iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

John Rayson @john-rayson.bsky.social · 9h

I set out to make a perfectly nice miniature tree, but realised I gave crafted something from a nightmare. 🎃 At least its almost Halloween 🎃 #nerdlings #miniature #modelling #scenery

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John Rayson @john-rayson.bsky.social · 13h

Sunday was a good morning for a walk. We explored some new paths. Phone was obviously struggling with the contrast and bright sky. Toddler, dog, & dad had a very nice walk. (Lost Superman and had to go back later to find him) #photography #phonephotography #cannockchase #forest

Forest path lined by pine trees. Lots of pine needles litter the path. Sharp contrast between light and dark

Strong side light on tree. Bark texture. Grass in the foreground.

Forest path lined by pine trees. Lots of pine needles litter the path. Sharp contrast between light and dark. Sky blown out

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John Rayson @john-rayson.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

What is the film that came out before you were born that you've watched the most times? (Thats not StarWars 😆)

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John Rayson @john-rayson.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

I made a field / animal pen. Fencing was based on the scenery instructions in the back of the Pillage rule book. Learnt a LOT, but overall, I'm pretty happy with it. Might add turfs of veg, but might do that as the next project. #pillage #scenery #modelling #miniature #nerdlings

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John Rayson @john-rayson.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Been out on Cannock Chase with the dog and toddler this morning. Fantastic weather, beautiful sun. ##cannockchase #photography ##phonephotography #morning #sun

Heather and pine trees, high contrast been the foreground and pools of light in the middle picture

Pine needles in the foreground, pine trees and heather behind

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John Rayson @john-rayson.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

The current issure if warpingvdue to glue drying was fixed by: covering the underside in PVA and then sticking it to packing paper with a heavy marble placemat on top. I think the glue warped it the other way and corrected it

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John Rayson @john-rayson.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Twice now, I have had my scenery warped by PVA glue (watered down in both cases). Once on cardboard, and once with MDF. Question: What glue do people use to avoid this? #nerdlings #modelling #pillage #crafting #crafts #glues #question

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John Rayson @john-rayson.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

I made a hill! I almost threw it away at least twice because it was looking very bad. But glad I persisted, quite happy with the result. I used the "hard shell" technique, plastic pots covered in bandage and plaster. With plaster rocks added. Learnt a lot along the way. #nerdlings #scenery

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John Rayson @john-rayson.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Caught the setting sun tonight. Was really peaceful up on the common ground. #photography ##phonephotography #sunset #silhouette

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John Rayson @john-rayson.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Avast me hearties. It be a bright day with fair winds, a great day for nautical silliness. Hoist yer mainsail and plot a course for Hereford, as it also be Cowterday. This sea dog don't believe in coincidences, it were in the stars I tell ye!

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John Rayson @john-rayson.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

This was taken a few days ago. I am developing quite an appreciation for clouds. #photography #phonephotography #sky #clouds

A photo looking down a gentle valley. The grass is recovering from the drought. The sun is shining with harse shadows from the hedge on the right. The sky is a brilliant blue, intersperesed with perfect white clouds

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John Rayson @john-rayson.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

I took this picture standing in a dark cutting, heading down to the railway and the canal. The path is 100's of years old. I hoped to capture the dark, forboading view, as it was very dim I used night mode. I was disappointed in the photo, too light. #paranormal #ghost

Photo looking down a cutting towards a railway. There are trees overshadowing it

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John Rayson @john-rayson.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

I've been trying to find a way to add thatching. Plumbers Hemp is definatally the way to go, but messy but it's the right colour. Just laid in strands, flatted a bit, and brushed with diluted pva. Took a long while to dry. Then trimmed. #nerdlings #pillage #thatch #miniature #modelling

Model dark age cottage with plumbers hemp used to simulate thatch

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John Rayson @john-rayson.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Done the two corner sections, really pleased with how these are coming out. I didn't record what colour the ground was on the original, but these are Doombull Brown. (Work back through the quotes for the colours & technique) #nerdlings #pillage #scenery #miniature

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John Rayson @john-rayson.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Odd BBC article about how you can spend £80k to keep your house cool, but it doesn't work if night time temp doesn't drop. So why not get solar (with battery) and AirCon for much less, and have sustainable energy? www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

Could these alternative homes be the future in a hotter Britain?

The Passivhaus standard is growing in popularity as UK homeowners adapt to hotter summer temperatures.

