my first contest mini!

[funnymouth]

i am pleased to post my first contest mini.
i painted up this jabberwock for the ironwind metals comp over at wamp. i've been wanting to improve my skills (as viewed objectively) and increase my painting output.
this mini took about a week to finish, painting intermittently (a few hours every other day), which is quite incredible for me.
i have a mixed opinion of the final product, and it does feel a bit hurried to me with some rough spots here and there. im not sure i like the color palate i chose, but i wanted the jabberwock to look as bizarre as i imagine it. the result is somewhat mismatched but somehow effective.
i think the eyes photographed remarkably well, and its an area/technique id like to continue working on.

jabberwock

id really appreciate some feedback as im hoping to do more contests in the future, and i could use the help.
also im in dire need of advice on how to speed up my painting process. it would help with these short contests, and to improve my overall output.
sooooo.... what do you think?

 

[PegaZus]

Beautiful work on the eyes! Not sure what I could offer up for speed painting. Seems to take months for me...

Oh, and the link is hosed. Here's the right one: http://coolminiornot.com/258274

EDIT: ARGG!!!! Edit if you can! "Another mini" strikes again!

 

[funnymouth]

nooooo! ill fix that asap.
thanks for the link and feedback!

fixed the link too, dont know how i nerfed all that. too excited i guess.

 

[gsr15]

Awesome paint job, the eyes are truly amazing. I will say that they didn't strike me as very 'evil monstery' though...in fact the first thing I thought when I looked at the model was that I could totally see him reaching up like that and just grabbing a tin of sugar and saying something to the effect of 'would you fancy a spot of tea?' (The fact that I thought that should probably tell you something about my overall mental state and ability to provide useful commentary )

But seriously, great job...did you paint in that glint in the eye or is that the photo?

 

[funnymouth]

lol, great commentary. i did paint the glint(s) in the eye. a dot in the pupal and a line across the iris seems to create a good effect. my wife said the same thing about the eyes. i think its the lazy eyelids that make him seem nonchalant, like he's yawning after a nap or something.
you know, i could go for some tea...

 

[Dragonsreach]

i am pleased to post my first contest mini. CONGRATULATIONS!
i painted up this jabberwock for the ironwind metals comp over at wamp. i've been wanting to improve my skills (as viewed objectively) and increase my painting output. SUCCESS
i think the eyes photographed remarkably well, and its an area/technique id like to continue working on. YES THEY DID PHOTO WELL, BUT IT'S THE PAINTING THAT'S THE KEY THING WITH THEM.
id really appreciate some feedback as im hoping do do more contests in the future, and i could use the help. SEE BELOW
also im in dire need of advice on how to speed up my painting process. it would help with these short contests, and to improve my overall output. ONLY WAY TO IMPROVE SPEED IS TO PRACTICE.

Couple of thoughts from me:
Difficult mini, I've looked at it a few times and thought, not really for me. Doesn't mean to say that I don't appreciate the work you've done on it, far from it. In fact I think it's one of the best things I've seen you produce. There's a subtlty in the colours especially on the chest which really looks nice. (Sorry incipid word) Overall the variation of the colours throughout the whole figure is not incongruous, but somewhat balanced.
Facially as has been said I don't think it's a 'scary creature' more lost and bewildered as to why no one likes it. But you got the eyes spot on! 10 score for me on them.
Overall I think the contrast is a touch soft and could do with a couple of key high points.
Photography wise I think that the contrast there is a little muted and could do with a more "punchy" shot.

 

[BPI]

Fun stuff Funnymouth, good luck in the competition. I like the colour choices. Just needs a quick lick of black & a satin varnish around the base edge to neaten up!

Cheers, B.

 

[freakinacage]

Superb work on a 'meh' figure. Great paint and a cool base which is plain but not too plain

 

[Tommie Soule]

Yeah he is cool
I agree with mr dods, make your highlights pop more on his claws and on some areas of his face and head like upper part of his nostrils and bumpy crest thing and jowly things. there's more but if you do these bits see where you feel you should do more instead of me tellin you this way you will develop your eye for this even more.
next is the picture, if your entering the model into the comp, no problem. but if your entering the pic this seems washed and not as rich as it should be, how did you take your pic?. second is he appears dark, the darkness comes from the white back ground which creates a sillouette effect on your dark mini.
and last, your rim on the base looks scuffed and needs a fresh coat, this are for me is the frame for minis and is important for effective presentation wether its just a base or a humongous creation.

hope this helps.

Tommie

 

[dogfacedboy uk1]

Hey funnymouth - voted and commented on the link so I won't repeat here, but check the link i posted, it is for larger scale models but you may find the technique shown useful on busts or monsters with big eyes or just watch it for the hell of it. The guy doing the painting is master sculptor Jordu schell or at least someone from his studio.

dfb

 

[funnymouth]

wow guys, thats some really great feedback! im glad you enjoy the color subtleties; ive got to give credit to skelettetS's WIP for that improvement.
i agree about it needing a bit more "pop" both in the hilighting and photography. ill play around with my photography area to see if i cant improve that aspect right away, and on my next piece ill work on incorporating sharper hilights in to a multi-tonal color palate. the scuffed base is an annoyance and ill have to take extra steps to keep from denting 'em up in the future.
the positive response means a lot, thanks.

@ DFB - that tutorial is great! makes me want to sculpt up a behoulder/something-with-a-lot-of-big-eyes and go to town.