Warhammer figurines are an important part of the hobby for many fans, many of whom invest countless hours in painting the little soldiers. Australian content creator Bubblegum Angels is no exception. In an interview with the artist, she explains what drew her to the hobby and how her miniatures are received in the community.
Painting Warhammer figures is a major part of the tabletop game and a very popular hobby that also appears across franchises in other TTRPG fan circles such as Dungeons & Dragons.
Another person who has taken a keen interest in the hobby is content creator and artist Bubblegum Angels from Australia, who shares her work on her projects and the finished results on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.
The special thing about her projects: She gives the small soldiers of the Warhammer universe a completely unique coat in pastel pink, blue, and purple tones, which makes the figures shine in a truly one-of-a-kind look.
She adorns the soldiers with bows, flowers, and glitter that one might never expect to find in the grim world of Warhammer.
MeinMMO editor and miniature fan Caro contacted Bubblegum Angels and was able to ask her a few questions in an interview, including: How she became aware of Warhammer, what inspired her style, and how her little soldiers are received by the fans of the dark universe.
In this trailer, you can see more Warhammer miniatures painted in a more traditional style:
“There is a whole world within this hobby that you are SO welcome in”
Bubblegum Angels describes herself as an extroverted person who, despite her difficulty sitting still, loves creative hobbies such as drawing alongside video games, movies, series, and reading.
About a year ago, she also started her entry into the world of Warhammer miniatures.
MeinMMO: How and when did you first get in touch with miniature painting?
Bubblegum Angels: It was almost exactly a year ago that I actually painted my first mini! I knew some people that painted and played Warhammer and I wanted to give it a shot. I’ve always loved art and painting and minis seemed like a really cool, different kind of canvas. I just went into my local Warhammer store and the staff there got me started, and I very quickly fell in love with the hobby.
MeinMMO: What made you choose Warhammer miniatures in particular? Are you also interested in painting other types of miniatures?
Bubblegum Angels: Warhammer was the first I was introduced to, I’ve found it very accessible and easy to pick up. I’ve bought a number of other miniatures, especially during trips to Japan. There’s lots of independent creators out there who make really cool stuff. My unpainted army is always growing. Like how people say their eyes are too big for their stomach – I think my eyes are too big for the speed at which I paint.
Miniatures that make you want to take a bite
MeinMMO: What is your usual workflow when it comes to painting? Do you use special techniques?
Bubblegum Angels: Each mini I paint goes a little different. I’m constantly trying to learn and advance how I paint. I don’t have anything I swear by at the moment, I’m just mainly aiming for that silky smooth looking finish that makes my miniatures feel like you could take a bite out of them. Thin coats and patience, basically!
MeinMMO: What kind of equipment and paints do you usually work with?
Bubblegum Angels: What I do swear by is Green Stuff World paints. Incredible colour pay off, incomparable to any other brands I’ve tried.
I use a range of different brushes and I’m still deciding on a favourite – always keen to hear what other people are into for brushes. I haven’t fallen in love with any yet.
I recently got a push pop palette from Green Stuff World that I am obsessed with though.
MeinMMO: Faces – just how? How do you manage to get such fine details on their faces and actually make them look good?
Speed paints are your friend! So a layer paint as a base and a contrast coat over the top is really all you need. If I’m feeling extravagant, I’ll add some highlights, but faces are such neutral colours they don’t get me too excited. Hence, I gave my Belial blusher and lipstick.
I go out of my way to use helmets instead of faces most of the time anyway
“For me, the appeal is that it just isn’t what you expect to see on something so well known”
MeinMMO: What inspired you to develop your style? And in your opinion, what makes pastel-colored soldiers so appealing? Besides their fabulous style, obviously.
Bubblegum Angels: My style is primarily inspired by Japanese creator Minamo Mizu. She customises Gunpla models in her own unique kawaii style. I saw her work many years ago at the Gundam Base in Japan and immediately fell in love. I knew one day I wanted to create something like that, and when I discovered Warhammer it felt like what I’d been waiting for.
For me, the appeal is that it just isn’t what you expect to see on something so well known. It creates a whole new perspective. When I saw Mizu’s Gundam on display, it was like a new door of artistic possibilities opened up in my mind. Despite having seen countless Gunpla models before, this one immediately resonated with me and had an entire story to tell me.
MeinMMO: How has your work been received so far? Especially as a female person presenting a hobby, that is widely still associated with men and a “masculine game”.
Bubblegum Angels: Overwhelming positive. I have been blown away by the open arms with which my silly little pink guys and I have been welcomed into the hobby. Obviously, you will always get people who hate what you create – but that is something I really love about art. Something I’ve made can be viewed by different people and they each can have a totally different feeling and reaction to it, because of all the little butterfly effects that have led them to this moment as the person they are. Isn’t that just the coolest thing?
Anyway, if I’ve ever had anyone in the hobby behave negatively towards me for being female, I don’t remember it. Maybe a weightless comment here or there, but nothing significant enough for me to recall right now.
I receive a lot of messages from all kinds of people telling me that seeing what I’ve painted made them feel happy, welcome, represented etc, and it is just the most lovely thing.
“Don’t be scared of making mistakes – you will absolutely make them and you will do so fabulously”
For newcomers to the hobby or those interested in painting miniatures themselves, Bubblegum Angels has a few tips and encouraging words.
MeinMMO: How do you manage the worst part of an otherwise great hobby – finances? Is there a way to save money, especially when getting started?
Bubblegum Angels: Honestly, I paint so slowly that I haven’t yet spent too much on it! I decided to commit to a Warhammer combat patrol box, which I found to be good value for the amount of minis you get and has given me plenty of hours of joy to paint through.
But generally my advice when getting started would be not to overwhelm yourself. You won’t stick to the hobby long if you do. Just get the basics first – get whatever few paint colours you need to start off, don’t go buying the most expensive brushes right and even just see what you can use out of what you already own. Also get the free mini of the month! That’s such a great thing that Warhammer does, and you get to participate in your local community by visiting the store and meeting people there.
MeinMMO: And finally – What is your advice for beginners who are curious about miniature painting and want to get started?
Bubblegum Angels: Don’t be scared of making mistakes – you will absolutely make them and you will do so fabulously. There is a whole world within this hobby that you are SO welcome in, it’s just waiting for you to step through the door. And if you ever need help, just shoot me a message.
Anyone who wants to follow Bubblegum Angels or reach out to her for help can do so on her social media channels on Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube.
Perhaps you enjoyed the artist’s insight and it sparked your curiosity as well. Miniatures have been around since the beginning of tabletop gaming, and due to the large armies involved, they exist in vast quantities. One Warhammer fan even found a box full of figures that were simply “up for grabs.” When he presented them to the community, they got pretty curious: User finds Warhammer figures in an “up for grabs” pile, community clarifies: They are worth about 500 euros
