The Genre Challenge! [Archive]

supervike

07-03-2008, 11:19 AM

You know, as painters, so many of us end up getting pigeon holed by the type of miniatures we paint. I'm curious to know if the TYPE of mini we paint is what influences our style.

The Iron Painter contest will sometimes force painters out of thier comfort zones, but how about a self imposed challenge?

So, I'm throwing down the gauntlet, so to speak.

I just want to see how painters do with other genres. Maybe we'll find something that really clicks....who knows??

So, if you are traditionally a 'fantasy' painter, I'm challenging you to try something new...Sci-fi, pulp, goofy robot, WHATEVER. Always paint something dark and scary? Try cute and fluffy! Love Sci-fi? Paint a cowboy.

So, anyhow, just try and break your own mold and post the results up here. I think it maybe cool to see the results!!

Bexley

07-03-2008, 11:23 AM

Hmm. I don't really paint a genre. I used to be mainly just 40K, but I'm all over the place now.

Wait- I take that back. I have previously admitted to a "genre"- cheesecake. I hardly ever paint guys anymore, unless it's specifically for a game like my Blood Bowl team, or for work. For your challenge, I will paint a dude.

Actually, I will one-up that, and paint a 54mm historical dude. On a horse. That would be breaking my traditions pretty thoroughly.

Still no filigree, though. Some rules need to be heeded.

Bexley

07-03-2008, 11:24 AM

Er... but it'll have to wait until after IP5.

supervike

07-03-2008, 11:27 AM

That's the spirit Bex!!

Everyone is going to have to find out what 'breaking the mold' means to them.

demonherald

07-03-2008, 01:14 PM

I have to admit to being a bit stumped on mouldbreaking ..hmmm maybe cute and fluffy .............. will have a look see what I've got....will have to wait until my 3ft Wyrd list and my GD entries are done but will bear this in mind... maybe see if we can set up an anonymous comp style gallery and let folks guess who's is who's/??

Hinton

07-03-2008, 01:26 PM

I guess I would fall into a macabre-undead-fantasy genre; definitely not "cute and fluffy" types. It could be an intersesting experience trying to paint something like that.

So, maybe something modern that's cute and fluffy. Anyone know of anything like that?

Frustrated Father

07-03-2008, 01:37 PM

....will have to wait until my 3ft Wyrd list and my GD entries are done but will bear this in mind...

Whoops, just added another half foot to that pile ...

PaintMinion

07-03-2008, 02:09 PM

Hmmmmm... I think I'm pretty much all over the place. Something new? Ah...I have this large scale female pirate bust I bought last October to paint for a show this October...but have not yet started it. Still, is it breaking the mold? I've done dark, I've done light, I've done funny and serious, I've done good guys and bad guys. Seriously, other than the bust being something different for me, I'm not sure I have any ruts trailing behind me on the painting road...

350kilotons

07-03-2008, 02:10 PM

I usually paint fantasy (I find it easier than all the powered armour - blehh) so I guess it would be sci-fi or historical for me. Or non-GW. Hmm. And for the real break from the comfort zone, I should try those techniques that all the cool kids use (OSL, NMM and the like) and hopefully do a decent job.

Cool. A non-GW mini with all that transparency layering/OSL/NMM/scenic base tosh that's utter rubbish because I can't do it. Maybe a Wyrd mini. And a better photographer, too. Just no Baneblades, please.

I'm in, if you'll have me.

Morf

07-03-2008, 02:12 PM

I would never consider myself a genre painter but recently I am tempted to buy myself the set of airplane models with Richthoffen brothers and their Fokkers. The set contains resin brothers, two planes and their ... dog!

Moavoamoatu

07-03-2008, 02:16 PM

I apint all kind of miniatures from 25 to 45mm of any genre : sci-fi, Fantasy, modern, I don't care...I just hate painting large miniatures such as ogres or 54mm miniatures. So if you ever ask me to paint a specific genre it won't be a problem.

Darklord

07-03-2008, 02:24 PM

i know people probably think i only paint greenskins but i try my hand at anything but usually end up doing fantasy stuff mainly. i did get a wyrd mini from waghorn and never painted one (dont say it aloud!!) so i might try that, does that count?

