IP 4: The Final Showdown!! (rd. 6)

[supervike]

Paint fans have been treated to a phenomenal show this season, and the headlining event doesn't have any letdown!


In this corner, zapping competition in every round, dropping the jaws on onlookers, being the high scorer in several categories all season, top scoring and brush wielding, from Jolly old Leeds, rookie sensation,

Demonherald

And in this corner, leaving a wake of competitor in her path, meeting toe to toe for top scorer almost every round, already an Iron Painter champion, but with more to prove, from the burbs of Chicago, the painting dynamo, master of themes...

Skya

TWO painters Enter only one will survive!

(Have I built this up enough yet?)

So, I suppose you want to know the theme....

MY TRUSTY STEED!

This one is again open to interpretation. Go with a traditional horsey, or give it a futuristic twist, or add some humor....it's really up to you. But remember, it's all about pleasing the JUDGES!!

Deadline is Sunday Jan. 27th at 6 PM CST.


Will the newcomer reign supreme, or will our seasoned champ rely on her experience?

Can a Man win this thing, or is it forever destined to be dominated by the fairer sex?

The knock down, drag out fight of the season is set to begin...


NOW!

[Ritual]

Woohooo! Let the best man/woman win! A good theme, I'd say... I look forward to what these two will come up with! Good luck to both of you! :)

[demonherald]

wahey now that is a fun theme.......good luck Skya lets drop their jaws.......

[Hinton]

Ooooo....that's an interesting theme. Should be fun seeing what these two come up with.

Good luck!

[supervike]

I say us 'regular' folk should start a betting pool!!

I've been looking forward to this matchup for quite some time...No offense to any of our other fine participants, but I'm glad it worked out this way for the final!

[skrivanek]

My predictions:

I'd bet DH will go more off the beaten path with some kind of sci-fi offering - maybe even a mutated horse or somesuch.

Skya's base will be something truly imaginative and will perfectly compliment her miniature choice.



Aaron

[Wren]

Ooo, cool theme, looking forward to seeing what Skya and dh come up with for this. And happy not to have to be coming up with anything myself. Though I DO take offense sv. ;->

[lauth81]

this is a really nice theme ... shame we'll only see 2 entries for such an interesting one.

[demonherald]

well there's no reason why the think I can category can't be choc full of models ...I can even send a bonus extra prize for a winner in the category if need be........

[Morf]

I'll give it a go, especially that loooong time ago I bought some bitz to do a conversion for a miniature that will go well with the theme.

[YoungWolf7]

Hmmm. At least this theme is a bit easier. Off to search the shelves...

[Brushmistress]

I'm in! Already have an idea, but it'll be a heck of a lot of work. Hopefully I'll be able to pull it off in time.

[PaintMinion]

hmmm. normal horsey? I LOVE horsies. But two weeks? I could take two weeks just on the horse....hmmm, and gotta find the humor in this...

[skrivanek]

This is the first theme I've had several ideas for right away. I think I've settled on one - now to see how soon the minis arrive.



Aaron

[PaintMinion]

OMG, I have an idea already! I have two, actually. And both would require purchases. SIGH. Back to the drawing board, as there's no money this week to handle it! And DH, thank you! I await the package with much bouncing!

[Skya]

The problem with this theme isnt going to be coming up with an idea, it's going to be narrowing it down to just one!

[Sculpta the squig]

Mmmm, just got an idea for the theme, now I just hope my ********* order comes soon:D

Squig

[demonherald]

well had a wander far out in the left field and picked myself something suitably Iron....My toughest entry yet reserved for my toughest opponent...not 100% sure how it will work yet but the parts are ordered so no going back now.......

[LavronYor]

Naaay!



sorry, couldn't resist.....

[Skya]

Concept solidified. Pieces acquired, time to start pulling out some creative putty work for this crazy thing. And the best part is I've got a couple really cool ideas on the back burner from the massive brain storming session needed to come up with something worth competing against Demonherald with.

[Frustrated Father]

Naaay!



sorry, couldn't resist.....

You know what's really sad is that its taken me two days to realize just what the hell you were going on about.

:D

[demonherald]

Concept solidified. Pieces acquired, time to start pulling out some creative putty work for this crazy thing. And the best part is I've got a couple really cool ideas on the back burner from the massive brain storming session needed to come up with something worth competing against Demonherald with.

Brainstorming ....hmmmm me getting ganged up on...:stickyman.....hopefully todays the day my delivery arrives.....had a good couple of days clearing up my commission schedule...having a rest today then the knuckles will crack and the work will begin...:ridinghor:rocketwho

[Sculpta the squig]

I hope my order get's here soon.

Squig

[YoungWolf7]

Started building my piece last night. Nothing fancy, but still ambitious for all that I have going on right now.

[PaintMinion]

iron piece, club challenge piece, femme fatale piece, commission piece. 2 weeks. panic.

Starting vitamin B12 therapy shots they *say* will give me more energy....priceless!

[demonherald]

hee hee I love the fact that you are a busy so and so PM...I'm not too bad this week had a bi push last week to clear a few things early....just a couple of pieces left to do....delivery didn't come today but no big panic as yet can carry on with basework while I wait...(hopefully the scale is right....)
how you doing Skya or are you too busy having a pow wow on how to crush me

[Skya]

Working on getting the pieces put together in a way that looks right. A lot of the impact of this one is going to be composition so I need to get it just right. Also, I'm trying to build it so that I can easily add additional pieces onto the main piece if I end up having time. Dont want to bite off more then I can handle, but if I have the time I want to be able to have the more elaborate concept easily integrated.

