I've said it before, I'll say it again. It's not about making 'great' content all the time, it's just about 'content' from, and with, a producer/creator that people relate too. So videos like this ARE great for how they brighten your day and make you feel part of something. My whole day is starting off right by having a good ol' BMC waiting to be watched. You do that for your subscribers, and I thank you for it.
Bro, you've given me the most important thing in life, a deeper connection and quality time with my 5 year old daughter. She's heavy into crafting anything and everything girly and constantly wants me to join in and do it with her. Having Aspergers, I have an incredibly difficult time holding interest on things that I can't relate to; it's nearly impossible even though I want to. My daughter has a ceramic Christmas village that we put up every year and we've already put it up this year. While looking nice, it's basic and could look better but can get rather expensive making it better. I started looking for alternatives and found your chanel. We've been making wells, stone pathways and many other basic things all week together using techniques from your videos. She's stoked I am interested in her hobby, I'm stoked because I can join in on her hobby in a way that holds my interest and we're having a blast together. Thank you so much.
I think one of my favourite things about this channel is the fact that you often do stuff like "I had this idea how to make this thing..." then proceed to film the process and then find out that it was a total failure, and then how you improvise how to make it work anyway. It's really nice to see that entire process. While it's of course really helpful to see someone do something that they've done before and get a perfect result, it's also very inspiring to see what can happen when things don't turn out the way you imagined them and how to still make it work.
My husband introduced me to d&d. Then about a year ago got to looking into crafting modular tiles to help with the immersion of our players. He knew that I would take off on this hobby because I've aleays been a little crafty/artsy, but He also knew that I, as a person who suffers from debilitating anxiety, needed something to help me focus, and help me get outside of my own head. It has helped immensely. It feels so good to create, and make something beautiful. From modular tiles, scrolls, books, and tiny furniture. . . To field mats, bridges and castle towers, I keep thinking bigger. My husband and I are currently having a build-off contest, making ships and letting our d&d group marvel at them. I love this so much and people like you putting yourselves out there with your hobby and creations are awesome.
This really did Help me with Confidence with my work. I just got a Proxxon cutter, XPS Foam, literally hundreds of dollars to get ready. but then I got scared, I got so hyped and really to do some of these crafts, but then I was overwhelmed with doubt and worry that I was just going to fail and all of my work and money would be wasted. After watching this Video, I'm going to build some Friggen Bookshelfs from the Tavern Video. Why? Because I can. Thank you!
Jeremy, this is beautiful. I've been doing this for 40+ years and I still learn things on every project. I still watch a ton of vids, from you and Scotty and Wylock and Mel the Terrain Tutor and loads of others. I made the plunge to get my Proxxon because of you and Jim (The Tabletop Engineer) about a month ago. Heck, my channel is still kind of clunky because I'm still learning about video editing. A good hobby is a journey. I'm glad you're on it - this is one of the best Crafting channels on YT. " I'm with you - I wanna make stuff, not make the stuff to make stuff." My first comment on your channel you replied to. The fact you noticed it and replied made my week. it was one of the high points that got me to start my channel. So ...thanks.
A couple of months ago, your guillotine video opened my eyes. I never had thought I could make things like this from scratch. Now, I build terrain and can't think of making anything else. It's mostly for D&D, but my kids have so much fun with what I build... It's like I make toys for them. THIS is an immense reward.
@@jamesreynolds8838 You might have done that specific task correctly, but if you are trying to push past your limits and grow failure is a sign that you are pushing hard enough.
While I was familiar with DM Scotty and Runehammer, and had actually made some scotty-style tiles, I had kinda given up on terrain. Theater of the mind and grid paper had served me well, and I didn't feel the need to change. Well, the game that I had been running for 18 months blew up. And it was about 9 months before I was ready to run a new game. In the meantime though, I decided to pick up minis and terrain. And that was when I really started looking at your channel, which had to me a level of detail and sophistication, but also flexibility that I wasn't seeing in the other channels. Scotty's great strength is his creativity in the materials he used, but you seemed like you knew how to get the most out of fewer materials. That was about a year ago now. I recently just finished my most elaborate creation - a sailing ship that was to act as a dungeon. Four feet long, 20 inches wide, and four decks deep. I worked on it for about two months, putting in over a hundred hours on just the ship, not to mention the props and mins and the rest of the session prep that went along with it. It was a huge undertaking, and I probably won't do something of that scale again for a very long time, but it was awesome to push myself and really see what I could do. So thanks for giving me the push to really take the plunge! imgur.com/a/sgVHr4C
A cool build and an equally cool concept for a dungeon. You should be proud, that build is the equal of most projects I've seen on any of the youtube channels.
As a newbie to this kind of craft, I really appreciate your step-by-step instructions, they’ve kept me from feeling intimidated about making things and I’ve had a lot of lightbulb-type “oh cool! So that’s how you do that!” moments. I think I’ve learned a lot and just wanted to say thank you.
I feel like the main takeaway for me was the level of improvement you've made in only 4 years. Before I clicked the video I was expecting your hobby to have started 10 or 15 years ago. Very inspiring.
I almost never comment on CZcams videos, but I just wanted to say that I love your themes of perseverance and how failures lead to learning and becoming better at your hobby. You inspire me to keep picking up the hobby knife and go back into it, even when I feel terrible or something comes out not how I was expecting. Thank you so much for this channel!
I have been part of a regular weekly gaming group for almost five years. For the last two years, we’ve been playing a Pathfinder campaign that has gotten sprawling and ridiculous and amazing - and we’ve used theatre of the mind and battle maps for the entire run of the game. I showed your basics crafting series to our DM about two weeks ago, and now we have a massive, sprawling dungeon of terrain - tiles, a collapsed tower, interlocking doors and puzzle rooms. So yeah - we’re beginners. I’ve never played a D&D game with terrain, and I’ve been playing for decades. Our DM has never run a tabletop RPG before. But your videos were accessible, and easy to follow, and so we decided to try it.
I’m a child, a very old child, of the quarantine. I’ve always been an artist but while in isolation I discovered the world of creating little worlds: from fairy houses, to book nooks, to train terrains and finally to crafting for gaming. Bringing dreams to life. Thank you, you’re a great teacher.
Being authentic, and having fun exploring your creativity is a wonderful and rare thing. I subscribed to your channel several years ago, but this is my first comment. I'm a semi retired builder and I have started crafting on my own. My buildings look horrible, but the process gives me so much enjoyment. I use foam, popsicle sticks, cardboard, and gravel. I built fortified manor home last night. I had less than $5US in it but it gave me hours and hours of enjoyment seeing it come to life. Keep up the good videos. All my best.
I am as new as new gets to this craft, I don't even play D&D I just like building the model terrain. My son is a DM and his friends all say the same thing wow to the projects I have created. I have tried to follow your techniques but every project turns out totally different than yours but that ok the learning curve is still there and I thank you for the creative ideas.
The best thing is your attitude to inspire others and just do it! Don’t be affraid, just do it! Those are words to live our lives by! Love it brother! You are a light in the darkness!
This video can really sum up close to anything. The key to success is trying. Imagine if you looked at minis and said "Huh... That would be cool" and then never started it. You wouldn't have taken all of us on this incredible journey. Funnily enough, you make your videos in a way that makes entry level stuff seem really easy to make. I'm hoping to start making some buildings next week. Thanks for all you do!
I was introduced to dnd 3 years ago. I started dming a year ago and made my first set of dungeon tiles 3 months back. I was inspired by your channel and thought "I could do this". As a gift to my DM, the person who basically forced me to play, I crafted him our ship for his birthday. It's not perfect but I'm still so proud of everything I learned on that build. I'll never go back to not being a crafting player/DM. Just seeing the joy it brings my fellow players is enough. They don't care if my seams are messy or if the cuts aren't precise... I made the Jackdaw (our ship) real and that's what matters. Keep doing what you are doing and inspiring people like me. I had no idea I could build my own terrain until I stumbled across your channel.
A buddy of mine got me into DnD a few weeks ago and I was instantly hooked. I've always had an interest to make things and DnD gave me an outlet that really took off. I found your channel today and this is exactly the help I've been needing. Thank you!
You are so right! This so much applies to CZcams as well.. Look at successful CZcamsrs early vids... then look at them now... try something... fail...fail..fail.. try again. Main theme is keep "making", stay the course, never give up. Press on sir! Love your channel! It inspires me to keep on keeping on!
I used my first prop last week. It was literally an upside down icecream tub with some cut up toilet paper tubes taped to it to look like a windmill. I didn't even paint it, but it made a HUGE difference to the encounter. So you're absolutely right when you say that it doesn't need to be master level to be effective.
Very inspiring! I bought a board game about 2 years ago where I had to assemble the minis. I knew absolutely nothing about this hobby and just dived into it, too. Assembled, primed, missed to remove any mold lines or filling gaps, paint was too thick... Two years later I improve with every paint project from time to time, watching inspiring videos of miniac, squidmar or - today - yours. Even though I am more into miniatures than terrain, I really enjoyed your story. Thanks!
