Aley Miniatures

“How do you paint skin?”

I’ve been asked this quite a few times lately, so I thought I’d share a little behind the scenes of my process.
I actually picked this miniature for one reason: to practice painting skin.
No tutorial, no step-by-step — just a few pictures from different moments of the process, from a simple basecoat to a rough sketch of the volumes, and eventually to something that starts to feel alive.
I love these messy in-between stages. They’re definitely not pretty, but they’re probably the part I enjoy the most: looking for the volumes, pushing lights and shadows, making mistakes and figuring things out along the way.
Sometimes you just need to paint something for the sake of practicing. ❤️

Colors by Ak-Interactive
Bust by DM Stash

I still can’t quite believe it.
This year at Euroma I took a SILVER in FANTASY MASTER UNDER 54 and a SILVER in FANTASY MASTER BUST.
While at SILVER STANDARD bust and a Bronze with Hellbrecht!

Moments like these are hard to put into words. So many hours, mistakes, doubts, lessons, and tiny brushstrokes led to this weekend.Seeing my work recognized among so many incredible painters is something I’ll carry with me for a long time.
Congratulations to all the winners and participants.
Time to go back to the painting desk... inspired more than ever. ❤️

Still painting, still pushing forward — one brushstroke at a time. Loving how this project is evolving and excited to see where it goes next. ♥️
curious to know how i painted the “iron maiden” written? Stay tuned!

Model by Michael Kontraros Collectibles
Brushes by Golden Maple
Colors by Kimera Models and Ak-Interactive

miniaturepainter paintingminiature

Skincare to relax, mini painting to… not relax.🤣
The perfect combo doesn’t exist, but at least the mask is doing its job!

Eddie is going on! This is a photo taken in natural light (without a lamp) because I think it’s important to see the result without lighting every once in a while… to avoid that “What the f**k? Where are the lights?!” moment 🤣

Quando ho visto questa miniatura ho pensato subito:
“È Auren Pugno Blu!!!”.
L’ho dipinta in pochissimo tempo, non è il pezzo più tecnico del mondo, ma è nata con un’idea sola: regalarla a Sotterranei e Dragoni ▫️Podcast per ringraziarli della compagnia, delle risate e del lavoro incredibile che fanno ♥️ siete grandi!

Over the past few days so many of you have joined, so let me introduce myself.
I’m Daniela: I paint miniatures, study light, color, texture… and yes, I’m a full‑on nerd who loves worlds, stories, and everything that inspires my work. I travel, get lost, find ideas, and try to pour all of that into what I create.
If you’re new here: I’m really happy you’re here and thank you for the support!
This space is half art, half life — and I hope it feels like home. 🖤

Apparently, I did remember how to paint. 😂

This is where I left this guy before going on vacation vs. where he is now, after getting back yesterday.

I made some pretty big changes to the colours, contrast and overall definition — and honestly, I wasn’t expecting to enjoy getting back to him this much.

Still a long way to go, but I’m finally back at the painting desk!

Can you spot the differences?
Write in the comment ☺️♥️

Model by: Michael Kontraros Collectibles
Brushes by: greenstuffworld
Colours by: Ak-Interactive and Kimera Models

BACK TO BRUSHES! 🖤
Let’s come back creating something!
It’s the same story every year – I can’t wait to go on holiday, but then I miss painting far too much!
Have you all gone back to work yet, or are you still on holiday?

Eddie, I Miss you🥹 (this is like 3hours work)
The first thing I will do when i’ll come back home? PAINTING! Specificalo, painting EDDIE from the great Michael Kontraros Collectibles 🫶