Layers of Growth: Insights of this Year, Patreon Updates and Future Plans

Dear Craftworldians,

As the holiday season approaches, we find ourselves reflecting on another extraordinary year filled with creativity, connection, and growth. This feels like the perfect moment to pause and share something meaningful with all of you—a heartfelt reflection on our experiences and cherished moments from teaching on Patreon, including some updates, personal highlights, and our plans for the future.

One of the techniques that has come to be a signature of our painting —and has become a beloved cornerstone for so many of our students—is underpainting. This approach has deepened our connection with those we teach.

Underpainting is a familiar technique to many artists, often used to lay the groundwork for light and shadow on a canvas. But, for us, underpainting wasn’t just a foundation—it became a vibrant tool for exploring and applying color theory in an entirely new way.

Let me put it this way: imagine if we had called this technique something simple, like “Blue.” While the name wouldn’t change the mechanics of the method, it would miss the essence of what makes it so transformative. That’s why we chose to keep its name in its role and meaning - underpainting—or as we say in Serbian, podslikavanje.

Traditional underpainting often focuses on values and structure, but our approach pushes it further, turning it into a bridge between theory and practice. This method isn’t just about preparing a surface—it’s about unlocking creativity and making color theory intuitive and actionable, especially for miniature painters.

This evolution of underpainting has become more than a technique; it’s a mindset. It allows us to connect theory with the artistry of expression, creating a space where every painter, no matter their skill level, can explore the endless possibilities of color.

For years, miniature painting has been seen primarily as a technical craft. The emphasis was often on precision, clean lines, and mastery of techniques—what we commonly refer to as "technical painting." And let me say this upfront: there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. Technical painting can produce stunning, polished results, and it’s a deeply satisfying aspect of the hobby for many people.

But what about those of us who crave more? What if you’re not just painting for precision but to express something personal, something creative? For us, miniature painting isn’t just a hobby—it’s an extension of who we are as artists. It’s our work, our passion, and an integral part of our artistic journey.

This is where artistry steps in. Without it, miniature painting risks feeling mechanical, even detached. That’s why introducing a process like underpainting is so transformative. It’s not just a technique; it’s an invitation to bring depth, emotion, and creativity into your work. It’s about taking miniature painting from a craft to an art form—one that allows you to tell your story and create something truly unique.

We designed this step, this “base” to bring our artistry and thought process closer to our students through hands-on practice. While we can achieve similar results using many different methods, underpainting has become our pioneer. It’s not just a tool; it’s a reflection of our artistic philosophy, helping us share not only the “how” but also the “why” behind our work.

For us, teaching this way has allowed us to take complex concepts and distill them into something simpler, more approachable. By doing so, we’ve been able to offer a palette of knowledge that caters to everyone—from beginners taking their first steps to experienced painters seeking to refine their skills.

Through this journey, we hope it has done more than just improve your technique. We hope it’s turned your miniatures into canvases for self-expression, a space where your creativity and individuality can truly shine.

When we first began sharing our approach to underpainting, our goal was simple yet profound: to inspire a shift in perspective.

Miniature painting is so much more than clean edges and technical precision. It’s about storytelling, emotion, and artistic expression—the things that make each piece uniquely yours. By introducing techniques like underpainting and overlapping layers, we’ve worked to bring artistry into a space that often felt confined to technical achievements, unlocking new possibilities for creativity.

As we reflect on this past year, we’re filled with gratitude for the incredible work you’ve shared. Seeing you experiment, grow, and infuse your miniatures with your own creativity has been the most rewarding part of this journey. It reminds us why we teach—not just to pass on knowledge, but to be part of a community that celebrates the art and passion in every brushstroke.

That's why one of our New Year's resolutions is to bring more Monthly Challenges and interactive posts for all of you. We are very excited about this.

While the rewards of this path have been immense, we’d be the first to admit it hasn’t always been smooth sailing. Past few years and this year, in particular, has brought its own unique difficulties—ones that have tested our creativity and, at times, drained our inspiration.

Challenges may come and go, but the spark that drives us remains.

When we launched our Patreon, our goal was to make our lessons accessible to a wider audience. We dreamed of creating an online space where the community could grow and thrive at their own pace and in their own way. By keeping our prices minimal (and unchanged by our part through all these years), we wanted to ensure affordability while still sustaining the work we love.

