I can't wait to see the practice paintings, I've always admired people who have the patience for/are competent at that!
A few years ago JT painted and gifted me a halfing pirate captain mini and I still get a bit cross eyed every time I truly inspect the detail work, it's almost how my brain feels when he goes into a 40K lore diatribe. That game is something!
Hope you are having a most lovely day!
!PIZZA