First time player/DM/crafter. Your videos have been a huge help. A few days ago, I decided to make some tiles to add to the visual, but given that we're meeting online, I needed an overhead camera for the tiles to be of any use. I tried some pulleys to hover the camera, but the blowing AC created too much wobble, so I built a camera stand. I know you stay away from corrugated cardboard, but an elongated box was all I had lying around, so I chopped it in half, made a parapet on both halves, used a 12 pack box to connect them, and made a ridiculously entertaining castle themed camera mount that I ended up rather proud of. It got a ton of praise, and I'm stunned by how well it turned out. Your videos made it a much, much better product. Thanks for the effort. Is there a place to share builds? For a first project, I'm excited by how this turned out.
I’ve been crafting terrain for about 25 years. The first things I built were really pretty terrible, but I’ve improved over time. Every build is a learning experience, and sometimes it just doesn’t work out but I’ve learned from it. Most of my builds have become not about the finished product, as I rarely get to game anymore, but about the process. Someday I’ll be able to get back to gaming and be able to use all of the terrain I’ve built. Anyway, I’m always learning something new especially from your videos and from others in the guild, not to mention inspired. Thank you.
I began D&D in the late 80's, I made buildings, terrain, etc out of recycled materials, have been doing it ever since. Even to this day I still love making stuff outta trash for D&D.
I really LOVE this video, and I want you to know that it was you who encouraged me to start crafting and also starting my own CZcams channel. Thank you Jeremy, love from Spain.
I have started like a year ago with this channel. And today what I craft is way better than just a year ago. I'm now into high detailed dioramas and even though I'm not there yet, it doesn't scare me now. I started with the basic dungeon tiles and now I'm planning my cemetery diorama with huge detail and after Heart of Ubtao crafting for Tomb of Annihilation. Start somewhere where it doesnt scare you, where it seems easy. Then you can climb up to where you want.
this channel has not only helped my crafting but also has help my play group roll play better. i am finding with things to use as visual aids (terrain, objects etc.) it makes my players more creative. I started out by fallowing your modular dungeon tile, ruin walls, and sackers, and by having those on the field it makes my play group think more about there movement and using the environment in combat. seeing what other people have done on the facebook group is just making my creativity go wild right now and i have a rather long list of things i want to look at making. I want to run an Eberon campaign setting this summer so i have started looking at making quite a few things that fit in that setting (lighting rail, air ships, more industrial/fantasy structures & ruins). Thanks again for being the Bob Ross of tabletop crafting.
Thank you for the inspiring words. I have been interested in building miniature sets for a long time, just never had the time. I knew it was what I was here to do because I felt relaxed when I built them. I suffer from P.T.S.D, depression and anxiety. Building miniature sets and figures made me concentrate on the sets and not my issues. Watching your videos, showed me different techniques and new techniques that make my creations look better.
You have no idea the impact you have on people with your channel. Or the positive ripples you create in peoples lives. I stumbled on your channel a few months back, and it reignited a passion in me that I had left behind many years ago. Mostly out of necessity, not by choice. I hadn't built anything in 20 years, now I've got a dice tower that I finished with just glue, foam, tinfoil, some acrylic paint, and a hobby knife. I quickly added some tools, and completed a set of dungeon tiles. I've got enough projects to last me the next year or more, and I'm starting to get into miniature painting again. This whole "you tube generation" of crafters are a real blessing. It's great to have these communities, that just didn't exist 30 years ago. You're not only inspiring new people to take up the hobby, you're getting some of us vetted folks to return to it.
Your basic dungeon tile video was my start to terrain crafting. Having a family myself I do not have much time to craft at all but when I do find the time I always find myself referencing your videos old and new. Thank you for this humble reminder. This was not a crafting video but it was super motivating to just get down to my craft space and just DO IT!! Thanks Jeremy
Wonderful message, great video. I have been wargaming, FRP gaming, etc, since the Mid 70's. I love guys like you, DM Scotty, Runehammer, The DMG, etc. It's inspiring to watch you guys come up with creative methods of building all these neat projects, and usually done cheaply too. Hat's off to you. Craft on!
Honestly, feel so lucky to have found your channel. First video I saw was "How to Make Cheap Christmas Village Pine...." This video is the 2nd one I'm watching. I'm not into gaming (don't hate!!!) but my husband and I are starting to get into model trains. You have so many great ideas, lessons, etc. on how to create so much that fits that perfectly. This Grandmom is looking forward to learning more from you and this particular video is very encouraging. Keep up the awesome work and thank you!
WOW, for a while now I been "bummed" out with what I was doing, TBH, I loved what I was doing.. And for ME, it was not what ANYONE would have ever seen me doing, I made Life Like Fairy Houses, then after 2yrs of failing to sell at craft booths, 2, 3 booths, and no one seemed "Into" my works of ART! Guess I kinda gave up, which means I did on myself. But here of late, I have had that feeling again, and NOW I find this Video, TBH You talked me threw this with out even me asking THANK YOU SO MUCH MAN! God Bless!
Just what I needed. I just painted my first mini yesterday/today and it was much less than perfect. Ive been watching lots of you tube videos on the subject and came across your channel and another than helped me pull the trigger and get started. And while it wasn’t perfect, I enjoyed doing it and will keep doing more and like you said, get better by doing. Thanks for that!!
keep your first one never repaint it then you can see your progress as you go on. My first mini was terrible! I still have it a Napoleonic figure from when I was a kid the intention was there but the execution was off by a mile ( mind you we didn't have the paints back then we have now this was done in enamels I found them quite terrible to work with) but onwards and upwards each figure you do you learn something new
I learned a lot about painting in general from this channel and from a series on geek and sundry called Painters Guild. I love painting minis. Good luck on your future paints!
As someone who got into the miniature painting hobby just over 6 months ago, this video really resonates. Your Miniature Basics series was the most instrumental source for helping launch me into the hobby, and I cannot thank you enough for all of the knowledge and inspiration that you have provided. I'm proud to be among your subscribers, plan to support you on Patreon soon, and eagerly look forward to all of your future content.
I think the first video I saw of yours was the hag hut tutorial. I haven't been creative in years and it was starting to have a negative effect on my mental health. As I was watching your video I was blown away. I felt like I was buzzing and overflowing with ideas for the first time in a very long time. Since then I have thrown every spare moment into this craft and I feel like I'm getting back to my artistic self. I am a total beginner, but I love your videos and cant wait to watch and create more. Keep 'em comin'!
What you say about starting a channel without any expirience on yt, I think that's why your channel is growing this much. Your channel reflects YOU, not some script written and video's edited by some specialists. It makes the channel feel very humble and human. That's why when I started watching from start to end I didn't mind the lower quality of video's. Keep going man, keep learning, and keep being awesome!
I've been building and painting minis for almost 2 decades. Watching this has made me realize I've never been will6to take a chance and risk failures.. thank for opening my eyes to my own shortcomings! I look forward to seeing more of your builds.
I too found Drunkens and Dragons(runehammer) and began making his larger style boards as well as the reversible wood/foam tiles that he was making at the time. I found his channel through looking at suggestions off of Matt Colevilles list. BMC came into the picture soon after and I realized that making terrain was not only possible but affordable. The difference between BMC and other channels I believe was the amazon affiliate link with all the gear you needed in one convenient location, and it was cheap (mostly). This removed the barrier to entry for me as it took any intimidation from what tools to use out of the equation and required no research as Jeramy was always great about explaining why he used any given tool. It allowed me to get started right away instead of spending weeks of doing research on tools and materials only to become unmotivated and move on to something else. Instead I was able to quickly assemble the basics and begin crafting. I started with hankerns builds as I saw those first and was itching to try them. Hank gave me the boldness to go out and try and not care or be anal about the methods or how perfect something was. Jeramy gave me the techniques to take my game to the next level. These two channels have made me a better DM and frankly and better person. One who is more confident in making mistakes or failing, and at trying out new or scary things even if I think I won't be good. Thank you both so so much.
Fail= First Attempt In Learning. I played AD&D in the Early '80's and enjoyed it. I wound up playing other games as well after joining the military. I retired from the CF in 2015 and found my nephew was getting into DMing. He had been looking at buying scenery but wasn't in the position to. My first hobby is model railroading so I applied those skills to building scenery for him. I found your Channel and a couple others very inspiring and used some of your ideas to create the effects. Thank you for bringing me back into the hobby, as it allows me to connect better with my nephew!
Absolutely love your approach to the hobby. I've been playing for 41 years and painting minis for most of that time, but only recently began trying my hand at terrain. I keep finding ways to turn my mistakes into usable scatter terrain thanks to your input and inspiration. Thank you.
I used to Model as a Kid, I hadn't done for years then my son got into D&D so we bought a few figures and painted them, I found it very relaxing and there was something to show for the hard work at the end. I became curious about it so I came to youtube and had a look around I found you, Luke at Lukes APS, and Mel the Terrain Tutor and DM Scotty of DM crafts I was blown away by what could be achieved. I started of little steps making very small projects ( I don't have that much room) I've made a few spooky trees, a swamp base a small snow covered mountain, lava bases and so on I've painted my son's army for Warhammer as he is keen on having a go at that. it's just been little steps, trying each new thing along the way. I'm planning to do some realistic looking trees at some point. My mini painting seems to improve the more I paint to the point where I have sold a few figures. I can't ever see myself making a business out of it as I think that for me would take the fun away but it's nice for people to show their appreciation of something I painted by parting with some of their hard earned money. I have ASD Aspergers Syndrome and I find on the whole that this hobby helps me cope with the negative aspects of my condition. I used to be a musician too I guess I still am as I still play but this hobby is slowly taking up my guitar practice time!
