@Jagahati @Marbo thanks and great points! yeah, definitely looking to not spend top dollar. it is competing with movies and video games, the former is using my FIL's netflix acct to chill with the wife and the latter are the free ones GOG keeps giving away LOL.
great idea for the painting guides tho and will look into the similar paints. i bet hobby lobby has those else good ol' amazon.
btw, best to print with resin or would an FDM with a low layer height (like 50-100um) work?