"Hola amigo, I come to suck your blood!"

Hi everyone,

The last two weeks I started watching the videos of James Wappel who paints nearly elusively in oils, and I was blown away!

I remember in the early ’80s historical miniature painters used to use oils.  In that time, acrylics started to come into popularity, so I never had the inclination to use oils.  I could achieve all the effects I wanted with acrylics.

After watching, Mr Wappel do his magic, and making it look so easy, I decided to jump in and I am very happy I did so.

It is like learning to walk all over again.  My first attempts were disastrous, and I was over the moon.  Oils have given me a new and enjoyable challenge.  I do not envision ever stop using oils.

Below is the first miniature I ever painted completely in oils that is good enough for the tabletop! It was painted over a black acrylic undercoat.  It took me several attempts to get to this result.  If I painted this in acrylics it would be ten times better.

Nonetheless, I haven’t enjoyed painting miniatures this much in a very long time!

I will not do away with acrylics altogether.  I will still use acrylics to paint 15mm and 10mm armies, and certain details like gems and gold trinkets.  Over time though, as I get better and more experienced with oil paints, their use will come more and more prominent in my work. If not for the quality I can achieve, then for the sheer enjoyment I get out of the process.

So until my next post, stay safe and have fun.

NR