Every miniature painter knows the basics: a solid brush, decent paints, good lighting, and a workspace that doesn’t leave your back in agony. But beyond that, there’s a world of game-changing tools hiding in plain sight, ready to take your hobby experience from ‘good enough’ to ‘why didn’t I get this sooner?’ Whether you’re slapping paint on a weekend project or pushing for Golden Demon-level precision, these under-the-radar best hobby tools might just revolutionise the way you paint.
1. Wet Palette with Parchment Paper
Sure, wet palettes aren’t a secret, but swapping out the membrane for parchment paper (not wax paper!) is a game-changer. It keeps your paints perfectly hydrated, extending their life from mere hours to actual days. Blending? Glazing? No problem—the semi-porous nature of parchment paper maintains the perfect consistency without drowning your pigments.
2. Texture Palette for Dry Brushing – Less Guesswork, More Control
If you’ve ever struggled to get that ‘just right’ amount of paint for dry brushing, a dry texture palette is your new best friend. Unlike a smooth surface, these palettes have raised patterns that let you work excess paint off your brush properly, so you get consistent, controlled dry brushing without that dreaded chalky look.
3. Paint Agitator/Vortex Mixer – Never Shake a Bottle Again
Tired of shaking paint pots like you’re making a cocktail? A vortex mixer, originally built for lab work, creates a whirlpool effect that mixes paint thoroughly in seconds—no air bubbles, no clumps. It’s a must-have for metallics and heavily pigmented paints that love to separate and settle.
4. Makeup Sponges and Applicators – Weathering on a Budget
The beauty aisle is a goldmine for miniature painters. Eyeshadow applicators are perfect for blending, while makeup sponges work wonders for stippling and texture effects. Even those cheap makeup brushes can be repurposed for dry brushing, saving your expensive sable brushes from unnecessary wear.
5. Laboratory Pipettes – Precision Paint Mixing
When it comes to custom paint mixes, consistency is everything. Enter plastic pipettes—cheap, precise, and perfect for controlling how much water, medium, or paint goes into your mix. No more guesstimating with a shaky hand; these little tools let you replicate exact blends every time. Great for use with Citadel’s pots.
6. Silicone Colour Shapers / Rubber Sculpting Brushes
Unlike traditional brushes, these silicone-tipped tools don’t absorb paint, making them perfect for manipulating technical paints, applying weathering effects, and even pushing washes into recesses without losing control. And if you do a lot of sculpting or gap-filling, these soft rubber-tipped brushes are perfect for smoothing out putty without leaving fingerprints behind. They’re also handy for pressing texture into putty, letting you create unique bases or add detail to conversions.
7. Dental Tools – Precision Scraping and Sculpting
Originally designed for the terrifying world of dentistry, these little metal picks are perfect for cleaning mold lines, sculpting details, and reaching the impossible corners of your minis. The fine tips let you scrape away imperfections with surgical precision, and their ergonomic handles give you maximum control. Check second-hand options online or, if you’re feeling particularly brave, ask your dentist if they have any old ones going spare.
8. Powered Respirator
A dust mask is fine, but a powered respirator? That’s next-level protection. Whether you’re sanding resin, airbrushing solvents, or just want to keep your lungs happy, a good respirator ensures you’re breathing clean, filtered air. Bonus: Many hobbyists say it makes long painting sessions far more comfortable.
9. Magnifying Headband – See What You’re Actually Painting
Sometimes, the naked eye just isn’t enough, especially for fine details. A magnifying headband gives you crystal-clear focus on intricate areas while keeping your hands free, making things like freehand designs and tiny highlights far less frustrating.
10. 3D Printer – Customisation Without Limits
You’ve probably thought about it, but if you haven’t taken the plunge yet, a 3D printer is an absolute game-changer. Custom painting handles? Printed. Unique basing elements? Printed. That one bit of scenery you’re missing because it got left at the gaming club? Printed. The possibilities are endless.
11. Photography Light Box – Show Off Your Work Properly
You’ve put in the hours, now let your miniatures shine. A photography light box with adjustable LEDs makes sure your paint job looks just as good on screen as it does in person. Most fold flat for easy storage, and paired with even a mid-range smartphone, you’ll get crisp, colour-accurate shots every time.
Think Outside the Hobby Box
Miniature painting thrives on innovation, and the best hobbyists know that the best hobby tools can come from the most unexpected places. Whether it’s dental picks, lab gear, or repurposed makeup tools, expanding your kit beyond traditional hobby supplies can unlock new techniques and elevate your painting game.
What’s the one unconventional tool that changed your painting experience? Share your best-kept hobby secrets—you never know who might be searching for exactly that solution!