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| Apologies for the rather dreadful photo. Still, it is proof! |
So, here we are: a week from the start of 2020 and I have finally finished painting three miniatures. An abysmal annual effort, but truly a reflection of how poorly engaged I have been with the hobby this year. In truth, it all ties in with the work and living situation here in California.
The reality is that I haven't had a space for the hobby. Our current place is rather small, and with space being at a premium, I cannot very well ask the wife to surrender some of that for little toy soldiers. So the bulk of my entertainment has come from playing video games and reading this year. On the topic of reading, might I heartily recommend Winston Churchill's "My Early Life: 1874-1904". I found the book a joy to read and a gateway to many a conflict. I know that I, for one, am keen to look further into the North-West Frontier and Sudan War thanks to this book. Read it.
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| An excellent book, very easy to read. |
I might also mention that the heat and dryness here in the San Joaquin Valley makes for weather that is not particularly conducive to painting. When the sun is out and the hounds are keen to play, who am I to say otherwise? Only now that we have hit the rainy, cold season do I find myself in the mood to paint. That said, now that I have indeed put brush to miniature, I find myself inspired once more to get that "hour a day" in before bed. Hence the Germans above, and the Soviet Naval Infanteer lurking behind them.
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| One does not simply ignore these two. |
In other news, I have been back to Britain twice this year, and have both times ferried quantities of miniatures and paints back with me. Having brought much lead over at the end of October, I had the makings of motivation, it just took a particularly miserable run of weather to convince me to build a rather nice little paint station my wife got me for my birthday back in June, and we were off to the races. I would highly recommend on of these handy little things to all my friends, it is very movable and surprisingly sturdy. Click on the picture to go to Amazon to see the GameCraft Miniatures Painting Station - 26mm V2, for Vallejo and Army Painter Style Dropper Bottles. Highly recommended.
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| Not all heroes wear capes... |
Truly this paint station has been a lifesaver for me and has enabled me to get back to painting. I only hope that I can make a better effort in 2020 than I did this year. With that in mind, I look forward to creating more content for this website and the YouTube channel in the coming few weeks. However, until then, I wish all my dear readers a Merry Christmas, and I look forward to serving you better in 2020.