At the heart of this idea was a deep appreciation for you—the extraordinary individuals who make this community so special. THANK YOU!

To everyone who has supported us, especially those who have been here since the beginning , you are the foundation of this community.

Your encouragement, support and enthusiasm mean more to us than words can express. It’s an honor to have you with us on this journey, and we look forward to continuing to grow, learn, and create together.

From the very beginning, we’ve believed that keeping our entire Patreon library open to all patrons is one of the most meaningful ways we can support your learning journey. This decision allows everyone—whether you’ve been with us for years or just joined today—to access a treasure trove of lessons, techniques, and inspiration right from the start. It’s about creating an environment where growth happens at your pace, on your terms.

For those who are new here, we hope you see the thought and care behind this approach. This library represents years of hard work, shaped by unique moments, shared experiences, and invaluable feedback from this amazing community. Every lesson has its own story, and even when revisiting familiar topics, we strive to bring fresh perspectives and deeper insights.

We’ve always tailored our tutorials with our community interests in mind, taking inspiration from your requests and feedback.So each lesson and post has a journey and storytelling of its own experience by the community that has been with us.

And while we love making the process fun and engaging, and keeping everything accessible, we also believe there are no shortcuts to learning. Each lesson, each brushstroke, is a part of a larger journey—one that takes patience, curiosity, and dedication.

So take your time, explore at your own pace, and embrace the journey. After all, this isn’t just about learning techniques; it’s about discovering your voice and creativity through every miniature you paint.

In the next few months, we will plan and create a new "Where to Start" selection, as well as work towards introducing new definitions and approaches for our patrons. Meanwhile, we encourage all new students to explore the resources already available at  "Where to Start List!"

Underpainting is one of the techniques we hold dear because of its incredible ability to bring harmony and cohesion to your work. Whether you’re striving for a dark, moody aesthetic or a vibrant, colorful palette, underpainting can be a powerful tool to help you achieve your vision. But here’s the thing: you don’t have to use it. We don’t use it all the time either. It’s just one of the many versatile techniques we’ve shared to inspire creativity and experimentation.

When we first introduced underpainting, we simply wanted to offer something fresh, practical, and fun. However, over time, we’ve noticed a common pitfall: some creators adopt techniques like this without fully understanding them, treating them as shortcuts or presenting them as entirely their own innovations.

This isn’t about ownership—it’s about understanding. Underpainting, like every technique we teach, is about more than just results. It’s a process meant to foster growth, exploration, and artistic discovery.

Take your time to understand each lesson and integrate it into your painting skills. We also need YOU to be equally involved. By interpreting and understanding the lessons in your own way, you will unlock the full value we intended to provide.

Another misconception we often encounter is the idea of coming to Patreon to “learn the style.”

So, what is style? To us, style is the unique expression of who you are as an artist. It’s born from your experiences, preferences, and aesthetics—a visual language that reflects your inner self. Style can inspire others and even be imitated, but it can never be fully replicated, because it’s as individual as your voice.

When we teach, we share our techniques, knowledge, and passion, but we’re not teaching a formula for “our style.” Instead, we’re inviting you to explore your creativity, helping you uncover your voice and develop your own understanding, process, explorations and more. That eventually leads toward you creating your own style!. True artistry lies not in copying but in learning, experimenting, and making something uniquely your own.

Style, like the heart of an artist, can’t be dissected or analyzed into a formula. It’s something intangible—something that warms, inspires, and invites others to connect on a deeper level.

Being part of a creative community means sharing pieces of ourselves—our techniques, inspirations, and hard-won knowledge. But it also makes us vulnerable. Occasionally, we see techniques shared or taught by others in ways that miss their depth and purpose, reducing them to quick fixes or trendy shortcuts.

This isn’t about ego or credit. Don’t get me wrong. It’s about preserving the integrity of the craft. When a technique is stripped of its context and intention, its meaning is diminished, and the lessons behind it risk being lost.

The methods we share come from years of exploration, trial, and passion. They are not just tools; they are milestones on our artistic journey. When we pass them on to you, we’re offering more than knowledge—we’re offering a part of our heart.

