Agram 2021 – A Year In Review

Marko Paunović, 30th December 2021

This year, 2021, has come to an end. The year we celebrated our 18th birthday, we came of age and faced various post-earthquake and pandemic challenges. The impossibility of using our main space, but also the epidemiological limitations of the number of people in the space of the ZZTK cinema hall that we use on Wednesday evenings, followed us for the second year in a row. Consequently, the gaming part suffered greatly, while the hobby part flourished.

We started the year at a fast pace, publishing not one but two publications. The first was Miniaturism in the Corona era - Collection of articles from miniaturism and model making, and the second was a monograph on the occasion of the 18th birthday of the Association - Our first 18 years, 2003. -2020.

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EXHIBITION OF MINIATURES AND TABLETOP SCENERY AGRAM 2021

In parallel with the publication of books, we prepared our annual Exhibition of Miniatures and Tabletop Scenery, during which we organized a weekend miniature painting workshop and for the second time in this period our international Black Queen Hobby and Miniature Painting Competition. As always, the exhibition showed a cross-section of the work of the Association, its members, participants in its courses and workshops and members of the FB group Miniature Painters Croatia. Numerous miniatures for table strategy games, board games were found in a large number of showcases, and the entire showcase is dedicated to award-winning exhibits from previous miniature competitions. Several showcases were dedicated to projects that the Association has been implementing for 18 years, such as the Library and Reading Room UMS "Agram", the Workshop for making spatial models and the Workshop for coloring miniatures.

The opening of the Exhibition took place on Thursday, February 18, 2021, starting at 6 p.m. The exhibition was organized on the occasion of the eighteenth birthday of the Association, and during the opening there was a promotion of books:

- Miniaturism in the Corona era (Collection of articles from miniaturism and model making), authors: Marko Paunović, Ana Polanšćak, Goran Krunić, Jure Cukar, Matija Koružnjak, Dalibor Čavić i Krunoslav Belinić

- MONOGRAPH: Our First 18 Years, authors: Marko Paunović, Ana Polanšćak i Goran Krunić

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In addition, during the Exhibition, we held an election session of the Assembly of UMS "Agram", where we amended the Statute and elected a new leadership of the Association.

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BLACK QUEEN HOBBY AND MINIATURE PAINTING COMPETITION 2021

Posljednji vikend u veljači bio je rezerviran za naš Black Queen Hobby and Miniature Painting Competition. I tu smo, zbog epidemije Covid-19, imali neke promjene u formatu natjecanja.

The biggest change in format was the registration process. For the first time, contestants had to register via email. Then they were given the exact time when they should come to check in (Saturday from 8:30 to 11:00). This limited the number of people at the scene at the same time.

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MINIATURE PAINTING WORKSHOPS

The layout of the Vladimir Horvat Gallery allows for workshops during the weekend. Therefore, on Saturday after the official opening of the competition, three one-hour demonstration workshops were organized and three on the Sunday before the awards ceremony. This year the workshops were held in the cinema hall. The lecturers' work was filmed with a camera and projected on a projection screen in the hall. In this way, social distancing was maintained. Also, this setting meant that the workshops were limited to 10 participants, so registration for the workshops via e-mail was mandatory.

SCULPTING 101 WORKSHOP

Date and time: Saturday 27. February 2021, 12:30-13:30

TUTOR:Ana Polanšćak

CONTENT:

The Workshop will cover modelling of three separate textures:chainmailfurscalesThose three textures are the most common when converting or even assembling your fantasy, SF and historical miniatures. Ana will show her method using two-component epoxies (like Green Stuff, Miliput etc.).

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USING COLOURS TO CREATE ATMOSPHERE

Date and time: Saturday 27. February 2021, 14:00-15:00

TUTOR: @Matija Koružnjak

CONTENT:

The workshop deals with the process of selecting, mixing and using colour in order to create an ambient atmosphere using miniatures in 28-32mm scale. The theoretical part covers the reasoning behind the selection of a specific palette with regard to the colour theory, the concept of saturation and ambient lighting as the main postulates of practical application, while through the practical part of the sketching process we show how to turn an idea into realisation.

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DILUTING PAINT 101

Date and time: Saturday 27. February 2021, 17:00-18:00

TUTOR: Jure Cukar (aka @John Alton)

CONTENT:

This workshop will cover the basic ways to manipulate paint. How to prepare out-of-the-bottle acrylic paint, using various diluting ratios, to be used for layering, washing and glazing techniques as well as how to properly use those techniques on your miniatures. The tutor will use the Lord of the Cats bust by Michael Kontraros Collectibles.

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VEGETATION 101 WORKSHOP

Date and time: Sunday 28. February 2021, 10:00-11:00

TUTOR: @Marko Paunovic

CONTENT:

The workshop will cover the process of making a simple base/terrain. The focus will be on recreating life-like vegetation where the tutor will show how to use various types of vegetation. The vegetation used will be from @Martin Welberg Scenic Studios and @Diorama Presepe.

