21: Paint a small figurine

I embrace death without regret, just as I embrace life without fear.

My girlfriend heard from a work colleague that her boyfriend’s ideal way to spend time is to paint small figurines. This particular Challenge is another one of those risks, one of those hobbies that I would have never considered before this year. But after thinking about it, and looking into it, I decided to give it a go.

Warhammer is the market leader on all things miniature. I remember when I was a kid I would walk into the old Games Workshop in Chadstone, admiring the works of art that people painted. When I was about 9 years old my Mum actually bought me a Warhammer starter kit to paint myself. I didn’t get into it, so that hobby was shelved for a while… until now.

I went down to the Games Workshop in Bentleigh to pick up the starter kit and get to work. The store assistant explained to me to the game mechanics, and the history of Warhammer. I didn’t realise it had such a deep lore and avid following. I was excited to get started.

Over the next few weeks I painted my little minions. It was cathartic listening to music and concentrating. I watched YouTube videos on how to improve your painting skills, and I read up about Warhammer lore to give context to the models I was painting. By the final minion I was getting really good, painting within the lines and more efficiently. Altogether it was a fun experience, but probably not a hobby I will maintain.