Even in the darkest times, creativity and passion can light the way. This is the story of Eltun "Roman" Badalov, known in the Warhammer community as Badass_pokras. A Ukrainian of Azerbaijani origin, Roman’s journey into the world of miniature painting is as inspiring as it is poignant - a testament to resilience, persistence, and the power of art.
Roman’s story begins with upheaval. In 2014, the war in eastern Ukraine forced him to leave his home, sparking six years of wandering across various countries. Despite his struggles, he returned to Ukraine in 2019 and began to rebuild his life in Kyiv. By 2022, Roman had found stability with a good job and a growing family. But when war engulfed Ukraine in February 2022, he lost everything again—his family, his home, his job, and his savings.
Amid this devastation, Roman discovered something unexpected: Warhammer. Until November 2022, he had never painted a miniature, let alone considered the possibility of making it a profession. But a chance visit to a local hobby club changed everything.
At the club, Roman was handed a test miniature to paint. To his surprise, his work earned praise from the club staff: "Dude, you did a good job. You could probably make money doing this." Encouraged, Roman returned, painting samples and learning the craft with borrowed miniatures. He didn’t have money to buy his own models, but the generosity of others in the community gave him a chance to practice and grow.
Six months later, someone offered to pay him for his work. That single moment marked the beginning of Roman’s professional journey as a miniature painter.
Since then, Roman has dedicated himself entirely to his craft. For nearly three years, he has poured his energy into honing his skills, working tirelessly six days a week for 6-12 hours a day. His work is not just painting; it’s creating conversions, experimenting with techniques, and seeking inspiration wherever he can find it. Miniature painting has become his job, his refuge, and, most importantly, his purpose.
“Where would I be if I weren’t doing Warhammer and miniatures?” Roman reflects. “I don’t know—maybe I wouldn’t be here anymore. But I found myself in this hobby and art.”
Roman’s story is a powerful reminder that even in the most challenging circumstances, it’s possible to find beauty and purpose. His message to others is simple yet profound: “Look for the positives in everything. There is no point in giving up on yourself. You never know what’s around the corner—maybe it’s your path.”
Roman’s journey exemplifies the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of creativity.
To see more of his incredible work check out his Instagram here.
