May’s Palette: A Vibrant Showcase from the Tabletop Battles Community

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tabletop Battles Headquarters – May 31, 2026 – The miniature painting community at Tabletop Battles has concluded another exceptionally productive month, transforming countless plastic and resin figures into vibrant tabletop ready armies and display pieces. May 2026 saw a diverse array of projects, ranging from colossal war machines of the far future to iconic characters from beloved cinematic universes, all meticulously brought to life by dedicated hobbyists. This month’s roundup not only highlights individual artistic triumphs but also underscores the enduring passion and innovative spirit that defines the tabletop gaming world.

Across the various desks and workshops, hobbyists tackled significant backlogs, experimented with advanced painting techniques, and prepared for upcoming game editions and tournaments. The sheer variety of systems represented—from the grimdark battlefields of Warhammer 40,000 and the fantastical realms of Age of Sigmar to the tactical engagements of Star Wars: Legion and the intricate mechs of Battletech—demonstrates the broad appeal and creative freedom inherent in the miniature hobby.

A Chronology of Creative Endeavors: May’s Major Accomplishments

The month unfolded with a flurry of activity, as Tabletop Battles contributors navigated real-world commitments alongside their artistic pursuits. Many projects were either completed after weeks of dedicated effort or served as quick, therapeutic palette cleansers between larger, more demanding undertakings.

Warhammer 40,000 & Age of Sigmar: From Colossal Constructs to Xenos Hordes

The Imperium and its adversaries, alongside the monstrous denizens of the Mortal Realms, dominated a significant portion of May’s output.

Soggy, despite limited hobby time, completed two "miniatures" that proved anything but small. The Vindicarum Cogfort, a truly monumental model, demanded considerable effort. Described as a "monster," its completion sparked discussions about its potential in Age of Sigmar’s Regiment of Renown and the creative kitbashes it inspires. Complementing this, Soggy also tackled a Salamanders Spartan Prometheus. While acknowledging the Falchion as a more novel release, painting the Spartan offered a "very therapeutic" experience after the intensity of the Cogfort. Soggy faces an ambitious challenge next month, having committed to assembling and painting a Thunderhawk for terrain.

"Contemptor" Kevin Stillman delivered a robust collection of finished models, focusing heavily on the Ork faction. His Deffkoptas were praised for their "oodles of character," with plans for further detailing using Armageddon’s decal sheet. A striking Deff Dread also emerged from his workbench, a centerpiece from the 2021 Ork Combat Patrol that Kevin intends to duplicate due to its "adorable and spikey" aesthetic. In a race against time for a local Warhammer Store’s "1 Million Miniatures challenge," Kevin swiftly painted a squad of Reivers to complete an Ultramarines Combat Patrol, which later featured in an impressive display alongside his Orks, a Thousand Sons Helbrute, and a Void Shield Generator. Rounding out his Ork contributions, Kevin meticulously touched up his Ghazghkull Thrakka, ensuring the faction leader was in prime condition for upcoming Ork content in 2026. A standout achievement was the customization of Wazdakka Gutzmek, who was re-based from his original "villain rock" onto a shattered transterranic gantry, cleverly depicting a struggling Intercessor beneath. This impressive conversion earned Kevin a Silver at the Dallas Warhammer Open Competition.

Rockfish continued to systematically clear through a substantial backlog, notably finishing the "new models" segment of their Battletech collection. Their enthusiasm for painting Imperial Guard vehicles shone through with the completion of a Centaur RSV and a Hippogriff AFV, showcasing intricate detailing on these crucial battlefield assets. A formidable Defiler from Warhammer 40,000 also saw completion, alongside a Broadside Battlesuit that had languished in the backlog since 2017. Rockfish also test-painted Blood Angels Terminators with a quick technique, signaling future plans for an entire squad.

Loxi, proud owner of "Too Many Armies for Age of Sigmar," recommitted to her Ironjawz, preparing them for a slow grow league and a summer GT. Her "tundra" bases, a successful concoction from a previous Horus Heresy project, were revived for a Weirdbrute Wrekkas unit, a Tuskboss on Maw Grunta, and Maw Grunta Gougers. Despite a slightly heavy enamel wash on the Tuskboss’s armor plates, the models demonstrated a strong thematic coherence and artistic vision.