[demonherald]

sounds like a plan......have fun....

[Skya]

I'm looking forward to seeing what you have planned as your "toughest entry yet" given the sheer impressiveness of some of your previous ones. :)

[Wren]

iron piece, club challenge piece, femme fatale piece, commission piece. 2 weeks. panic.

Starting vitamin B12 therapy shots they *say* will give me more energy....priceless!

Femme Fatale deadline is Feb 25 I thought? Just mentioning in case that reduces the panic.

Good luck with the B12 shots! Hm, do you have to have had a major illness to get those, cause I sure could use more energy.

[demonherald]

I'm looking forward to seeing what you have planned as your "toughest entry yet" given the sheer impressiveness of some of your previous ones. :)
strangely despite being my toughest it's also one of my simpest....make sense?? it's gonna be a major amount of sculpting...

[PaintMinion]

Femme Fatale deadline is Feb 25 I thought? Just mentioning in case that reduces the panic.

Good luck with the B12 shots! Hm, do you have to have had a major illness to get those, cause I sure could use more energy.

Um, well, I believe you have to have confirmed low levels. If you want to go through the blood tests and confirm your levels are low, go for it! Otherwise mine comes from going through chemotherapy. Guarantee you don't want to go through that just to get B12 shots.

[Skya]

:banghead:


Stupid amounts of time spent. Almost nothing accomplished. I *hate* sculpting, pinning and putting stuff together. Why cant I just go "Poof!" and presto, it all stays together exactly as I envision it? Some days are so not worth the effort...

[Sculpta the squig]

Just realised noone had said this yet; "It's the fiiiinal countdown, dadadadaaaaaaadadadaaaadaddadadadadaaaadaaaaaadaad adadaaaaaaaadadadaaaaaaaaaaaadadada!

Heh.

Squig

[Wren]

Um, well, I believe you have to have confirmed low levels. If you want to go through the blood tests and confirm your levels are low, go for it! Otherwise mine comes from going through chemotherapy. Guarantee you don't want to go through that just to get B12 shots.

I know about some of what you've been through Sue, and I also know that I couldn't handle it with the same grace and aplomb as you have done, so you're right I don't want to go through it just to get B12 or for any other reason! Your comment about shots just got me musing about whether science has made any progress in curing general blahness sort of thing. But I'm sure the answer is still for me to improve my habits, so I'll continue looking into that.

[Morf]

I decided it is a great chance to try painting in metallics to try some new tricks. I am really hopeless at it so I'm looking forward to all your feedback.
Dang, this is the best time to learn something new!

Btw, did anybody notice that it is not just the battle of sexes but also a Battle of Two Worlds?
Go Old World Go!
(though unfortunately DH you are not continental :) )

[demonherald]

yeah but England qualifies as Old I reckon.......and I do eat Croissants for breakfast continental enough??? or should I try painting in the Nip.....??

[Ritual]

or should I try painting in the Nip.....??
Is that what they do down there? :ahhhhh:

[Skya]

Quote:
Originally Posted by demonherald http://wyrd-games.net/tren_z/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://wyrd-games.net/showthread.php?p=41327#post41327)
or should I try painting in the Nip.....??


Is that what they do down there? :ahhhhh:And here I thought that it was just the advantage of working at home and not having kids. :P

[LavronYor]

So does Nip equal Nude?

Here it means the part of the Boob that you can't see on the Tube.

But then again, in the Buff, means in the nude as well, although just Buff could be a color or and Buffed means in great shape....

Ah, the fun of colloquialisms.....

[DrEvilmonki]

Just realised noone had said this yet; "It's the fiiiinal countdown, dadadadaaaaaaadadadaaaadaddadadadadaaaadaaaaaadaad adadaaaaaaaadadadaaaaaaaaaaaadadada!

Heh.

Squig

but I was sure as thinking it!

[Sculpta the squig]

That's what you say now *paranoid*

Squig

[demonherald]

well slight panic on with a kink in the cog...model parts ain't come yet....well the steed at least and If it don't come by the weekend it's gonna force a major rethink...at least it's saying to me I'm on the right lines as I can't start anything properly without the steed so it must be pretty important to the whole thing...here's crossing everything I got....

[skrivanek]

My minis have shipped - now to hope they get here Saturday. I could work with Monday, but man - I hate to have to work that tightly when there's a steed involved.



Aaron

[Brushmistress]

I hope yours is going better than mine Morf...I tried priming in the cold- it cracked up and now I've had to strip the model down. I'm really hoping for a day in the 50s pretty soon. :-)
BTW, does Pine Sol eat resin (for stripping primer off?).

[YoungWolf7]

Pine Sol isn't very kind to plastics, and resin is a 2 part plastic. I'd go with Simple Green or Castrol Super Clean to be safe.

To prevent that in the future, spray outdoors and bring it inside to dry. Set it in the bathroom with the fan going to vent the fumes. Works every time. It's been 2 degrees F here at night. I still get stuff primed. ;)

[PaintMinion]

I use only Reaper Master Series Brush on Primer...don't care then that I can't get my balcony door open cuz of the snow and it's frozen shut. :-)

Skya...It'll come together! Heck, I haven't even started on mine yet! Haven't decided what to do! You have a great idea...just let it come out...I know, easy for me to say as I'm not the one in the hot seat.

[Brushmistress]

@ Youngwolf- Thanks! I'm glad I didn't drop it in Pine Sol this morning- I just knew my bottle of acetone was out of the question! I've got Simple Green under the cabinet @ home.