Bexley

07-03-2008, 02:43 PM

Well, I don't think it necessarily has to be something you've never done before, as much as something you don't do very often, or is different from what you've been doing lately. I've only done historical stuff a handful of times.

Also, a lot of people get into... well not a rut, but... a kick, maybe- where you paint a certain type or company for a while. I've painted a lot of Rackham in the last few months, because I placed a monster order a while ago and have a lot of it around. Prior to that, it was GW Skaven for Blood Bowl. Prior to that, it was 54mm sci-fi. This is a chance to do something a little different fromthe current kick you're on. Not necessarily new, just a bit different.

supervike

07-03-2008, 02:53 PM

Yeah, anything that breaks you out of the norm.....I think it may be a very cool exercise in painting. Does your 'style' change when the subject matter does? Should it?

Bexley

07-03-2008, 03:00 PM

I hadn't even considered painting style. I've never done monochrome, and nmm only once- mostly just to say that I'd done it, as I don't much care for the look.

Actually- the historical model I was thinking of is a WWII german on horseback that I have... that might look really neat painted in black-and-white or a sepia tone. Especially if I did a mini-dioarama, all in a sepia tone. That'd be breaking quite a few norms. There was an article I read a bit ago, about a guy who did all his pulp gaming scenery, vehicles, and figures in black-and-white, and it was one of the coolest things (and ideas) I'd seen in miniatures ever.

waghorn41

07-03-2008, 04:37 PM

I tend to paint anything I like, especially if it's a female figure.
I've got a pile of GW Inquistor 54mm stuff sitting in a bx so doing one of those would be a real challenge - or maybe Candy from Wyrd.

Skya

07-03-2008, 04:59 PM

I dunno, I think IP4 did a fairly solid job of kicking me out of my standard comfort zones. I do tend mainly towards fantasy, but I've done a lot of medieval historical, a little sci-fi and even some western. Heck I even did comic book characters. I dunno that my style changes dramatically from genre to genre though. It's more that the mood and the overall effect I'm trying to get across changes. So it's more that the textrures and the lighting change based on what I want the overall effect to be.

demonherald

07-03-2008, 11:06 PM

I'll stick a little something in your almost complete winners package drawn from the far corners of Europe that I would like to see you do Noel.. Game?????

Skya

07-04-2008, 01:59 AM

Done! :)

Landreth

07-04-2008, 06:09 AM

Two years ago on our russian forum about minis i'm offered an "mini duels". Two painters decides theme of their cimpetition, like "bloody carnage", "beauty of the East" etc. Their have 1-2 weeks to paint their minis and then make a poll when people decides who is better. This duels breaking not only genre borders, but even style priorities. It's important, that not only quality of painting ruling the duel, you must to make an atmospheric mini. Now, i'm fighting with my friend, we choose "eternal fury" theme. I'm painting an Aberation clone, he - something from devourers.
As for me, i like all genres, but every manufacturer has unique style of thir minis. And this is allow me to vary my style of painting. In the future i'll try to get some minis from Wyrd (really outstanding style!) and Darksword(to try a very different painting style). I think, every mini should be an experiment, something new and different in painting, i's improving painting skill and imagination.

Jabberwocky

07-04-2008, 11:56 AM

Hmm...I have done a pretty broad range. Fantasy to sci-fi, big stompy robots to pink unicorns. I guess the only category would be "real life"--I get to looking for some historicals or perhaps some pulp stuff.

Wren

07-04-2008, 06:57 PM

I think I'm one of those painters that definitely does have a comfort zone of subject, which is not so much genre as a character/style type - smooth, probably female and clean. But I do like to mix it up now and then, and IP is a big spur in that it makes me mix it up whether I want to or not. :->

I suppose the most opposite thing I could do would be something nurgle-like and slime covered, but I'm not sure I'd enjoy the exercise at all. A space marine would be a bit of a departure for me too, and that's an idea I'd consider more seriously some time after Gen Con.

demonherald

07-04-2008, 07:54 PM

hey you painted a nurgle effect in the last IP :p:
would definitely be interesting to see some of you guys take on some of the darjker GW stuff.. If ya want any models sending let me know..

