Questions about the Sculptors

[Magno]

So I've noticed that some of the sculptors of this miniature range have previously done some work for PP.

What's interesting is to see their work between the two ranges, the similarities and the differences.

So I've got a couple of questions?
How does a sculptor go about making a miniature for a specific range or a concept? Does a company approach a sculptor and ask them do do the sculpt or are multiple sculptors submitting pieces and a company chooses? If the latter, how does a company advertise to multiple sculptors?

If its the former, do sculptors have to abide by certain criteria? For instance, most of these pieces here are thinner and more sleek than the PP line and so I wonder if the the sculptors who have done work for both companies were instructed to make the miniatures a little fatter, or to keep the miniatures rated PG.

How does a company go about choosing sculptors, because I would imagine they would want to maintain a level of coherency among their ranges (and sculptors definitely have their styles) and so choosing a sculptor(s) would be somewhat of a commitment, yeah?

If this is all privy information, no worries.

[demonherald]

I'm not a sculptor and in fact no real authority on this so grain of salt time.... but here's my thoughts...

I think most companies have multiple sculptors and indeed many sculptors sculpt for different companies.. while the individuals styles may be recognizable to a degree such as the way they do hair or feet or even general facial features..they still fit within the style of that company....

I guess multiple sculptors is a great idea buisness wise as it stops one particular sculptor being overloaded and keeps production steady.. also helps add variation and flavour to a range as well as stopping any sculptors real life probems bringing production to a halt...

with Wyrd there is a general framework and look as with all ranges mainly defined by a few key characters but also there are a wide range o differences within so it adds a nice depth to the whole range...

usually there are several parameters that determine the look... Size , scale , weapons, recurring icons or badges and I guess that is down to the concept artists to tie everything together then (so I would think the comimitment is more in that department than with the sculptor) I guess if a company has a group of sculptors they know who is good at girls, monsters or whatever and the appropriate sculptor is approached or held at gunpoint...

as for advertising I often see adverts for starting companies asking for sculptors on the web on various forums and in magazines etc... then as companies establish sculptors may well approach them or as Wyrd did recently in the chronicles e-zine download hold open and ongoing calls for sculptors to try their hand as such...

as I say these are just my thoughts and I may be completely blowing wind out of the lower hole but hey ho may help ya....

[Frustrated Father]

More or less what Rob said above.

Most of that I won't go into detail about as frankly its something I've had to work long and hard on, but in this industry in particular you have to make your start somewhere and that usually means inquiries to various individuals as well as information scrounging to more open manufacturers. There are several of us that are rather open about information overall but most of us don't share the house secrets in open forums. I will say either way that its a lot of time, work and money invested.

It's hit or miss at the start and sometimes you luck out and just get the right combination of people behind you that things flow well. There are plenty of defunct companies out there that started up and found it didn't go near as well.

Sometimes you find the sculptors, artists and painters, other times they find you. It's worked out like that with every facet for Wyrd, either with us contacting individuals with inquiries or knowing someone who knows someone who's sisters-brothers-uncles-cousin has an in with said someone.

:p:

To answer your questions more specifically about sizes and the like, it comes down to finding talented individuals that you think will work well in the standards that you have set. They are sent sample miniatures as reference for size and bulk and from there it is a simple task of seeing how and where things go.

Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't.

[caffeinated]

Sculptors are a bitter angry lot who would poison their enemies to get ahead.

Not me though. I'm nice.

Would you like some poi.. I mean... tea?

[goblyn13]

Would you like some poi.. I mean... tea?

who has tea at a luau? where's the beer.

[Frustrated Father]

Wait ... what was that I just drank ..?

*thud*