[Hinton]

Brush-on primer is some pretty good stuff. I used to use spray-on primer, but decided to give the brush-on stuff a try and I've been using it ever since.

I suppose if I was going to do a lot of minis at once (like an army or something), then I might use the spray primer.

[YoungWolf7]

I've never met a brush on primer that I liked, especially more than Dupli-color spray primer. Any brush-on is just a base coat of paint, not true primer as it doesn't etch the surface for adhesion.

My opinions of course, YMMV.

[Sculpta the squig]

Mmmm, I really hope my order comes today. The conversion is going to be pretty complicated and time-consuming. Maybe I should just paint my pimp-tastic Empire general.

Squig

[demonherald]

Well the parts arrived so onwards and upwards.......woot

[Sculpta the squig]

My part's didn't arrive today:( But on the other hand my "Painting minatures" book did, WOOT!!!

Squig

[PaintMinion]

I finally decided on my piece last night. Started it at IMMPS, and they decided I pulled off "cute" and weird at the same time again. I named him "Bernard". He's mostly puttied and painted except the details, and a base.

And once I post him, I'll need help identifying the miniature. I know nothing other than it is Ral Partha.

[Skya]

Wheeee! putty.

*sigh*

At least I'm not trying to do anatomy. :P

[v22TTC]

Not wanting to trivialise but Wren, you're always so helpful to others that I'm feeling guilty for not saying this - re. B12 (and all B vits) - yeast extract for the win! Surprising how many people are constantly B deficient, especially if they don't eat much/any red meat.

If you don't like the taste as is, you can add it to cooking instead of salt. Particularly useful for women... at certain times.... One of life's (few) panaceas! Share the wealth....

Phew, glad that's over with....:embarasse:p:

Back OT, I tend to follow most of the painting comps on the internet, but the IP is pretty staggering: real `sheep from the goats' (no disrespect to any non-winners). Some of the most amazing stuff I've ever seen, especially given the time allowed (as someone who takes 5+ hours just to basecoat a mini).

Nice one to all the entrants and good luck to the finalists!

[Wren]

I've been a vegetarian for many years, so I think it's worth giving some yeast extract a try. Thanks for the tip v22TTC!

If it helps to know, you're not alone in slow base coating, it takes me a long time too. And it's annoying, it's probably one of the most boring parts of painting to me! It's only the last year or so that my speed on that has been improving, so at least there's hope.

[v22TTC]

Yeah, B deficiency is like the veggie/vegan plague.... Mmmm, a tiny bit on hot, buttered toast! Find it goes best with cheese or eggs meself.... [Wipes away drool....]

Anyway....

I'm pretty much only starting at this hobby lark (don't consider painting minis for intro tables and the GW cabinet 5 years ago to count, really) and have never painted a mini to completion for myself, my way. And I tend to butterfly about from mini to mini too, as the mood takes me.

But I'm going to have to get my speed up if I'm going to win IP 5!...:p:

[Morf]

I got a major adrenaline/iron problem. Hard to sit down and paint. Still, managed to finish the metallics and I hope I'll have enough iron to paint the rest.

[Wren]

Deadlines don't work for everyone, but I find contests like IP and Femme Fatale helpful to butt in chair motivation, and I've heard others say the same thing. I probably can't offer much advice for butterfly syndrome - having heard some about it before I even really started painting I made it a habit from the beginning to try and finish one thing before starting another. Sometimes I'll get a second piece going if the first has stuff that takes time to dry so I can do base coats or whatever on the second while waiting. Which is not to say I don't have a few abandoned minis staring at me accusingly... ;->

[demonherald]

I've got a real too much alcohol not enough painting thing going on this week...brothers birthday and the celebrations kicked the snot out of me a bit..hopefully get started tomorrow...
As for butterflying...I must admit it's rare I am ever working on 1 thing at a time. As painting is currently my only income I find the fact that something not finished is something not paid my greatest motivator.. The danger with butterflying is that there are alwasy parts of a model you don't enjoy..having more than one model going makes it all too easy to jump to another model without finishing...
The contests are a great motivator though as one of the hardest things with what I do is deciding what to paint next.. The upcoming Femme Fatale means that for most of the month I will focus on female models something I need to practise anyways...saying that I need to give myself a kick and get my IP piece at least started..it is the final.....

[Skya]

You're more then welcome to just blow it off and leave me the crown. :)

[Ritual]

Nonononono!!! We want a face-off completely worthy of this quite remarkable IP season! No half-arsed stuff! That goes for both of you!

Back to work!!! :whip:

[demonherald]

ouch..........okey dokey ..back to it......

[PaintMinion]

Skya's doing just fine with hers. She didn't need any prodding at all! Real Iron in her! Fun stuff and yet another "something new to try". :-) And after this I think she's going to throw her computer through the window and sleep/veg for about 3 months and work on projects that take longer than 2 weeks to finish...I think she's forgotten that deadlines come in other varieties...

[Skya]

Amen.

Actually after this I've got a handful of minis commissions to get off my table, some really cool flats in there that I'm looking forward to, and I'm going to do some serious work on some illustration commissions of pirate ships that I've been putting off for months now.

I will say that this much mini painting has had an interesting side effect for me. I watched the entire run of the D&D cartoon and I'm halfway through the Gargoyles cartoon. Oh, and I learned that I cant watch West Wing while painting, because I miss half the personal interactions of the characters.

Anyways, right now it's time to get back to work and Gargoyles for me. :)

[demonherald]

Same here I have a couple of outstanding heavy work commissions that fortunately my customers have been patient enough to hang fir for this comp so their work gets my undivided attention...

