Hello,
A few years ago I offered you a series of interviews with miniature painters I had the chance to meet, in person or virtually. I’m returning to that effort by offering a “portrait gallery” of miniature creators whose work I have admired. Regular readers of my blog know about my fondness for Spain. So it will come as no surprise that I’m starting with an Iberian company (Baraka Miniatures) and that this post is about the person behind that label (Borja Pérez de Lema). Before I begin, I want to thank Borja for his kindness and for the time he kindly spent answering my questions.
Borja, the man who turns history’s dreams into miniatures
Behind Baraka Games & Miniatures is a passionate lover of history, of games and of friendship. A meeting with Borja, a Spanish creator who prefers to speak about his team rather than about himself.
It only takes a few minutes of conversation to understand that Borja is not an entrepreneur like the others. He speaks of battles with the enthusiasm of a child, of his collaborators with deep affection, and of Baraka as a human adventure before it is a miniatures brand.
At 53, living in Boadilla del Monte near Madrid, he has preserved the passion that was born in the streets of Bilbao. A passion that led him to create hundreds of historical miniatures, several game rulesets, and an international community of players. Yet when asked to tell his story, he begins... with Hannibal.
His attachment to History does not stop at books or miniature battlefields. He likes to remind people that the town where he lives has a particularly rich past. During the Spanish Civil War, Boadilla del Monte was the scene of fierce fighting. In December 1936, the XI International Brigade defended the palace of the Infante Don Luis there. A few months later, during the Battle of Brunete, Oliver Law, the first African American to command a non-segregated American military unit—the famous Lincoln Battalion—was killed a few hundred meters from what is today Borja’s house while launching the assault on “Mosquito Hill.” A local story he recounts with emotion, which fuels his interest in the Spanish Civil War, now one of the major themes of Baraka’s creations.
It all began with Hannibal
“I think I was six years old when my father gave me Peter Connolly’s book Hannibal and the Enemies of Rome. From that moment, I became an unconditional admirer of Hannibal.” The memory remains vivid.
Then came the first tabletop wargames, the little bags of plastic soldiers bought at a haberdashery in Bilbao, the shop windows at Hobbies where he spent hours admiring models he could not always afford. “Other boys talked about Athletic Club’s victories. I dreamed of military strategies. I lined up my soldiers and invented battles for hours.” That taste for History never left him.
Long fascinated by Antiquity and the Second Punic War, he gradually opened up to all periods. Today the 16th century excites him as much as the Spanish Civil War, the First World War or contemporary special operations. “The more you discover History, the more you realise it is infinite. Every era has its heroes, its tragedies and its extraordinary stories.”
“I paint very badly...”
The confession brings a smile.
Many imagine that a miniature designer must also be an accomplished painter. “Not at all! I really paint very badly. I have always admired those who can colour miniatures, but that is not my talent.” He recounts with humour his sometimes laborious attempts, mentions a dragon he painted with his daughter and a few historical figures to which he remains attached only because they are his.
Creation is his field. Imagining new collections. Inventing games. Bringing the right people together around a project. “I prefer to create what does not yet exist. That’s what motivates me.”
The birth of Baraka
Like many good stories, Baraka was born of a constraint. During the Covid pandemic, Brexit greatly complicated the supply of miniatures. “I told myself: why not create our own?” The idea immediately excited his circle of friends. The first subject almost naturally suggested itself: the Rif War. Then projects followed in quick succession: the Spanish Civil War, the 16th century, the Napoleonic campaigns. Today players know Baraka for original ranges that explore periods often ignored by the big manufacturers. “We do not do market research. We simply create the miniatures we want to see exist.” A phrase that perfectly sums up the spirit of the brand.
An adventure of friends above all
As the conversation goes on, one detail stands out. Borja uses the word “we” far more often than “I.” Behind Baraka is a close-knit team where everyone contributes. “I consider myself a bit like a film producer. I launch projects, I coordinate everything, but then everyone brings their talent.” Miguel is the production director: he supervises range development and oversees the quality of each release. Edu is the historical reference: whenever a question arises about a uniform, a weapon or a campaign, the team turns to him.
Then there is Javier Serrano. When Borja mentions his name, his face lights up. “Javier is a true artist. An old rocker!” Initially Javier did not work in the miniature world; he created jewellery for a major Spanish brand. It was a mutual friend, Sito—musician in his rock band and club member—who introduced them. “He knew absolutely nothing about digital sculpting. But we immediately saw his talent. We invited him to join and he taught himself.” Today Javier is a partner at Baraka and one of the artisans behind the success of The Iron Duke.
The same philosophy guided the recruitment of Fanath. “We do not look for technicians. We look for artists.” Fanath had never sculpted historical miniatures before joining the team. His fresh perspective gives a distinctive identity to several collections, notably Guts & Doom.
For Borja, this diversity is a strength. “We are fortunate to be surrounded by extremely talented people. They are the ones who give soul to our projects.”
Séptimo Grado, much more than a club
It is impossible to understand Baraka without mentioning Séptimo Grado. For nearly twenty-five years Borja has been part of this Leganés club, considered one of the most active in Spain. “It is a second family.” About fifty members. Dozens of joint projects. Armies assembled collectively. Rules play-tested week after week. International tournaments. Last year the club even hosted players who came from as far as Australia for a world Bolt Action tournament. “When someone has an idea, others naturally come to help. It is this spirit that makes all the difference.” Listening to him, one understands that Baraka was born as much around gaming tables as in front of 3D modelling screens.
Creating rather than manufacturing
Over the years Baraka has profoundly evolved its model. The production of physical miniatures has been abandoned. The team now offers exclusively 3D printing files. “We are creators, not logisticians.” The change allows them to devote all their energy to what truly excites them: creating, drawing, documenting, imagining—and above all reaching a global audience. “Today a Japanese player can print our Spanish soldiers at home. That was impossible a few years ago.”
Games for players
The same philosophy drives the game rules developed by Baraka. Baraka & Fatalidad was born naturally around the table. Today Guts & Doom continues the legacy with an English edition aimed at an international audience. And already a new project occupies team discussions. Its name: NEPTUNE. A game dedicated to modern special operations, combining helicopters, commandos, naval interventions and special forces. Listening to Borja, ideas come faster than the time available to realise them. And that suits him perfectly. “We never plan our projects more than six months ahead. That leaves us the freedom to follow our inspiration. History will always offer new ideas.”
More than a brand, a philosophy Closing my “notebook,” one thing becomes clear: Baraka was not built around a marketing plan. It was built around a band of friends. Enthusiasts who prefer to explore History’s forgotten pages rather than market trends. Creators who get more pleasure from discovering a new historical episode than from studying a sales chart. “We do not do this to make money. We do it because we love to create and to share that passion with other players.”
Perhaps that is Baraka’s secret. In a hobby where people often talk about miniatures, rules, or painting, Borja reminds us that, at heart, it is the people who bring all these passions to life.
And that is probably why the Baraka adventure is only just beginning...
Find Baraka Miniatures on:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/barakagameandmini
MyMiniFactory: https://www.myminifactory.com/profile/BarakaGamesandMiniatures
Thank you for reading this post. Next time I will tell you about a talented creator:
Roman Svarog (Baroco Miniatures).
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