ThunderhawkerMinis

07-04-2008, 09:37 PM

Hrm... I don't know. I paint a little of everything. I paint 40K for me, Fantasy because its my first love, modern ( I play flames of war). I don't know. I did order a 54mm mini recently, so maybe that will be my breakout.

Brushmistress

07-05-2008, 06:42 AM

My genre breakout is definitely 40K or just sci-fi in general. I painted a Commissar for Games Day, but that was my first 40K piece in over a year. The funny thing about the genre challenge coming up right now is that I'm trying my hand at a Space Marine, which is way out of my preferred fantasy chick zone. I'll be sure to post pics as soon as he's done.

Wren

07-05-2008, 09:55 AM

hey you painted a nurgle effect in the last IP :p:

I guess that's true, though I'm not sure I should get credit for unintentional effects. ;->

[/quote]would definitely be interesting to see some of you guys take on some of the darjker GW stuff.. If ya want any models sending let me know..[/quote]

Maybe in September I'll ask you for a short list of ideas of the best darker stuff and what clicks and if I can find it locally.

@Thunderhawker - size is an interesting point as well. I've bought a few larger than gaming scale minis, but never quite manage to get them on the painting table. Also I have a small set of historical flats as I thought that would be an interesting challenge some time. Though many of those are still pretty girls in fancy dresses, not exactly raging out of my comfort zone. ;->

demonherald

07-05-2008, 10:46 AM

well no worries .. any of you guys wanting to try some of the GW stuff , chaos Nids, orks, inquisition etc let me know and I'll send you a couple of pieces . Being an ex GW manager I have an overabundance of the stuff.

maybe we could even set up a mini exchange type deal to push out of comfort zones..

I have been experimenting a lately now I'm painting again and a few of the pieces I had sent from last times IP are certainly genre breaking for me . I too have a few larger scale things to play with including the full set of David Lobos excellent gnome type sculpts..

These are just great.
http://www.creacionestaburi.com/

also decided to really challenge myself and step into a new realm for me at GD tis year with a LOTR single mini.. I feel naked.

350kilotons

07-05-2008, 11:42 AM

If people are wanting to do the 'darker' side of GW I have a partially prepared Skulltaker (got rid of most mould lines only, no undercoat/pinning) that I might be willing to offer if peeps want to do an exchange type of thing (excuse me while I look up mini exchange on CMON to see what it actually is).

[edit] Sounds pretty cool actually.

Skya

07-05-2008, 01:30 PM

maybe we could even set up a mini exchange type deal to push out of comfort zones..

I assume you mean an unpainted mini exchange, (not the typical paint a mini and send it to someone drawn drawn randomly from the pool of participants) so people can get ahold of minis they wouldnt normally think about or necessarily have access to. I think that's a great idea. I'm gonna go start a post for it.

demonherald

07-05-2008, 01:37 PM

I assume you mean an unpainted mini exchange, (not the typical paint a mini and send it to someone drawn drawn randomly from the pool of participants) so people can get ahold of minis they wouldnt normally think about or necessarily have access to. I think that's a great idea. I'm gonna go start a post for it.

That'the one.. doe it on CMON a few times and got some strange and different models from it...

Brushmistress

07-07-2008, 12:58 PM

Ok- here's my very first UltraMarine. 40K is very outside of the box for me, and I'd certainly never considered doing an UltraMarine, but this challenge and the mini from Games Day got me moving. Let me know what you think!

http://brushmistress.com/gallery/spacemarine.jpg

demonherald

07-07-2008, 01:05 PM

Brushmistress

07-07-2008, 01:06 PM

What???

Frustrated Father

07-07-2008, 01:28 PM

I see him, very nice. Should have kept him for the TT. :D

Brushmistress

07-07-2008, 01:31 PM

I see him, very nice. Should have kept him for the TT. :D

I would have liked to, but I only paint minis for a "living", so he's got to go this week. :embarasse

Moavoamoatu

07-07-2008, 02:36 PM

Ok Brusmistress I leave you my place for IP final : that's GW studio standard, wonderful.