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John Rayson @john-rayson.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

And the same views, just as the sun was setting this evening. Rain set in now 😄

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John Rayson @john-rayson.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Fantastic sunrise over the fields. The dry grass took on the yellow colour from the light. #morning #photography #phonephotography

Sunrise over dry fields. Trees and hedges in silhouette.

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John Rayson @john-rayson.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Stoneford Bridge (103) on the Staffs & Worc canal. The canal opened in 1772, and I found a map from 1813, which included a bridge here. I have no idea how old this particular bridge is, though, at least 45 years. 😆 #photography #phonephotography #ukcanals #history

Stoneford Bridge (103) on the Staffs & Worc canal, looking South

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John Rayson @john-rayson.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

I don't remember ordering that 🤔

Amazon.co.uk
Ordered: '2 Pack Double Headed Dog...'

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John Rayson @john-rayson.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

I was actually really pleased with how the wall 👇 turned out. I have some more to paint, so I was hoping I had posted what I had done. Eventually, I found it, but I never posted the finished article. So here it is. #nerdlings #pillage #scenery #miniature

Plaster of paris wall, painted. 28mm scale

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John Rayson @john-rayson.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Yesterday's evening walk with the dog. Stunning sunset created some great light on the tall grasses. #photography #phonephotography #evening #sunset

Setting sun shining light over tall grass.

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John Rayson @john-rayson.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Out for a late walk with the dog. Was lucky enough to be treated to some excellent light. Moments later, the sun had dropped below the horizon, and it was all flat again. #photography #phonephotography #evening #light

A low sun is on the horizon, the last rays of the day illuminating grasses.

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John Rayson @john-rayson.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Looks like a really good set of articles for a lapsted miniature painter (25 years!). I knew none of this when I last painted. I found this one particularly useful, I've just been dipping my brush in water 😱 #modelling #nerdlings www.tabletopbattles.com/hobby-101-cl...

tabletopbattles.com

Hobby 101: Cleaning & Caring for your Brushes

Table Top Battles dot com

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John Rayson @john-rayson.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

I almost always forget to do this, but I want to because I think I mught actually learn something! (Also I feel a little bit smug when I get it on the right country) www.maptap.gg July 30 85😁 99🎯 99🎯 99🎯 94🏅 Final score: 961 PS: The "easy" American ones aren't if your not from the US 😆

maptap.gg

🎯MapTap Daily Geography Game

Play MapTap - the daily geography game! Find 5 world locations on a 3D globe with historical stories. Free browser-based daily game for geography lovers.

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John Rayson @john-rayson.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Post a perfect album from the '90s that isn't by Nirvana, Pearl Jam, or Alice in Chains. They also forgot Radiohead. Track listing in alt text, after reading it, you'll wonder why it's not currently playing on repeat 😀

The Bends track listing
No. Title Length
1. "Planet Telex" 4:19
2. "The Bends" 4:06
3. "High and Dry" 4:17
4. "Fake Plastic Trees" 4:50
5. "Bones" 3:09
6. "(Nice Dream)" 3:53
7. "Just" 3:54
8. "My Iron Lung" 4:36
9. "Bullet Proof... I Wish I Was" 3:28
10. "Black Star" 4:07
11. "Sulk" 3:42
12. "Street Spirit (Fade Out)" 4:12
Total length: 48:33

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Reposted by John Rayson

Mitch Benn @mitchbenn.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

PLEASE SHARE THIS To the young person (longish dark hair, patterned waistcoat, chinos & DM boots) who left this scroll of papers on the Piccadilly Line train at South Kensington station at about 4.25pm today, I’ve handed it to the station staff at Hammersmith.

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John Rayson @john-rayson.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

It looks a lot better now the second coat of wall paint is on. Its custom colour, white / grey / yellow turned out green 🤔 so I added orange. Then, I added play sand for texture. Horrible stuff to paint with, but it looks ok. #nerdlings #pillage #modelling

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John Rayson @john-rayson.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

Post a poster you used to have in your room, apartment, or house. It was right next to the double-sided poster of Daisy Dukes / The General Lee... I had it on the General Lee side 😆

Poster of "The White Dwarf", frome the Games Workshop magazine of the same name.

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John Rayson @john-rayson.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Describe your Bluesky account with a single image

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John Rayson @john-rayson.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

I decided to customise it. The walls looked a little too flat, so I thought I would use the detailing as a guide for adding my own beams. Then spray painted it (Zandri dust). It's becoming clear that scenery is not my strong point 😟 #nerdlings #pillage #scenery

Unpainted sections of Dark Age cottage with additional wooden details

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John Rayson @john-rayson.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

Some pictures of the Spitfire I was lucky enough to see putting on a private display. I was up Clee Hill at just the time, never been there before or since.

