Theme suggestions ...

[Frustrated Father]

Hey folks,

The Wyrd Painting Contests are based off of themes as all of you know and I'm looking to get some of my bases covered and some ideas flowing through the noggin' and need some help with some theme ideas as well as names.

Total Testosterone: This one was the second contest we ran here which was ran around anything 'manly' and filled with testosterone. Basically, if it was male, it was suitable for the contest and I believe a rather large hit. We'll be revisting this theme again in the future.

The Rotten Harvest: Just finished this one up so all of you know about it - but basically this will be our Halloween theme for time to come as we get a chance to paint up witches, ghouls, ghosts and so forth. I really enjoyed this one and hope to see it grow.

The Creature Feature: Fangs, teeth, talons and a nasty disposition and you've arrived at the right place. Anything that isn't human or remotely related - creatures, critters and animals. I see Dragons, Warbeasts and a whole slew of monsters for this contest.

Le Femme Fatale: Women are perhaps the most dangerous creatures in the universe - ask me, I have scars! If it has estrogen, then the miniature has come amongst its peers. Cat fight!

:D

From here, I am looking for some thoughts, suggestions and ideas to help direct the themes of the Wyrd Painting Contests for the future. I likely won't have more than six themes altogether, but I would like to cycle through them a bit to give some choices and to explore miniatures types that some of us might not otherwise look at.

[green stuff]

"Prepare to be assimilated" : robots, cyborgs, net-runners, ...

[EricJ]

There could be an alternate size contest. with 15mm, 54mm, and 72mm catagories

there could be a "little guys" contest, with only minis from small independent companies qualify (no GW, rackham, Reaper, etc...)

limited palate contest, pick 4-5 paint pots, and those are the only ones you can open when painting the mini.

just a couple thoughts

[Ritual]

I was thinking about an 'industrial' theme. That's pretty close to what Cédric suggested. It could be cyborgs, robots, anything that is mechanised basically.

But the monster theme is pretty good too. Monster is a quite loose term, so it won't be too limiting.

[Mosch]

"Far out, man!" - The woodstock theme. Enough minis run around with swords the size of a small omnibus. This hippy contest is for peaceful minis without any aggression. Bonus points for drum circles.

"The eagle has landed" - Extraterrestrials and alien creatures. Might be too "monster"-y, but I thought more of a sci-fi take.

"Get your motor runnin'" - Only vehicles and means of transportation.


Well, that's from the top of my head. I'll think abut it some more.

[EricJ]

ok, take out the hippies and I like the non-violent mini theme :)

I grew up in berkeley, the birthplace of the hippy, I would be happy to never see another in my life...especially 50-60 year old ones

[Klute]

"Up Up and Away"
Anything that flies.


I like the non violent theme.
Also the vehicle and limited pallette ones but think they might be a bit restrictive to entrants.

[Duende]

Le Femme Fatale: Women are perhaps the most dangerous creatures in the universe - ask me, I have scars! If it has estrogen, then the miniature has come amongst its peers. Cat fight!


Good idea, but knowing this [mostly-male] painting crowd, I think a more appropriate theme title for that idea would be "Thanks for the Mammeries"!
:vb_devil:

I like the "Creature Feature" idea. It would give me a good reason to paint one of the few dragons I have. ;)

:vb_tongue

[green stuff]

"Thanks for the Mammeries"!
Thanks Michelle, I just coated my PC screen with apple juice ... but I do like your way of thinking :P.

[Art-de-Vivre]

All 4 ideas are fine with me !

Just one thing though : it is "la femme fatale" ...and I agree they are the most dangerous predators out there !!!

a non-violent theme could be interesting in terms of creativity, but the choice of available miniatures is relatively limited when you are looking for people with civilian activities and you risk having fewer contestants...

How about asking the sponsors ?

I'm sure some of them would like pirate themes (Moonlight for instance) or specific themes that would suit their miniature or accessories lines : it stimulates sales of their products and some could even supply a special "grand prize"... Just a thought...

Cheers !

[green stuff]

it is "la femme fatale"
I must have been tired to have let that one slip :P.

Oh, and back to that comment I left for you Michelle, just imagine what it would have been if I had been drinking milk :P.

[gi6ers]

Creature-feature and up up and away appeal to me!

Perhaps a conversion orientated contest too?

