A few weeks ago, I decided I need a new hobby.
I have a distant childhood memory of a game called Gorkamorka, set in the Warhammer 40k universe it was about Orks stranding on a desert planet and fighting against each other. I remember how hard it was for me to get the necessary funds for the box, tools and paints, only for the friends who brought me to it to move on to another game after I finally managed to play with them for the first time. That one game was amazing though, it's my first memory of doing something until the birds started singing.
So now with the financial situation somewhat better, I chose to give Warhammer another try. I started with the current introductory box from a local book shop, just to see if the painting is something I enjoy. I've never done any kind of art, so it was quite intimidating. But it was only like 80 EUR to get started, worth a shot.
To my surprise, I really really enjoy painting those little guys. It's so calming, I even forget to smoke cigarettes for hours.
There's so much to learn about techniques, I did spend more time on YouTube than actually painting so far. While seeing the works of people who are doing it for many years already can be intimidating, it's absolutely fascinating what's possible. And I do see some progress, and I'm gonna share it with you!
The box I bought contained 5 Ultramarines and 11 Tyranids, and pretty much everything else to start. Basic tools, a brush, 5 colors for a basic paint job. I also got a can of primer and a holder for the models, which brought my initial investment up to 76 EUR.
My first thought after I opened the box was "Damn, those are tiny, I'll never manage to do that". But I tried, and the initial results weren't that bad, and I build the confidence that I can get better.
The limited colors bugged me pretty quickly, so a few days later I decided to travel out a little further, to a dedicated tabletop store in a neighboring town. After entering, I immediately regretted the long walk, as the people there apparently lived up to the gamer cliche of not washing - the smell was crazy. But now I was there already, so I let them give me some advice about painting, grabbed a set of Age of Sigmar colors to extend my choices, a brown wash, a texture color for the bases, one more brush, and a pack of Boyz for the start of the Ork army I dedided I want to build. Down another 84 EUR.
The models look much better with more colors though!
Next step before buying more stuff was working on techniques a little. Space Marines use edge highlighting, and while I'm not proud of my first attempt, it does look better than plain.
The models from the starter box kept me busy for about two weeks. In the meantime I checked out another hobby store and bought more things. A wet palette because I was annoyed that the paints dried so fast, which was a great decision. A set of tools to properly cut and drill and file stuff. A black wash, some more brushes including a kolinsky, and a set of Gretchin they had on sale there. All in all, another 89 EUR gone.
Equipped with all these, I "finished" the models I started, before moving on to begin painting my future army. This is them in their current state, pretty good progress in my view.
With that out of the way, it was finally time to get to the Gretchin. I love how those little grots look, their diversity makes painting them so much more fun for me!
Naturally, I needed to go to the store again and spend another 15 EUR on paints - a bright orange which I wanted for the tanks on the weapons of the Ultramarines as I was unhappy with my mixing results, a light green and a green wash, and I saw a "fresh blood" paint which caught my attention. I grabbed Vallejo paints this time, as they're cheaper and come in nice dripper bottles. I also got a cheap desk light with cold light from a corner store for 8 EUR, I'll have to replace that down the line with something better and bigger, but for now it's better than nothing.
That brings my investment to 272 EUR in the first 20 days. For that I got 25 paints, 5 brushes, all the tools I think I need, and about 37 minis. It is an expensive hobby, but well worth it for me I'd say. I will keep you updated with my progress. If you have any tips, please leave them in the comments.
And here they are, my first three green guys!
I'm excited to dive in deeper. My shopping list contains the Armageddon Bataillon box for some vehicles, and in a month or so the new launch box also called Armageddon will be released, great timing for a new Ork player!