Same as you I jumped head first into trying something for my party to have an emersive experience. In so glad I did im on my fourth build now and I'm trying new things, techniques, and soaking up all the ideas and knowledge I can. It's super fun and addicting
I've been playing D&D for about 40 years, i play as well as DM, and we have collected a butt ton of minis and other stuff to help our games, building terrain was not one of them, we bought stuff but it wasn't until watching you and others that i got into crafting it myself, and let me say yes it may seem overwhelming and intimidating at first but like you said just jump into it, the great people in the craft like you truly are great teachers and i can't thank you enough :) i am now full throttle into it and developing my own style and that's the whole thing, learn how to from good people and in doing that you find your own style and my group is amazed at how my skill is getting better, again thank you Sir and the others like you, because of you i have taken our games to new levels and found a new love...Crafting :)
Another great thing about this hobby is that EVERYONE is awesome. Everybody will encourage you and congratulate your effort even if you suck which goes a long way to keep you going and improving. I'd probably never say that of most hobby but this one worth that you get online and join crafting groups.
I started painting minis and building terrains 6 months ago using most of your recent videos! Now i'm hooked to this hobby! I made à mix of your Rock golem and Big rock video (A platform golem that monster or players can ride !). i just finished a set of 6 cavern walls. Now im working on a Rock Spider that protect the garden of a Hag (the garden is on the back of the rock spider ;) ). Next step is some tiles. I think your recent video helps me get better faster. Using your techniques i'm learning the right way to do things! Your videos inspire me and make me better at this hobby really fast. I really fel in love with buidling those stuff! Can't wait for more! keep it up!
As a newbie to expanding my love of the game and hobby beyond minis and graph paper to terrain…. Thank you. Just found the channel tonight and already inspired and less overwhelmed.
I just recently got into DnD and just like you in this video i like the 3D concepts to help the game along so i thought about making some stuff for DnD. I saw your first video on making Modular Dungeon terrain and i was like Awesome! I could totally do that! So i got on Taobao (I live in China and its online shopping for anything and everything) and i i bought some basic materials. I followed your video and made some really sweet Dungeon Tiles!! I felt so good about what i made that i went and bought everything else i could from glue guns, to boat loads of crafts, beads, shells, plastics, foams... you name it. I bought hand stone carving tools for fine details and all the rest. I have found my new passion too! I chalk some of this up to YOUR videos and your inspiration in showing people that anyone can do this! I appreciate you a lot man and you have helped me so much. Your videos are great and i want to personally thank you for helping me find something i love to do. Thanks
I started watching you not too long ago and its because of you, not so much the other channels like this that I watch, that i went out and bought a few things to see if I could even come a little close to what you do....i could, so i bought more stuff and continue to practice. Like you said, its ok to fail cause you learn from it. So I a learning and getting better. Great to hear things like, dont buy a cheap knife to cut with they arent all the same, etc. Thanks for doing this, I look forward to your video's, the style you present this in is great and helps with the learning.
Thanks so much for this reality check! Over the last couple of days, I've been stuck trying to make the grass on my first hill look as good as the picture in my mind, but on the first attempt the flock looked like a fuzzy green carpet. I did some more on it this evening, and it certainly looks better. I needed the reminder that I'm very much in the early stages of the absolute basics. The stuff I make now is bound to suck. But still, a fuzzy carpet hill is still a million miles better than a pile of books standing between mine and my opponents 40k armies. Just imagine how much better the second hill will be. And how much better the tenth will be!
Ive started with EVA foam cosplay about 2 years ago. That hobby invokes lots of tiny scrap pieces that can't really be used for cosplasy, instead of throwing those tiny bits away I decided to save them. Later I started watching you and got some ideas. I have since taken those scraps and made two dice towers, one stone golem and a magma dragon. This also got me into miniature painting and next Sunday my friends and I will play our first Pathfinder game ever.
Thankyou so much man. I'm just getting into the hobby, started with the boat build, now I'm working on a little shack. I've always been into crafting in general but I have always struggled to find the inspiration to make cool things. It was always just random spur of the moment projects. Because of your videos, I have been truly inspired to try my hand at tabletop gaming mini builds. My boat turned out pretty good. It was a ton of fun to make. Once again, thankyou from the bottom of my heart. Keep up the good work man.
So I just recently discovered your channel, and I really have a lot of respect for you man. You pretty much got struck by this thing the same way I did. From merely playing in a D&D world, to wanting to create every aspect of your own world. Funny thing is, I actually got started on minis, because for some reason, that's the part that called to me the loudest. I started with one of those Nolzur's Paint Night Kits, and when I finished it, and showed it to a friend who has been in this world for decades, and she said it looked professionally done, I knew I had found my niche. I watched your video about the only things you need to start, and ran out to Michael's and Home Depot that Saturday. Always wanted to dive into this side of this hobby. Thank you for giving me the kick in the ass I needed to do so.
Just thank you. I work with many mediums and in many artistic categories. I am raising my 5 year old to just try. Anything. Everything. I use your videos for my d&d skill building! So thank you!
Just started serious mini painting probably 2 months ago. Found out I was gonna be a DM to a new group of people wanting to learn and play D&D. I've never DMd either. Thought it would be cool to have some visuals for the experience and to rope them in. I suck at painting not an artsy person. Love the hobby now 300+ dollars later in supply's paints,brushes!!!!! Which I go through like candy for some reason I cannot find out why. I'm still learning I watch painting videos all day. You were the first channel painting wise and building I've subscribed to. Thank you for letting me watch you build and paint you've helped me without even knowing it
As a creative person myself, I always loved to watch you and others crafting. But because i suck at drawing, i never tried it myself. But after I did my first Project last week, a Majoras Mask from TLoZ - 3D Printed, painted it and soldered LEDs into it. IM HOOKED. I never experienced SO MUCH fun and excitement for something the last months, like i was while painting and soldering the LEDs and wireing it up. The moment it lighed up was so overhelming i cant describe it. Im not sure of what to do next. But I guess I will keep on doing things I love since my childhood. So it's probably the king of red lions. Thanks for your motivation!
I have played and DM'd Dungeons and Dragons for about 20 years, but always resorted to theater of the mind, or crudely drawn maps on grid paper or dry erase mats. I had always wanted to build terrain in a modular format (I hate having one time use items), but never had the time or space. After escaping the wildfires in Northern California, I ended up with a whole lot of nothing; no hobbies, no tools, no books or dice or computer...you get it. I needed a new hobby, and badly, so with a new desk and computer set up, I found this channel, and I knew right away that this was it. I used to do model railroad work with my dad as a very young kid, as well as having experience painting miniatures, so I had some knowledge of the later steps in building and decorating, but nothing as far as structure is concerned. Got myself some of the empty cardboard boxes from the furniture my family had just replaced, a glue gun and an Xacto knife, and went to town. I am about to finish my first piece modeled a lot on the Hag Hut, which was the first video I saw. I am loving coming up with uses for recycled materials like plastic bottles and structured cardboard as the bases to my builds, and watching your videos has given me a lot of inspiration and help with figuring out how to customize my own style of build. Thank you. DM Amberlie
I just started and have spent every day off making some stuff. After two days of dungeon tiles and ruins, I came to work and thought my van smelled like paint. Then I smelled paint coming through the parking garage and hall. Then I thought I might have been huffing too much mod podge lately! Turns out it was better when I got onto the unit at the hospital and it smelled like popcorn instead. I am still using exacto and utility knives to hack and slash my way to victorious terrain building. When I can afford it, I will get a wire cutter.
I am so excited to start this craft. I am doing this as a surprise to my husband for when he gets home from basic! We literally played 30mins of D&D before he had to go (we have a young son so playing can be difficult) my first game ever and his first time being a DM. I’m going to surprise him with some minis and a little terrain set up!
Jumping in headfirst is how I started with miniatures years ago. You don’t fully know what you are doing, but you keep going because it is fun to create and you want to try and make some sweet stuff. I took a long break because of life, but am starting to come back because of Frostgrave. I did some minor terrain back in the day, but your Frostgrave videos and your channel is inspiring me to get back into terrain as well. I failed miserably with terrain when I started (though I think my one hill and sandbags turned out alright, the rest didn’t). You are giving me hope that I can get into the terrain aspect as well and make some basic pieces for board games.
Great message bro. I've been doing the craft game for my table and my players love it. I've only done simple stuff so far and I'm currently doing a redesign of my dungeon tiles to get a simpler product. For me, the terrain isn't meant to wow anyone, it's to immerse the players and give a visual aide for combat. To that end, simple is the way to go. But I've also got some set-pieces planned that can wow an onlooker. I think a good mix is a great way to do it. As Scotty would say, "Go Forth and Craft!"
