The Beginning: When Middle-earth First Called – MESBG
It all started in 2001. I was 11 years old when The Fellowship of the Ring hit theaters. Like so many others, I was instantly captivated. The grand landscapes, the epic battles, and the deep lore of Tolkien’s world pulled me in.
This was more than just a movie—it was the beginning of an obsession.
Discovering Miniature Painting: The First Brush Strokes
While Middle-earth had taken over my imagination, my father introduced me to a whole new world—miniature painting.
One day, he sat me down with small plastic soldiers and a few old pots of paint. “Try this,” he said. It was the first time I held a miniature paintbrush, carefully applying colors to those tiny warriors. I was hooked.
It wasn’t perfect, but it was mine. And that was all that mattered.
The Editions Atlas Collection – A Treasure Trove for Beginners
Then came something magical—the Editions Atlas weekly magazine.
Every issue came with:
📖 A small lore book diving into Middle-earth.
🎨 A miniature and a pot of paint to build your collection.
🖌 Basic painting guides to improve step by step.
Each week, I rushed to the store, excited to expand my tiny army of orcs, elves, and men. I was not just painting—I was bringing Middle-earth to life.
Entering the World of Games Workshop
As my passion grew, I stepped into a Games Workshop store for the first time.
It was overwhelming. Rows of detailed miniatures, shelves stacked with paints, brushes, and rulebooks. My mission? Expand my army and dive deeper into Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game (MESBG).
💀 I chose the forces of evil—orcs, uruk-hai, and the mighty Nazgûl.
⚔️ My best friend played the forces of good, leading armies of Gondor and Rivendell.
Our battles were fierce. We studied the rules, painted our figures, and clashed armies in epic tabletop duels.
As we upgraded our minis we needed new sets of paints
24x18ml Speed Model Paint Kit Pre-Loaded with Mixing Balls, 1 Brush- Base
50x18ml Speedpaint Set with 42 Colors, 3 Metallics, Medium, Mixing Balls, Brush, Guide
90x18ml Speed Model Paint Kit, Mixing Balls, 3 Model Paint Brushes, Speed Paint Metallic and Medium
Growing Up, Fading Away… Then Returning Stronger Than Ever
As the years passed, time grew scarce. School, work, and life took over. Our miniature armies gathered dust.
But then, something happened—Middle-earth called us back.
📖 Revisiting Tolkien’s books brought back the nostalgia.
🎬 The Hobbit movies reignited the spark.
🎲 Games Workshop updated MESBG with new rules and miniatures.
Suddenly, we were back at the table, painting miniatures, and strategizing battles, just like when we were kids.
Here is a small comparison of the kind of painting I did when I was a kid (on the left) and what I did when pick up this hobby at 30 yo (on the right)
The Hobby’s Greatest Gifts: Relaxation & Strategy
Painting miniatures is more than just a hobby. It’s meditative, creative, and deeply rewarding.
🎨 The calm of painting: There’s nothing quite like the focus and relaxation of brushwork.
⚔️ The thrill of battle: Strategy, tactics, and the unpredictability of dice rolls keep every game fresh.
🛡 The community: Game nights bring friends together, sharing stories and epic moments.
At 34 years old, I am still as passionate as ever. The joy of painting, the battles in Middle-earth, and the world of Tolkien will always be part of my life.
Conclusion: The Timeless Magic of Middle-earth & Miniatures
From childhood wonder to lifelong passion, Middle-earth and MESBG have shaped my journey. Whether through books, movies, or miniatures, Tolkien’s world continues to inspire.
💡 Thinking of getting back into miniature painting? It’s never too late!
📌 Start your journey today:
🔹 Games Workshop Middle-earth Miniatures
🔹 Best Miniature MESBG Kits
🔹 MESBG Rulebooks & Expansions
🔥 Are you also a fan of MESBG and miniature painting? Share your journey in the comments!