Your miniature painting journey, stage by stage

Photograph each step of your paint job. Record the paints and techniques you used. Build a clean progress strip to share with the community or save for next time.

Getting the most from your progress gallery

Photograph consistently

Use the same angle, distance, and lighting for every stage. This makes your progress strip look clean and makes it easier to compare techniques across projects. A small ring light or a desk lamp with a daylight bulb works well. Avoid harsh shadows by lighting from two sides.

Name your stages clearly

Labels like "Primer," "Zenithal Highlight," "Basecoats Blocked In," "First Wash," "Edge Highlighting Done," and "Based and Varnished" tell a clear story. Future you will thank present you when looking up a recipe six months from now.

Record paint brands and colors

Write down the exact paint name and brand for each color you use. "Citadel Abaddon Black" is more useful than just "black." If you mix colors, note the ratio. This panel saves your notes with each stage so you can rebuild the recipe later.

Common photography mistakes

Blurry photos, inconsistent backgrounds, and color shifts from indoor lighting make progress strips harder to read. Use a neutral background (grey or white card), turn off auto-white-balance if your camera lets you, and make sure the mini fills about 70% of the frame.

Share your process

Hit "Generate Progress Strip" to create a single image of all your stages in order. Download it and post to r/minipaint, Instagram, or your favorite forum. You can also copy a share link that opens the full gallery for anyone you send it to.

Back up your data

Everything is stored in your browser. If you clear your browser data, your projects are gone. Use the "Export All" button to download a JSON backup. You can import it later or on another device. Do this every few weeks if you paint often.

What to know before you start

  • Photos are stored only in your browser. They are not uploaded anywhere.
  • localStorage has a size limit (usually 5-10MB). Large projects with many photos may hit this limit.
  • Share links encode project data in the URL. Very long projects may not fit in a URL. Use the download button instead.
  • This app works offline once loaded. No internet connection is needed to use it.
  • Stage presets are suggestions. Rename, reorder, or delete them to match your workflow.

MiniForge v1.0 · Updated 2026 · Built for tabletop painters, by people who paint.