Message original : ardyer
Fairfax county
I lived there from 1985 to 1990 and thought it was great!
But that\'s not going to help you much

. This might; apparently you\'re looking for two things :
1) Meeting other painters : even among gaming communitees, I\'ve often seen shops that organise painting contests to build up interest, a sens of community among the clients (, and sell more

). Try contacting the shop owners and see if they\'re willing to do something like that. If they sell GW minis, they can also probably get free minis for the painting activity through GW. Another thing I\'d check is North American painting forums, and since you go to GDs, ask people at the Demon Lounges if they\'re in the Virginia area.
2) Meeting better painters than yourself to improve : if you can, then it\'s clear it\'ll be a lot easier to learn. But it\'s not the only way. Technically, with internet (articles, ...), books, and DVDs, the information is out there. What those can\'t give you is honest and constructive critic. So building up a group of painters to exchange ideas and then practicing is another way that works.
Failing all of that, there\'s always online contests that can push you to your limits and beyond, and ... CMON forum goers that can discuss your paintings

.