For me, war-gaming has never been just about rolling dice with friends—though that part is always a blast. At its core, this hobby is about something deeper. It’s about storytelling. And not just the kind written in codices or lorebooks, but the kind shaped in real time, by a scatter of dice and a handful of painted warriors on a battlefield of imagination.
They say “dice tell stories”—and it’s true. But for me, the real storytelling starts long before the dice hit the table. It begins with the hobby.
There’s something magical about taking a sprue of gray plastic and turning it into something that feels alive. Something that belongs to a world. From the moment I clip the first piece and start test-fitting parts, I’m already imagining the personality of that unit—the scars it might carry, the battles it’s fought, the colors it wears like a badge of honor. It’s more than just a game piece. It becomes my character in my story.
I’m not a professional painter. I don’t paint at competition level, and I’m perfectly okay with that. I’d say I’m solidly average—but proud of what I’ve built up over time. And trust me, it didn’t start this way. I still have the very first models I ever painted. They’re rough, clumsy, a bit hilarious in hindsight—but they’re mine. They mark the beginning of a journey, and I wouldn’t trade them for anything. It’s important to keep those reminders. To look back and recognize just how far you’ve come.
And here’s the thing: I didn’t get better on my own.
Like many hobbyists out there, I learned everything I know from others—especially the incredible creators who generously share their knowledge on YouTube and beyond. Painters, kitbashers, terrain crafters, storytellers—people who not only know their craft but who also know how to teach it in a way that makes it feel approachable. People who helped me realize that painting doesn’t have to be overwhelming. That you can create something beautiful without spending four months on a single model.
So I wanted to pay it forward.
This post is a collection of the painting and hobbying resources that made the biggest impact on my own journey. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been in the hobby for years but feel stuck, I hope this list gives you what those creators gave me: encouragement, direction, and the motivation to keep going.
Because at the end of the day, we’re all just trying to tell better stories—one brushstroke at a time.
Artist Opus
Artist Opus was one of those channels I stumbled on when I wasn’t even sure what I was looking for—I just knew I wanted to get better.
I had always thought of dry brushing as a quick, messy technique you use when you’re in a hurry. Something to bash out a basecoat or hit an edge if you’re feeling lazy. But then I watched one of Artist Opus’s videos… and everything changed.
They didn’t just show dry brushing—they elevated it into an art form.
Run by a team of professional painters, the Artist Opus channel is visually stunning, incredibly well-produced, and packed with techniques that don’t just make models look good—they make them feel alive. Their focus is often on dry brushing, yes, but it’s not the dry brushing you think you know. It’s precise, controlled, layered, and deeply rooted in an understanding of color theory and light.
What really hooked me was the way they teach. There’s no ego. Just calm, clear instruction and a genuine desire to help you get better. They don’t just show you how to achieve a certain look—they explain why it works. Why this color brings out that tone. Why this technique helps tell that story.
I also appreciate that they go beyond just painting. They talk about brush care, workspace setup, and even how to manage your time and mindset while hobbying. It’s holistic. It feels like they care about the entire experience—not just the final result.
If you’re someone who wants to push your tabletop-quality work into something a little more refined—but without spending 40 hours on a single model—Artist Opus is absolutely worth your time.
Warhipster
When I first got into the hobby, it was during the great Contrast Paint explosion—when every paint company seemed to be launching a new way to “paint your army faster.” And that’s exactly what I wanted at the time: fast. I wasn’t thinking about lighting, flow, or blending—I just wanted models on the table so I could play the game.
Spoiler alert: it didn’t go well.
Contrast paints are a fickle beast. If you don’t understand how they behave, how they pool, how to guide them with your brush, the results can be… rough. I know mine were.
And then I found Warhipster.
Run by Josh, a commission painter with a genuine love for the Warhammer universe, Warhipster became my crash course in how to actually use Contrast paints. His tutorials are more than just paint-by-numbers guides—they’re thoughtful, structured, and focused on making good results attainable. He showed me how to control the flow of paint, how to layer Contrast with care, and most importantly, how to fix mistakes without panicking.
Josh’s style is also just enjoyable. He has an easygoing, clear way of explaining things that makes you feel like you’re sitting down with a friend who just happens to be really, really good at this.
His channel helped me turn “just get it painted” into something more intentional—more personal—without sacrificing speed. If you want to paint armies that look sharp without getting bogged down in months-long projects, Warhipster is an excellent place to start.
Vincent Venturella ( Hobby Cheating )
If there’s a grandmaster of the hobby world, it’s Vincent Venturella.
I don’t say that lightly. Vince has been a pillar in the miniature painting community for years, and his Hobby Cheating series is legendary at this point. It’s not just a YouTube channel—it’s a living archive of painting wisdom. Hundreds of videos, all packed with the kind of hard-earned knowledge you usually only get by spending decades behind the brush.
