This Tyranid Mawloc from Warhammer 40,000 is a real blast from the past. It was my first ever Warhammer 40,000 mini, and looking back at it brings back some fond memories.

I still remember walking into my local hobby store on a whim, having made a snap decision to pop in for a browse. I wandered past the giant mechs, the super space soldiers, the Skaven and all manner of strange Xenos… and then I spotted the space bugs. Yeah, I had to give those a go.

I think this Mawloc came from one of the old Start Collecting boxes, although it's been long enough that I can't be entirely sure.

Like most of my early work, the paintjob is far from perfect, but this miniature was where I discovered just how rewarding painting could be. At first, I was overwhelmed by the sheer amount of time it took to paint every little detail. Before long, though, I found myself settling into the process, relaxing and letting my thoughts wander as I worked.

Picking out each individual tooth and horn on this beast is still a particularly fond memory. Looking back, I think this was where I first began to appreciate that miniature painting wasn't just about the finished model, it was about enjoying the journey, a journey I continue to enjoy to this day.