Is miniature painting art or a hobby? Would any gallery show miniature s?

[vibal]

I think it depends partially on skill and partially on intent. I would consider the work I do very much a craft. The model is effectively a 3d paint by numbers that I attempt to not botch. There's a skill level that I think supersedes this and becomes an actual work of art. At a certain point the paint job transcends the mini to become a separate piece (Miniac's chaos bust comes to mind -- the paintjob was so much more than simply filling in blanks on a bust). There's also a level of intent when you look at some of the more involved dioramas that are providing a scene that clearly more than "Armor is red, rivets are silver".

The inverse could be said about traditional art. While a painted canvas in a gallery is clearly a work of art, is a line assembled oil painted landscape a craft?

 

[MAXXxxx]

Is this art? http://assets.vice.com/content-images/contentimage/no-slug/74134277285c307fe96ac7a89f6b096b.jpg

according to famous artists: yes.

In that case my minis are art too. Independent if it really is "3d paint by numbers". And yes even the TTQ ones.

 

[vibal]

I wouldn't balk at calling anything in your gallery art Maxx, there's clearly intent, presentation, color theory, lighting.

I hope it didn't sound like I was denigrating the work people do with the paint by numbers comment - that's about the skill level I feel that I'm at personally. Getting above that is the goal.

I'd hesitate to call the 3 stripe painted tournament armies art just as much as I struggle to find the artistic intent in your linked image.

 

[Avelorn]

Again I don't think it has much to do with skill or creativity if something is art. Most of my favourite illustrators have nothing to do with the art mainstream. They'd be closer to art displaying their palette rather than their actual works - with the right amount of verbiage.

For something by a miniature sculptor that looks like something from an art gallery I recently saw a beautiful exhibition piece by Romain Van den Bogaert:

View attachment 67980

 

[Dragonsreach]

Again I don't think it has much to do with skill or creativity if something is art.

Sorry but what do you mean?

 

[Avelorn]

Sorry but what do you mean?

Do you think your favourite fantasy illustrators are skilled and creative? Do you consider their work art? If you answer yes on both, why is almost none them ever displayed in a proper art gallery? I answer yes on the first question and no on the second. Thus this statement. 200 years ago their work would be considered art, maybe in 30 more they will be considered art again by some turn of fate. I don't know. But I don't care either way.

I don't want miniature painting to try to be art, the way art is today, I love it just the way it is. Celebrating skill and creativity in a community of peers.

 

[Dragonsreach]

Illustration and Art are two different things.

“Illustration presents you an interpretation, Art requires you to interpret.”

And Yes that was from a Workshop I’ve just done by a Professor of Illustration.... Fred Lynch from the Rhode Island Institute of Design.

 

[MAXXxxx]

I don't want miniature painting to try to be art, the way art is today

I can agree on this one.

“Illustration presents you an interpretation, Art requires you to interpret.”

huh? this for me would mean none of the great paintings are art as they are just illustrations.

Than again based on how the university's art faculty (where a friend wanted to go to study) was handling students / their work... but it's off topic here. In short: Art-Unis completely lost all respect from me

 

[Avelorn]

Illustration and Art are two different things.

“Illustration presents you an interpretation, Art requires you to interpret.”

And Yes that was from a Workshop I’ve just done by a Professor of Illustration.... Fred Lynch from the Rhode Island Institute of Design.

I agree they are different. It was a neat definition of contemporary art and it serves my point.

That I might have another, far less idealistic, definition of art is almost of besides the point, I'd love for the one you just typed to be true. But as my girlfriend, who works as an art director, just said to me discussing this topic: Nowadays art is business, art is hierarchy, art is knowing the right people and being at the right parties.

 

[Ritual]

huh? this for me would mean none of the great paintings are art as they are just illustrations.

If they were contemporary painters doing the same thing, they would very likely not be considered of interest to the world of contemporary fine art, no.

 

[ten ball]

'Poetry is an art form that is older than literature, itself, and dates back to ancient times. It is used as a form of communication, a way to tell a story, and a way to express emotion.'

Been doing a lot of reading on 'art' because of this thread.
Didnt realise that in the world of poetry it's taken as a form of Art.

also music, dance, some of the Asian fighting techniques are classed as art.

Not saying I agree with all this but it shows the wide views of the meanings of 'art'.

 

[BloodASmedium]

Hers my answer

It’s whatever the one creating it BELIEVES it to be.

 

[ekipage]

Hey, if Table Tennis (or ping pong if you prefer) can be considered a sport and in the Olympics, then miniature painting can be considered art.