What's the difference between an 8 and a 10? (and other thoughts)

[TrystanGST]

As I've returned to this hobby after a long absence, I've found that it has matured a lot since I left. There are so many new techniques and methods, so many paints and minis, so many chances for one to excel. And even a person like myself, who doesn't have any innate artistic skill, can produce amazing things with patience, practice, and some guidance.

But as I study more minis, I find that (to me) what separates the 8s from the 9s and 10s is not technique or skill, but a deeper understanding of things like color theory and some inner creativity. The ability to plan out a mini before ever picking up a brush. The knowledge of warm vs cold. The ability to lay out brilliant freehand and make subtle conversions and additions to enhance the mini.

So it seems to me that even if I practice until my brushes wear out, unless I can grasp these advanced concepts, I'll never reach those lofty heights. It's not impossible, it's just a facet I didn't consider before.

So how about you? What do you see that makes you vote a 9 or a 10?

 

[cassar]

I would agree with you, the technical mechanics of the paint appliction are a large part of "getting it right". Some people around here could paint a turd and make it look good.

 

[supervike]

I honestly have no business trying to rate miniatures.

I vote almost exclusively on the 'cool' factor. So, I may give a less technical model a 10, just cuz it wow's me.

 

[Chrome]

I judge up to 8 on what I find to be technical skill, 9 and 10 are reserved for "eights" that through composition or other factors makes me go wow.

 

[Dragonsreach]

What's the difference between an 8 and a 10??

Without being sarcastic twenty one points!
Starting at 8.0 up 10.0 ther fractional differences in ratings can be considered the variances in how minis are regarded.
Take as examples:
http://www.coolminiornot.com/282900
http://www.coolminiornot.com/281869
Both rated as an 8 in general voting.
Two totally different miniatures from this Year.

Now here:
http://www.coolminiornot.com/282265
http://www.coolminiornot.com/282770
Both rated 9's
and finally
Look at the Top 10 last 7 days.
Comparing the models against one another there are marked differences between the 8's and 10's and it's the minute attention to detail, colour nuances and selection of models that all add together to get a high scoring mini.

If you can go back and look at the 8's from previous years the difference is even more varied as painters have picked up more and more techniques and knowledge which improve the level of minipainting out of the "three highlights and its done" of the tabeltop and yesteryear.

 

[MightyChad]

I often wonder if there are painters out there that could win the Slayer Sword without converting the mini at all, or with fairly plain basing. I remember years ago a painter, maybe Jason Richards, set out to win just on painting ability and got Gold with a mounted Archaon, but it is rare now to see minis, that have not been heavily converted, in the top 3 in most categories. I guess the exception is LoTR, but any of the Warhammer/40k categories are full of conversion.

Now I could be wrong, but I think that too helps show what Trystan is saying.

 

[Einion]

To sort of follow on from something that's already been said it's probably best to think of this in terms of specifics rather than generalities since there are so many factors that combine to make for a given score, particularly since just the choice of subject can have such a profound effect (fanboy influence etc.) and that's really quite separate from any issues of quality of workmanship/vision.

Some 8s are that score on the strength of the paintwork, but some are really 7-ish paintjobs but on popular figures. Similarly a very impressive or exciting scratchbuild with okay but not totally awesome paint can score in the 9s, while really nice or complex paint on something fairly plain can score the same or pretty similar.

As far as the scores here go, one has to factor in the fanboy vote in a number of ways, since both the subject and the painter can have a dedicated fan-base (q.v. the disproportionate number of votes on some entries in a short period of time). Plus of course there is simple padding at work sometimes.

Because of this, I think you should start from the position of ignoring the CMON score and go with your own vote, then try to figure out what it is that separates one entry from another.

Einion

 

[waghorn41]

For me it's not the paint job here it's how cool the whole presentation is; mini, base, painting and presentation. There are some great paint jobs but they don't have the wow factor. But that's just me.

 

[freakinacage]

I often wonder if there are painters out there that could win the Slayer Sword without converting the mini at all,

i believe matt parkes used only stock models for his last uk slayer sword. fancy base though

 

[MightyChad]

True, but there was a lot of conversion work on the whole piece. It was still one of my favorite Sword Winners, too.

 

[BarstoolProphet]

Some people around here could paint a turd and make it look good.

Oh, stop.... you're going to make me blush...

 

[TheDrescher]

I often wonder if there are painters out there that could win the Slayer Sword without converting the mini at all, or with fairly plain basing.

Elly's Slayer sword in Chicago was a completely unconverted High Elf mini from WFB.
http://www.coolminiornot.com/220491

It's very possible but dependent upon who is judging the competition. Some may come in expecting conversion simply because many painters of that skill level have caught the "converting bug" and can't help but modify their minis somewhat. For my money, converting is a double edged sword. Great conversion can set your miniature apart, but shoddy conversion work can ruin the best of paint jobs.

 

[MightyChad]

Elly's Slayer sword in Chicago was a completely unconverted High Elf mini from WFB.
http://www.coolminiornot.com/220491

It's very possible but dependent upon who is judging the competition. Some may come in expecting conversion simply because many painters of that skill level have caught the "converting bug" and can't help but modify their minis somewhat. For my money, converting is a double edged sword. Great conversion can set your miniature apart, but shoddy conversion work can ruin the best of paint jobs.

I had always thought that was a converted min. But it is true that it will come down to the judges, and their personal style and taste makes a difference as well. As does the votine on CMoN. I guess all a painter can do is push themselves and hope that you are happy with the result, and if the judges/voters like it, then all the better.

 

[skeeve]

I often wonder if there are painters out there that could win the Slayer Sword without converting the mini at all, or with fairly plain basing. I remember years ago a painter, maybe Jason Richards, set out to win just on painting ability and got Gold with a mounted Archaon,

I had a gold (not slayer sword) with unconverted mini although it might constitute "years ago"

 

[Avelorn]

Some vanlilla UK winners. David Rodriguez won SS in 2007 with a what I believe is a mostly unconverted Carnifex. Joe (brokenblade) won open UK with an unconverted Marneus calgar 08, Seb Perbet with an unconverted Ghazhkull 06...

 

[MightyChad]

Well, I guess I was wrong. Maybe I am just used to seeing converted minis, and have a hard time telling which minis are stock. I can't keep up with the range! Ha!