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HISTORIC MINIATURES 101 WORKSHOP

Date and time: Sunday 28. February 2021, 11:30-12:30

TUTOR: @Dalibor Čavić

CONTENT:

This workshop will cover the process of painting 28mm historical miniatures. The tutor has chosen British colonial infantry from Anglo-Zulu wars (1879) by Perry Miniatures to explain the theory behind finding historic sources for uniforms as well as practical application using various techniques like basecoating, washing, highlighting and detailing with acrylic paints.

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AIRBRUSHING 101

Date and time:Sunday 28. February 2021, 14:30-15:30

TUTOR: Mario Ogrizek-Tomaš (aka @Cuvar Boja)

CONTENT:

The workshop will cover the basic techniques for working with an airbrush. Topics we will address: • myths and legends about miniature painting with an airbrush (mythbusting) • airbrush anatomy, • which compressor settings to use, • basics of using dual action airbrush (trigger control), • colour consistency and troubleshooting, • zenithal undercoat, • precision spraying, • cleaning, • safety at work.

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Speed Painting Contests

There was a speed painting contest organised on Saturday. Participants (up to 10) had an hour to paint a single miniature. Thanks to our sponsor Hobby Chest who secured a huge donation of painting materials by AK Interactive, we were able to hold a Speed Painting Contest with the following rules: - contestants had an hour to paint a miniature - all contestants painted the same (type of) miniature - we provided the paints by AK Interactive - we provided the brushes by AK Interactive

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WEEKEND MINIATURE PAINTING WORKSHOPS

On 20.-21.2., we organised a MINIATURE PAINTING WORKSHOP – Horses, Wargs and Birds.

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The weekend workshop covered the basics of painting three kinds of animals. The main focus of the workshop was painting of the fur textrue, long and short animal hair as well as feathers. For this, the tutors chose some appropriate miniatures of horses, wargs and birds for the attendees to paint with acrylic paints. The lectures were addapted so the tutors could spend equal ammount of time on each participant and therefore could addapt to all categories of miniature painters (beginer or advanced).

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First the tutor sitting behind his desk explained and demonstrated each step of the painting on his example. His work was transmitted over a camera and a digital projector onto a screen in the cinema hall. The pupils watched and listened to the tutor but could also stop him/her and ask questions. Then, the pupils paint their own miniatures copying what they have learned while the tutors walk among them and check their progress. The following themes were covered:

1. Horses – short hair and long hair

2. Wargovi – fur and snout

3. Birds – feathers, beak and claws

The club provided all with the necessary equipment, paints, tools, brushes, lighting, glue as well as a set of paints.

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Due to the pandemic, the following epidemiologic measures were enforced:

Correct wearing of masks was obligatory. The Disinfectant was at hand for all to use freely. Camera nad projection screen was used to ensure the social distancing while lecturing and separate tables for all the participants moved 2m apart to ensure the social distancing while the pupils paint.

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Miniature painting workshop - bust of Krieger was held over the weekend of 22-23.05.2021. in the cinema hall of the Zagreb Association of Technical Culture on Trg žrtava fašizma 14. Both days the workshop lasted from 10 am to 6 pm and there were a total of 10 participants who painted the bust of Death Guard of Krieg.

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The main focus of these lectures was the coloring of camouflage, textures of rough textiles, leather textures, metals and weathering. Guided by this, the leaders chose a suitable post-apocalyptic bust that all participants were afraid of. As part of the workshop, acrylic paints and oil effects were used.

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The workshop included the following thematic units:

1. Setting up the bust at the base

2. Preparatory work on the bust and the base color

3. Textile dyeing and subsequent camouflage

4. Metal parts and weathering

5. Leather belts and holsters

6. Glasses with glare

7. Decals

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Miniature painting workshop - bust of Hellboy was held over the weekend of 18-19.09.2021. in the cinema hall of the Zagreb Association of Technical Culture on Trg žrtava fašizma 14. Both days the workshop lasted from 10 am to 6 pm and there were a total of 10 participants who painted the bust of Hellboy.

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The main focus of these lectures was the coloring of demon skin, the texture of rough textiles or leather parts and special effects such as OSL. Guided by this, the leaders chose a suitable bust of Hellboy. As part of the workshop, acrylic paints as well as oil effects were used.

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The workshop included the following thematic units:

1. Setting up the bust at the base

2. Preparatory work on the bust and the base color

3. Painting demon skin

4. Leather / textile coat surfaces

5. Special effects: OSL acrylics

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MINIATURE PAINTERS CROATIA – FB group

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At our FB group Miniature Painters Croatia, we organized two online competitions in coloring miniatures: Summer Painting Competition and Winter Painting Competition.

