The Hobby Brief — #00001.1
PaintArmyMen.com • July 26, 2026
The Hobby Brief
Fresh releases, events, painting inspiration, and videos worth watching from around the miniature hobby.
News from the miniature world
This week brings a major convention preview, new miniature releases, historical-painting inspiration, and updates from several of the hobby’s biggest publishers.
Mantic Heads to Gen Con 2026
Mantic previews its Booth 529 demos, early products, limited releases, and new Halo: Flashpoint material ahead of Gen Con.
Read at Mantic Games →
Tournament Tales: Bertie’s Got My Back
Marcus Vine reports from the latest Konflikt ’47 tournament at Warlord’s Nottingham headquarters.
Read at Warlord Community →
Historicon Painting Competition
A closer look at the ten competition categories covering historical miniatures across a wide range of periods and scales.
Visit Wargames Illustrated →
July’s Miniature and Collectible Coin
Warhammer stores reveal July’s free miniature alongside an in-store Pick ’n’ Mix paint offer for painters trying a new scheme.
Read at Warhammer Community →
Konflikt ’47: One Year On
Warlord checks in on the alternate-history game’s first year and rounds up released and upcoming miniatures.
See the K47 update →
Special Issue Miniature Sets Explained
Mantic explains how its MasterCraft resin character sets are produced, released, and restocked.
Read the Mantic update →Miniature painting videos gaining attention
These recently surfaced videos are drawing early attention across YouTube’s miniature-painting community. Public view data changes quickly, so the lineup reflects the strongest currently visible signals.
The Most Frustrating Warhammer Painting Technique
A focused look at a difficult painting method and the small adjustments that make it more manageable.
Watch on YouTube →
Why Your Paint Looks Rough
A practical explanation of how brush control affects texture, coverage, and the final surface of a miniature.
Watch on YouTube →
This Changes Everything in Warhammer Painting
A new approach to improving Warhammer figures through stronger technique and more deliberate decisions.
Watch on YouTube →
How to Paint Space Wolves Grey Hunters
A step-by-step route through the cool grey-blue armor, details, and finishing work on Space Wolves infantry.
Watch on YouTube →
From Grey Plastic to Tabletop Ready
A complete Warhammer 40,000 painting process aimed at getting an unpainted model finished and ready to play.
Watch on YouTube →
How to Paint Warhammer Quest: Darkwater
A painting guide for the diseased villains of Darkwater, with techniques suited to grimy armor and organic detail.
Watch on YouTube →Three army men videos to watch next
Three different ways into the hobby: classic figures, cinematic inspiration, and the premium end of plastic toy soldiers.
I Painted Original Matchbox Plastic Army Men
A close look at classic Matchbox soldiers followed by a complete, approachable painting tutorial.
Watch James paint →
I Painted Army Men Like Starship Troopers
A toy-soldier review and painting guide inspired by the armor and attitude of the cult science-fiction movie.
Watch James paint →
I Painted the World’s Most Expensive Army Men
James examines premium Plastic Platoon figures and brings their detailed sculpts to life with paint.
Watch James paint →