I've gone through the whole Family Guy and Futurama as well as endless films over the last few weeks..I find it less distracting to have dvd's playing than music while painting and I can occasionally take a rest and watch my favourite bits...It's all good fun really

[Sculpta the squig]

My order came today, but I'm worried that it might have come too late :grrrr:

Squig

[Skya]

Break time while putty dries.

Gotta say I like having music, dont really find it distracting, but having a DVD on tends to keep me more in the zone and feels less monotonous.

[demonherald]

I think that's the thing for me....definitely keeps me more in the zone also I can time myself better to a dvd....
just waiting for putty to dry myself sounds like we're both having a go at sculpting..great stuff..hope we both don't blow...I'm trying to put a horse in the most ridiculous position right now and have absolutely no reference for a similar position whatsoever so hopefully the judges won't beat me to death if my anatomy is a little out....

[Skya]

Sounds fun. :rolleyes:

I'm basically sculpting the entire base for this thing from scratch. It's a stupidly ambitious project for me especially considering my hatred of sculpting. But, well, when you cant find anything you like that is anywhere close to what you're looking for what do you do? There's no way I'd try my hand at anatomy though, given my relationship with putty.

[Sculpta the squig]

Might I ask which horse mini DH?

Squig

[EricJ]

I think with the final round, we should ship a webcam to each of the final 2, and have them set it up at their work table. The magnifying glass is already on them! :D

Can't wait to see how this one ends really

[PaintMinion]

Nope, I think they should be totally secret so it's a pleasant suprise when they unveil their pieces! But how about we require workbench articles from each on the creation of their pieces. :-)

Now both of you get back to work! You're distracting me! ;-)

[demonherald]

Yeah that could be fun......several days of nothing happening except me getting a few commission bits cleared...followed by several shots of me scratching my head searching for the components I need...
then the dry fit experiment stage where everything was failing ..slight banging of head and the odd swear...followed by me sacking it and converting and painting a daemon prince I've been thinking about for a while ...
Then the realisation phae where I figure out at least 3 days between sculpting stages to let everything dry then painting in 1 day is all I have unless I pull the finger out...
The polystyrene and balsa wood wrestling game..(it never sticks where you want it but where you don't jesus..( I'm gonna bottle a new glue and call it "shouldn't go there" because when it shouldn't go there it sticks like holy hell)
The polyfilla and pva phase that was going swimmingly until dropped and got caked in aforementioned polystyrene and balsa...
Brief comedy break while 2 year old pinches the entry and daddy's brushes and refuses to say where he hid them even when offered bribes from a biscuit to a transformer....
The exemplary swearing display that then ensues as the putty sculpting begins and continues now until it ends...
That sound's like something I'd watch....

[Wren]

Given how much you both seem to be 'enjoying' the sculpting involved in this round, I think we could get an interesting contrast in the modes of swearing employed in the US and UK if it were being filmed. That alone would make it educational and fun to watch! ;->

[Skya]

DH, you forgot the inevitable pulling of cat hair out of the crevasses stage. The mini falling off the workbench causing heart attacks stage, and the constant repaint, repaint, repaint, damn it, it still isnt quite the right color stage. :)

[demonherald]

the repaint repaint may happen when I actually get damn paint on the thing...and no cat hairs but the missus seems to constantly moult......great to know your having fun too...
tomorrow is the pivotal day for me...Geraldine is taking a day off and I have tomorrow and tomorrow alone to finish the sculpting....Think I may have bitten off a little more than I can chew at this stage but could also be just that "crap" stage all work goes through.....

[Skya]

Yeah, I hate that stage. Makes you want to give up in disgust. Went through that last week trying to get everything to fit together right.
I've ended up being glad I didnt go too overboard and gave my self the option of adding onto what I'm doing instead of doing it all at once. Means the final piece for IP wont be quite as impressive as I'd hoped, but it will actually get done. Also the additional figures I had wanted to do will make a nice piece on their own and I might end up doing them as a matched set to this. Maybe I'll even see if I can make thier bases fit together.

[demonherald]

That would be cool...I've gone a bit less is more this time as well..several elements left out that could be added if time allows....

[Sculpta the squig]

Well, my initial idea might have worked if I'd had the mini's from the start. But now it's too much to do properly which I feel the idea deserves. So I'm just going to have to stick with my Pimpelicious Empire general :|

Squig

[skrivanek]

I'm priming my mini tonight - some Helldorado Master and Blaster love from the Sarassin faction.



Aaron

[PaintMinion]

Base tomorrow and Bernard is done!...At least that was what I was planning on posting until my friend Steve comes up with a beautiful addition last noght and now I've got some more sculpting to do. I'm really thinking that this particular piece I will also not sell off. I don;t care how much the bills pile up. I cannot bring myself to part from my Trusty Steed!

How's it going Noel?

[Skya]

Base tomorrow and Bernard is done!...At least that was what I was planning on posting until my friend Steve comes up with a beautiful addition last noght and now I've got some more sculpting to do. I'm really thinking that this particular piece I will also not sell off. I don;t care how much the bills pile up. I cannot bring myself to part from my Trusty Steed!

How's it going Noel?


Got a *lot* done yesterday. The whole piece is now together, all my sculpting is done and there's a minimum of a base coat, a highlight and a shadow on the whole thing. It's really starting to come together. Which is a good thing as I was miserably sick today. Should be fine by tomorrow though, I think it was just a nasty bout of food poisoning.