 

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WEDNESDAY HOBBY CORNER

Wednesday Hobby Corner is conceived as a sum of free activities in the space used by UMS "Agram" on Wednesday night. Most of the activities are open to everyone, with some benefits for members of UMS "Agram" such as storing miniatures in display cases between appointments or borrowing books from our rich Library. All activities were available in each of the terms to the extent permitted by the current epidemiological situation.

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1 on 1 Workshop

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For all those who wanted to learn how to paint miniatures in structured and carefully designed workshops, as part of the Hobby Corner, we organized One on One Workshops. The One on One workshop has several modules designed to introduce beginners to every aspect of this hobby as soon as possible, but also to enable more experienced miniaturists to learn / practice more advanced techniques in agreement with the leaders. Work programme: 1st term - introduction to paints, glues and brushes, composing miniatures and primers 2nd term - basic layers and shades (basecoat and wash): leather, textile, metal, wood 3rd term - details and highlights 4th term - making and painting the base and vegetation

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Terrain Workshop

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As part of the Wednesday Hobby Corner, a terrain workshop was held, in which our youngest participants learned to make terrain scenery this year. Work programme: 1. term - introduction to tools, materials and technical drawing; base making and texturing 2. term - construction of the building, roof, tiles and windows; facade texturing 3rd term - making a fence, undercoat, painting 4th term - introduction to technical drawing, placing grass and other plants

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The Bust Saga

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The Bust Saga is the forerunner of a program called Agram Group Build. Our Goran and Marko started making and painting two of the same busts. They painted exclusively on Wednesdays during the Wednesday Hobby Corner, and we followed their work in articles on the UMS "Agram" page.

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AGRAM GROUP BUILD

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As part of the new UMS "Agram" project called Agram Group Build, which was created after Goran, Kruno and Marko discussed joint projects on Wednesdays and how cool it would be to gather more people on Wednesdays to work on something together… This gave birth to the idea of Group Builds. In 2021, the NY / Gotham diorama from the 1980s was launched. And two more group builds are in preparation - dieselpunk flying island and coloring 4 busts on the theme of the Three Musketeers.

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AGRAM ATMOSPHERE

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Hoping to bring the gaming part of the population back to the Association, we started the Agram Atmosphere program earlier this year. Unfortunately, the program was shut down by the leader's decision to leave the Association. However, even the limited maintenance of the program brought us a handful of good battle reports that were published on our site!

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Domagoj's Slow Grow League

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And just when we thought gaming was unfortunately over, our Domagoj appeared with the idea, will and enthusiasm to start something casual, uncompetitive and suitable for beginners, something that eventually crystallized in Domagoj's Slow Grow League in 40k. The boys play with small armies and are rewarded with points for newly painted figures. In this way, fast, short games are played, but also the coloring of the figures is stimulated for the general enjoyment of both the player and the rest of us who are watching from the sidelines!

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PERFORMANCES OF OUR MEMBERS IN COMPETITIONS

On Saturday, August 28, 2021 organized by ZMMS, the 16th Model Making Cup Zagreb was held at the Electrical Engineering School in Zagreb. The organizers allowed us to award the Best of Show by UMS Agram. The award was in the form of a medal and our collection of articles from miniaturism and modeling Miniaturism in the Corona era and went to Mr. Roland Vlahović.

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On Saturday, September 11, 2021 organized by HUVM, the 16th Modeling Cup CK2021 was held at the Gračani Elementary School in Zagreb. Highlight of the day is certainly the stand of Miniatures.si, which, in addition to sales, also organized the only workshop at this year's competition led by Luka Jančić on their bust of firefighters. This was the first “place” where that bust could be purchased. In addition to the bust, in a metal box, there is a USB with about 5 hours of video material with instructions for coloring the same bust. A real hit for beginners and those who want to learn more. BEST OF SHOW chosen by members of UMS Agram: Mr. Angelo Milella

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At the end of October and the beginning of November, our Matija Koružnjak participated in the Rotten Harvest competition of the company Wyrd Miniatures, where he won first place in the Spooktacular category. CONGRATULATIONS ONCE AGAIN!

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VISITS TO MODELLING EXHIBITIONS

Our members also visited two model exhibitions during 2021. The first was the World Competition of Ship Modellers in 2021 and the exhibition "Rijeka 2021" which was held from 12 to 19 September at the Exportdrva in Rijeka. Our longtime member and one of the founders, Berislav Tušek, visited the competition.

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The second exhibition entitled Fly with us was organized by the Trešnjevka Model Aeroclub in cooperation with the Zagreb Aviation Technical Association Rudolf Perešin, Zagreb Technical Museum Nikola Tesla and the City of Zagreb - City Office of Education from 11 to 23 October 2021.