[fatgoblin]

How about fat minis? I love fat minis! Don't know if you will have that many entries though.... :)

[green stuff]

How about fat minis? I love fat minis! Don't know if you will have that many entries though.... :)
Could be a nice twist :). And there are plenty of miniature manufactorers who make such minis. Heck I even now a Dutch lady who sculpted this cute little chubby goblin girl (no Cindy is not paying me for this ;)).

[Frustrated Father]

Some good suggestions in there to cull from the herd. Primarily the themes are there to offer a broader spectrum of interest for both the contestant entries but also for the contest supporters.

Lets be honest, if you run contests that are very specific and have no chance of including a whole realm of miniatures, then despite their best wishes and intents, it really doesn't do much for the companies supporting the contests. Something that I'm trying to balance in order ot keep everyones interest.

[EricJ]

"cull from the herd"

Sounds like you're milking us like goats :tongue2: :sheep:

[gi6ers]

How about fat minis? I love fat minis! Don't know if you will have that many entries though.... :)

Linkage please FG...?

[Frustrated Father]

How about fat minis? I love fat minis! Don't know if you will have that many entries though.... :)

Give me a day or two and I'll dig up a link for a really cool fat mini that I know of.

:D

[Duende]

Oh, and back to that comment I left for you Michelle, just imagine what it would have been if I had been drinking milk :P.

Cedric, I'm not taking any responsibility for anything that spews from your mouth!

:cheers:

[fatgoblin]

Linkage please FG...?
here are two I did more or less recently
http://static.flickr.com/24/43451473_5f71ffc6f5_o.jpg
http://static.flickr.com/32/39468970_2a13c429e5_o.jpg

[green stuff]

@fatgoblin : The first one is just so funny (in a good way ;)). The second has a lot of character and is a clean sculpt. What theme was he for? Has a definit Sherlock Holmes-era feel to him ;).

[supervike]

I think that one is called Colonel Marbles or something...He's something to do with the Frothers bunch....

http://marbles.frothersunite.com/


Thematically, as long as it gets me to paint a mini, I'm happy with that!!

[fatgoblin]

ah sorry, the first one is from copplestone's modern range. It was for my zombie survivor crew.

The second one is indeed Col Marbles. It was painted for my pulp era miniature collection. You can get him if you want from their online shoppe
http://www.frothersunite.com/shop/colm.html

Fozzboss in US also has him I think.

Or you might want to wait for a while as they sort out the sculpting competition to be released for sale. Some really nice stuff in there comming out soon.

[vincegamer]

"Far out, man!" - The woodstock theme. Enough minis run around with swords the size of a small omnibus. This hippy contest is for peaceful minis without any aggression. Bonus points for drum circles.
I'm all for this one, but then I'm the guy with the tie dye high elf army.
So would a high elf tiranoc chariot count if it's actually a pink, flowerpainted VW beetle pulled by horses?


Okay, themes:

How the West was won: cowboys, prospectors, marshals, women of ill repute - anything with an old west flavor.

Thunder Road: Greased lightning, scythe blades, any kind of vehicle imaginable so long as it rolls.

p.s. For fat minis, besides ogres of course, GW also produces fat Bretonians - Grail Pilgrims.

[wiccanpony]

hummmmm....something for those unsung heros...you now, the butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker. The village dum-dum and the ladies of the evening..you know, plain folk. :)

then there's..the use of dramatic lighing on a mini

[artshiraz]

and the ladies of the evening..you know, plain folk. :)
:hypnotize
Oh yes...Ladies of the evening.... erm...hmm...I think I have even ideas :bird: .. on the other hand... why not boys of the evening *grins* you know ... those handsome lucky gits who are requested per order of Lady Soandso for company.
:imsorry:

I'm for the Hippy revolution thingy. Imagine ...you can do medieval hippies, modern hippies, scifi hippies... convert Dark-Age minis into hippies, etc.. :bump:

[green stuff]

the ladies of the evening
Oh!!! I have the perfect mini for that ... well kind of (give me a week or two ;)) ... it's even rated G :).

[cdukino]

I like the non violent theme... and hippy could be a category in it. I would have the perfect miniature for it. Townfolk could be another category.

Things with wings suits me too. I would definatly be entering that one.

The sci-fi ones and vehicle ones don't appeal much to me... To modern or futuristic... not quite my tatse in miniature... If fantasy mounts are allowed I can do that.

The limited pallet is intresting too, but I fear might limit the number of entries.