Ive never wanted to see one of your game sessions more in my life. My experience level is verry low. I do have the benifit of working in construction through masonry and carpentry though. You make me feel like I can DM on a New level. So inspiring and easy to follow you. Ive been subbed for a while and you have been the reason I keep playing.
there is definitely a market for recorded gameplay..besides CR and DCA there are 0 (imo) quality vids..i have searched for a Mad Mage campaign either live or on Fantasy grounds etc..and have not found a single "good" one out of dozens....lol
This video is what everyone who is thinking about getting into crafting should watch first.. it couldnt be more well said! Especially the part about having the right mentality. Great videos, love the channel!
I'm one of those newbies to crafting like this. Back in the day I did some Warhammer and Battletech gaming, and we bought all our terrain premade. Now I'm doing D&D and some wargaming with my kids, and we just don't have that kind of budget to buy everything. So I stumbled upon your channel and a few others and started making some. I think the main thing I try to keep in mind is that as a beginner to this part of the hobby is that I just need to be creative and use the tools I have and get something decent on the table. My next project can improve on what I've done before, each piece doesn't need to be the Mona Lisa, it needs to be functional and an opportunity to improve my skills. Love the vid, love the channel, keep up the great work.
I still love my first piece of terrain, a city wall i made out of a tv packing foam piece with plastic fruit baskets as grating, and popsicle sticks as the frame for the main door. Can't wait to see it in play for that siege.
I first got into scratch building models and terrain when i first got into 40k and was using paper kits off the internet to add to my army because i couldn't afford the official models. after about 5 to 10 paper kits i scratch built my first tank (a land raider redeemer based on art from a horus heresy book with some slight adjustments including making the tank a flame thrower varient rather then a laser cannon varient) this lead to two things: 1 a love of scratch building models 2 a love of conversion building models and here I am in 2019 conversion building an entire army for 40k and providing both conversion building and terrain making tutorials
Hey..really awesome and encouraging video. It took me a long time to realize 1. That “art” was a skill that people could learn vs born with the “talent” and 2. Not to compare your personal journey to anyone else’s which includes your skill development. Some people will be faster than others for sure, but hard work at something you love will eventually get you into a place of which you can be proud.
Thank you for this video. I am one of the 'just found this channel' and would like to explore this hobby. So thank you. This is greatly appreciated to hear someone who has gained the experience you have and let others know it's okay to just begin. I'll be watching a lot more!
I found this channel 3 days ago and I've found myself making plans to get into this hobby. Even now, I'm tempted to grab all the cardboard I have lying about and make some dungeon tiles from them.
I started making the Underdark tiles from your first video yesterday. First time, and I don't think people would be impressed online but my players will be.
As someone who doesn't have a mind's eye (the ability to imagine things in my head also known as aphantasia), I often struggle with combat that is entirely theater of the mind. Your channel makes me want to get into terrain building as a way for me to fully immerse myself and any future players!
Just been messing around with a cheap hot wire cutter, practicing on scrap pieces. Mostly used paper craft or laser cut mdf buildings. And wanted to try out scratch building. Starting with shipping containers, then progressing onto buildings with resin gribbly bits for customization. Also looking out for fun shapes in packing materials. I found one used to pack a wheel hole punch, that would make a great building roof. Just need to cast the shape, and put on a turret or a satellite dish. Been inspired by various terrain crafters including yourself to give it a go, and the Crafting Guild members. Also checking out tips videos for cheaper ways of doing things, thanks to Lukes APS and TheTerrainTutor. I tend to go for model neutral sci-fi and post apocalypse skirmish games, to get my conversion fix. Now I want to get that scratch building fix, to get the look of terrain I want. Cheers for all the help you have given to the crafting community, and looking forward to future build videos.
awesomely said. I used to play D&D years ago... your videos have rekindled my thrill for the game and crafting. My daughter has expressed interest in playing D&D as well. Thank you.
great advice for life in general....trying and failing is better than never trying, in failure you learn what doesn't work and with trying new things you can learn what does work.....another CZcamsr said something along the same lines and is the whole reason I got into youtube myself :D
hi, Greetings from Colombia, here in latin america that kind of hobbie it´s not very popular, but some people (like me) are very thankfull watching channels like this one, personally I do things using cold porcelain, and I often think about doing my own channel and share my journey as you said, and watching you sharing your experience is quite inspiring. I really hope you continue sharing with us this awesome art. wishing you the best form Colombia.
Well, it's May 5th 2021 I'm 37 years old and I've been debating on starting on this hobbie or not and I watched this video published 2 years ago and you just gave me the push I needed. Thank you!
I just started making a traven building this week and have been watching any video that might me so I thank you for the message, go have fun and build!
I just started grading inspired by your channel, I'm a GM since 7 years now and crafting is another level up to my games , I hope my players will love it , thanks you for inspiration A random French GM
I had stumbled upon your channel by accident while looking for some more generic D&D related videos, and was instantly hooked. I had never done anything like this before, but the concept grabbed me pretty hard. I've always mostly done illustration and such, so watching a creative process that was vastly different then anything I was already doing was extremely refreshing and inspiring. But your encouragement in your videos and your general attitude towards the hobby is ultimately what caused me to stay around. I dove right into building terrain for our own DnD campaign and its been a great time. ❤ Just some rocks and a small pond so far, but it's a start!
I think I started to build stuff at some point, because I realised it helps the players to immerse and plan their actions, if there is anything they can relate to. So I started to build some terrain, which I never used for the most part. Then I went on to build a cemetery, a monastery, some furniture and the likes. Dropped it, since it was a lot of work and "wasn't going anywhere" besides eating up my time, money and space. Still, couldn't stop building for the next project. Through the stuff away (cave, golden city with buildings, skeleton dragon, ... ) and was about to drop the hobby for good, when I realised that I totally enjoyed the process xD Just never occured to me to simply do it for the fun of it.
Well I had an architecture base so making building, craft models is fine for me thoughmy skills were sucked back then, lol. I loved old Medieval D&D theme, even though it's not popular in my country . Then I came across your channel... and oh boy, after watching like 20+ of your videos, I made a big project- The watch tower. Really happy and pround of my project, I started a second project- a castle. It's the biggest model I've ever made, and your video techquies really help me a lot. You're really inspire me to proceed this hobby. Though this is your old video, I'd to share my thought and thank you.
I've been thinking about getting into Resin Casting and Miniature Painting. I've tried Miniature Painting in the past but I truly didn't give it as much of a chance as I should have. Painted a single Mini out of my Orc Warhammer 40k Army (Another Thing that I need to start doing again). I really enjoy the building of my minis and thought that making terrain might be a similar experience for me. So thats my goal is to cast some Resin Tiles for my D&D games and move into painting once I feel comfortable with it. Its nice that there are lovely Crafters Like yourself who dont make everything seem so overbearing and that there is one way to do things. Keep Being Awesome Man
As an experienced DM (more than 15 years of storytelling), I just stumbled upon your channel as I was watching some DM-related stuff on CZcams and I was amazed by the things you crafted mostly out of foam. I just watched one video after the other and I realised that it would be awesome if I also could improve my storytelling with some crafted props. And this video was a great idea, as at first I also felt a bit intimidated, I was second-guessing if I could build anything half as awesome you built. And in the end, I also came to the conclusion that I should just jump in head first and do it. So after I finally manage to start off my new campaign next week (Curse of Strahd), I will head over to the store and buy some stuff, and start crafting! :) Oh, and congrats for this channel, great stuff, great quality videos!
Hey! Just wanted to say I love what I'm seeing. I was searching for ideas to build a single doll house room. Being a fantasy and gamer girl, I found this in my suggestions. This will really help me build a great foundation for the whole diorama. Thank you
This was from a comment on a Tabletop Minions video, but I think it fits here too: "Every day you do not paint takes you one day longer to become better." Cheers, from a fellow hobbyist :)
Was watching from PS4 and had to come on the laptop to say: Excellent words bud! I'm just sitting here nodding my head in agreement and smiling. This is what it's al about folks! Glad you made that decision to jump on CZcams and just try something new! Keep up the good work bud! -relatively new subscriber- -never played D&D
Just recently became very interested in the hobby! Picked up a knife and glue gun, planning on watching through this "new people" playlist while scrambling some eggs!! Love the content I've seen so far, thanks for being welcoming and inspiring!
I've said it before, I'll say it again. It's not about making 'great' content all the time, it's just about 'content' from, and with, a producer/creator that people relate too. So videos like this ARE great for how they brighten your day and make you feel part of something. My whole day is starting off right by having a good ol' BMC waiting to be watched. You do that for your subscribers, and I thank you for it.
To be fair your little cardboard house still looks pretty good
Better than I could do lol
Don't be hard on yourself. You take work away from people who can't get anything else.
LOL, that's exactly what I was thinking.
If I could make a little house that looked like your house, I would be happy.
Bro, you've given me the most important thing in life, a deeper connection and quality time with my 5 year old daughter. She's heavy into crafting anything and everything girly and constantly wants me to join in and do it with her. Having Aspergers, I have an incredibly difficult time holding interest on things that I can't relate to; it's nearly impossible even though I want to.