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COOPERATIONS AND APPEARANCES OF THE ASSOCIATION IN 2021

Our members Nino Marasović and Mislav Gorupec had the honor to lend their miniatures of their respective Breton Armies for the exhibition Sword Once Upon a Time ... "directed" by the Croatian History Museum in the Klovićevi dvori Gallery. The exhibition was open from 19.05.2021. to 07/18/2021

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On Saturday, September 25, 2021 organized by the Zagreb Association of Technical Culture, the 10th Days of Technical Culture were held at the Cultural Center Dubrava, Dubrava 51a. UMS "Agram" performed with a presentation of the work of our various programs such as 1 on 1 Workshop, Agram Group Build and Library and Reading Room UMS "Agram".

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UMS "Agram" has established cooperation with the coffee bar Cherry Tree, where the works of our Marko Paunović have been permanently exhibited since October. In two, now illuminated, windows, you can see several multi-award winning works with the theme of The Lord of the Rings and Star Wars.

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The traditional Christmas exhibition by ZZTK was held this year, from 14 to 23.12. at the Vladimir Horvat Gallery, Trg žrtava fašizma 14. At the invitation of the Community, we gladly responded to participate in the Exhibition with our model Frostgrave, which fit well with the theme of the Exhibition.

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ARTICLES ON MINIATURISM AND MODELLING

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Finally, our most comprehensive program should be mentioned. Online publishing of articles from miniaturism and modeling started in 2020 and continued in 2021 with over 60 published articles this year. We would like to thank all the members for their work and commitment in making miniatures and models, but especially in taking the time to photograph the work in progress and write articles for our site.

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Latest articles

  • We visited: Warhammer World - pt.1
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    For any Warhammer hobbyist, a visit to Warhammer World in Nottingham is a pilgrimage of sorts. It is the epicenter of the entire Games Workshop culture - a combination of global corporate headquarters, visitor center, exhibition space, gaming hall, specialty store and themed bar, all gathered in one location. It should also be taken into account that the large gaming hall hosts Grand Tournaments for all games published by Games Workshop, and since our Ivan found himself in WHW on 18.4.2026. there was a WH40k tournament on the schedule, so the experience of the exhibition, Bugman Bar, WHW store, workshops, and gaming hall was also enhanced by the grand tournament that took place that day. This series follows his adventures…

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    1. Historical Context

    1.1. The Founding of Games Workshop

    Games Workshop was founded in 1975 in London, at 15 Bolingbroke Road. The founders were John Peake, Ian Livingstone and Steve Jackson (not to be confused with the American game designer of the same name). Initially, the company was not at all related to miniatures - they produced wooden boards for traditional games such as backgammon, manchala, mill and go. The same year, the Owl and Weasel newsletter was launched, which would later, in June 1977, evolve into the now legendary White Dwarf magazine. During the second half of the 1970s, Games Workshop became the main European distributor of the American role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons, and by the end of the decade it had also started publishing its own titles. A key turning point came in 1978/1979, when Games Workshop financed the establishment of Citadel Miniatures in Newark-on-Trent (Nottinghamshire). Citadel produced metal figurines used in GW's games, and the "Citadel" brand remains synonymous with Games Workshop miniatures to this day.

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    1.2. The Move to Nottingham and "Lead Belt"

    The move of Games Workshop from London to Nottingham was not a one-off, but a gradual process linked to the person of Bryan Ansell. Ansell became director of Games Workshop in 1985, bought the company from Jackson and Livingstone in the late 1980s, and refocused it from role-playing games to tabletop strategy products. It was he who physically moved the company from London to Nottinghamshire to bring it closer to Citadel Miniatures. The final consolidation took place in October 1997, when all of Games Workshop's UK operations were moved to their current headquarters in Lenton, a suburb of Nottingham. This location still houses the corporate headquarters, design studio, White Dwarf magazine editorial office, European distribution centre and online sales centre. The concentration of miniatures manufacturers in the wider Nottinghamshire area has led to the area now being referred to in hobby circles as the "Lead Belt". Most of the companies that make up that belt today - Warlord Games, Mantic Games, Perry Miniatures, Wargames Foundry and others - were founded by former Games Workshop employees, which speaks of an ecosystem that has developed around one company for decades.

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    1.3. Warhammer as a product

    Warhammer Fantasy Battle was first published in 1983 by Bryan Ansell, Rick Priestley and Richard Halliwell. The game literally saved Citadel from stagnation and launched the expansion of ranges of fantasy miniatures.

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    Warhammer 40,000 (40k) was launched in 1987 under the original title Rogue Trader, with Rick Priestley as the main author. Over six generations of rules, the game has become the leading sci-fi wargaming franchise in the world and is now the core product of Games Workshop. The 10th edition of the rules is currently in circulation.

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    You can find more photos on our social networks.