[Sculpta the squig]

My piece is going quite well, I have finished his face plus his pimp-hat of doom (you'll see when I upload) with the minor exception of som black tips for the feathers. I'm going to try to finish the armour on him and the horse today. But those "cut sleeves" I sculpted on him (looks very realistic) are a right b**ch to paint:(

Squig

[demonherald]

well I've undercoated the base and I'm in the final stages of the model conversion and sculptwork...should have that finished and primed by the morning then hit the brushes with mucho Gusto.....

[Brushmistress]

The painting is a slow go on this one (and I didn't even bother with any scuplting/conversion this time)... I finally managed to get the old primer off the model and base coated for the second time. I'm hoping to have time to finish, but like Skya, I've been sick for two days and not really able to get anything cranked out.
It's good to hear that everyone's models are coming along though. I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with this go around.

[PaintMinion]

I'm stuck on the base. I want to show a cliff, a drop into doom, and unsure how to do it so I've been ignoring it for a couple days and working on family stuff. As tomorrow is paint nite, I've got to have it ready to paint tomorrow! So it's a late night for me...

[demonherald]

Try a high sided base like a deep lid coffejar or something.. Build the cliff into this and put a part floor in...that way it drops to total darkness....That's pretty poorly explained but it is 4.10 a.m here I will try and explain clearer tomorrow...It's about tricking the eye......the top of the base level is what is perceived to be the dimensions and the ground level as such.. dropping below this throws a different perspective on it... I was gonna do a similar setting and still have sort of but took a slightly more subtle approach as it took too uch attention away for my "Rider" and "mount"........

[Morf]

I'm not sure if I make it. I am stuck with so much work I had no chance to touch the brush. Usual thing for me before the holidays.

[Sculpta the squig]

F%$# I started painting the generals horse, but it's really hard to paint because the tail is molded in place and I was trying to paint the horse white:( Anyway, I think I will repaint the horse a brown colour :|

Squig

[Brushmistress]

I'm not sure if I make it. I am stuck with so much work I had no chance to touch the brush. Usual thing for me before the holidays.

It's looking the same for me Morf. I've had three days in a row being sick, and work is beginning to pile up. :banghead:I'll keep trying, but the model I'm painting isn't really one I want to rush.

[demonherald]

hee hee I'm exactly the same I'm loving my idea model so much I don't want to rush it..Only prob is I have to.. I have got as far as undercoating and that's it....got a bit of cranking to do....

[Ritual]

You can always go back and fix things you're not happy with after the contest. I did a few things on one of my entries for Ravage Mix Open when I got home.

[Sculpta the squig]

I think I might have to DNF :( For various reasons inc. (but not limited by) Bloody horse sculpt, very limited painting time over the weekend, not much done/finished :(

Squig

[demonherald]

You can always go back and fix things you're not happy with after the contest. I did a few things on one of my entries for Ravage Mix Open when I got home.

That's the plan there are a few elements I was thinking of adding that may well still make it..but the main protagonists tell the story I want so gonna make sure they are done and if the need arises will go back and add the extra bits....gone a bit square eyed tonight sculpting damn Talons on Nicodemus's Vulture...man that was fiddly...spray undercoated without testing the new spray ..didn't give it a thought until I was at the shop and thought S$%t what if it's gone fuzzy???dashed back with a heavy thumping in my chest but luckily it was fine...Phew...

Hey squig I'm sure you can pull something out of the hat you've managed something every round young man...you have a responsibility to finish....

Sounds like the think I cans are dropping like flies good job at least 2 of us have Iron otherwise this would be an uneventful round....
strangely even though I am technically miles from the finish line I am strangely calm..??? tomorrow may well be a totally different story....

[R kid]

No dude all's fine just get the brush in over drive en dont f#'k up pal .

[Skya]

Done and dull coated. Which is great because it means I can take my time tomorrow taking pictures. :) Hows it going on your side of the world DH?

Oh and trust me, Paintminion will have a kick ass I Think I Can entry. So not to worry, it's not just the two of us working our butts off.

[demonherald]

Will update in a few hours about to apply the first bit of paint.....

[Ritual]

Crunch time is approaching! :D I look forward to seeing the results soon!

[Wren]

It's interesting how much more slowly the time seems to pass now that I'm over here on the sidelines. Eagerly looking forward to seeing the entries (and Think I Cans) on this!

[supervike]

Egads, is the deadline tomorrow already?

[Skya]

Will update in a few hours about to apply the first bit of paint.....

Wow, that's cutting it close.

[demonherald]

even closer... I got the face done a basecoat of the other parts..the base basecoated..Then had to stop..power cut for 3 hours..a bit pissed off at that ...but hey it's what the comp is about... gonna have something to eat now and then crack on...
The calm of yeaterday has done a runner but it won't stop me...

[WolfDreamerNZ]

Go team go!! As an Iron wimp myself, I applaude all those still rockin on!

[YoungWolf7]

Egads, is the deadline tomorrow already?

Yes, and I just finally got to prime my piece(s) last night. Nothing like living up to my sig line...

[demonherald]

well 3a.m base 95% done........
mount face painted.......rider skin basecoated........drinks with Aussie relatives leaving tomorrow drunk...me knackered....back on it tomorrow..goodnight folks...

[PaintMinion]

Remember you folks in the "I Think I Can" category have to prove yourselves too! DNF now and you hand me the title of "I Think I Can" Queen! Or maybe that was the Princess of Delusion? Prime Minister of Pummeled? First Lady of Losers? ...

I still have some work on the base, but as Noel mentioned, Bernard is done and on the base now, looking very very cute and weird.

Noel's piece rocks. Can't believe all the sculpting fu she put on it and it lookis gorgeous. At least it did at 3am this morning...