Ezekyle Catbaddon, despite facing numerous real-life distractions, successfully completed an Exaction Squad for Kill Team. These models, lauded for their character, were painted with meticulous adherence to lore, utilizing Citadel’s Black Templar Contrast and precise highlights of Eshin Gray and Administratum Gray for the armor. P3 Solid Gold was chosen for metallic details, despite requiring multiple coats for optimal coverage. Ezekyle found the process "great fun" and looks forward to tackling a Battletech: Gothic King Crab and an Imperial Navy Breacher team next.

Carter "Saffgor" Kachmarik focused his limited hobby time on Hastarii Fusileers, preparing them for potential prominence in the upcoming 11th edition of Warhammer 40,000. Adhering to his army’s Ash Wastes theme, he designed them with a "big game hunter" aesthetic, making them bulkier versions of standard Skitarii. The models are nearing completion, with weathering and clean-up awaiting final points adjustments in the new edition.

NotThatHenryC made significant headway on several ambitious projects. For Horus Heresy, he began work on a Sons of Horus army, completing a Rhino and most of a Kratos using sponge blending techniques. Simultaneously, he experimented with achieving a marble effect on Custodes tanks, inspired by Soggy’s work. This intricate process involved a red base, masking, black and white Montana marble sprays, and a thinned Magmadroth Orange Contrast glaze, resulting in a unique and striking finish. He also prepared for the 11th edition by painting a Phobos Lieutenant and Librarian for his Crimson Fists, using them in his first and last game of 10th edition, maintaining a decade-long streak of playing every edition.

Star Wars Universes: Rebels, Imperials, and Mandalorian Might

The iconic characters and vehicles of the Star Wars galaxy also featured prominently in May’s showcase.

"Contemptor" Kevin Stillman expanded his Star Wars: Legion collection with a TX-130 Saber Tank. This model served as an experimental canvas, relying heavily on airbrushing, masking tape, and an oil wash, with minimal brushwork for details. Expert assistance from TTB paint gurus Keewa and CrabStuffedMushrooms helped resolve some last-minute challenges, resulting in a stunning 501st Legion-assigned vehicle.

"DirtBoi" Micah Roe further developed his "dirty and dusty" Empire army for Star Wars: Legion. His simplified paint schemes, utilizing drybrushing, contrast paints, and oil washes, topped with bright pigment powder bases, created a cohesive and thematic force. Director Orson Krennic, providing "devious side eye," was supported by Death Troopers, their distinctive helmets brought to life. A highlight was Boba Fett, the first Mandalorian on screen, whose details were enhanced through paint mixing, layering, and careful highlights. Micah experimented with Object Source Lighting (OSL) and fluorescent paints for the jet plumes, showcasing a continuous drive for improvement.

Mandalorian Sleuth, true to his name, began tackling a "massive backlog" of Mandalorian models in anticipation of the upcoming Mandalorian army release. His work centered on Clan Wren and Clan Saxon, with punchy highlights making the Clan Saxon red-on-black pop, and black lining bringing out details on Clan Wren figures like Ursa. His goal is to prepare as many as possible for tabletop action.

Beyond the Major Universes: Diverse Worlds and Unique Challenges

May also saw contributors venturing into a myriad of other gaming systems, demonstrating the breadth of the hobby.

"Contemptor" Kevin Stillman also dipped into StarCraft: The Miniatures Game, completing Terran Medics. His experience with these models, detailed in a "How to Paint Everything" article, provided insights into the challenges and specific application of TurboDork paints.

Andrew_N, recovering from shoulder surgery, made commendable progress despite physical limitations. He completed a squad of Salamanders Sanctifiers, a project started pre-surgery, using it as an opportunity to refine his black armor recipe and Salamanders skin tones. As a "palette cleanser," he rekindled his childhood interest in Battletech after attending the Richmond Open. He began painting a company of Eridani Light Horse from the Mercenaries Kickstarter, finding them "an absolute joy to paint" and a quick side project.

Jefferson Powers achieved a significant milestone by painting enough Guards of Traitor’s Toll civilians to get the game to the table, with more planned for future assembly. He also painted a handsome Baron von Staler from Monolith’s Solomon Kane RPG Vault for an online painting contest, viewing such single figures as ideal "palette cleansers." His major project, however, was the Big Trouble in Little China board game, which involved painting 40 miniatures, including heroes, villains, and henchmen. Despite the "board game quality" figures, he found the project thoroughly enjoyable. He now looks forward to tackling Marvel Crisis Protocol next month.

