Dan Dugal Miniature Art

05/05/2026

Hey friends, I've started a podcast with my friend Devin Bush! Here is the first episode. Hope you like it!

In this episode, Dan and Devin explore the emotional journey of repairing your relationship with miniature painting, overcoming imposter syndrome, and reigni...

05/03/2026

Adepticon 2026 (Long overdue post)
It's been a month since Adepticon 2026 and this post is very long overdue, but I wanted to share a few pictures and say that I had an amazing time. First, students in my classes were happy - and that always makes me happy. It's very fulfilling to be able to share some of what I've learned over the years with other painters who are making their way in their own journeys. To every student from this year, I want to extend an heartfelt thank you!

I wasn't just an instructor, I was also a student. I spent some one-on-one time with learning more about vibrant undercoats and 'blending' using paint transparency on a beautiful dwarf bust. It was an enlightening session and I have much to practice from our time together. Did you know that Enric has written a book, just for us miniature painters? It's called "Behind the Brush", and I recently finished reading it and absolutely loved it. For anyone who has taken my Mental Game class, you are sure to enjoy Enric's book. I highly recommend it! I think Enric and I are going to become great friends.

I also spent some one-on-one time with and . What can I say about Francesco? He's truly one of the very best instructors in this art. The way he tailors instruction to the student, where they are in their journey to help them take the next step, or, in my case, showing me the river which must be crossed in my own journey. Thank you Francesco, I can't wait to see you again at LVO.

Finally, saving the best for last, are the friends I was able to spend time with, the new friends I met, and the ability to bathe in the community that nourishes me. Thank you all! We spend so much time in isolation with our art that conventions like Adepticon are a welcome chance to reconnect with the people we love.

03/29/2026

It was a pleasure to be one of many artists giving feedback at the Monument hobbies booth today.

03/20/2026

Less than a week away. Are you ready for Adepticon?

03/17/2026

Magneto
What a joy it was to paint this iconic villain. You can see him in the Learn to Play events at Adepticon. Only a week left before it's time to leave. Are you ready!

Produced by: Atomic Mass Games

03/13/2026

The Heroes
Wolverine, Gambit, Rogue, and Cyclops from the X-Men Starter set for Marvel Crisis Protocol. This set will be used at Adepticon for the Learn to Play events. I was so happy to be asked to paint up this set for use at my favorite convention. Adepticon is less than two weeks away! Are you ready? I look forward to seeing everyone in Milwaukee!!

Produced by: Atomic Mass Games

03/07/2026

The Villains
Mystique, Toad, Sabertooth, and Magneto from the X-Men Starter set for Marvel Crisis Protocol. This set will be used at Adepticon for the Learn to Play events. I was so happy to be asked to paint up this set for use at my favorite convention. I'll post the heroes in a couple days. I look forward to seeing everyone in Milwaukee!!

Produced by: Atomic Mass Games

02/25/2026

Join me at Adepticon for an adventure in color!
Understand the fundamentals of modern color theory! You'll learn how to mix paints with confidence and develop cohesive color schemes that communicate your story, then apply it directly to your miniatures.

I’ll demystify primary colors, give you the truth & bust the myths about color wheels, and share the magic behind harmonious color schemes. More importantly, you’ll be hands-on with paint, discovering how pigments behave in the real world and how to make them work for you.

02/17/2026

Perfect Blue (bust)
I chose this bust by Kateryna Hrytsyshyna to use in my Color Alchemy workshop at Adepticon 2026. As I was cleaning and preparing the print for primer, she reminded me of a long time family friend, Jocelyn. Jocelyn loved the rain. The smell of petriquor just before it started to rain, the sound of it hitting the leaves in the trees or the rooftop. Sadly, she passed from breast cancer a couple years ago, and I wanted to paint this bust in a way that honored her memory, and how I felt both about seeing her joy so often, and feeling my own sadness at her loss. Sometimes, a figure plucks a memory that resonates, and plays chords with your emotions. This was such a piece for me.

I'd like to give a huge thank you to Kateryna for permission and licensing to use this in my workshop. I'm sure my students with learn much from her.

Sculpted by: Kateryna Hrytsyshyna
Produced by: Kateryna Hrytsyshyna

02/14/2026

Thor'nik
In my continuing journey to learn and practice skin tones, this little academic bust from Thorbjørn Barone was the perfect opportunity to stretch beyond human (or humanish) skin tones and try something a little more alien. I decided to try a different color skin to represent this demonic fellow. Ultimately, it's the value that does the work of representing the shapes and volumes, but when the color shifts, it can be challenging to translate the values in that new hue. I did my best with this piece, and I'm satisfied with him, but I'll continue to practice for a while before I'm truly happy. The journey continues, and I'm looking forward to taking those next steps.

Sculpted and Produced by: Thorbjørn Barone