Hi, first time poster and new painter. I started painting about two and a half months ago and just posted my first miniatures on CMON over the last few days--not any of my \"first wave\" group (you know, those really awkward learning-the-basics minis), but the second wave--after I felt like I at least got a relative handle on the rudimentary skills: shading, washes, dry-brushing, etc.
My minis have gotten ratings in the 5-6 range, which I suppose isn\'t too bad for a new painter. I hope to use CMON\'s ratings as a barometer for evolving my skills. I am also curious if anyone has done what I\'m doing: started posting from the beginning and seen change over years.
When I first photographed my miniatures I was surprised at how bad they looked on the computer screen vs. in Real Life--the camera really brings out all the faults. So I recognize that there is both an art to just taking the picture, but also it has made me appreciate anew the skill level of the great mini painters--and I\'m in awe of how they are able to paint the way they do. Other than learning how to actually photograph a miniature without it looking too glaring but also giving as much detail as possible (tips would be appreciated), I am finding that my main problem is getting smooth colors and shading...what looks like good shading, aka a solid \"tabletop quality\" miniature, isn\'t necessarily so when you get it on film. So I\'m looking for tips on smoother colors. I started watering them down more, which seems to help, but I\'m also thinking of investing in a magnifying glass and better lighting as it seems part of the problem is environmental (I use a garden-variety desk lamp).
I\'m also finding that time and patience are key. One of my favorite painters, Automaton, takes 20-30 hours for a normal 28-30 mm miniature. My usual time is 2-3 hours, although I spent a lot of time tinkering with my most recent Overlord Warrior, which probably took 6-7 hours total. It was my first attempt at non-metallic metals and I just couldn\'t get it how I wanted it.
Take a look at my minis, if you will, and let me know how you think I can improve them. I haven\'t gotten into basing yet as I like to use my minis for D&D and I\'ve been so busy with learning how to paint that I haven\'t wanted to take on basing, so please forgive the lack of fancy bases!
Thanks,
Jonathan aka Alchemist
My minis have gotten ratings in the 5-6 range, which I suppose isn\'t too bad for a new painter. I hope to use CMON\'s ratings as a barometer for evolving my skills. I am also curious if anyone has done what I\'m doing: started posting from the beginning and seen change over years.
When I first photographed my miniatures I was surprised at how bad they looked on the computer screen vs. in Real Life--the camera really brings out all the faults. So I recognize that there is both an art to just taking the picture, but also it has made me appreciate anew the skill level of the great mini painters--and I\'m in awe of how they are able to paint the way they do. Other than learning how to actually photograph a miniature without it looking too glaring but also giving as much detail as possible (tips would be appreciated), I am finding that my main problem is getting smooth colors and shading...what looks like good shading, aka a solid \"tabletop quality\" miniature, isn\'t necessarily so when you get it on film. So I\'m looking for tips on smoother colors. I started watering them down more, which seems to help, but I\'m also thinking of investing in a magnifying glass and better lighting as it seems part of the problem is environmental (I use a garden-variety desk lamp).
I\'m also finding that time and patience are key. One of my favorite painters, Automaton, takes 20-30 hours for a normal 28-30 mm miniature. My usual time is 2-3 hours, although I spent a lot of time tinkering with my most recent Overlord Warrior, which probably took 6-7 hours total. It was my first attempt at non-metallic metals and I just couldn\'t get it how I wanted it.
Take a look at my minis, if you will, and let me know how you think I can improve them. I haven\'t gotten into basing yet as I like to use my minis for D&D and I\'ve been so busy with learning how to paint that I haven\'t wanted to take on basing, so please forgive the lack of fancy bases!
Thanks,
Jonathan aka Alchemist