Jake "Starting Hex" Bennington managed to paint a single model, surpassing his personal average. Anticipating the October release of Gundam Assemble, he painted a Zaku from a special Gundam Card Game set in the "Black Tri-Star" scheme. Despite the scheme being "annoying" due to his preference for purple, he detailed the process in a guide, showcasing how easily a tabletop-ready model can be achieved.

Lee "Dandy" Dale successfully completed his Trench Pilgrim Warband for Trench Crusade. Embracing a "grimdark" style, he extensively used the John Blanche Masterclass sets from Army Painter and enamel washes from Villainy Ink. This marked his first significant foray into the reductive painting technique, which he found "easier than expected," dispelling some trepidation about using enamels and solvents. The Shrine Anchrite, in particular, offered an ideal canvas for experimenting with various enamels.

Insights from the Workbench: Techniques and Triumphs

May’s roundup wasn’t just about completed models; it offered a window into the evolving techniques and personal philosophies of the hobbyists. Many contributors highlighted the balance between ambition and practical constraints. Soggy’s experience with the Cogfort underscored the intense commitment required for large models, while his Spartan served as a reminder of the therapeutic joy of simpler projects.

Kevin Stillman’s success at the Dallas Warhammer Open with Wazdakka Gutzmek demonstrated the rewards of creative conversion and meticulous painting, even when adapting a model to a new base theme. His foray into TurboDork paints for the StarCraft Medics also provided valuable community insight into the specific application challenges of certain paint lines.

The burgeoning interest in Battletech, exemplified by Andrew_N’s and Rockfish’s projects, suggests a growing resurgence for classic mech combat. Andrew’s use of new events like the Richmond Open’s Mech Grinder to rekindle interest speaks to the power of community engagement.

Micah Roe’s experiments with simplified paintjobs using drybrushing, contrast paints, and oil washes, finished with pigment powders, showcased effective methods for achieving striking results efficiently, particularly valuable for army painters. His ongoing efforts to master Object Source Lighting (OSL) reflect a common artistic goal among advanced painters.

Lee Dale’s successful adoption of the "reductive technique" with enamels and solvents provided a compelling testament to the accessibility and effectiveness of what might initially seem intimidating methods. His promise of a future article on the process indicates a desire to share knowledge and demystify advanced techniques for the wider community.

NotThatHenryC’s detailed explanation of his marble effect on Custodes tanks, involving multiple layers of spray and glazes, exemplifies the innovative spirit and willingness to experiment that drives artistic progress in the hobby. The integration of different brands and specific masking techniques points to a sophisticated understanding of paint properties.

Looking Ahead: The Ever-Expanding Horizon of Hobbying

As May draws to a close, the Tabletop Battles community looks forward to an equally productive June. Many contributors have laid out ambitious plans, from tackling long-neglected backlogs to preparing for major game releases and competitive events.

Soggy’s commitment to a Thunderhawk for terrain sets a high bar for collaborative hobby projects. Kevin Stillman’s anticipation of more Ork content in 2026, paired with his intention to acquire another Deff Dread, signals a continued focus on expanding his Waaagh! Andrew_N’s "Stormhammer eyeing me from my closet of opportunity" hints at another large-scale project on the horizon, while Rockfish has Dante and Tau Pathfinders in his sights.

Jefferson Powers’ leap into Marvel Crisis Protocol, Jake Bennington’s eager wait for Gundam Assemble, and Ezekyle Catbaddon’s upcoming Battletech King Crab and Imperial Navy Breacher team all point to a continued diversification of projects. Lee Dale’s plans for further additions to his Trench Crusade Warband, and Mandalorian Sleuth’s sprint to complete his Mandalorian backlog, underscore the dynamic and forward-looking nature of the hobby.

The May 2026 hobby roundup from Tabletop Battles serves as a compelling reminder of the vibrant, dedicated, and constantly evolving world of miniature painting. It’s a community driven by passion, creativity, and a shared love for bringing imaginative worlds to life, one meticulously painted miniature at a time. The ongoing commitment to sharing insights, techniques, and triumphs ensures that the tabletop battles are not just fought on the board, but also won on the workbench.