[YoungWolf7]

I'll have to grant you the title Sue. I've completely hit the wall on my piece. It just isn't what I feel like painting right now. I'll take the DNF in the final round.

[Morf]

I'll let you be the Queen of Losers as well. Have fun and wear the crown with pride ;)

[Sculpta the squig]

Gah! I want to finish my entry, but I doubt I will be able to. Oh well, I suppose I'll push on.

Squig

[demonherald]

well posting now....don't wanna get any closer the wire than this again.. I'm feeling it today...now I've got a few commission pieces to finish tonight then sleep...
whatever happens the comp has been a blast .........good luck Noel.

[demonherald]

errr ok There isn't a final slot in the upload section???????? will hang fire for an answer or will upload in round 5 section.....

[Ritual]

I suggest you upload it in your member gallery and then post a link to it here. It can be put in the right spot when someone fixes the problem.

[Frustrated Father]

I'm fixing it now.

[Sculpta the squig]

Sorry guys, Ima have to DNF this time. I have just been too ill lately to paint very much and the confirmation course (civil confirmation) that was this weekend just completely drained me:( Good luck to everyone else though;)

Squig

[WolfDreamerNZ]

To everyone who is feeling the crunch - either from being unwell or just from life - sorry guys. Hope everyone is feeling well and more energized soon...

I can't wait to see the steeds that do make it!

[demonherald]

booo....no worries Squig you've had a rough time of it.....you still managed to enter moe than most....

eeeee.bye eck it's exciting isn't it.............................it is amazing how much relief I feel at this moment now it's done...

[supervike]

Are you still having trouble with the gallery?

I just entered a 'test' pic, and all worked fine!

Sorry! Hopefully Nathan found my error...I set it up yesterday, and figured it was all good.

Regardless...if either of you have had trouble, just let me know, with only two of you, the deadline isn't quite as set in stone.

[Ritual]

I can't see that section in the drop down list for where to upload a new image.

[Skya]

Done! Posting now. :)

[dragonbane]

errr ok There isn't a final slot in the upload section???????? will hang fire for an answer or will upload in round 5 section.....

Confused... I don't see it in the current round (Skya is up), the previous round, or in your member gallery - did you upload it anywhere DH?

*EDIT* Nevermind, it just showed up! *laughs* Cute idea! I won't say whose piece I like better, I'm quite biased of course. :)

[demonherald]

it's up now....was just finishing off a black templar marshall..........

[Hinton]

Somehow I just knew that neither one of you would go with somebody mounted on a horse. Nice work on both and good luck to both of you.

[Skya]

This round actually created the most ooooo that'd be cool random ideas in my head that I will hopefully end up having time to get to paint at some point in the not too distant future. Even my husband, whose ideas are often way off the deep end came up with a couple great ones I'd have loved to do, but finding the miniatures for them proved too difficult in the time frame. So eventually I'll get to the kid and his little red wagon, a little girl finding a rocking horse in the attic and the fairy knight on a dragonfly skimming across a pond through the reeds.

[demonherald]

Hee hee...I agree....I had a similar idea to yours at one point and then thought about seahorse . That would have been cool if we both did underwater things.but the delivery time for reaper here is poor and the bits I saw were from them.....also had the idea of doing the dark slave Jack sparrow mini with Sea Turtles...2 of em strapped to his feet but he only arrived on Friday..... The zebra on the dolphins from madagascar ,, an ogre riding a tiny pig and a nymph on a bumblebee....If you decide your doing the dragonfly let me know and I'll have a crack at the bumblebee and we can have our own..Insect theme...

[Morf]

Ha, for some reason I liked both of your previous entries much more. Technically these are great. So a draw. DH tells more story, more in the theme IMO. Skya's has excellent composition.
I'll bet on DH (he smacked me last round so that is obvious!)

[Skya]

I will be doing the dragonfly, he's on the top of the Oh Man I Want to Paint that list. I even tracked down the rider. Gonna convert a Demonworld knight. Unfortunately the dragonfly I picked up ended up not being nearly as well sculpted as I thought, (one of the downsides of using toys) and I need to either track down another one or give a go at sculpting one myself. I'm thinking that the anatomy might be straightforward enough for me to give it a shot. We'll see.

[demonherald]

cheers Morf...I prefer Skya's but I've said hat of all my opponents...definitely went much more story this round after comments on my last one..I'm looking at the piece now and realising the pics have come out a tad weird....

Noel...the anatomy should be fairly easy there are some really nice wings out there..I think the best I saw were Natural Cicada wings on ebay some time..had that real delicate look....should try and work it out for fun to somehow do a combined model ..you te dragonfly and rider and me the bumblebee that go together on a diorama type and auction for charity...could be funky...

[skrivanek]

Great job on the final entries, DH and Skya!

This has been a very fun (and motivational!) competition.

Thanks to Supervike for organizing, FF for hosting and the judges for their time.



Aaron

[PaintMinion]

Congrats to both of you, Skya and DH! You both did yourselves proud. Happy to have seen your Iron! I pick Noel's for technical (her paintjob is phenomenal in person!), but theme? Love them both! Hey Noel...the manta needs a rider, maybe one of those parasitic fish? ;-)

[supervike]

Again, I am flabbergasted at the incredible quality, innovativeness and just plain fun that is added to each pic.

Judges have a tough task, but thats why they make the big bucks!

[Ritual]

Don't worry, Jim. This time with only two contestants it's easy. I think I have a coin somewhere... ;)

[r2-j1]

Wow, just wow! This final is just plain ridiculous. They're both amazingly creative, both perfectly executed. I couldn't pick a winner. DH's piece is just plain hilarious and so ambitious, and Skya's piece is so well balanced in both composition and color.

