Copyright 2005 T. Sheil & A. Sheil All Rights Reserved
If you are interested in making Military Miniatures your hobby, you are looking at a vast field with many, many specialties. The best advice for a newcomer is: "Look around." See the various types of figures, and get to know the historical eras they represent. Knowledge goes a long way in this hobby. No matter what your interest or your hobby funds, you can participate. There is 'something for everyone'.
The first thing is to take a good look at what is out there. The military miniature hobby is wade, and there is much to see. Decide what parts of the hobby you want for yourself. Here are but a few ways people enjoy military miniatures:
Collecting: gathering figures which suit your fancy. You can paint and make your own, or buy them already made by skilled artists.
Painting: Some hobbyists like to buy unfinished figures, and paint them. They also like to add details and alter poses, etc.
Converting: Along with painting, there are hobbyists that like to convert one figure into another This involved painting and detailing, plus changing poses.
Sculpting: a few like to make their own figures from scratch.
Diorama Building: There are military miniaturists who go beyond painting and converting. They like to make entire scenes with figures and background scenery. Dioramas are a moment in time, capture in lifelike miniature.
Miniature Wargaming: Among military miniature enthusiasts are those who like to use miniature figures in realistic miniature battle games. these games are called "wargames". (You can download free game rules from this website.)
Homecasting: there are the miniaturists who enjoy casting figures in molds. Using alloys of tin and other metals, they use molds which produce figures. Molds are usually procured from specialty suppliers.
You can do one, several, or all of these to enjoy the hobby. For each of these specialities, there are suppliers ready to fill your needs. You can easily find finished and unfinished figures, detail parts, molds, casting supplies, wargaming books, etc. Best of all, there is something to fit every price range. You can spend as little or as much as you like and enjoy the hobby fully.