My daughter has a ceramic Christmas village that we put up every year and we've already put it up this year. While looking nice, it's basic and could look better but can get rather expensive making it better. I started looking for alternatives and found your chanel. We've been making wells, stone pathways and many other basic things all week together using techniques from your videos. She's stoked I am interested in her hobby, I'm stoked because I can join in on her hobby in a way that holds my interest and we're having a blast together. Thank you so much.
"So I established a group of players..." The hardest part of gaming and you just brushed right past it. :)
just annoy your irl friends until they give in
That's why it's called black magic crafts
I think one of my favourite things about this channel is the fact that you often do stuff like "I had this idea how to make this thing..." then proceed to film the process and then find out that it was a total failure, and then how you improvise how to make it work anyway. It's really nice to see that entire process. While it's of course really helpful to see someone do something that they've done before and get a perfect result, it's also very inspiring to see what can happen when things don't turn out the way you imagined them and how to still make it work.
My husband introduced me to d&d. Then about a year ago got to looking into crafting modular tiles to help with the immersion of our players. He knew that I would take off on this hobby because I've aleays been a little crafty/artsy, but He also knew that I, as a person who suffers from debilitating anxiety, needed something to help me focus, and help me get outside of my own head. It has helped immensely. It feels so good to create, and make something beautiful. From modular tiles, scrolls, books, and tiny furniture. . . To field mats, bridges and castle towers, I keep thinking bigger. My husband and I are currently having a build-off contest, making ships and letting our d&d group marvel at them. I love this so much and people like you putting yourselves out there with your hobby and creations are awesome.
This really did Help me with Confidence with my work. I just got a Proxxon cutter, XPS Foam, literally hundreds of dollars to get ready. but then I got scared, I got so hyped and really to do some of these crafts, but then I was overwhelmed with doubt and worry that I was just going to fail and all of my work and money would be wasted. After watching this Video, I'm going to build some Friggen Bookshelfs from the Tavern Video. Why? Because I can. Thank you!
I been there myself, I felt LOST because no one wanted my fairy houses, But damned if I did not love doing! This GUY is GREAT! Best Influence EVER!
Hope ya made those bookshelves, im just getting started on the fountain lol
Jeremy, this is beautiful. I've been doing this for 40+ years and I still learn things on every project. I still watch a ton of vids, from you and Scotty and Wylock and Mel the Terrain Tutor and loads of others. I made the plunge to get my Proxxon because of you and Jim (The Tabletop Engineer) about a month ago. Heck, my channel is still kind of clunky because I'm still learning about video editing. A good hobby is a journey. I'm glad you're on it - this is one of the best Crafting channels on YT. " I'm with you - I wanna make stuff, not make the stuff to make stuff." My first comment on your channel you replied to. The fact you noticed it and replied made my week. it was one of the high points that got me to start my channel. So ...thanks.
The GameCraft Dragon what is a proxon? I bought a hot wire and want to learn more
"To make good shit, you have to make a lot of shit."
Best art advice I ever got
A couple of months ago, your guillotine video opened my eyes. I never had thought I could make things like this from scratch. Now, I build terrain and can't think of making anything else. It's mostly for D&D, but my kids have so much fun with what I build... It's like I make toys for them. THIS is an immense reward.
If you don't fail, you're doing it wrong.
Er, by definition, if you don't fail you did it right? :P
@@jamesreynolds8838 You might have done that specific task correctly, but if you are trying to push past your limits and grow failure is a sign that you are pushing hard enough.
TheDMGinfo I fail all the time
It's better to aim for the moon and miss, than to aim at nothing and hit.
While I was familiar with DM Scotty and Runehammer, and had actually made some scotty-style tiles, I had kinda given up on terrain. Theater of the mind and grid paper had served me well, and I didn't feel the need to change.
Well, the game that I had been running for 18 months blew up. And it was about 9 months before I was ready to run a new game. In the meantime though, I decided to pick up minis and terrain. And that was when I really started looking at your channel, which had to me a level of detail and sophistication, but also flexibility that I wasn't seeing in the other channels. Scotty's great strength is his creativity in the materials he used, but you seemed like you knew how to get the most out of fewer materials. That was about a year ago now.
I recently just finished my most elaborate creation - a sailing ship that was to act as a dungeon. Four feet long, 20 inches wide, and four decks deep. I worked on it for about two months, putting in over a hundred hours on just the ship, not to mention the props and mins and the rest of the session prep that went along with it. It was a huge undertaking, and I probably won't do something of that scale again for a very long time, but it was awesome to push myself and really see what I could do.
So thanks for giving me the push to really take the plunge!
imgur.com/a/sgVHr4C
That ship is AWESOME!!!
Very impressive 👍
Very nice!
WOW!
A cool build and an equally cool concept for a dungeon. You should be proud, that build is the equal of most projects I've seen on any of the youtube channels.
As a newbie to this kind of craft, I really appreciate your step-by-step instructions, they’ve kept me from feeling intimidated about making things and I’ve had a lot of lightbulb-type “oh cool! So that’s how you do that!” moments. I think I’ve learned a lot and just wanted to say thank you.
I feel like the main takeaway for me was the level of improvement you've made in only 4 years. Before I clicked the video I was expecting your hobby to have started 10 or 15 years ago. Very inspiring.
I almost never comment on CZcams videos, but I just wanted to say that I love your themes of perseverance and how failures lead to learning and becoming better at your hobby. You inspire me to keep picking up the hobby knife and go back into it, even when I feel terrible or something comes out not how I was expecting. Thank you so much for this channel!
I have been part of a regular weekly gaming group for almost five years. For the last two years, we’ve been playing a Pathfinder campaign that has gotten sprawling and ridiculous and amazing - and we’ve used theatre of the mind and battle maps for the entire run of the game.
I showed your basics crafting series to our DM about two weeks ago, and now we have a massive, sprawling dungeon of terrain - tiles, a collapsed tower, interlocking doors and puzzle rooms.
So yeah - we’re beginners. I’ve never played a D&D game with terrain, and I’ve been playing for decades. Our DM has never run a tabletop RPG before. But your videos were accessible, and easy to follow, and so we decided to try it.
I just got my proxxon table last weekend and after watching this video I am definitely building some tiles this weekend.
Daniel waite what does it do for you? Cost?
I’m a child, a very old child, of the quarantine. I’ve always been an artist but while in isolation I discovered the world of creating little worlds: from fairy houses, to book nooks, to train terrains and finally to crafting for gaming. Bringing dreams to life. Thank you, you’re a great teacher.
My first thought was “Now is can make my own fairy houses, that look genuine! Thank you love your techniques.
Being authentic, and having fun exploring your creativity is a wonderful and rare thing. I subscribed to your channel several years ago, but this is my first comment. I'm a semi retired builder and I have started crafting on my own. My buildings look horrible, but the process gives me so much enjoyment. I use foam, popsicle sticks, cardboard, and gravel. I built fortified manor home last night. I had less than $5US in it but it gave me hours and hours of enjoyment seeing it come to life. Keep up the good videos. All my best.
I am as new as new gets to this craft, I don't even play D&D I just like building the model terrain. My son is a DM and his friends all say the same thing wow to the projects I have created. I have tried to follow your techniques but every project turns out totally different than yours but that ok the learning curve is still there and I thank you for the creative ideas.
The best thing is your attitude to inspire others and just do it! Don’t be affraid, just do it! Those are words to live our lives by! Love it brother! You are a light in the darkness!
This video can really sum up close to anything. The key to success is trying. Imagine if you looked at minis and said "Huh... That would be cool" and then never started it. You wouldn't have taken all of us on this incredible journey. Funnily enough, you make your videos in a way that makes entry level stuff seem really easy to make. I'm hoping to start making some buildings next week. Thanks for all you do!
I was introduced to dnd 3 years ago. I started dming a year ago and made my first set of dungeon tiles 3 months back. I was inspired by your channel and thought "I could do this". As a gift to my DM, the person who basically forced me to play, I crafted him our ship for his birthday. It's not perfect but I'm still so proud of everything I learned on that build. I'll never go back to not being a crafting player/DM. Just seeing the joy it brings my fellow players is enough. They don't care if my seams are messy or if the cuts aren't precise... I made the Jackdaw (our ship) real and that's what matters. Keep doing what you are doing and inspiring people like me. I had no idea I could build my own terrain until I stumbled across your channel.
A buddy of mine got me into DnD a few weeks ago and I was instantly hooked. I've always had an interest to make things and DnD gave me an outlet that really took off. I found your channel today and this is exactly the help I've been needing. Thank you!
You are so right! This so much applies to CZcams as well.. Look at successful CZcamsrs early vids... then look at them now... try something... fail...fail..fail.. try again. Main theme is keep "making", stay the course, never give up. Press on sir! Love your channel! It inspires me to keep on keeping on!
I used my first prop last week. It was literally an upside down icecream tub with some cut up toilet paper tubes taped to it to look like a windmill. I didn't even paint it, but it made a HUGE difference to the encounter. So you're absolutely right when you say that it doesn't need to be master level to be effective.
Very inspiring! I bought a board game about 2 years ago where I had to assemble the minis. I knew absolutely nothing about this hobby and just dived into it, too. Assembled, primed, missed to remove any mold lines or filling gaps, paint was too thick... Two years later I improve with every paint project from time to time, watching inspiring videos of miniac, squidmar or - today - yours. Even though I am more into miniatures than terrain, I really enjoyed your story. Thanks!
