I first encountered Warhammer in the early 2000s when my middle school advertised an after-school club. I heard about superhuman space marines, battle-hungry orks, and a price tag beyond my reach. Nearly two decades later, I entered my local game store to observe an extensive battle unfolding across multiple large tables. The scene featured a significant fleet of armored personnel carriers engaged in combat with an Imperial Knights army. The game’s paintwork on the models captivated me completely.

As I watched the strategic maneuvers and heard the enthusiastic discussions of fellow enthusiasts, the allure of Warhammer grew stronger. The diversity of factions, each with its own lore and aesthetics, drew me in further. I found myself particularly fascinated by the intricate narratives woven around the universe’s endless conflicts. There was something irresistibly compelling about the blend of science fiction and fantasy, where gothic architecture met futuristic technology.

Soon after, I decided to get the Ultimate Starter Set, with 12 space marines and 32 Tyranids, along with the paint set. I spent the next while cutting and gluing plastic, a process I surprisingly enjoyed.

The first model I painted was an Ultra Marine Terminator. After watching several tutorials, I spent about 3 days highlighting and shading it. Just when I was satisfied, I used a shade paint without experience and disliked the result. That’s how we learn—by trying again. It took a long time before I used a shade paint again.

Over time, I have developed a liking for it. My name is Charlie, and I will share my experience with painting Warhammer models and my aspiration to win a Golden Demon award one day.