A HUGE ADVANTAGE FOR MINIATURE PAINTING: Understanding Scale | 28mm, 15mm, 6mm Wargaming & Heroic

Scale is a basic concept for miniature and model builders, but understanding the nuance of how it works can be a huge advantage for a model painter. It does not matter whether you you are a beginner or advanced painter, or if your work with wargaming scale models or dioramas, having a firm grasp of the various scales we use and an understanding how this influences your model painting technique is critical. In this video, I give my viewers an overview of the terminology and concepts behind scale. In next week's video
I will then use this as a basis to expand on some techniques and tips you can use to take your miniature and model painting skills from good, to awesome.
PLEASE NOTE: I have made a mistake in the video. I state with most scales the measurement is to the top of the model's head.
Though this is sometimes the case, measurement to the model's eyes is much more common. We will revisit this and I will make a formal correction in the future.
If you like miniature wargaming of any type including Warhammer, 40k, dioramas, Advanced Dungeons and Dragons (D&D), Black Powder, napoleonics, historicals and Bolt Action, I suggest you watch as this video.
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[@MiniatureLandscapeHobbies]

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[@bobbylittle6996]

Having drafting classes in junior high, I do realistic scale. I just like it. But also I like using 1" to 36" scale. I give human characters random sizes just like in the real world, from short to tall people. I also go to the top of the head, not the top of a hat. It may take up more space but the detail for me is fine. For others it does come down to space, so using the other scales is a must.

[@rarghau]

Just a note - when we refer to sizes in miniatures, 15mm, 28mm, etc. the size is actually meant to be to the eyes, not the top of the head. This is thanks to older periods where headgear was very tall. Otherwise a bareheaded figure would look like a giant next to a figure wearing a tall hat. Great video though!

[@MiniatureLandscapeHobbies]

Thanks for this. This error has been brought to my attention. I am looking at making a new video to correct this.

[@battlemind]

Great stuff Joe! Looking fwd to part two. Would be nice to know the ratio size for 28 and 15mm models. Remember - typically miniature measurements are made to the eyes of the model.

[@MiniatureLandscapeHobbies]

Ack I forgot to mention the eyes specifically. I should probably revisit this in a future video.

[@countjinto991]

i really like this! it helps me out a lot!
i was also hoping for info on model train scaling. HO, O, Z, and N come to mind, but i dunno if there are others. i think its more ratio scale, but what ratios and how does it compare to the mm wargaming scales? i was thinking of purchasing some gravestone bits as basing decorations for my ghost army, but they were listed in the train scales. do i get HO scale for my 28mm models? N scale? how do i convert between scales? in approximation i'd imagine, not perfect crossovers. im lost, please help!

[@MiniatureLandscapeHobbies]

Hi Model train scales are ratio scales. HO is 1:87 and N is 1:160. There are of course considerations for exaggerated dimensions etc with these. It is hard to compare these with wargaming scales. 28mm is vaguely 1:68 which is basically S scale. This however is a pretty rare scale I think. I commonly play 15mm wargames which are approx 1:100, but for minor details I use HO scale as I don't have a serious issue with size discrepancies at such a small footprint on the board. Though the larger the subject the more noticable the inconsistencies will be. The best solution would be to find an stl file for the subject and rescale it to meet your specific needs and have it 3d printed. As you indicate, scale is a pretty comprehensive topic and we will likely revisit it soon. Plus I made an error in my videos, most wargame scales are measured to the model's eyes not the top of their head, so I need to do an errata sooner rather than later....

[@redgreen09]

well good vid and yes lot of stuf is dun that whay so what do nest UUUUGG gess i have to SUB to nest vid

[@MiniatureLandscapeHobbies]

Thanks. We will wrap the topic up this Sunday.