Before committing to a major wargaming terrain or painting project, I tend to do experiments and develop prototypes first.
My main terrain project this year was all about Battletech terrain, but the following is applicable to most of my terrain and painting projects.
I always try out some ideas and techniques first. The decisive indicators are:
- Budget and availability (of materials and tools)
- Speed and complexity
- Esthetics and game play
By creating “mockups” first, I aim to align these three factors in my decision-making.
Ultimately, I stick to 1 solution, which I tend to document in detail (and hopefully publish on our blog). For further insights, see my articles on journalling and paint recipes.
What goes for terrain also counts for my miniature painting. A while ago, I posted a Hobby Shortcut on using painting dummies to test paint schemes.
Experimenting this way is in itself part of my creative process and provides me with as much fun as committing to the final piece.
I highly recommend you try out this practice. You’ll learn a lot during the process. And, it’s fun!