting - Drybrushing & Contrast [How I Paint Things]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/VQ9qwvn364A/mqdefault.jpg "Star Trek Away Team: Seriously Simple Painting - Drybrushing & Contrast [How I Paint Things]
Star Trek Away Team: Seriously Simple Painting - Drybrushing & Contrast [How I Paint Things]")