Fat miniatures.... fine by me... but again might be to restrictive to yield a lot of entrants

[EricJ]

Oh!!! I have the perfect mini for that ... well kind of (give me a week or two ;)) ... it's even rated G :).

is this one you may have sculpted recently?? That I'm hoping to get my hands on one day :):):)

[vincegamer]

The sci-fi ones and vehicle ones don't appeal much to me... To modern or futuristic... not quite my tatse in miniature... If fantasy mounts are allowed I can do that.
Funny that you say that since I was actually thinking of chariots when I suggested wheeled vehicles. Nothing sci-fi about a chariot, and I specifically was leaving out flying vehicles or hovercraft....

[green stuff]

is this one you may have sculpted recently?? That I'm hoping to get my hands on one day :):):)
Don't worry, you'll get that Margo mini as soon as possible ;). The mould is made, I just haven't had the opportunity to cast her yet ... resin vapors isn't the best thing in my appartement when I have a certain little lady over :P.

As for your question ... more on it in a week or two :).

[EricJ]

I just figured I'd put in a little friendly reminder :)

I know Margo will be thrilled with it! I have a feeling she's looking forward to seeing it painted, and it does nicely fit a couple of the themes mentioned.

A certain lady?! Sounds like we're missing out on some gossip here!

[green stuff]

A certain lady?! Sounds like we're missing out on some gossip here!
Nothing much to say on that; I'm lucky enough to have dinner with her tomorrow evening in a nice Italian restaurant ... time will tell :).

@Nathan : sorry for highjacking the thread :(.


@Eric : the Margo mini also took time to mould correctly because she has an odd V shape plane cut ... I might have to make a new mold after a few casts I fear.

[EricJ]

okok, I can wait, I think I have enough other projects to keep me busy. (and good luck tomorrow, I hope it goes really well!)

Nathan, also sorry about the hijack...although much less than I'll admit ;)

As for the contest I'm still liking the Girlz theme, and the non-violent one, I'm not big into creatures, but there are definately pleanty of choices for that out there.

[green stuff]

I'm affraid creatures might take too much time because of their size.

I think somebody mentionned a tiny-mini theme. With all the munchkins, Baby Kades, goblin girls, furry critters (sorry Cindy, I have the mind of a gold fish for long names like that :P), ... appearing these days, there's plenty to pick from IMHO.

[EricJ]

although Cindy's wagga-critters would work for a creature one also I would imagine. Creatures doesn't mean BIG, even familiars from those reaper familiar packs would probably work for the theme...

um, anyone know why I'm defending a theme I don't like? :twitch:

[green stuff]

um, anyone know why I'm defending a theme I don't like? :twitch:
Must be the effect of that beared female Rackham giant :P.

[Jabberwocky]

Hmm...at the risk of being overly limiting, I would love to see a vehicle contest. I have not seen a lot of well done 'Mechs. You could do historical and sci-fi, ground vehicles and air vehicles, spaceships. I also wouldn't mind seeing a post apocalyptic type theme; Mad Max pops to mind although I suppose something following a major "change" in the world would work as well (I was thinking along the lines of the Rift Worlds or Shadowrun type event); that would allow a mixture of fantasy/sci-fi. Orc computer hackers or dwarven corporate security just facinates me to no end...

[gi6ers]

Hmm...at the risk of being overly limiting, I would love to see a vehicle contest. I have not seen a lot of well done 'Mechs. ........

Totally agree, - unfortunately I've only seen the dream pod 9 (?) mechs and the rackham prototype, any mech recommendations? Battletech always looks a bit static IMO .

[green stuff]

any mech recommendations?
GW : dreadnoughts, walkers, titans, ...
Infinity : Yu Jing Yaokong, Pan Oceania Dronbots and Armoured Cavalry, ...

I know, not exactly what you're looking for, but the Infinity line does seem promessing.

[Jabberwocky]

Reaper has the CAV series. Most are fairly static, but there are some in motion. Depending on your skill, I suppose most could be bashed and have a leg moved back a bit or the torso twisted.

[gi6ers]

GW : dreadnoughts, walkers, titans, ...
Infinity : Yu Jing Yaokong, Pan Oceania Dronbots and Armoured Cavalry, ...

I know, not exactly what you're looking for, but the Infinity line does seem promessing.

Not too keen on the boxy GW stuff but the infinity stuff looks good..

[green stuff]

Not too keen on the boxy GW stuff but the infinity stuff looks good..
Yeah, I agree that Infinity really does great with their Manga designs (not surprising considering who is their top sculptor).

