Warhammer- Rediscovering a hobby

When I was in my mid-teens my Dad remarried and in turn, I took on a new family including a younger stepbrother. Why am I telling you this you’re probably wondering? Well, there was one summer where I went to stay with them – before he remarried. It was only meant to be for a few days or so. However, those few days turned into a few more and I ended up staying for over a week if I recall correctly. One of the reasons I stayed longer was Warhammer.

I’d painted Warhammer models on and off since I was probably 10 I’d guess. But I’d fallen out of the loop with the hobby when things like secondary school, football, and other things cropped up. I still dabbled here and there when hanging out with friends, but not much.

When I was staying with my stepbrother we decided to spend a lot of our time painting. To the point that we walked all the way in town the nearest town. Which took easily over an hour each way to buy more models. Eldar – now known as Craftworlds or Asuryani, were my chosen force. We would spend literally the whole day sitting in his kitchen whilst my Dad and Stepmother were working just painting away the hours. It’s a memory that I’m really fond of because sometimes getting a new family can be tough. But I was very lucky that I had common interests with my Stepbrother.

2020

Since those days, I’ve painted nothing. That being said, there has always been a part of me that’s wanted to. There have been days when I would be out shopping and I’d pass by the local Games Workshop and wonder whether I should just pop in to see what they had. That is until a month or so go.

Then, for my birthday this year, I got some models. A starter set with a few paints that I’d need to kick things off. Not long after I was buying more, and as I write this I’m currently waiting on a delivery for even more.

Let’s be honest, this year hasn’t been great. That being said, it’s presented a lot of opportunities for people to try out new things, or pick up old hobbies again. That’s exactly what I’ve done and I’m loving it.

I’m way, way out of the loop on everything to do with Warhammer. Even when I did collect and paint models previously. I would just pick ones that I thought looked cool. That’s what I’m doing now. I’ve started with some simpler designs so I can get back into the swing of things a bit more. With the plan of getting some more intricate models when I’m a little more practiced and have a wider collection of paints.

I’ve always been an admirer of Warhammer lore. Over the years I’ve played many video games set within those worlds. Vermintide being one particular standout for me. It’s therefore not all that surprising that I would eventually be drawn back in.

My skills in painting models might be a little rusty but I’ve been fairly happy with some of my results so far. Plus I feel that even with just a couple of models finished I’ve already improved.

Relax

Whilst I enjoy painting and the results of my work. I actually just find the process of sitting down not looking at my computer and phone, having the TV off, and just having some peace and quiet really enjoyable. I’ve easily passed multiple hours without realising it when painting.

But it can also be quite social too. Many of my friends have either continued to paint or have started again and we’ve met up to hang out and paint together. Rediscovering my enjoyment of painting has given me a nice break from the default of playing video games when I have free time and I’ve been loving it.

Are there any hobbies you’ve picked up or rediscovered lately?

-Will