I don't know what the perception is of this contest is in the larger world, or how much it is isolated to this web community. But IMO this contests is now the toughest and most prestigious online mini painting contest out there. The results don't lie.

[Hinton]

I don't know what the perception is of this contest is in the larger world, or how much it is isolated to this web community. But IMO this contests is now the toughest and most prestigious online mini painting contest out there. The results don't lie.

Considering that the number of participants seems to keep going up, word is definitely spreading about it and the response seems to be pretty good.

Just my opinion, but the IP is probably one of the greatest challenges out there right now for mini painters and winning it is one of the highest honors. Who knows, maybe there will be a day where someone will say, "So you won a Slayer Sword, huh? Be deal. Try winning Wyrd's Iron Painter."

[YoungWolf7]

I feel bad for not finishing in the final round... almost. My sanity was on the line. A steep price to pay for the right to say I went 6 rounds.

[Wren]

Impressive and imaginative work from the final two and the Think I Cans! I find myself as torn as most commenters in choosing between the finalists - dh's is hilarious and has a great cartoony look that goes with the joke, Skya's has a wonderful mood and some gorgeous painting. I hope both of them are enjoying that 'thank god it's over!' feeling I remember from the end of IP2. :->

I also have to agree that regardless of whatever impression the mini world at large might have, the IP is one of the top challenges going. It's a marathon under intense scrutiny where imagination and creativity are tested as much as brush skills.

[EricJ]

Speaking of which, we really need to get a trophy made for the winners :)

Any sculptors out there willing to donate the effort? (this is an unofficial request of course, but if you volunteer to sculpt it, I'll volunteer to cast it, and then we'll have something to give the winners! that they can put on their shelves!)

[Ritual]

Something that struck me, that I haven't thought of earlier, is that the more popular this competition gets the harder it will become as the number of rounds will increase. This might even become a problem. Ah, we'll see what the starting field for next season will look like...

[r2-j1]

Something that struck me, that I haven't thought of earlier, is that the more popular this competition gets the harder it will become as the number of rounds will increase. This might even become a problem. Ah, we'll see what the starting field for next season will look like...


Well one thing about this system is that basically you have to double the participation to add a single round, so I don't see it getting more then maybe one round longer then this one. It would be nice to weed out the people who aren't as serious about it before we start though (ie the 1st round DNFs).

[demonherald]

I gotta say to get this far has been more work than any GD efforts I have made....For example I'm starting construction of this years UK entries now and that gives plenty of time to do the more technical side required for that comp..but the sheer thought process of this comp is a challenge that no others offer... I know next season I will make sure I have a clearer window to work in .. The quality throughout has been impressive though and a real fun shindig to be part of...
This round was touch and go wether I would get anything done an extra round would have killed me.(The round 5 over xmas followed by this one were tough).I am just glad now that it is at the end.At the same time I'm gonna miss the challenge it added to the normal day t day painting.

[Skya]

I'm looking at the piece now and realising the pics have come out a tad weird....


Pics always come out a tad weird, the nature of the beast.


Noel...the anatomy should be fairly easy there are some really nice wings out there..I think the best I saw were Natural Cicada wings on ebay some time..had that real delicate look....should try and work it out for fun to somehow do a combined model ..you te dragonfly and rider and me the bumblebee that go together on a diorama type and auction for charity...could be funky...


Cicada wings huh? That sounds like a cool idea. We'll definitely have to set something interesting up. I'll send you a PM when I'm getting ready to start it.


Something that struck me, that I haven't thought of earlier, is that the more popular this competition gets the harder it will become as the number of rounds will increase. This might even become a problem. Ah, we'll see what the starting field for next season will look like...


I gotta agree, we've been doing this season for four months now. I cant imagine doing 7 rounds, as it was this season felt like it went one round too long. However, it occurred to me that it might work to set up a round where people are being paired off in threes instead of twos. Depends on how many people are in what rounds, but still.


It would be nice to weed out the people who aren't as serious about it before we start though (ie the 1st round DNFs).


Unfortunately, I dont think there's a practical way to do that, and honestly it's probably not worth the effort anyways. It's just the nature of how a competition like this works.

[Hinton]

Well one thing about this system is that basically you have to double the participation to add a single round, so I don't see it getting more then maybe one round longer then this one. It would be nice to weed out the people who aren't as serious about it before we start though (ie the 1st round DNFs).

For some of them, it seems that life just interferes with the time needed to complete an entry; happens to all of us at one point I suppose. I imagine that others just forget.

It would be possible to keep it somewhat restricted by allowing only a certain number of entrants on a first-come, first-served basis. If others wanted to compete but didn't sign up by the deadline, they could always be a First Round Wyrd Card to cover those that DNF. They could be randomly paired up against someone whose opponent DNF'd. It could help cut down on the amount of people advancing due to their opponent's DNF'ing.

Using that system, if both opponents DNF, then two people could be randomly paired up (if there were enough Wyrd Cards) to take their place and one of them would advance.

Just tossing out some ideas.

[YoungWolf7]

Just add a cap of 64 entries to limit the total number of rounds. If we added another round it would kill the judges from the start. As it is it would be awful if you actually had all 64 entries to judge in round 1...

[supervike]

I think 6 rounds is as about as big as I'd like to see it get. That is a very grueling paint schedule, and is hard to expect folks to keep up with it.

