OnTableTop PaintComp January Sinners and Saints Inspires Techniques and Basing Tips

The OnTableTop PaintComp thread for January's theme, Sinners and Saints, became a hub of hands-on experimentation and peer feedback as painters posted progress photos and swaps of technique notes. Posts dated Jan 16 to Jan 21 picked up around the event on Jan 19, with a steady stream of airbrushing tests, zenithal priming trials, and palette decisions that pushed participants to try faster, more decisive workflows.

Participation concentrated on short, practical wins. Airbrush work featured prominently for priming and smooth midcoat transitions, while zenithal priming was commonly deployed to establish a clear top-down light direction that speeds contrast decisions during subsequent brushwork. Conversation around color palettes showed a split between high-contrast saintly tones and saturated sinner palettes, with many painters intentionally choosing opposing colors to underline narrative contrasts in small bases and single-figure entries. Progress photos made comparisons easy, letting others see how a rapid zenithal followed by selective glazing cut painting time without losing depth.

Basing and conversions formed a major thread hook. Community posts included step-by-step photo runs that emphasized quick basing approaches suitable for a monthly competition format: build texture with simple materials, block in values early, and use limited palette washes to unify elements. Conversion tips leaned toward reversible, low-damage mods that keep minis competition-legal while adding character. That focus on practical, repeatable methods reinforced the PaintComp's role as a low-friction testing ground where experimentation translates directly into tabletop-ready results.

The competitive rhythm mattered. Monthly themes continue to drive painters toward faster decision-making and experimentation, and this January thread was a clear example of how rules and time constraints encourage creative problem-solving. Newer entrants benefited from side-by-side examples and critique, while more experienced painters posted run-throughs of quicker workflows that veterans can pull into regular projects when time is tight.

For readers who want to apply what surfaced in the thread, try one clear shift: adopt a zenithal priming pass to lock in light source, follow with an airbrush for base gradients, then do focused handwork for highlights. For bases, favor simple texture layers and unifying glazes to make a small diorama read at a glance. These are habits that pay off when you need a polished entry under a monthly deadline.

The Sinners and Saints thread shows the PaintComp remains a practical laboratory for miniature painting technique. Expect the next theme to produce another round of compact, high-yield tips that you can test between larger builds.