How long did it take to paint it ?

I have a few hundreds GW miniature to paint can I send them to you ? ;)

Moavoamoatu

07-07-2008, 02:38 PM

I would have liked to, but I only paint minis for a "living", so he's got to go this week. :embarasse

Is it your job, do you live thanks to miniatures painting ?

350kilotons

07-07-2008, 02:56 PM

Excellent work, Brushmistress. The only thing is the long service stud on his forehead looks a bit 'warty'. That takes it down to just a 9.4 from me, I'm afraid. The paintscheme is really well done, very battle-scarred and nice aged NMM. It's just a shame it's such a generic commemorative mini really.

demonherald

07-07-2008, 04:52 PM

What???

There's nothing showing up for me?? I may be going mad... but I see nothing...??

Bexley

07-07-2008, 04:54 PM

Must be you, DH. Not only does the image show up in her post, it also shows up in your post where you've quoted her.

Bexley

07-07-2008, 04:57 PM

The only thing is the long service stud on his forehead looks a bit 'warty'.

I'd suspect that was on purpose- if you don't paint 40K much (and therefore likely aren't too familiar with the fluff) those long service studs would look a lot like warts on the model.

350kilotons

07-07-2008, 05:20 PM

Yeah, but as I'm both an arsehole and jealous of her great talent, I had to find fault with something. It's all I have to warm the cold embers of my shrivelled heart.

demonherald

07-07-2008, 05:53 PM

Must be you, DH. Not only does the image show up in her post, it also shows up in your post where you've quoted her.

Any thoughts on what It could be guys .. no pic showing up on my screen at all?????

goblyn13

07-07-2008, 06:15 PM

Any thoughts on what It could be guys .. no pic showing up on my screen at all?????

She's hosting the image on her own site, so try to see if you can get to http://brushmistress.com

If you can than i think it must be you.

demonherald

07-07-2008, 06:36 PM

hmmm not opening .. might be cookie clean up time?? cheers Goblyn..

Brushmistress

07-08-2008, 05:17 AM

That's really wierd Demonherald! I'm sorry you can't see him.
On the "service stud", the only reason I left that little nob on there is because it's on the GW promo picture for the mini. It didn't seem flappy enough to be either flash or leftover injection spots, so I just left the darned thing. :o: Thanks for the comments already guys - I think I've only painted 5 or 6 40K pieces to "showcase" quality since 2000, and to say I'm unfamiliar with the model's assembly/cleaning is an understatement!

Darklord

07-08-2008, 11:26 AM

Any thoughts on what It could be guys .. no pic showing up on my screen at all?????

1. your going blind
2. your going mad
3. this is all a dream

or something technical?

that paint job is so much better than the gw btw brushmistress

R kid

07-08-2008, 03:56 PM

Any thoughts on what It could be guys .. no pic showing up on my screen at all????? yeah iv got a thought best thing to do with it is to close it up open the door and volly it down the street.....ha.ha...very nice job brushmistress i like your nmm im just about to put the brush to mine but it seems a bit miss shaped around the neck and shoulders.....

demonherald

07-08-2008, 04:55 PM

well I've cleaned the bugger , done all the usual clean up's virus checks etc and the bugger still isn't coming up .. and I can't access jess's site....:(

goblyn13

07-08-2008, 05:37 PM

well I've cleaned the bugger , done all the usual clean up's virus checks etc and the bugger still isn't coming up .. and I can't access jess's site....:(

Just so you're not all left out in the cold:

http://goblyn.net/img/spacemarine-20080708-144047.jpg

posted to a space i have control of.

demonherald

07-08-2008, 05:53 PM

Thanks a ton goblyn....phew...

Great job Jess.. love the richness of the blue and gold.. I agree with what was said on the service stud just any old metallic colour will do generally with a little purpling around it.. think of it as a rivet ..kind of a mark of glory..

Definitely the best version of this sculpt I've seen so far and the first that's made me think it ain't actually that bad a sculpt...
nicely done...