Limiting the contest to 64 entries should do that. We had 61 folks at the beginning of this current one. I think by limiting it to first come first serve works for me too...Plus it adds to the 'peer pressure' of the DNFers. (if you ended up taking someones spot and then can't even finish round one, folks might let you hear about it).

I hate to limit the thing, but there is a point where it becomes non practical.

I'm not sure if I like the three-way battles either, especially for the early rounds...it's doable fo me in later rounds, but early on, i like the idea of just a mediocre painter having a shot to advance.

Anyhow, I'm completely open to suggestions or listening to the way things oughta be done.

It's extremely important to me to keep the 'community builder' aspect of the contest. If it ever got filled with nothing but fantastic painters and became ultra competitive, I'm sure I'd lose interest.

[Ritual]

What was it we had this season? 44 in round 1? Well, THAT was pretty awful... took ages to go through it all and ponder each entry and decide some sort of average standard.

[LavronYor]

Jim, what do you mean, "if it ever got filled up with nothing but fantastic painters. It has always been filled with fantastic painters, maybe not professionals, but always fantastic. Besides, the two weak time limit ( pun intended ) evens things out a fair bit.

and BTW, when does the next one start?


Iron


Iron


:-)

[Ritual]

I need a bit of a break after this. So, not too soon, if I may have a saying.

[demonherald]

seconded although it is tricky but avoiding xmas wouldn't hurt....but then I could list a whole host of clashes like everyone else no doubt....

[dragonbane]

Hmm. My first thought was open entry no pairs first round, and only the top 16 advance... but that is neither easy on the judges, nor supportive of the Community Building that Supervike mentioned. The Wyrd Card to cover DNFs is also an interesting thought, but how do you determine it? First posted, I suppose, would be a good benchmark, it will add even more tension to the Think I Cans since they want to be good enough to compete vs anyone while still being the first contestant posted...

[stubbdog]

Well, my unfortunate timing of being ill and out of town and all that stuff looks more like a blessing now in hindsight. Tis been a bugger to find much time for anything lately, much less simply logging on here to look and comment.

Beautiful stuff by all the competitors since my DNF.

Congrats to DH and Skya for making the final pairing.

I have not picked up a paintbrush since my DNF, havent had time to. Work has had me very bogged down.

But, it was an awesome experience and I wanted to thank everyone for letting me participate.

[Morf]

I gotta agree, we've been doing this season for four months now. I cant imagine doing 7 rounds, as it was this season felt like it went one round too long. However, it occurred to me that it might work to set up a round where people are being paired off in threes instead of twos. Depends on how many people are in what rounds, but still.



I gotta agree. It's been a tremendous ammount of hard work, I loved it but felt a little relieved to get fired by DH.
My proposition to make it the way sports solve the problem.
Make a pre-season with no pairings, let 32 or 16 best go through and let's start the eliminations.

Off course that cuts out a little fun but adds just another dimension. And then again people will do a great job in the first round not counting on random DNF or weak pairing.

[PaintMinion]

I think the first round as 3's instead of pairs works well. Cut's things down nicely, but still gives people a chance. I mean, We've been doing this for so long, I can't imagine not having a new theme to work on this weekend. And thank god because I have so much piled up to do instead!

[demonherald]

The biggest limiting factor really is the judges I mean I really wouldn't have waned to go through the 46 or so entries first round let alone add another 20+ a capped limit of spaces with a subs bench of reserves ready to stand in would be better than allowing tons more . DNF's in the first round are a pain but they are a reality and they add to the comp in that anyone has a chance of progressing..

The ones who aren't successful or don't get to sign up in time can be encouraged to take part in the other comps..or be called upon by others in the comp to take their place...

the amount of work I have had to do over the period as well as now catch up with what has fallen behind means that entering again may well be a non option for me...an extra round would definitely be out...but then it has been great fun....

[Ritual]

Well, that's it for me! My final votes are in! This was probably the hardest round, despite it only being two entries. I had to think long and hard, and I had to re-think and re-try my decisions before feeling confident that I did the right ones. I'll be really sad that one of you have to "lose" as I really love both entries and I have such great respect for the work you have done throughout this competition. I think both of you can consider yourelves winners, regardless of who actually wins.

[Skya]

*fidgets impatiently while waiting*

[demonherald]

chill Skya you know you've won just be patient....As for feeling like winners I can hand on my heart say that since round 3 I think every model has been a winner and of a quality that's higher than just about any online comp I've seen.....It's been great,,,.

[supervike]

Sorry, no consession speeches aloud until after the competition is over!

I've gotten Anders' ballot (although, I will not look at it until I tally the scores...i like the surprise too!)

Just waiting on those damn Americans...

[Frustrated Father]

I'll get mine in right now, been a touch swamped.

[skrivanek]

I'm curious:

How many judges will admit to just flipping a coin? Cause I'm pretty sure that's what it comes down to.



Aaron

[Ritual]

No I actually judged! I looked a lot at the entries and I scrutinized them thoroughly and identified points that helped me make my decisions.

[skrivanek]

No I actually judged! I looked a lot at the entries and I scrutinized them thoroughly and identified points that helped me make my decisions.

...and THEN flipped a coin?


:)



Aaron

[EricJ]

I'm heading to lunch, but the first thing when I come back is doing my judging, been thinking on it for a while, and finally decided I think

[EricJ]

ok! that's it, my scores are in :)

[demonherald]

ooooooohhhhhhh..........now the tension kicks in.......

[Wren]

Arg, it's game night tonight and I won't be back at the computer until after midnight. Extra suspense for me!

[supervike]

Winner Announced See Proper Thread!