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    Za svakog hobista koji se bavi Warhammerom, posjet Warhammer Worldu u Nottinghamu predstavlja svojevrsno hodočašće. Riječ je o središnjem mjestu cjelokupne Games Workshop kulture - kombinaciji globalnog korporativnog sjedišta, posjetiteljskog centra, izložbenog prostora, igračke dvorane, specijalizirane trgovine i tematskog bara, sve okupljeno na jednoj lokaciji. Također treba uzeti u obzir da se u velikoj igraćoj dvorani održavaju Grand Turniri za sve igre koje izdaje Games Workshop, a budući da se naš Ivan našao u WHW 18.4.2026. na rasporedu je bio WH40k turnir, pa je samom doživljaju izložbe, Bugman Bara, WHW dućana, radionica, i igraće hale doprinio i veliki turnir koji se odvijao taj dan. Ovaj serijal prati njegove dogodovštine…

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    1. Povijesni kontekst

    1.1. Osnutak Games Workshopa

    Games Workshop osnovan je 1975. godine u Londonu, na adresi 15 Bolingbroke Road. Osnivači su bili John Peake, Ian Livingstone i Steve Jackson (ne treba ga miješati s istoimenim američkim game dizajnerom). U početku tvrtka uopće nije bila vezana uz minijature - proizvodili su drvene ploče za tradicionalne igre poput backgammona, manchale, mlina i goa. Iste godine pokrenut je i newsletter Owl and Weasel, koji će kasnije, u lipnju 1977., evoluirati u danas legendarni časopis White Dwarf. Tijekom druge polovice 1970-ih Games Workshop postaje glavni europski distributer američke role-playing igre Dungeons & Dragons, da bi krajem desetljeća počeo izdavati i vlastite naslove. Ključna prekretnica dogodila se 1978./1979. godine, kada Games Workshop financira osnivanje Citadel Miniatures u mjestu Newark-on-Trent (Nottinghamshire). Citadel je proizvodio metalne figurice koje su se koristile u GW-ovim igrama, a brand "Citadel" do danas je ostao sinonim za Games Workshop minijature.

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    1.2. Preseljenje u Nottingham i "Lead Belt"

    Preseljenje Games Workshopa iz Londona u Nottingham nije bilo jednokratno, već postupan proces vezan uz osobu Bryana Ansella. Ansell je 1985. godine postao direktor Games Workshopa, otkupio je tvrtku od Jacksona i Livingstonea krajem 1980-ih, te je preusmjerio s role-playing igara prema proizvodima za stolne strateške igre. Upravo on je tvrtku fizički preselio iz Londona u Nottinghamshire kako bi je približio Citadel Miniatures. Konačna konsolidacija dogodila se u listopadu 1997. godine, kada su sve britanske operacije Games Workshopa premještene u današnje sjedište u Lentonu, predgrađu Nottinghama. Na toj se lokaciji i danas nalaze korporativno sjedište, dizajn studio, redakcija časopisa White Dwarf, distribucijski centar za Europu te online prodajni centar. Koncentracija proizvođača minijatura u širem području Nottinghamshirea dovela je do toga da se čitav kraj danas u hobi krugovima naziva "Lead Belt" (Olovni pojas). Većina tvrtki koje danas čine taj pojas - Warlord Games, Mantic Games, Perry Miniatures, Wargames Foundry i druge - osnovana je od strane bivših zaposlenika Games Workshopa, što govori o ekosustavu koji se desetljećima razvijao oko jedne tvrtke.

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    1.3. Warhammer kao proizvod

    Warhammer Fantasy Battle prvi je put objavljen 1983. godine, a autori su Bryan Ansell, Rick Priestley i Richard Halliwell. Igra je doslovno spasila Citadel od stagnacije i pokrenula širenje fantasy linija figurica.

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    Warhammer 40,000 (40k) lansiran je 1987. godine pod izvornim nazivom Rogue Trader, a glavni autor bio je Rick Priestley. Tijekom šest generacija pravila, igra je postala vodeća sci-fi wargaming franchise na svijetu i danas predstavlja središnji proizvod Games Workshopa. Trenutno je u opticaju 10. izdanje pravila.

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    Više fotografija možete naći na našim socijalnim mrežama.

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    Marko Paunović, 27th April 2026
  • Back to Basics Workshops in Library Medvescak
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    In April 2026 we held our Back To Basics miniature painting workshops for the youngest in Medveščak Library.

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    The workshops were completely FREE for all participants!

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    The Back to Basics method is a method of making models and miniatures that focuses on a fun process intended for younger ages, but everyone is welcome! In three separate sessions on Thursdays, participants (aged 7+) painted miniatures of their choice (knight, princess, king, wizard and barbarian). 

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    1st session: Painting miniatures of choice, Thursday, 09.04. - from 18:00 to 19:00

    2nd session: Painting a miniature of your choice, Thursday, 16.04. - from 18:00 to 19:00

    3rd session: Painting a miniature of your choice, Thursday, 23.04. - from 18:00 to 19:00

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    U travnju 2026. održali smo naše Back To Basics radionice za najmlađe u Knjižnici Medveščak.