First time player/DM/crafter. Your videos have been a huge help. A few days ago, I decided to make some tiles to add to the visual, but given that we're meeting online, I needed an overhead camera for the tiles to be of any use. I tried some pulleys to hover the camera, but the blowing AC created too much wobble, so I built a camera stand. I know you stay away from corrugated cardboard, but an elongated box was all I had lying around, so I chopped it in half, made a parapet on both halves, used a 12 pack box to connect them, and made a ridiculously entertaining castle themed camera mount that I ended up rather proud of. It got a ton of praise, and I'm stunned by how well it turned out. Your videos made it a much, much better product. Thanks for the effort. Is there a place to share builds? For a first project, I'm excited by how this turned out.
I’ve been crafting terrain for about 25 years. The first things I built were really pretty terrible, but I’ve improved over time. Every build is a learning experience, and sometimes it just doesn’t work out but I’ve learned from it. Most of my builds have become not about the finished product, as I rarely get to game anymore, but about the process. Someday I’ll be able to get back to gaming and be able to use all of the terrain I’ve built. Anyway, I’m always learning something new especially from your videos and from others in the guild, not to mention inspired. Thank you.
I began D&D in the late 80's, I made buildings, terrain, etc out of recycled materials, have been doing it ever since.
Even to this day I still love making stuff outta trash for D&D.
I really LOVE this video, and I want you to know that it was you who encouraged me to start crafting and also starting my own CZcams channel. Thank you Jeremy, love from Spain.
I have started like a year ago with this channel. And today what I craft is way better than just a year ago. I'm now into high detailed dioramas and even though I'm not there yet, it doesn't scare me now. I started with the basic dungeon tiles and now I'm planning my cemetery diorama with huge detail and after Heart of Ubtao crafting for Tomb of Annihilation. Start somewhere where it doesnt scare you, where it seems easy. Then you can climb up to where you want.
this channel has not only helped my crafting but also has help my play group roll play better. i am finding with things to use as visual aids (terrain, objects etc.) it makes my players more creative. I started out by fallowing your modular dungeon tile, ruin walls, and sackers, and by having those on the field it makes my play group think more about there movement and using the environment in combat. seeing what other people have done on the facebook group is just making my creativity go wild right now and i have a rather long list of things i want to look at making. I want to run an Eberon campaign setting this summer so i have started looking at making quite a few things that fit in that setting (lighting rail, air ships, more industrial/fantasy structures & ruins). Thanks again for being the Bob Ross of tabletop crafting.
Thank you for the inspiring words. I have been interested in building miniature sets for a long time, just never had the time. I knew it was what I was here to do because I felt relaxed when I built them.
I suffer from P.T.S.D, depression and anxiety. Building miniature sets and figures made me concentrate on the sets and not my issues.
Watching your videos, showed me different techniques and new techniques that make my creations look better.
You have no idea the impact you have on people with your channel. Or the positive ripples you create in peoples lives. I stumbled on your channel a few months back, and it reignited a passion in me that I had left behind many years ago. Mostly out of necessity, not by choice. I hadn't built anything in 20 years, now I've got a dice tower that I finished with just glue, foam, tinfoil, some acrylic paint, and a hobby knife. I quickly added some tools, and completed a set of dungeon tiles. I've got enough projects to last me the next year or more, and I'm starting to get into miniature painting again.
This whole "you tube generation" of crafters are a real blessing. It's great to have these communities, that just didn't exist 30 years ago. You're not only inspiring new people to take up the hobby, you're getting some of us vetted folks to return to it.
Glad you found me :)
Your basic dungeon tile video was my start to terrain crafting. Having a family myself I do not have much time to craft at all but when I do find the time I always find myself referencing your videos old and new. Thank you for this humble reminder. This was not a crafting video but it was super motivating to just get down to my craft space and just DO IT!! Thanks Jeremy
Wonderful message, great video. I have been wargaming, FRP gaming, etc, since the Mid 70's. I love guys like you, DM Scotty, Runehammer, The DMG, etc. It's inspiring to watch you guys come up with creative methods of building all these neat projects, and usually done cheaply too. Hat's off to you. Craft on!
Honestly, feel so lucky to have found your channel. First video I saw was "How to Make Cheap Christmas Village Pine...." This video is the 2nd one I'm watching. I'm not into gaming (don't hate!!!) but my husband and I are starting to get into model trains. You have so many great ideas, lessons, etc. on how to create so much that fits that perfectly. This Grandmom is looking forward to learning more from you and this particular video is very encouraging. Keep up the awesome work and thank you!
WOW, for a while now I been "bummed" out with what I was doing, TBH, I loved what I was doing.. And for ME, it was not what ANYONE would have ever seen me doing, I made Life Like Fairy Houses, then after 2yrs of failing to sell at craft booths, 2, 3 booths, and no one seemed "Into" my works of ART! Guess I kinda gave up, which means I did on myself. But here of late, I have had that feeling again, and NOW I find this Video, TBH You talked me threw this with out even me asking THANK YOU SO MUCH MAN! God Bless!
Just what I needed. I just painted my first mini yesterday/today and it was much less than perfect. Ive been watching lots of you tube videos on the subject and came across your channel and another than helped me pull the trigger and get started. And while it wasn’t perfect, I enjoyed doing it and will keep doing more and like you said, get better by doing. Thanks for that!!
keep your first one never repaint it then you can see your progress as you go on. My first mini was terrible! I still have it a Napoleonic figure from when I was a kid the intention was there but the execution was off by a mile ( mind you we didn't have the paints back then we have now this was done in enamels I found them quite terrible to work with) but onwards and upwards each figure you do you learn something new
I learned a lot about painting in general from this channel and from a series on geek and sundry called Painters Guild. I love painting minis. Good luck on your future paints!
As someone who got into the miniature painting hobby just over 6 months ago, this video really resonates. Your Miniature Basics series was the most instrumental source for helping launch me into the hobby, and I cannot thank you enough for all of the knowledge and inspiration that you have provided. I'm proud to be among your subscribers, plan to support you on Patreon soon, and eagerly look forward to all of your future content.
I think the first video I saw of yours was the hag hut tutorial. I haven't been creative in years and it was starting to have a negative effect on my mental health. As I was watching your video I was blown away. I felt like I was buzzing and overflowing with ideas for the first time in a very long time. Since then I have thrown every spare moment into this craft and I feel like I'm getting back to my artistic self. I am a total beginner, but I love your videos and cant wait to watch and create more. Keep 'em comin'!
What you say about starting a channel without any expirience on yt, I think that's why your channel is growing this much. Your channel reflects YOU, not some script written and video's edited by some specialists. It makes the channel feel very humble and human. That's why when I started watching from start to end I didn't mind the lower quality of video's. Keep going man, keep learning, and keep being awesome!
DUDE... you're great. I love your honest humility. Like you said, it has become inspiring for me. thank you
I've been building and painting minis for almost 2 decades. Watching this has made me realize I've never been will6to take a chance and risk failures.. thank for opening my eyes to my own shortcomings! I look forward to seeing more of your builds.
I too found Drunkens and Dragons(runehammer) and began making his larger style boards as well as the reversible wood/foam tiles that he was making at the time. I found his channel through looking at suggestions off of Matt Colevilles list. BMC came into the picture soon after and I realized that making terrain was not only possible but affordable. The difference between BMC and other channels I believe was the amazon affiliate link with all the gear you needed in one convenient location, and it was cheap (mostly). This removed the barrier to entry for me as it took any intimidation from what tools to use out of the equation and required no research as Jeramy was always great about explaining why he used any given tool. It allowed me to get started right away instead of spending weeks of doing research on tools and materials only to become unmotivated and move on to something else. Instead I was able to quickly assemble the basics and begin crafting. I started with hankerns builds as I saw those first and was itching to try them. Hank gave me the boldness to go out and try and not care or be anal about the methods or how perfect something was. Jeramy gave me the techniques to take my game to the next level. These two channels have made me a better DM and frankly and better person. One who is more confident in making mistakes or failing, and at trying out new or scary things even if I think I won't be good. Thank you both so so much.
Fail= First Attempt In Learning. I played AD&D in the Early '80's and enjoyed it. I wound up playing other games as well after joining the military. I retired from the CF in 2015 and found my nephew was getting into DMing. He had been looking at buying scenery but wasn't in the position to. My first hobby is model railroading so I applied those skills to building scenery for him. I found your Channel and a couple others very inspiring and used some of your ideas to create the effects. Thank you for bringing me back into the hobby, as it allows me to connect better with my nephew!
Absolutely love your approach to the hobby. I've been playing for 41 years and painting minis for most of that time, but only recently began trying my hand at terrain. I keep finding ways to turn my mistakes into usable scatter terrain thanks to your input and inspiration. Thank you.
