Starting a hobby that requires a lot of dexterity sounds intimidating to many curious individuals. However, the community of Warhammer and Dungeons & Dragons notices that there are many people who not only know the necessary skills but already master them wonderfully.
Painting miniatures sounds like something unattainable for many curious individuals who find the hobby exciting but hesitate due to “lack of skills.” Online, you can find the projects of absolute professionals, with smooth brush strokes and colors applied so precisely that many give up before they even started.
The community of this hobby is a very welcoming place that does not judge newcomers for their initial results, but rather motivates, helps, and wants to ensure that new people stay. Yes, painting miniatures requires certain skills that one can develop. What many may not realize is that these skills already exist in many people – and vice versa.
Casey Explosion on Bluesky and splashythemagiccarp on Reddit also point this out: “For everyone who needs to hear it? [Painting miniatures and nail art] are transferable skills.”
Some miniatures of the heroines and heroes can also be seen in the trailer for the fourth campaign of Critical Role:
“Brush control is brush control!”
What makes the two different activities so similar? Based on this observation shared in the community, many artists suddenly realize how similar the skills developed through them are.
- On one hand, both activities require a steady hand, or better yet, a method that ensures a steady hand. When painting nails, one often rests their fingers on a stable surface. For miniatures, stability is often provided through a holder, as the hand controlling the brush can brace itself there.
- For both nails and miniatures, the rule is: one base coat, two thin layers, and a sealing top coat.
- Nail artists often paint patterns and entire motifs on nails with thin brushes and plenty of calm and patience. This requires exactly the same skills as a detailed miniature.
The only real difference between the two activities is that you cannot use the same colors and polishes, as they do not look as good or adhere as well on the other “medium” as they do on the intended one.
Regarding the skills, a nail artist could make rapid progress in the miniature hobby, and miniature artists could really paint some stylish nails.
What does the community say about this realization? Based on the reactions that arise under the posts on the topic, this statement seems to be more than accurate. And the community even partially demonstrates this with evidence:
“I passed my nail design exam by painting symbols of High Elves from Warhammer Fantasy,” reports RealLunarSlayer on Reddit, but Freya Tail also admits on Bluesky: “Last month, I applied dry-brushing techniques to my nails, and they turned out phenomenal. I did a marble effect on my nails.”
Markymalfunction therefore knows exactly what the community would benefit from the most in a perfect world: “They should open nail studios in Games Workshop stores. Also, we should start playing 40k in nail studios. The world would be a better place.”
Due to the transferable skills of painting miniatures and nails, some beginners may find it easier than others. However, that should not prevent those who have not had much brush control experience from giving the hobby a chance. MeinMMO editor Caro also fell in love with painting the little guys and reported here on MeinMMO about her entry: My new hobby is even nerdier than Dungeons & Dragons, and you can wonderfully combine the two
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