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    Radionice su bile BESPLATNE za sve polaznike!

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    Back to Basics metoda je metoda izrade maketa i minijatura kojoj je fokus na zabavnom procesu namjenjenom mlađim uzrastima, ali svi su dobrodošli! U tri zasebna termina četvrtkom, polaznici (od 7+) su bojali minijature po izboru (vitez, princeza, kralj, čarobnjak i barbarin).

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    1. termin: Bojenje minijature po izboru, četvrtak, 09.04. - od 18:00 do 19:00

    2. termin: Bojenje minijature po izboru, četvrtak, 16.04. - od 18:00 do 19:00

    3. termin: Bojenje minijature po izboru, četvrtak, 23.04. - od 18:00 do 19:00

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    " ["created"]=> string(19) "2026-04-24 08:13:42" ["modified"]=> string(19) "2026-04-24 08:13:42" } ["Member"]=> array(10) { ["id"]=> string(2) "64" ["group_id"]=> string(1) "1" ["first_name"]=> string(9) "Krunoslav" ["last_name"]=> string(8) "Belinić" ["first_name_mask"]=> string(9) "krunoslav" ["last_name_mask"]=> string(7) "belinic" ["username"]=> string(5) "Kruno" ["password"]=> string(40) "eb3fda45fbec0258e90d809803b10491c548b22f" ["born"]=> string(19) "2015-01-18 09:19:00" ["created"]=> string(19) "2015-01-18 09:20:39" } }
    Krunoslav Belinić, 24th April 2026
  • Freehand for Sons of Horus Spartana
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    This week, our Miha is working on the "Freehand" technique on Spartan for Sons of Horus for the game Horus Heresy.

    I'll explain my process a bit and give some tips if you're interested in trying this technique yourself.

    The first step is to find some references, something that we will use as inspiration and a guide for the colors later. It is important to emphasize that we are not trying to copy the drawing 1:1, but rather use it as a starting point and then add our own details.

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    I used a drawing by Richard Bagnall as inspiration, of course you can use your own sketches.   

    The second step is to define the space and create guides. I recommend using white paint as we will cover these guidelines later. It is important to define the surface we are working with and the important parts of the drawing through the guidelines.

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    Then we move from the background colors to the foreground colors, in this case reds, then blacks, then golds. Don't worry too much about making it perfect at first, just mark where each color goes and start building a blend from darker to lighter.

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    After that, the process of adding details where needed and marking the edges of zones to create light begins. Here I started working on the face, which I later changed the most with more detailed eyes and I tried to make the nose stand out more.

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    The last step is very long and requires a lot of effort. It's about fixing and adding more details where needed, when painting something detailed in such a small area mistakes will happen, just let it dry a bit and fix it. In the picture you can see how the red has transferred to my face, I fixed that later. I also added more details by using lighter shades of paint in certain areas.

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    This was the final result, I still tried to add some things, but every time I changed something intentionally, something would change by accident. It's important to know when to accept that a freehand is finished. Your first one won't be perfect, but through practice you will get better and better.

    One tip I will give you is to always have an object in your photo that can serve to show the viewer the size of your drawing. Most people I have shown the final image to thought it was a much larger drawing. I like to use coins.

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    Now, to show you how easy it is to start freehand and what can be achieved through practice, I'll give you two pictures, one of the brushes and paints I used for this project, and the other of some of my other freehands. I'm sure you'll notice the progress over time.

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    Thank you for reading, I hope I have encouraged you to try the freehand technique on your models.

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    Naš Miha se ovoga tjedna bavi „Freehand“ tehnikom na Spartanu za Sons of Horus za igru Horus Heresy.

    Malo ću objasniti moji proces i dati neke savjete ako ste zainteresirani sami probati ovu tehniku.

    Prvi korak je pronaći neki reference, nešto što ćemo koristiti kao inspiraciju i voditelj za boje kasnije. Važno je naglasiti da ne pokušavamo prekopirati crtež 1:1, nego ga koristimo kao početak pa dalje nadodajemo svoje detalje.

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    Koristio sam crtež od Richard Bagnall-a kao inspiraciju, naravno možete i svoje sketcheve koristiti. 

    Drugi korak je odrediti prostor i napraviti vodilice. Savjetujem korištenje bijele boje kako ćemo ove vodilice prekriti kasnije. Važno da odredimo površinu s kojom radimo i važne dijelove crteža kroz vodilice.

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    Nakon toga krećemo od boja u pozadini prema bojama naprijed, u ovom slučaju to su crvene, pa crne, pa zlato. U početku se nemojte previše brinuti da ispadne savršeno, nego samo da označite gdje koje boje idu i da počnete graditi blend od tamnije prema svjetlijoj.