Giving credit is about more than recognition. It’s about sustaining the energy it takes to create, teach, and share. Acknowledging contributions strengthens the community, creating a cycle of respect, inspiration, and support. Without this mutual respect, the act of giving becomes draining, and the voices of creators risk being lost in the noise.

We believe in the power of sharing knowledge and the beauty of a community that supports one another. Let’s continue to build a space where creativity thrives and the integrity of the craft remains at its core. Together, we can keep this journey meaningful and inspiring.

As some of you may already know from our recent posts, we're in the midst of an exciting and ambitious project: creating a TTRPG (tabletop role-playing game) called Era of Providence,  made possible by the vision of Marko Miladinović. This journey has been a dream come to life, evolving day by day into something we’re incredibly passionate about. Yet, like any great adventure, it hasn’t been without its challenges. We’ve realized it’s not always easy to share every detail at our more measured pace, so we’re taking a bit of extra time to plan and coordinate our updates. Still, we can’t wait to reveal what’s brewing behind the scenes.

We’ve been incredibly fortunate to collaborate with some outstanding artists—both illustrators and sculptors—whose talent and dedication are bringing this world to life. Their work has been nothing short of inspiring, and we’re excited to keep expanding these collaborations. As the project grows, we hope to welcome even more creative minds into this ever-expanding universe.

Although everything is still a work in progress, another one of our New Year’s resolutions is to devote more time to personal projects like this and share them with you. This isn’t just about the TTRPG itself—it’s about building an entire world, complete with stories, characters, and boundless possibilities. We appreciate your patience as we take the necessary time to nurture this vision, and we hope you’ll stick with us as it continues to unfold.

The burnout we’ve experienced this year has been made even harder by something especially difficult: we’ve been mistreated, disrespected, and used on several occasions. Often, this happens because people view us merely as a “page,” not as individual artists or human beings—and not even as two separate people. They assume that one of us alone is enough to meet their goals, fixating on our follower numbers or our “style” without acknowledging the time, effort, and heart behind our work.

We’ve been tricked, lied to, and taken advantage of on more occasions than we’d like to admit. These experiences have forced us to pause, reevaluate our trust in others, and reconsider the openness we extend and the offers we accept.

It slowed us down and made some progress and plans harder on us.

Yet, despite these disappointments, we refuse to let them overshadow the good. We know such challenges might arise again—it’s the reality of pouring our hearts into something and sharing it with the world. Even so, we choose to see the world through hopeful eyes rather than suspicious ones. We won’t allow ourselves to remain stuck in frustration or disillusionment.

Instead, we’ll stay focused on what lies ahead: brighter possibilities, inspiring collaborations, and the joy of creating something meaningful. While these challenges may test us, they will never define us. For that reason, we’ve decided not to share specific details of the misfortunes or name those involved. Their actions speak for themselves, and ill intentions toward others rarely bring good to those who harbor them. Moving forward with optimism and resilience allows us to stay true to who we are and to the creative vision we share with all of you.

So what to expect in the year ahead. Believe us when we say—we don’t have it all figured out yet! But that’s only because we have so many exciting plans swirling around. As always, we’ll keep you updated step by step, as progress and time allow.

One fun adventure kicking off the year happens in January: we’ll be traveling to the Canary Islands to meet up with our dear friends Ani and Andrea from Artisan Guild!

We spent a great time together as special guests this summer in Croatia for a Fantasy convention and we brainstormed creative ideas. We can’t wait to reconnect and dream up even more exciting things together.

Once we’re there, we’ll be sure to say hello from the sunny island and, hopefully, share some fresh updates and writing.

And don’t worry—there are new tutorials in the progress, too!

We’d also love to hear from you. Sharing these personal moments with you means so much to us, and your feedback helps shape what we do.

How do you feel about being part of this community? For those who’ve been with us for a while, what has this shared experience meant to you?

And, of course, we’d love to know: what are your New Year’s resolutions for painting or creative projects? What are you most excited to tackle in the upcoming year?

Let us know in the comments below.

Let’s continue this incredible journey together. Here’s to an even more colorful, creative, and inspiring future for all of us!

Thank you for being here—you make everything we do possible. With Era of Providence unfolding, you’re also helping us make our dreams come true and share them with you all. We can’t wait to see what we’ll create together in the year ahead.

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!
Yours,
Aleksandra Cvetanovski , Marko Miladinović & of course Sefirija the cat :)