I used to Model as a Kid, I hadn't done for years then my son got into D&D so we bought a few figures and painted them, I found it very relaxing and there was something to show for the hard work at the end. I became curious about it so I came to youtube and had a look around I found you, Luke at Lukes APS, and Mel the Terrain Tutor and DM Scotty of DM crafts I was blown away by what could be achieved. I started of little steps making very small projects ( I don't have that much room) I've made a few spooky trees, a swamp base a small snow covered mountain, lava bases and so on I've painted my son's army for Warhammer as he is keen on having a go at that. it's just been little steps, trying each new thing along the way. I'm planning to do some realistic looking trees at some point. My mini painting seems to improve the more I paint to the point where I have sold a few figures. I can't ever see myself making a business out of it as I think that for me would take the fun away but it's nice for people to show their appreciation of something I painted by parting with some of their hard earned money. I have ASD Aspergers Syndrome and I find on the whole that this hobby helps me cope with the negative aspects of my condition. I used to be a musician too I guess I still am as I still play but this hobby is slowly taking up my guitar practice time!
Same as you I jumped head first into trying something for my party to have an emersive experience. In so glad I did im on my fourth build now and I'm trying new things, techniques, and soaking up all the ideas and knowledge I can. It's super fun and addicting
I've been playing D&D for about 40 years, i play as well as DM, and we have collected a butt ton of minis and other stuff to help our games, building terrain was not one of them, we bought stuff but it wasn't until watching you and others that i got into crafting it myself, and let me say yes it may seem overwhelming and intimidating at first but like you said just jump into it, the great people in the craft like you truly are great teachers and i can't thank you enough :) i am now full throttle into it and developing my own style and that's the whole thing, learn how to from good people and in doing that you find your own style and my group is amazed at how my skill is getting better, again thank you Sir and the others like you, because of you i have taken our games to new levels and found a new love...Crafting :)
Another great thing about this hobby is that EVERYONE is awesome. Everybody will encourage you and congratulate your effort even if you suck which goes a long way to keep you going and improving. I'd probably never say that of most hobby but this one worth that you get online and join crafting groups.
I started painting minis and building terrains 6 months ago using most of your recent videos! Now i'm hooked to this hobby! I made à mix of your Rock golem and Big rock video (A platform golem that monster or players can ride !). i just finished a set of 6 cavern walls. Now im working on a Rock Spider that protect the garden of a Hag (the garden is on the back of the rock spider ;) ). Next step is some tiles. I think your recent video helps me get better faster. Using your techniques i'm learning the right way to do things! Your videos inspire me and make me better at this hobby really fast. I really fel in love with buidling those stuff! Can't wait for more! keep it up!
Im fairly new to the craft so this is always good to hear
As a newbie to expanding my love of the game and hobby beyond minis and graph paper to terrain…. Thank you. Just found the channel tonight and already inspired and less overwhelmed.
I just recently got into DnD and just like you in this video i like the 3D concepts to help the game along so i thought about making some stuff for DnD. I saw your first video on making Modular Dungeon terrain and i was like Awesome! I could totally do that! So i got on Taobao (I live in China and its online shopping for anything and everything) and i i bought some basic materials. I followed your video and made some really sweet Dungeon Tiles!! I felt so good about what i made that i went and bought everything else i could from glue guns, to boat loads of crafts, beads, shells, plastics, foams... you name it. I bought hand stone carving tools for fine details and all the rest.
I have found my new passion too! I chalk some of this up to YOUR videos and your inspiration in showing people that anyone can do this! I appreciate you a lot man and you have helped me so much. Your videos are great and i want to personally thank you for helping me find something i love to do. Thanks
I started watching you not too long ago and its because of you, not so much the other channels like this that I watch, that i went out and bought a few things to see if I could even come a little close to what you do....i could, so i bought more stuff and continue to practice. Like you said, its ok to fail cause you learn from it. So I a learning and getting better. Great to hear things like, dont buy a cheap knife to cut with they arent all the same, etc. Thanks for doing this, I look forward to your video's, the style you present this in is great and helps with the learning.
Thanks so much for this reality check! Over the last couple of days, I've been stuck trying to make the grass on my first hill look as good as the picture in my mind, but on the first attempt the flock looked like a fuzzy green carpet. I did some more on it this evening, and it certainly looks better.
I needed the reminder that I'm very much in the early stages of the absolute basics. The stuff I make now is bound to suck. But still, a fuzzy carpet hill is still a million miles better than a pile of books standing between mine and my opponents 40k armies.
Just imagine how much better the second hill will be. And how much better the tenth will be!
Ive started with EVA foam cosplay about 2 years ago. That hobby invokes lots of tiny scrap pieces that can't really be used for cosplasy, instead of throwing those tiny bits away I decided to save them. Later I started watching you and got some ideas. I have since taken those scraps and made two dice towers, one stone golem and a magma dragon. This also got me into miniature painting and next Sunday my friends and I will play our first Pathfinder game ever.
Thankyou so much man. I'm just getting into the hobby, started with the boat build, now I'm working on a little shack. I've always been into crafting in general but I have always struggled to find the inspiration to make cool things. It was always just random spur of the moment projects. Because of your videos, I have been truly inspired to try my hand at tabletop gaming mini builds. My boat turned out pretty good. It was a ton of fun to make. Once again, thankyou from the bottom of my heart. Keep up the good work man.
So I just recently discovered your channel, and I really have a lot of respect for you man. You pretty much got struck by this thing the same way I did. From merely playing in a D&D world, to wanting to create every aspect of your own world. Funny thing is, I actually got started on minis, because for some reason, that's the part that called to me the loudest. I started with one of those Nolzur's Paint Night Kits, and when I finished it, and showed it to a friend who has been in this world for decades, and she said it looked professionally done, I knew I had found my niche. I watched your video about the only things you need to start, and ran out to Michael's and Home Depot that Saturday. Always wanted to dive into this side of this hobby. Thank you for giving me the kick in the ass I needed to do so.
Just thank you. I work with many mediums and in many artistic categories. I am raising my 5 year old to just try. Anything. Everything. I use your videos for my d&d skill building! So thank you!
Just started serious mini painting probably 2 months ago. Found out I was gonna be a DM to a new group of people wanting to learn and play D&D. I've never DMd either. Thought it would be cool to have some visuals for the experience and to rope them in. I suck at painting not an artsy person. Love the hobby now 300+ dollars later in supply's paints,brushes!!!!! Which I go through like candy for some reason I cannot find out why. I'm still learning I watch painting videos all day. You were the first channel painting wise and building I've subscribed to. Thank you for letting me watch you build and paint you've helped me without even knowing it
Just started crafting and building so this is perfect.. even 4 years later still relevant to the beginner getting into hobby dioramas.
As a creative person myself, I always loved to watch you and others crafting. But because i suck at drawing, i never tried it myself. But after I did my first Project last week, a Majoras Mask from TLoZ - 3D Printed, painted it and soldered LEDs into it. IM HOOKED.
I never experienced SO MUCH fun and excitement for something the last months, like i was while painting and soldering the LEDs and wireing it up. The moment it lighed up was so overhelming i cant describe it.
Im not sure of what to do next. But I guess I will keep on doing things I love since my childhood. So it's probably the king of red lions.
Thanks for your motivation!
I have played and DM'd Dungeons and Dragons for about 20 years, but always resorted to theater of the mind, or crudely drawn maps on grid paper or dry erase mats. I had always wanted to build terrain in a modular format (I hate having one time use items), but never had the time or space.
After escaping the wildfires in Northern California, I ended up with a whole lot of nothing; no hobbies, no tools, no books or dice or computer...you get it. I needed a new hobby, and badly, so with a new desk and computer set up, I found this channel, and I knew right away that this was it. I used to do model railroad work with my dad as a very young kid, as well as having experience painting miniatures, so I had some knowledge of the later steps in building and decorating, but nothing as far as structure is concerned. Got myself some of the empty cardboard boxes from the furniture my family had just replaced, a glue gun and an Xacto knife, and went to town. I am about to finish my first piece modeled a lot on the Hag Hut, which was the first video I saw. I am loving coming up with uses for recycled materials like plastic bottles and structured cardboard as the bases to my builds, and watching your videos has given me a lot of inspiration and help with figuring out how to customize my own style of build.
Thank you.
DM Amberlie
I just started and have spent every day off making some stuff. After two days of dungeon tiles and ruins, I came to work and thought my van smelled like paint. Then I smelled paint coming through the parking garage and hall. Then I thought I might have been huffing too much mod podge lately! Turns out it was better when I got onto the unit at the hospital and it smelled like popcorn instead. I am still using exacto and utility knives to hack and slash my way to victorious terrain building. When I can afford it, I will get a wire cutter.
I am so excited to start this craft. I am doing this as a surprise to my husband for when he gets home from basic! We literally played 30mins of D&D before he had to go (we have a young son so playing can be difficult) my first game ever and his first time being a DM. I’m going to surprise him with some minis and a little terrain set up!
Jumping in headfirst is how I started with miniatures years ago. You don’t fully know what you are doing, but you keep going because it is fun to create and you want to try and make some sweet stuff. I took a long break because of life, but am starting to come back because of Frostgrave. I did some minor terrain back in the day, but your Frostgrave videos and your channel is inspiring me to get back into terrain as well. I failed miserably with terrain when I started (though I think my one hill and sandbags turned out alright, the rest didn’t). You are giving me hope that I can get into the terrain aspect as well and make some basic pieces for board games.
