A Q&A with Dan Adam of Paint All The Minis
“Paint All The Minis is an online community that aims to celebrate and empower people to hobby sustainably. We do all we can to give you stuff to watch/listen to/think about whilst you are nerding about. We give a place for people to share their paintwork which is mature and positive.”
What originally brought you into the hobby?
I was looking at a new sociable hobby unrelated to work. I had played a lot of sports but I kept on getting injured and it took up a lot of my time.
I tried video games which I enjoyed but they weren’t very social. I have 0 friends who game, and also 12 year old kids were trash talking me whilst they were schooling me.
I went to a game store and bought some models. I promised to paint them and play 3 games….I did, and have kept on ever since.
If you had to pick between collecting/painting and gaming, which one would you choose, and why?
Painting for sure. I like all aspects of the hobby but collecting would cost me too much money and playing relies on someone else.
Sometimes I just like to pick up a model and throw a wash on it. Other times, I might take hours to paint one up. I do try really hard to fully interact with all aspects of the hobby though, to make sure that I am making it the best possible value for time, immersion, and money.
Fantasy, sci-fi, or historical? What’s your preferred gaming sandbox?
I like all areas to be honest. It’s the community and rule set that entice me really.
I like a deep game but without having to remember to much needless stuff.
Alessio Cavatore games are always a winner. His sophistication through simplicity design is one I really love. You dont have to think to much about how the pieces move in chess, yet the game is really deep.
A Song of Ice and Fire is a game I have been setting about with reckless abandon over the last year and a bit, I really enjoy that.
Any game that allows me to make decisions and try to outwit my opponent is fun. Min/Maxing and too much emphasis on the list build doesn’t really do it for me. Relicblade, The Drowned Earth, and Frostgrave are pretty epic too.
Do you prefer to make your own terrain, or buy pre-made stuff?
I have done both but I much prefer pre made stuff. It’s more robust as I move around. I have made my own though, which has been fun. It’s a great palette cleanse in-between paint projects.
Do you have a favourite miniature wargame that you can play through in an hour or less?
Dude!!! Kill Team is probably the only one I can get cracked in that time.
What are 3 tabletop, miniature, or hobby related podcasts you enjoy?
I am not a massive fan of those sorts of Podcasts to be honest!!! haha, although Cryinmo’s Tabletop Alchemy is one I listen to. That’s good.
Don’t tell Ignatius Fischer that though, he’ll get a big head.
Which God of Chaos would you serve, and why?
Nurgle for sure! Love the aesthetic, & who doesn’t want tentacles, horns, and a whole group of flies keeping you company?
You’re being evacuated to a space colony and can only take 3 games with you. What are they?
V Commandos, A Song of Ice and Fire, & Space Hulk.
Do you have an outright favourite army or faction out of all the gaming universes?
Fallen Dark Angels probably. I love the whole idea of they were having a great time on Caliban, Emperor shows up, and they toddle off to do his bidding, great times!! But wait, Emprah wrecks Caliban and ruins its natural beauty amongst loads of other stuff, cracks appear and some of the Dark Angels decide they don’t want in anymore.
I don’t know how much of that story is accurate or how much I made up but the idea that some of the faction may decide to stand up for what they believe and to reverse previous decisions going against their own battle brothers is just pretty interesting and deep. Then the fact that they could be bad, but actually not bad, and that their mates are hunting them down to keep the secret is all pretty interesting.
Is there a specific miniature wargame you tend to dig out when introducing a friend to the hobby for the very first time?
Space Hulk, sometimes Blood Bowl. Any opportunity I get to play them then I am all over it.
Tell us where we can find you online, and check out what you do.
You can check out our Facebook community Paint All The Minis. Our community aims to celebrate average Joe’s doing their hobby thing, just painting, sharing, creating positivity & good will without negativity. We also have a website, YouTube channel, and podcast of the same name.
Listen to the Paint All The Minis Paint Ramble Podcast
Huge thanks to Dan for taking part! If you’re interested in doing a Q&A on the site in future, contact us.