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    Nakon toga počinje proces dodavanja detalja gdje su potrebni i označavanje rubova zona kako bi stvorili svjetlost. Ovdje sam započeo raditi na licu, koje sam najviše kasnije mijenjao s detaljnijim očima i pokušavao sam više istaknuti nos.

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    Zadnji korak je jako dugačak i zahtjeva dosta truda. To je popravljanje i dodavanje još detalje gdje je potrebno, kada bojate nešto detaljno na ovako malom prostoru dogodit će se greške, jednostavno pustite da se malo osuši i popravite. U slici možete vidjeti kako mi je crvena prešla na lice, to sam kasnije popravio. Također sam dodao još detalja koristeći svjetlije nijanse boja na određenim dijelovima.

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    Ovo je bio finalni rezultat, još sam pokušao nadodati neke stvari, ali svaki put kad bi nešto mijenjao namjerno, nešto bi se promijenilo slučajno. Važno je znati kada treba prihvatiti da je freehand gotov. Prvi vam neće biti savršen, ali kroz vježbu ćete postati sve bolji i bolji.

    Jedan savjet koji ću vam dati je da uvijek imate neki objekt u fotografiji koji može služiti da se gledatelju prikaže veličina vašeg crteža. Većina kojoj sam pokazao finalu sliku su mislili da je to dosta veći crtež. Ja volim koristiti kovanice.

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    Sada, da prikažem koliko je lagano krenuti s freehandom i što se može postići kroz vježbu, ću vam dati dvije slike, jedna su kistovi i boje koje sam koristio za ovaj projekt, a druga su neki drugi moji freehandovi. Siguran sam da ćete primjetiti napredak s vremenom.

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    Hvala vam na čitanju, nadam se da sam vas potaknuo da probate freehand tehniku na svojim modelima.

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    Marko Paunović, 20th April 2026
  • Miniature Painting Workshop in Bjelovar
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    At the end of March and beginning of April, we held our first miniature painting workshop in Bjelovar. We held them in cooperation with the "Petar Preradović" National Library from Bjelovar, to which we would like to once again thank for the opportunity to demonstrate our hobby to young people in this city.

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    The first, introductory workshop was led by our Dalibor Čavić, the original creator of this series of workshops. He showed the attendees some of his work and explained the theory behind basic miniature painting in an interesting one-hour lecture.

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    Due to Dalibor's illness, our Dean Vuković stepped in to lead the second workshop. The second session was reserved for the practical application of the acquired knowledge.

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    Eight participants had the opportunity to paint miniatures provided by the Association, but some decided to paint their own miniatures, which Dean naturally made possible.

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    See you soon again in Bjelovar!

    " ["content_hrv"]=> string(6737) "

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    Krajem ožujka i početkom travnja održali smo prve radionice bojanja minijatura u Bjelovaru. Održali smo ih u suradnji sa Narodnom knjižnicom "Petar Preradović" iz Bjelovara kojoj se ovim putem još jednom zahvaljujemo na prilici da demonstriramo naš hobi mladima u ovom nama bliskom gradu.

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    Prvu, uvodnu radionicu je vodio naš Dalibor Čavić, idejni začetnik ovog serijala radionica. Prisutnima je pokazao neke od svojih radova i objasnio teoriju iza osnovnog bojanja minijatura u zanimljivom jednosatnom predavanju.

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    Za vođenje druge radionice, uskočio je naš Dean Vuković zbog bolesti Dalibora. Drugi termin bio je rezerviran za praktičnu primjenu stečenih znanja.

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    Osam polaznika imalo je priliku bojati minijature koje je Udruga osigurala, ali neki su odlučili bojati i vlastite minijature što im je voditelj naravno omogućio.

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    Vidimo se uskoro opet u Bjelovaru!

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    Dalibor Čavić, 14th April 2026
  • Hobby Stores in Japan
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    Last year our Ili went to Japan and was kind enough to write a short story about the hobby stores she visited while there.

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    I was 3 weeks in Japan and being a geeky (and admittedly an Otaku), of course I spent most of my time there at the famous Akihabara.

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    Akihabara Electric Town or simply Akihabara is a district in central Tokyo that is famous for its many electronics shops and has also gained recognition as the center of Japan's otaku culture. You can find everything ranging from practical electronics models or parts to gaming and anime merchandise and of course model kits and miniatures.

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    What my partner and I didn’t expect is that all stores here are at least 5 floors and the most I know have even 10 floors! Above is probably the most famous building in Akihabara, the Akihabara Radio Kaikan. The building is 46.5 m high, is ten levels from the ground floor and has two basement levels. The current building primarily hosts stores selling otaku goods.

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    While above photos are inside Akihabara Radio Kaikan, but these are how most buildings/stores in Akhabara look like.

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    Since we are about building and painting miniature models, the place you MUST visit is VOLKS AKIHABARA HOBBY PARADISE 2 (Hobby Paradise 2) - it is a dream destination for every hobbyist. This massive seven-floor store is filled with everything from character goods and figures to model kits, tools, paints, and more.

