Small Subjects

Painter Marion and sculptor Alan, happily married since 2003, are one of the most dynamic duos in the world of military miniatures. This episode features a chat with them,  along with our recap of the 2022 MFCA Show outside Philadelphia in mid-May. You can find photos and links to information discussed in each episode at our podcast blog on  boxdioramas.com Check out some other great modeling podc...

 Marijn Van Gils has been high atop our list of guests who we were most eager to talk to ever since we launched this podcast, some 18 episodes ago now. We’re both big fans of the sculpting, painting, and composition of his dioramas and vignettes, which almost always offer unique views of their subjects and a sly sense of humor. Please visit Chris Meddings' Inside the Armour Publications and o...

In this episode, as we gear up for the Miniature Figure Collectors of America Show just outside Philadelphia on May 13 and 14, 2022, we chat with one of the event’s organizers and a veteran member of the long-running club, Pennsylvania modeler Jack Lynch.  We talked about the club and the upcoming exhibit, as well as about the many roles Jack has played in the hobby, as a dedicated sculptor and pa...

 Bristol, England-based Chris Meddings is a master modeler whose scratchbuilding skills are especially stunning; the co-host (with Will Pattison and Tracy Hancock) of the Sprue Cutters’ Union podcast ; the owner of Inside the Armour Publications , and a budding figure sculptor and painter. We talked with Chris about all of this and more, and followed up on a few questions you, our listeners, have...

Jim and Barry talk to Joe Berton and Pat Vess about the Military Miniature Society of Illinois. They also discuss Pat's recent switch from painting in oils to acrylics.  Jim and Barry talk about the benefits of belonging to a modeling club.  You can find photos and links to information discussed in each episode at our podcast blog on  boxdioramas.com Check out some other great modeling podcas...

 Dennis Levy has been a huge inspiration to the two of us for years, and he was high atop our list for interview subjects from the day we started this podcast. We had a blast talking with Dennis about boxes and more. Jim and Barry also chat about abandoned projects and discuss some unreasonable actions by Barry which almost caused an international incident.   You can find photos and links to infor...

Bill Horan needs no introduction, at least in our small world. Barry and Jim talk to the master painter and sculptor, and, as always, discuss some of their favorite pieces from his extensive and impressive canon.  You can find photos and links to information discussed in each episode at our podcast blog on  boxdioramas.com Check out some other great modeling podcasts on modelpodcasts.com Contact u...

In this episode, Barry and Jim talk with veteran East Coast painter, sculptor, educator, and miniatures enthusiast Bill Merklein, a thoughtful artist and great raconteur. A towering figure in the world of G.I. Joe collectors, he brings a truly unique perspective to the world we cover in Small Subjects.  You can find photos and links to information discussed in each episode at our podcast blog on ...

On this episode, Barry and Jim discuss some of their personal “Game-Changers,” pieces they saw that blew their minds, inspired them, and got them thinking in different ways about the possibilities for miniatures.  You can find photos and links to information discussed in each episode at our podcast blog on  boxdioramas.com Check out some other great modeling podcasts on modelpodcasts.com Contact u...

 Nick has earned an international reputation for his boxes—many of which touch on his other passion for film—and his was one of the first artists galleries we added to boxdioramas.com!  We also offer some useful tips when sculpting or converting for scaling your work. You can find photos and links to information discussed in each episode at our podcast blog on  boxdioramas.com Contact us at smalls...

 Michael Kontraros is one of the top sculptors in the world in the fantasy realm. For years, he won gold medals and wide renown for his one-off sculpts, which are painted by some of the top artists in Greece, and which are greatly sought-after by collectors. He now runs his own company, Michael Kontraros Collectibles , where he produces stunning figure kits. We also talk about the 2021 MMSI Chicag...

We talk to Joel Glass, a collector of miniatures and a supporter of the MFCA show in Philadelphia as well as World Expo. We also share our thoughts about the world of collecting miniatures.  You can find photos and links to information discussed in each episode at our podcast blog on  boxdioramas.com Contact us at smallsubjectspodcast@gmail.com

 This episode features an interview with Greg DiFranco, a master painter renowned for his use of shadows, light, and color, as well as a damn fine sculptor and a champion of flats who has raised that aspect of our hobby to new heights. You can find photos and links to information discussed in each episode at our podcast blog on  boxdioramas.com Contact us at smallsubjectspodcast@gmail.com

 This episode features an interview with Mike Blank as well as a discussion of last Saturdays online MFCA show. We also talk about one of our favorite online shops, Last Cavalry and a few other things. You can find photos and links to information discussed in each episode at our podcast blog on  boxdioramas.com Contact us at smallsubjectspodcast@gmail.com

 In this episode, your hosts Barry Biediger and Jim DeRogatis talk about some of their most beloved, must-own modelling tomes filling their book shelves, as well as magazines present and past. You can find photos and links to information discussed in each episode at our podcast blog on  boxdioramas.com Contact us at smallsubjectspodcast@gmail.com

This episode features an interview with Ben Komets, a talented and inspiring fantasy miniature painter. You can find photos and links to information discussed in each episode at our podcast blog on  boxdioramas.com Contact us at smallsubjectspodcast@gmail.com

This episode features an interview with our friend, the excellent flats painter Penny Meyer. Pics of some of the pieces discussed and links to further information can be found at the Small Subjects Blog , which is part of the Box Dioramas website .

We discuss some of the reasons plastic modelers might be reluctant to paint figures.  Also, why does it seem to be so difficult to explain the process of figure painting?  We will attempt to convince a few more modelers to give it a try by talking about why figures can add something to your models. We also give some tips for beginners that will hopefully help take away some of the apprehension. Fo...

In this episode, we interview John Rosengrant, who is not only an excellent modeler and figure sculptor, he has one of the coolest day jobs as a special effects artist. John has created some of the most memorable and iconic characters in movies and television. Legacy Effects, the special effects company John co-founded:  https://www.legacyefx.com/ A lot of John’s modeling work can be found on the...

Welcome to Small Subjects! In this first episode, Jim and Barry share their thoughts on accepting critiques and having your models judged at shows. Also, some thoughts on the different types of exhibitions or competitions.