Great message bro. I've been doing the craft game for my table and my players love it.
I've only done simple stuff so far and I'm currently doing a redesign of my dungeon tiles to get a simpler product. For me, the terrain isn't meant to wow anyone, it's to immerse the players and give a visual aide for combat. To that end, simple is the way to go.
But I've also got some set-pieces planned that can wow an onlooker. I think a good mix is a great way to do it.
As Scotty would say, "Go Forth and Craft!"
Ive never wanted to see one of your game sessions more in my life. My experience level is verry low. I do have the benifit of working in construction through masonry and carpentry though. You make me feel like I can DM on a New level. So inspiring and easy to follow you. Ive been subbed for a while and you have been the reason I keep playing.
there is definitely a market for recorded gameplay..besides CR and DCA there are 0 (imo) quality vids..i have searched for a Mad Mage campaign either live or on Fantasy grounds etc..and have not found a single "good" one out of dozens....lol
This video is what everyone who is thinking about getting into crafting should watch first.. it couldnt be more well said! Especially the part about having the right mentality. Great videos, love the channel!
I'm one of those newbies to crafting like this. Back in the day I did some Warhammer and Battletech gaming, and we bought all our terrain premade. Now I'm doing D&D and some wargaming with my kids, and we just don't have that kind of budget to buy everything. So I stumbled upon your channel and a few others and started making some. I think the main thing I try to keep in mind is that as a beginner to this part of the hobby is that I just need to be creative and use the tools I have and get something decent on the table. My next project can improve on what I've done before, each piece doesn't need to be the Mona Lisa, it needs to be functional and an opportunity to improve my skills. Love the vid, love the channel, keep up the great work.
I still love my first piece of terrain, a city wall i made out of a tv packing foam piece with plastic fruit baskets as grating, and popsicle sticks as the frame for the main door. Can't wait to see it in play for that siege.
I first got into scratch building models and terrain when i first got into 40k and was using paper kits off the internet to add to my army because i couldn't afford the official models. after about 5 to 10 paper kits i scratch built my first tank (a land raider redeemer based on art from a horus heresy book with some slight adjustments including making the tank a flame thrower varient rather then a laser cannon varient)
this lead to two things:
1 a love of scratch building models
2 a love of conversion building models
and here I am in 2019 conversion building an entire army for 40k and providing both conversion building and terrain making tutorials
Hey..really awesome and encouraging video. It took me a long time to realize 1. That “art” was a skill that people could learn vs born with the “talent” and 2. Not to compare your personal journey to anyone else’s which includes your skill development. Some people will be faster than others for sure, but hard work at something you love will eventually get you into a place of which you can be proud.
Thank you for this video. I am one of the 'just found this channel' and would like to explore this hobby. So thank you. This is greatly appreciated to hear someone who has gained the experience you have and let others know it's okay to just begin. I'll be watching a lot more!
I found this channel 3 days ago and I've found myself making plans to get into this hobby. Even now, I'm tempted to grab all the cardboard I have lying about and make some dungeon tiles from them.
I started making the Underdark tiles from your first video yesterday. First time, and I don't think people would be impressed online but my players will be.
As someone who doesn't have a mind's eye (the ability to imagine things in my head also known as aphantasia), I often struggle with combat that is entirely theater of the mind. Your channel makes me want to get into terrain building as a way for me to fully immerse myself and any future players!
Just been messing around with a cheap hot wire cutter, practicing on scrap pieces. Mostly used paper craft or laser cut mdf buildings. And wanted to try out scratch building. Starting with shipping containers, then progressing onto buildings with resin gribbly bits for customization. Also looking out for fun shapes in packing materials. I found one used to pack a wheel hole punch, that would make a great building roof. Just need to cast the shape, and put on a turret or a satellite dish.
Been inspired by various terrain crafters including yourself to give it a go, and the Crafting Guild members. Also checking out tips videos for cheaper ways of doing things, thanks to Lukes APS and TheTerrainTutor. I tend to go for model neutral sci-fi and post apocalypse skirmish games, to get my conversion fix. Now I want to get that scratch building fix, to get the look of terrain I want. Cheers for all the help you have given to the crafting community, and looking forward to future build videos.
awesomely said. I used to play D&D years ago... your videos have rekindled my thrill for the game and crafting. My daughter has expressed interest in playing D&D as well. Thank you.
great advice for life in general....trying and failing is better than never trying, in failure you learn what doesn't work and with trying new things you can learn what does work.....another CZcamsr said something along the same lines and is the whole reason I got into youtube myself :D
hi, Greetings from Colombia, here in latin america that kind of hobbie it´s not very popular, but some people (like me) are very thankfull watching channels like this one, personally I do things using cold porcelain, and I often think about doing my own channel and share my journey as you said, and watching you sharing your experience is quite inspiring. I really hope you continue sharing with us this awesome art. wishing you the best form Colombia.
Well, it's May 5th 2021 I'm 37 years old and I've been debating on starting on this hobbie or not and I watched this video published 2 years ago and you just gave me the push I needed. Thank you!
I just started making a traven building this week and have been watching any video that might me so I thank you for the message, go have fun and build!
I just started grading inspired by your channel, I'm a GM since 7 years now and crafting is another level up to my games , I hope my players will love it , thanks you for inspiration
A random French GM
Crafting not grading*
You got me into this recently and my wife and I have enjoyed making terrain. You make it look easy and inexpensive to get into, so thank you!
I had stumbled upon your channel by accident while looking for some more generic D&D related videos, and was instantly hooked. I had never done anything like this before, but the concept grabbed me pretty hard. I've always mostly done illustration and such, so watching a creative process that was vastly different then anything I was already doing was extremely refreshing and inspiring. But your encouragement in your videos and your general attitude towards the hobby is ultimately what caused me to stay around. I dove right into building terrain for our own DnD campaign and its been a great time. ❤ Just some rocks and a small pond so far, but it's a start!
I think I started to build stuff at some point, because I realised it helps the players to immerse and plan their actions, if there is anything they can relate to.
So I started to build some terrain, which I never used for the most part. Then I went on to build a cemetery, a monastery, some furniture and the likes. Dropped it, since it was a lot of work and "wasn't going anywhere" besides eating up my time, money and space.
Still, couldn't stop building for the next project. Through the stuff away (cave, golden city with buildings, skeleton dragon, ... ) and was about to drop the hobby for good, when I realised that I totally enjoyed the process xD Just never occured to me to simply do it for the fun of it.
Well I had an architecture base so making building, craft models is fine for me thoughmy skills were sucked back then, lol.
I loved old Medieval D&D theme, even though it's not popular in my country . Then I came across your channel... and oh boy, after watching like 20+ of your videos, I made a big project- The watch tower. Really happy and pround of my project, I started a second project- a castle. It's the biggest model I've ever made, and your video techquies really help me a lot. You're really inspire me to proceed this hobby.
Though this is your old video, I'd to share my thought and thank you.
I've been thinking about getting into Resin Casting and Miniature Painting. I've tried Miniature Painting in the past but I truly didn't give it as much of a chance as I should have. Painted a single Mini out of my Orc Warhammer 40k Army (Another Thing that I need to start doing again). I really enjoy the building of my minis and thought that making terrain might be a similar experience for me. So thats my goal is to cast some Resin Tiles for my D&D games and move into painting once I feel comfortable with it. Its nice that there are lovely Crafters Like yourself who dont make everything seem so overbearing and that there is one way to do things. Keep Being Awesome Man
Yup just starting out myself I have a long way to go but enjoy the hobby I am mixing crafting with my movies you are a big help.
As an experienced DM (more than 15 years of storytelling), I just stumbled upon your channel as I was watching some DM-related stuff on CZcams and I was amazed by the things you crafted mostly out of foam. I just watched one video after the other and I realised that it would be awesome if I also could improve my storytelling with some crafted props. And this video was a great idea, as at first I also felt a bit intimidated, I was second-guessing if I could build anything half as awesome you built. And in the end, I also came to the conclusion that I should just jump in head first and do it. So after I finally manage to start off my new campaign next week (Curse of Strahd), I will head over to the store and buy some stuff, and start crafting! :) Oh, and congrats for this channel, great stuff, great quality videos!
Built my first tile today and I’m so happy, I thought it would fail but it turned out really well!
Hey! Just wanted to say I love what I'm seeing. I was searching for ideas to build a single doll house room. Being a fantasy and gamer girl, I found this in my suggestions. This will really help me build a great foundation for the whole diorama. Thank you
This was from a comment on a Tabletop Minions video, but I think it fits here too:
"Every day you do not paint takes you one day longer to become better."
Cheers, from a fellow hobbyist :)
Was watching from PS4 and had to come on the laptop to say: Excellent words bud! I'm just sitting here nodding my head in agreement and smiling. This is what it's al about folks! Glad you made that decision to jump on CZcams and just try something new!
Keep up the good work bud!
-relatively new subscriber-
-never played D&D
Just recently became very interested in the hobby! Picked up a knife and glue gun, planning on watching through this "new people" playlist while scrambling some eggs!! Love the content I've seen so far, thanks for being welcoming and inspiring!