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Enjoy the process: mimiature painting with our team member

Added 2025-07-29 16:50:59 +0000 UTC

Gleb is one of our team members with extensive experience in miniature painting, as well as our product manager. He's been in the hobby for years and brings both technical skill and creative vision to the table.

We sat down with Gleb for a interview to talk about his painting journey, challenges, and personal take on the craft. Enjoy!

1. Do you remember your first painted miniature? What was it, and how do you feel about it now?

My first miniature was a Genestealer from the Start Collecting Tyranids box. It included eight Genestealers, a Broodlord, and a Trygon. I painted them more or less in that order. Looking back now, it’s kind of horrifying — my skills have improved a lot since then, but I don’t want to strip and repaint the mountain of minis I’ve collected over the years.

2. Was there ever a model that drove you absolutely mad — and why did you finish it anyway?

I don't think I’ve ever completely lost it over a model, but some poses really get on my nerves. Especially monopose kits — you can’t paint them as separate bits, and once assembled, some areas are just impossible to reach. What saves me is that my painting style is usually pretty straightforward — I aim to finish a set before the next game or tournament.

3. Do you have any “taboos” in painting — something you refuse to do?

Not really. I like experimenting. But I really don’t enjoy filling in gaps — sometimes that’s just a pain. I’m also not a fan of certain techniques, like Slap Chop. It’s a solid method, especially if you need to paint a ton of models fast, but it’s not for me personally.

4. Have you ever painted a miniature “non-canon,” deliberately ignoring the faction’s colors or established style? Why?

My main faction is Tyranids, and I painted them with black chitin and red carapaces with yellow stripes — there’s no official Hive Fleet like that in the lore. I call mine Typhon. From the beginning, I wanted my army to feel unique, so I created my own (simple) color scheme rather than following the official ones.

5. Is there a miniature or style that intimidates you — something you still haven’t dared to try?

NMM (non-metallic metal). I can technically do it, but I definitely need more practice. I’m a perfectionist — either I power through because of deadlines, or I spend a ton of time trying to level up my skill. And NMM would demand a lot of time. Models are easier, though I’ve had Nagash sitting on my shelf for a while now. The model is amazing, and I honestly feel a bit scared to start — I want to do it justice. But I’ll get to him soon.

6. If you could share just one truth about painting with a beginner, what would it be?

The process matters more than the result. This is a hobby. Competitions and comparing yourself to others aren’t as important as simply enjoying the act of painting. Put on some music or a podcast, thin your paints, and let yourself get into the flow. There will always be artists better than you, or with techniques you don’t know — that’s okay. What matters is that you enjoy yourself.