For GW, don't forget about the Eldar and the Tau. I tend to like their concepts, even the old eldar Wraith Lord and War-walker (Jes' work will remain a classic IMHO).

[Ritual]

(not surprising considering who is their top sculptor).

Care to enlighten us? :p:

[green stuff]

Care to enlighten us? :p:
Yannick Hennebo, he worked for Rackham for a while and then went off to do some freelance, some work with Warcrow, and now Infinity (which isn't surprising since it's a partnership between Warcrow and Corvusbelli).

[Ritual]

Ahh... I love Yannick Hennebo's style. I might have to follow this line keenly, then. :)

[green stuff]

Back on topic; about a year ago on CMON, there was a thread on minis related to one's country's history. There are plenty of minis for that on the market. OK, a lot are very stereotypical, but in the end, I think that's half the fun ;).

[supervike]

I like the idea of a contest all about Miniature Cliche's...

The categories could be something like...

The Severed head pose...all minis would have to be holding some sort of severed head.

The Pointing Mini..there are tons of minis, just randomly pointing at stuff.

The overtly sexy pose A mini that is posed awkwardly, really only to show off a cheesecase sexy pose.

You get the point...there are so many 'Mini-cliche's' it would be fun to honor them in a way.... :cheers:

[gi6ers]

I like the idea of a contest all about Miniature Cliche's.

That sounds like a great idea, oversized weapons and barbarian women in chainmail bikinis!

[green stuff]

That sounds like a great idea, oversized weapons and barbarian women in chainmail bikinis!
I think that's a very bad idea, Eric is going to paint a mini in time with a theme like that ... :imsorry:.

Seriously though, I like the "The Severed head pose" and "The Pointing Mini" ideas :).

[EricJ]

I think that's a very bad idea, Eric is going to paint a mini in time with a theme like that ... :imsorry:.


Hey! ....although I don't know, want to bet on it? I bet I could still miss the deadline ;)

[green stuff]

Hey! ....although I don't know, want to bet on it? I bet I could still miss the deadline ;)
If I can pick the mini I'm willing to place the bet ;).

[EricJ]

wait, this is a bad bet for me! Either I have to miss the contest, or I lose the bet and have to pay up...I really should think before I type...

Although I do like the idea of a Cliche's contest...different catagories for different cliche's.

[green stuff]

Although I do like the idea of a Cliche's contest...different catagories for different cliche's.
Maybe a lady should chose the clichés ... or am I expressing another cliché concerning what men would pick :P?

[vincegamer]

I just realized that if I start now, I should be able to finish a femme fatale to a decent, possibly even competitive, level by the time of the contest! I have the perfect mini too.

[Patrick]

That sounds like a great idea, oversized weapons and barbarian women in chainmail bikinis!

Okay - where do I sign up? :thumb:

[gi6ers]

Okay - where do I sign up? :thumb:

Hi Patrick, it's a very easy process, just cast up 5 of your latest sculpts and send them to me.I will then consider you signed up :thumb:

[Frustrated Father]

That little bugger is trying to hork in on my action! Damn it gi6ers!

:D

Some good suggestions here folks and I'm going to use a couple of them in the near future for certain. Some of them I've got to be honest about are entirely too specific which will either not interest sponors or make for a small selection of contest entrants, so likely I'll not go for them even if they are damn interesting.

Femme Fatale is a given and will make an appearance here in the future, along with the Total Testosterone and the Rotten Harvest again. Creature Feature will drop in there as well as I just plain like the idea.

Miniature Cliche's was another one that caught my attention and will likely get the nod as well. I would need some categories though so I'm going to put it to you folks to help out here - what are the general cliches out there. Chicks in Chainmail, Pointing at Something, The Severed Head in Hand .. etc. List them up for me if you would - need atleast four or more.

The Hippy Revolution aka Non Violent (help me out with a catchy name here folks) sounds like a fun one as well - help me define it a bit and I'll slap that one on my peg board for contests to run in the future.

[gi6ers]

That little bugger is trying to hork in on my action! Damn it gi6ers!

:D

I was gonna share FF, honest! :flypig:

Cliches:

Chicks in Chainmail, Pointing at Something, The Severed Head in Hand, Enormous Weapons, Gravity Defying Poses (refer to Rackham stuff for this one).

Hippy Happennings:

Dazed and Confused, Peace, happiness.

Creature Feature:

Mecha/Cyborg, Lil' Critters, Demonic Legions, Dragons, Ogres and Giants, Dungeon dwellers.

