Before getting to the demons, the praetors and a holiday project involving butts (yes, you read that correctly), sculptor and solopreneur Kristina Barukčić wants you to know that none of this was on purpose. Her partner needed help with a project. She said yes.
“What started as curiosity quickly turned into a passion for something I didn’t even know existed until recently.” Now she runs the whole thing herself: designing, printing, photographing, promoting. “I don’t just create miniatures for myself anymore. I design and print them for others as well, which is something I absolutely love.” Funny how a single favor can lead to such amazing minis for her global fanbase!
How a Project Becomes a Mini at Apply Scale
Ask her where a new piece starts, and the answer is looser than you might expect. “Most of the time, it starts as a random thought that comes to me while I’m resting or doing something completely unrelated,” she says. From there she builds a mental image alongside a few keywords, then moves into research and reference gathering. She keeps PureRef open for references and still uses paper and pencil for rough sketches. She’s trying to get back into drawing more seriously, she says, because she knows it would sharpen her design process.
Modeling happens in Blender, and that’s where things get less predictable. “That’s the stage where things change the most and new ideas start to emerge.” She works slowly on purpose, prioritizing learning over pace. And the process has a way of surfacing problems she didn’t see coming. “Sometimes I’ll even realize mid-process that a design won’t work as intended. Even if it looks good, it might be difficult to support or print properly.” After modeling comes Chitubox for supports, test prints on her Elegoo resin printer, a DIY wash-and-cure setup, and photography with either a Canon camera or her phone, finished in free editing software.
The workflow wasn’t always this. She started in ZBrush before switching to Blender. Her support strategy is faster now and she no longer over-supports the way she used to. “My workflow has definitely changed over time,” she says. The presentation side is still evolving too. She keeps adjusting as she goes, and seems to expect that to stay true.
Grimdark with a Side of Chibi
“I love creating creepy, grimdark fantasy miniatures, but every now and then I’ll make something cute and chibi-like as a way to reset creatively.” The pieces she’s proudest of span that whole range: a Praetor, a Sorcerer, a run of demons that pushed her technically. And then there’s the holiday project she refers to simply as “the butts.” “That project brought me so much laughter and joy during the holidays and hopefully to others as well.”
She has a habit, she admits, of pitching herself into work that’s a little beyond where she currently is. “I feel proud of every project I finish, mostly because I have this questionable habit of taking on projects that are a bit beyond my current skill level. That usually turns the whole process into a long learning curve, but it also makes finally completing a piece incredibly rewarding.” Every finished project, she says, feels like a small level-up moment.
The Work Nobody Sees
There’s a gap between what a finished miniature looks like and what went into making it, and she’s learned to feel that gap acutely. “Sometimes you’ll hear comments like ‘I can find something similar cheaper,’ but what often isn’t visible is the entire process behind it: designing, testing, adjusting for printability, and going through multiple versions before it all works. There’s a lot more behind that small figure than it might seem at first glance.” A small figure carries the weight of every failed print, every revised support structure, every version that looked good on screen and collapsed in resin.
Promoting versus Creating
She handles everything herself, and some parts of that are harder than others. Social media is the one that grinds on her most. “Marketing and promotion don’t come naturally to me, and I’m not used to spending a lot of time on my phone. Creating and editing content takes a lot of time and energy that I’d honestly rather invest into my current and future projects.” She knows it would help with reach. Hiring someone isn’t an option right now, so she keeps navigating it herself.
Perfectionism is the other one. “I used to spend hours refining tiny details that wouldn’t even be noticeable, or retaking photos and renders over and over again because something was slightly off. That kind of mindset can really affect schedules and releases, so I’m working on finding a healthier balance.” The comparison spiral is something she’s quieted partly by cutting back on social media, which she notes with some wry self-awareness was also the thing dragging down her motivation to post. “Sorry had to vent,” she says, at the end of that answer.
What Comes Next
She’s been at this seriously for about a year. “I think I’ve improved the most over the past year, since that’s when I really started dedicating myself to this consistently.” She can see the distance covered when she looks at her earlier work next to what she’s making now. But she doesn’t feel like someone who has arrived. “I’m not entirely sure what makes my work recognizably ‘mine’ yet. I still consider myself a complete beginner and feel like I’m still exploring my style, but I think that process of experimentation is part of what defines my work.”
When the creativity runs dry, she steps away. “What helps me the most is taking a step back and giving myself space to reset. I like to go outside, spend time in nature, exercise, meditate, or read a book. Sometimes it’s just about allowing your mind to rest from constant brainstorming, because creativity isn’t an endless resource.” She wants to keep growing the brand, maybe collaborate with studios, and build a community around her work. On where the industry is heading, she’s measured: “I think there will be an even bigger focus on individuality, creativity, and storytelling, the things that really make someone’s work stand out.” She’s not trying to maximize output. She’s trying to build something that means something.
Explore Kristina’s full catalog on Minarium