Several questions from a newbie???

[minifreak]

Hi everyone, Firstly I\'m new to the forum and may I start by saying that I am very impressed by some of the minis on view and now aim for my minis to be of equal quality. I have been painting for just over a year albeit not really seriously before. I feel as though it is now time to move to the next level. I have posted a couple of my minis for viewing. However my problem is this when photographing my minis you can not really see the highliting that has taken me an age to do. Do you exagerate the highliting for photographing purposes? when i look at my model by eye you can see the subtle change in colouring. Also it seems to take an age for me to paint a mini from start to finish. How long does it take to paint a mini generally? Also I think I must have some disease as when I have finished a mini I am never happy with it, is there a cure??lol

 

[Dragonsreach]

Originally posted by minifreak
Hi everyone, Firstly I\'m new to the forum and may I start by saying that I am very impressed by some of the minis on view and now aim for my minis to be of equal quality. I have been painting for just over a year albeit not really seriously before. I feel as though it is now time to move to the next level.
Welcome
I have posted a couple of my minis for viewing.
We\'ll no doubt have a look
However my problem is this when photographing my minis you can not really see the highliting that has taken me an age to do. Do you exaggerate the highliting for photographing purposes?
Not normally. Most people paint either for gaming or to competition standard so that a judge looks at the mini they will see the nuances of good painting like the effect of glazes.
when i look at my model by eye you can see the subtle change in colouring.

Also it seems to take an age for me to paint a mini from start to finish. How long does it take to paint a mini generally?
How long is a piece of string? You can paint for hundreds of hours or just a few. the results are dependant on how much attention to detail and skill you are willing to learn and apply. I\'ve done a really good piece in a matter of 6 hours, but equally spent 40+ hours on a competitoin mini.
Also I think I must have some disease as when I have finished a mini I am never happy with it, is there a cure??lol Practise, practise, practise. The only advise I can give you on this is that you should really paint for fun and enjoyment. As long as you feel reasonably happy with what you\'ve painted each time and see an improvment each time then \"Job\'s a good one\".

 

[airhead]

Welcome to the forums.

Photography is a related art that goes hand in hand with mini painting here. Read the articles section on photography and drop down and read a few tutorials in the photography forums.

Don\'t be dissapointed, strive to improve with each mini - either in painting or photo work or both.

Let me add after looking at your gallery:
Your faces look very good. Nice highlights. Work every other item on the mini to that level and you\'ll do good - the armor, the cloth, the weapons, etc.

 

[Sukigod]

Originally posted by minifreak
Also I think I must have some disease as when I have finished a mini I am never happy with it, is there a cure??lol

As the old adage goes, \"You are your own worst critic\".

 

[matty1001]

You definitely have the brush control, everything is very neat and all the deatails are picked out well, with good accuracy, esp stuff like the eyes teeth etc...

I\'v done a bit of dodging and burning on one to show how you want to start pushing highlights up and shadows deeper. Just remember that although you feel you have enough contrast, thats rarely true!

 

[DaN]

Yeah - that Termi looks good to me
Where\'d you get that spanky base from?

As for taking ages, some of here have figures we started YEARS ago that are still unfinished

Whereas some of my best figures have seemed to FLY by - the warrior priest in my gallery - probably my best overall so far (IMO) took me a few days; start to finish!

(Bearing in mind I usually take a few MONTHS lol)

 

[minifreak]

Thanks Dragonsreach, Airhead and Sukigod for all your sound advice and kind words. Matty1001 that post was really helpful. How did you do that??? and to DaN the base was a micro art studios temple base. Well you have all given me the inspiration to go practice for a couple more hours. Great forum and people. Thanks guys.