[green stuff]

Gravity Defying Poses (refer to Rackham stuff for this one).
I have no idea what you're talking about ... :creep:

http://greenstuff.free.fr/img/CMON/Contests/Kaple/2005/AyaneWIP1.jpg

But I have seen worse done with Terminator armor :P.

[Duende]

Miniature Cliche's was another one that caught my attention and will likely get the nod as well. I would need some categories though so I'm going to put it to you folks to help out here - what are the general cliches out there. Chicks in Chainmail, Pointing at Something, The Severed Head in Hand .. etc. List them up for me if you would - need atleast four or more.
.

Here's some ideas for cliches:

"Staring intently at the ground" (I noticed several of Werner's new sculpts seem to have found somthing interesting near their feet)

"The Basic Barbarian" (What few mini lines DON'T have your basic axe or giant sword weilding muscle-bound brute?)

"The Windy Day" (All the long-haired or cloaked minis that are apparently standing in a wind tunnel.)

"I Believe I can Fly" (for all the angels and demons out there.)

Just some thoughts....

:stupido2:

[Ritual]

A very general cliché in miniatures is the general wave-something-in-the-air-and-look-angry pose. But, maybe this one is TOO general?

[EricJ]

I think we should have a drybrushing contest :)

How well can you drybrush an entire miniature!

[cdukino]

Maybe a lady should chose the clichés ... or am I expressing another cliché concerning what men would pick :P?

Well big humongous naked breast(s) out in the open, strutting their stuff, for the purpose of drool-dom instead of making the miniatute look like it could win a fight could work for males and female cliché. If that's what you mean ;)
I'm pretty certain man and woman would pick the same clichés

[Patrick]

Hi Patrick, it's a very easy process, just cast up 5 of your latest sculpts and send them to me.I will then consider you signed up :thumb:

:vb_tongue Har har

Honestly - I'm workin' on it. :tongue2:


I think we should have a drybrushing contest :)

How well can you drybrush an entire miniature!

I like that too!

[green stuff]

If that's what you mean ;)
LOL ... not exactly :P. I'm not even sure there are any minis that fall in that extreme category ... except of course that fantasy football playing ogress ... but she doesn't need any weapons does she ;)?

[cdukino]

What about a fanfare theme?... only muscisians allowed. Almost every larger range has a few. Every line that has command groups really.

and maybe another category for the banner guys/girls.

[Duende]

A very general cliché in miniatures is the general wave-something-in-the-air-and-look-angry pose. But, maybe this one is TOO general?

I think so. Not many happy-looking minis out there (unless they're insane!)

Another mini cliche: the long-bearded, pointy-hatted wizard. Usually with a book, as well.

Zap!

:tongue2:

[vincegamer]

Just a thought:

Two swords are better than one.
Every mini has to have 2 swords.

[artshiraz]

Every mini has to have 2 swords.

That would be something worth of a conversion contest
:thumb:

What about a fanfare theme?... only muscisians allowed.
Oh I like that one. Goblin playing nosepipes, Orc acting as head drummer. Wizard with bass fiddle :flypig:
Oh yes, yes, yes

[Brimshack]

Weapons that weigh more than the person wielding them?

Ah, you guys have that covered.

But just to work the alliteration angle a bit more...

"Weapons that weigh more than the women wielding them"

[Frustrated Father]

Heh - I've got a ton of good ideas here folks, I've culled atleast three of them and will be looking for more in order to keep things changed up around here.

Brimshack, agree with you about the whole weapons bit - gets out of hand sometimes.

[EricJ]

So when's the next contest then Nathan?

I promise to try to enter! :D

[Patrick]

Yeah yeah - I think my brushes are getting warmed back up.

Hit us with the low down. http://www.morgankeithstudios.com/smilies/biggrin.gif

[EricJ]

Ahhem...

So when's the next contest Nathan?

I promise to try to enter :D

[EricJ]

so any word on that next contest Nathan,

huh? huh? huh? huh? :bootyshak

[Frustrated Father]

(laughing)

Well I thought I would hold off a bit as I had heard that Chick Challenge was going to make an appearance again after the first of the year (talked to Moses about it) and I didn't want to get into the middle of running a contest and then having it 'flop' with Chick Challenge coming out at the same time.

That being said, I've been planning one out, as well as an alternative type of contest, which I might just announce here in the next week or so as I'm getting that 'itch' to start up again. We'll see though. Gotta go round up some willing sponsors again! (ooooh, look, I see some scattering or turning off their phones already ...)