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John Rayson @john-rayson.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

Nice surprise this morning. Dug out my old picture mounting folio as I wanted some mount board for modelling. In there, I found a "Tree & Hedgerow Starter Kit" I have no recollection of its existence. Happy days! #nerdlings #pillage #modelling

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John Rayson @john-rayson.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

As promised, a quick review of the Dark Age buildings pack I got from @warbases.bsky.social in their summer sale. Overall, I'm pretty impressed. They are precisely cut, fit together nicely, and seem sturdy enough to last. The removable roof is a nice touch too. 🧵 #nerdlings #pillage #review

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John Rayson @john-rayson.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

Im thinking of getting a bundle of dark age buildings (yes my attempt at making one was that bad!) Has anyone bought from here, are they easy enough to build and sturdy enough? #nerdlings

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John Rayson @john-rayson.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

Anouther early outing with the toddler and dog before the heat of the day. I love this little quiet corner of Cannock Chase we have found, and I appreciate how lucky we are to have this on our doorstep. #photography #phonephotography #cannockchase #woodland

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John Rayson @john-rayson.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

As someone who is trying to figure out techniques and learn new skills, it's always nice to see how others make their miniatures look so great! #nerdlings Thank you @srsgiraffe.bsky.social

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John Rayson @john-rayson.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

I was out on Cannock Chase with the dog and toddler again earlier today. Was pleasant this morning before the humid heat of the afternoon. #photography #phonephotography #deadwood #trees

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John Rayson @john-rayson.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

It's been a while, I got distracted, making a dark age cottage. It's not looking great.... but in between episodes of making that, I have managed to get two more miniatures on the way. What warband would be completed without a guy with a horn! Realised I need a standard too... #nerdlings #viking

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John Rayson @john-rayson.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

QTP with a gif of the last movie/show you watched

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John Rayson @john-rayson.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Show me a cool physical game Lol, why is this thread full of digital games? Just in boxes..🤣🤣🤣

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John Rayson @john-rayson.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

Hmm, not sure what that is, but its not a horse 🐎 It also occurs to me that... a) I don't want a skeleton horse b) Half a plastic horse from GWS would look better c) The plastic horse would be the right scale #nerdlings

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John Rayson @john-rayson.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

Yesterday, I saw a post (can't find it now, sorry) with scenery that included a skeleton. I had the great idea of casting some bones from a childs sand mould. Is there any chance this will ever look like a dead horse? 😁 #nerdlings #scenery #pillage

Plaster of paris cast of a stegosaurus ftom a child's sand pit toy

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John Rayson @john-rayson.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

My unexpected foray into Vikings all started from a Duncan Rhodes painting tutorial. From which I found the minis and the game Pillage. Which led me to be reading Viking Britain. I would recommend all of the above! www.britishmuseumshoponline.org/viking-brita... #nerdlings #pillage

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John Rayson @john-rayson.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

Duncan Rhodes, painting tutorial m.youtube.com/watch?v=rdZO... Viking set www.victrixlimited.com/collections/... Pillage game www.victrixlimited.com/pages/pillage

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John Rayson @john-rayson.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

Meet Eric, not his real name he stole it off a Viking that was lost. He also stole all his gear, but he's a firm believer that looking the part is half the battle. He has no idea what he's doing. I'm calling this one done, first mini in 20+ years, so Im feeling proud of myself. #nerdlings #pillage

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John Rayson @john-rayson.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

Just a bit of fun to see some bsky stats... made me realise how terribly my profile selfie is.. kojira.github.io/bluesky-lice...

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John Rayson @john-rayson.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

Update, got the wash (Agrax Earthshade) and highlighting (Fenrisian Grey) done. I think the was was a bit heavy... Also highlighted his hands and face (Cadian Flesh Tone) and touched up his hair (Zandri dust) #nerdlings #vikings #pillage

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John Rayson @john-rayson.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

I followed the advice and went with a faded blue, a mix of Macragge Blue and Ushanti Bone. Its a bit more baby blue than I intended. But does tie in with the Macragge Blue tunic. All down to the wash and highlights to make it look good, gulp... #nerdlings #viking #pillage

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John Rayson @john-rayson.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

I'm trying to choose a colour for this guys cloak. Been looking at available dyes in the Viking age and found a pretty good palette here (also in pics) handcraftedhistory.blog/2021/05/21/h... I think red or blue would be over powering, so leaning towards a yellow. Any suggestions? #nerdlings

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