What makes Vince special isn’t just his skill (though his models are incredible), it’s how he teaches. He breaks down advanced concepts in a way that makes you feel like you can actually do them. Whether it’s color theory, basing, zenithal lighting, or pushing contrast, Vince gives you the “why” behind the “how.” And he never talks down to you—he invites you in.
He’s also big on storytelling through painting. He doesn’t just show you how to make a model look good—he shows you how to make it say something.
When I was first getting serious about improving my painting, I binged his Hobby Cheating series like it was Netflix. And I still revisit it now. Even when I’m not painting, I’ll throw one of his videos on and just listen. Because every time, there’s something new to pick up, some concept that clicks a little more.
Vince isn’t flashy. He’s thoughtful. Consistent. Encouraging. If you’re looking for a mentor in this hobby—whether you ever speak to him or not—he’s one of the best you could ask for.
The Grimdark Compendium
This next one has become a recent obsession of mine.
I’ve always leaned toward vibrant paint schemes—the kind that pop on the table and catch your eye from across the room. But when I started working on my Horus Heresy Salamanders, something shifted. I wanted them to feel like they belonged on a scorched, war-torn battlefield. Not pristine. Not clean. Worn. Damaged. Alive.
That’s when I discovered The Grimdark Compendium.
Run by Brian Ball, this channel and platform is entirely devoted to the dark art of weathered, battle-worn painting. Brian isn’t just teaching techniques—he’s teaching a philosophy. Grimdark painting is about storytelling through grime, rust, and shadow. It’s about making your miniatures feel like they’ve survived something terrible. And Brian absolutely nails it.
His tutorials helped me reimagine what a Space Marine could look like. Instead of bright armor and crisp lines, I started exploring chipped paint, muted palettes, and that “dust of a thousand battlefields” kind of texture. The ruined basing I did on my Salamanders? 100% inspired by his content.
He also has his own line of enamel washes—Villainy Inks—which I’ve pre-ordered and cannot wait to try. If they’re anything like the techniques he shares, they’ll be game-changers.
The Grimdark Compendium isn’t flashy. It’s raw. Atmospheric. Story-driven. And for anyone looking to go beyond clean and into character, it’s an incredible resource.
Monument Hobbies
As I moved deeper into my painting journey, I hit a familiar wall: paint consistency. I had tried a number of brands, looking for that sweet spot—something with vibrant color, good coverage, and a smooth flow off the brush. That’s when I found Pro Acryl from Monument Hobbies, and everything clicked.
These paints are phenomenal. They’re so fluid and well-pigmented that in most cases, you barely need to thin them at all. They strike this perfect balance where they behave more like an extension of your brush than a layer of color you’re trying to control. Painting with them just feels right.
Once I started building out my collection, I wanted to learn more about how to get the most out of their Transparent line, so I headed to the Monument Hobbies YouTube channel. What I found wasn’t just a set of product demos—it was a full suite of genuinely useful tutorials. From glazing and layering techniques to in-depth walkthroughs on how to build color and atmosphere using their paints, their content is practical, encouraging, and extremely well-explained.
What I appreciate most is how they keep the focus on you as the painter. The channel doesn’t overwhelm you with jargon or ultra-advanced methods. Instead, it guides you toward understanding the tools in your hands so that you can push your own painting forward—at your own pace.
If you’re someone looking for paints that feel effortless and a brand that truly supports your growth as a hobbyist, Monument Hobbies should absolutely be on your radar.
Mediocre Hobbies
When you’re itching to get models painted and on the table—not in a year, not in three weekends, but now—Mediocre Hobbies is like a friend who quietly says, “I’ve got you.”
The essence of this channel is simple and powerful: step-by-step, no-frills tutorials that help you achieve a tabletop-ready look faster—and with confidence. Whether it’s a quick Contrast paint walkthrough, a speedy basing trick, or a color scheme tutorial, Mediocre Hobbies gives you why and how in just the right measure.
Their style feels familiar—welcoming rather than showy, helpful rather than flashy. Most importantly, it’s built for painters who, like me, want results that don’t look slapdash but also don’t take forever. It’s craft handed down with a smile, not a performance.
There’s something beautiful about the moment when a freshly painted model hits the table. Not because it’s flawless. Not because it’s won awards. But because you made it. You sat down with a pile of plastic, some paint, and a bit of time—and you turned it into something with character, with presence, with a story.
That’s what the hobby is, at its heart: storytelling in tiny, tangible form.
I didn’t get here alone. Every brushstroke I’ve learned, every technique I’ve tried, and every bit of confidence I’ve built came from watching people who were kind enough to share what they knew. These creators—whether they’re filming in professional studios or in their kitchen corners—make this hobby better. They pull us forward when we feel stuck, and they remind us that progress doesn’t require perfection. Just persistence.
If you’re just getting started, I hope this list gives you a few good places to turn when you’re staring at your first grey mini and wondering where to begin. And if you’ve been painting for years, maybe there’s a new name in here that’ll inspire your next project or get you out of your comfort zone.
Either way—grab your brush, shake your paint, and tell your story.
We’ll be right here with you.