    On the topic of Volks, it began as a small hobby shop in 1972. In the late 1990s they produced the first Dollfie dolls, and in 1999 the first Super Dollfie doll was created by Akihiro Enku. In November 2005, Volks USA opened their first American Tenshi no Sumika store in Los Angeles, California.

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    We are going to talk a bit about Dollfie. Dollfie dolls were customization tools such as pre-rooted hair and stick-on eye decals. Later, complete dolls were released. There are various body types, male and female, with several forms and skin tones for both as well as a line of child-sized dolls. The company also produces tools and materials to customize and maintain dolls.

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    Basically they are almost like customising and painting miniature but on a bigger scale. This is a hobby I have had since 2005 (but only become very active in 2017).

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    Volks store in Osaka - Volks Osaka Showroom.

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    One place you need to visit if you're into retro gaming is SUPER POTATO! They have 6 stores total, one is in Akihabara, Tokyo and the one in Nipponbashi, Osaka is a lot bigger and has more things to offer. All the photos I shared above are from the Osaka branch. Super Potato had been referred by many as "a museum as much as a shop" based on how visitors serendipitously interact with the games on display.

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    And a cliche as they say, you always leave Japan with more luggage (or bags). We came to Japan with just one piece of luggage and 2 backpacks on us.

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    Prošle godine naša Ili je bila u Japanu i bila je toliko ljubazna da je napisala kratku priču o hobby trgovinama koje je posjetila dok je bila tamo.

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    Bila sam 3 tjedna u Japanu i, budući da sam geeky (i priznajem otaku), naravno da sam većinu vremena provela tamo u poznatoj Akihabari.

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    Akihabara Electric Town ili jednostavno Akihabara je četvrt u središnjem Tokiju poznata po brojnim trgovinama elektronikom, a stekla je i priznanje kao središte japanske otaku kulture. Možete pronaći sve, od praktičnih modela ili dijelova elektronike do igraće i anime robe, pa sve do kompleta modela i minijatura.

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    Ono što moj partner i ja nismo očekivali jest da sve trgovine ovdje imaju barem 5 katova, a većina koje poznajem ima čak 10 katova! Iznad je vjerojatno najpoznatija zgrada u Akihabari, Akihabara Radio Kaikan. Zgrada je visoka 46,5 m, nalazi se na deset katova od prizemlja i ima dva podrumska kata. U sadašnjoj zgradi se uglavnom nalaze trgovine koje prodaju otaku robu.

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    Iako su gornje fotografije unutar Akihabara Radio Kaikana, ovako izgleda većina zgrada/trgovina u Akhabari.

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    Budući da se bavimo izradom i bojanjem minijaturnih modela, mjesto koje MORATE posjetiti je VOLKS AKIHABARA HOBBY PARADISE 2 (Hobby Paradise 2) - to je destinacija iz snova za svakog hobista. Ova ogromna trgovina na sedam katova puna je svega, od robe s likovima i figurama do maketa, alata, boja i još mnogo toga.

    Što se tiče Volksa, započeo je kao mala hobi trgovina 1972. Krajem 1990-ih proizveli su prve Dollfie lutke, a 1999. Akihiro Enku stvorio je prvu Super Dollfie lutku. U studenom 2005. Volks USA otvorio je svoju prvu američku trgovinu Tenshi no Sumika u Los Angelesu u Kaliforniji.

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    Pisat ću malo o Dollfieju. Dollfie lutke bile su alati za prilagodbu poput unaprijed ukorijenjene kose i naljepnica za oči koje se samoljepe. Kasnije su izdane i gotove lutke. Postoje različiti tipovi tijela, muški i ženski, s nekoliko oblika i tonova kože za oboje, kao i linija lutaka dječje veličine. Tvrtka također proizvodi alate i materijale za prilagodbu i održavanje lutaka.

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    U osnovi su gotovo kao prilagodba i bojanje minijatura, ali u većoj skali. Ovo je hobi koji prakticiram od 2005. (ali sam postala vrlo aktivna tek 2017.).

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    Volks trgovina u Osaki - Volks Osaka Showroom.

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    Jedno mjesto koje morate posjetiti ako volite retro igre je SUPER POTATO! Imaju ukupno 6 trgovina, jedna je u Akihabari u Tokiju, a ona u Nipponbashiju u Osaki je puno veća i ima više toga za ponuditi. Sve fotografije koje sam podijelila gore su iz podružnice u Osaki. Super Potato su mnogi nazivali "muzejem koliko i trgovinom" na temelju načina na koji posjetitelji slučajno komuniciraju s izloženim igrama.

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    I klišej kako kažu, uvijek napuštaš Japan s više prtljage (ili torbi). Mi smo u Japan došli samo s jednim komadom prtljage i dva ruksaka.

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    Marko Paunović, 8th April 2026

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