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Toolbox

A living, up to the minute repository of the tools I use to build, paint, and photograph my hobby projects.

If I list it here I actually use it, and if it’s linked 1 I also recommend it.

Table of Contents

Hobby tools Return to table of contents

A photograph of some of my hobby daily drivers
Hobby desk & tools, 2025

When I started this journey I bought everything I could find. I’ve reduced, over time, to only things I actually use to get the results I desire.

Frankly, I’m simple and sometimes crude in my approaches, and thus I tend to reach for and get the most use out of tools that are straight-forward.

Paints Return to table of contents

A photograph of some of my paint station
Primary paint station, 2025

I’m primarily a Pro Acryl person, and I use AK to bridge color gaps when I don’t feel like mixing, or when it’s just a wonderful color like Tenebrous Grey.

I prefer spray cans for priming, and moved from using Citadel Sprays to exclusively using Monument Hobbies and Color Forge sprays. My favorite is Mounument’s Matte Grey.

I’ve found that for metallic paints I prefer Vallejo Metal Color, except for Gold (IYKYK). Additionally mixing VMC with other brands, like Pro Acryl’s metals or transparents creates a really smooth finish with more control over color depth and application.

You can mix with opaque colors like Tenebrous Grey to create a really dark and more matte metallic finish, which feels a bit more grounded and realistic.

A note on paints: Use what you like and what is available near you. I’ve tried most brands, and found the ones listed above help me get the results I like.

Citadel, Warpaint Fanatics, Two Thin Coats, P3 are all good choices as well.

Brushes Return to table of contents

Brushes are very specific to the painter and there is no “best” paint brush, just preference for the artist. For me, I like using a size 2 or 3—depends on the brand and task. My favorites are listed below.

I typically use a size 2 after base coats for everything else, including eyes and smaller details, too lazy to switch brushes when I’m in the zone.

I clean my brushes after every session. I use Masters primarily, but Jentastic’s Drunken Brush Goop from Monument Hobbies is also very good.

Basing supplies Return to table of contents

I’ve tried to keep these lists to things you can buy, however it’s important to point out that extra bits from kits you already own, or extra sprue or anything that would otherwise be considered “garbage” can be utilized to make really cool effects and items on bases.

On texture paints; you don’t need all the colors. The important bit is the texture itself. I use Ultra Fine, Extra Fine, Fine, and Coarse in Grey, then I paint over them with the colors I want it to actually be. Mixing these together will also give you more variance and a more realistic outcome.

Photography Return to table of contents

I have an very simple setup right now, just my phone and a couple of LED lights I point at the minis from the left and right. I use a roll of black construction paper propped up on a cardboard box as the backdrop.

I need to up my game in this area.