Sci-fi and Fantasy modeling club?

[Lordfishbane]

I was talking to one of the local shop owners about the local IPMS chapter, and an Armor Club that meets at his store once a month. For those who have never heard of IPMS its a club that works in 99% military plastic , they get together once a month to show any wip's, new models, give reviews, and show off completed models. Much like we do here on a daily basis.
While they "allow" all modelers they do not really support sci-fi or fantasy miniature, and if its considered a "gamming" ( anything below 54mm) miniature they are even more dis-interested(?).
I guess the whole point of this long post is :
If a club was dedicated to our interests in your area would you attend meetings?

Just trying to get a general idea of the amount of interest before I put any work into it.

[Frustrated Father]

Very likely not for myself but I'm sure some would find it of interest. Myself, I haven't been in a hobby store in over a year and even then, didn't really do much in them though I did get a tickle out of the kid that was doing a painting class at one of our local stores and was doing a technique called 'advanced dry brushing' and had all the locals enthralled. I had to leave before I laughed too loudly.

Anyhow, different strokes for different folks. I'm not social in that regards beyond the occasional BBQ or GenCon, past that the online forums take care of my geek needs.

[Ritual]

I would probably attend, but would probably not bother unless there were people of my age or thereabouts (or older) that were at least somewhat advanced in their techniques. I wouldn't bother if the club were just me and a bunch of kids whom I would have to teach all the time. I don't mind that in theory, but in reality it would become too much of a chore that I wouldn't get much out from myself. Maybe I sound like a selfish bastard, but I do have limited time for my hobbies and I just want to use it to the best effect I can.

[gi6ers]

Probably not, painting is my chance to be alone in my head...if I want to talk and socialise I go drinking :)

[Ritual]

One of the benefits with having people of the same age in the club would be the option of going to the pub after the meetings... ;)

[EldinTux]

I probably would attend, but again it would have to be 'older' painters. I've been painting for 25 years approx, and I am still using some quite basic techniques. Someone showing me some blending methods would be great. I've tried reading about them but nothing beats being shown.

[supervike]

I probably wouldn't because its just another damn reason for me to put pants on.

[Duende]

I probably wouldn't because its just another damn reason for me to put pants on.

Yeah, I hate that.

:D

I probably wouldn't attend most likely since the guys at the two stores "near" to me (one in Harrisburg about 45min away, the other in York, about an hour away) are usually about half my age and always looks at me like I'm lost or something.

:stupid:

[Skya]

We actually have something like that here, but it's rather informal. A bunch of us who paint get together at a friend's house every Friday, hang out, order pizza, or grill, and just spend 6-10 hours listening to music, babbling and painting. It's great fun.
There's also the local historicals club (the MMSI) that a couple of us go to once a month, but they're much more formal, have actual meetings with presentations and such. They are however fairly supportive of the small scale scifi fantay stuff we do. Mostly they just think we're crazy for working that small.
Personally of the two I enjoy the informal paint nights better, but interacting with the historicals guys really gives a wonderfully different perspective to miniatures painting as a hobby and I definately learn a lot from them.

[matty1001]

One of the benefits with having people of the same age in the club would be the option of going to the pub after the meetings... ;)

Or just screw the painting and go to the pub.

[Skya]

Or just screw the painting and go to the pub.

Or paint at the pub!

[EldinTux]

Or paint at the pub!

So when do we start?

[matty1001]

Or paint at the pub!


Get some funny looks here in Newcastle lol

[Ritual]

They don't have very good lighting conditions in most pubs... ;)

[Skya]

They don't have very good lighting conditions in most pubs... ;)

Bring the pub to the painting?

[watwe]

pub pub pub
ok im calm now , id probably pop round if it was close enouth the problem is i think we all very spread out . and would you be able to get enough poeple who are interested in your area , to make a club worthwile ?

[Lordfishbane]

Im trying to find out. I wanted to see if there would be enough interest from the types here, because those are the people I would want. Older crowd, experienced painters and sculpters. But I fear that It would be like some have said, one or two guys teaching a bunch of kids, the same thing every month.
Seems like it won't really pan out the way i would wish. Ahh well Ill leave all the heavy lifting to the Main Man here at WYRD, you guys are stuck with me now.

[Frustrated Father]

Pffft, I don't lift anymore, I dictate and shirk my responsibilities onto some other poor rube.

:bowsucker

[rodnik]

I'd be interested if it could maintain momentum. Around here, "painting" as a hobby just hasn't taken off. We've got a few folks, mind you, but most of the competitive painters live several hours away from each other.
Most of the painting at gaming stores here consists of guys either braggin' on their new dip mix or seeing how many odd shapes they can cut into plasticard. Not disparaging them mind you----just not my personal interests.

Regardless, I maintain that my home is open to any that want to join me for painting, beer, and food---whether in-state or out-----

In actuality, we have an informal "CON" at my house once per year. Darin "Whizard" Hlavaz and I are there every year---the week before (or after) Games Day Atlanta. This year Phil "Flynn" Esterle and Dwight "Darthfoley" Bills joined us. Which is pretty nice. A room full of great painters---all half drunk and thinking about where we're gonna eat next.

Not to mention---my wife cooks a mean yard-bird.

Kev

[Frustrated Father]

Mmmmm .. yard-bird.

I'll have to come and just be a pain.

[thewartoad]

It's not for me...I'm one who likes to do things my own way...don't like people looking over my shoulder when I'm painting and such. I like interacting with the people @ my local gaming store and the forums and would like to meet as many of you as I could @ GENCON. But for the most part...everybody I know that likes this hobby likes to do things by themselves not in a crowded group or whatver else. Cheers!

[eastman]

We actually have something like that here, but it's rather informal. A bunch of us who paint get together at a friend's house every Friday, hang out, order pizza, or grill, and just spend 6-10 hours listening to music, babbling and painting. It's great fun.
There's also the local historicals club (the MMSI) that a couple of us go to once a month, but they're much more formal, have actual meetings with presentations and such. They are however fairly supportive of the small scale scifi fantay stuff we do. Mostly they just think we're crazy for working that small.
Personally of the two I enjoy the informal paint nights better, but interacting with the historicals guys really gives a wonderfully different perspective to miniatures painting as a hobby and I definately learn a lot from them.

As a part of both of these groups, I find both to be great while they are very different.

I still love the shocked looks we got at an MMSI meeting the first time Skya & I started painting there.