Darkson Designs
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I love the way they smell. MMMMMM fresh from the printer.
The Painting Guide is now available…………
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TAB Studio
New member
Mine came and well worth the money I must say. I thank you for the time to compile this it is great !
A
Anatora
Guest
Read mine last night and here are the comments Darkson asked for. (*clears throat, puts on critic\'s hat and picks up pointer*) The gallery pages are wonderful. I was impressed by the quality of work by the selected painters. (* here I neatly sidestep behind a bulletproof shield to avoid the baseballs being thrown*) I am not sure that the gallery showed the range of great work out there by not limiting the number of submissions by a single painter (2 or 3 would have been enough) and not including more individual works from a wider range of different painters. Surely, there had to be more fantastic painters out there than the few that were showcased. I am sure I will find the instruction pages at the front to be helpful, but, I really wish there had been an expansion of the individual painting contributions. The number of contibruting artists in the \"Show How\" section was fine, but the section itself was very short. Maybe it is because I am slower than most to absorb the techniques, but I felt there was not enough guide photos or explainations by the submitters to make this section meaningful or even interesting. Maybe it is because it was intended to be a brief (and I stress the word brief) summary from each painter. I guess I was under the impression that they would be helpful how-tos, but they fell short of the intended mark. A list of paints used and a couple of photos do not explain how the artists achieve their wonderful works. I won\'t argue that the works presented are works of art in the strongest sense, but the text was just not what I was expecting. I buy a lot of books (and I mean a lot of books, particularly art books) so, for the money, I also expected the book to have that \"something more\". Yes, I know that gamers spend the same amount for a WG Army book with 20 pages, but I guess my expectations here were set too high. I could have wished it had been hardback, as well. Don\'t get me wrong. I basically like the publication. Overall, it is a lovely book to look through for inspiration and I would have gotten it regardless of any shortcomings it might have, but it left me feeling a little empty. (*taking off critic\'s hat, but staying safely behind shield*)
Valloa
New member
I got to look through my copy as well. Ok my comments and stuff...
It is nice to see some of the web or otherwised published articles and Vallejo/GW conversion charts in one place and in book print. But since those are also on the web and in other media, I can\'t get overly excited about those. I was hoping that the book would be fully original content.
Likewise for the full color swatch listing of Vallejo\'s lines. I don\'t see the point in listing just Vallejo\'s full lines of color swatchs and not any of the other major companies, especially since not all the articles used Vallejo. Now if Vallejo has a listing because they helped sponsor publication of the book that would have explained that and I would have liked to have seen credit given to them or put in a contributing sponsor section.
Personally, I love some of the articles which are well done and with lots of pictures showing steps and detailed explainations. I think if you are going to do a step-by-step or write an article that should be the way to go. I\'m not keen on the articles that list colors used or techniques with very little pictures or much in the way of explanation of what was done. Or those that have lots of pictures but the barest of explanations which mainly consist of listing colors used. To me those aren\'t really worth looking at as it tends to not be helpful and a solo picture listing colors would be just as helpful while leaving more room for other articles or more gallery pictures.
I would have liked to see much more diverse artist work in the gallery. It was an excellent gallery pictures but too much represented from just the same artists. For the next if there are too many submissions from the same folks, but not alot of artists submitted designs, I\'d cruise places like CMON and other painting sites and PM/email some of the top artists just to give the gallery some varity.
Overall I would have gotten this book for the few articles in it that I found interesting and the gallery, but I\'d probably wait to see the finished copy if Darkson puts out a second.
It is nice to see some of the web or otherwised published articles and Vallejo/GW conversion charts in one place and in book print. But since those are also on the web and in other media, I can\'t get overly excited about those. I was hoping that the book would be fully original content.
Likewise for the full color swatch listing of Vallejo\'s lines. I don\'t see the point in listing just Vallejo\'s full lines of color swatchs and not any of the other major companies, especially since not all the articles used Vallejo. Now if Vallejo has a listing because they helped sponsor publication of the book that would have explained that and I would have liked to have seen credit given to them or put in a contributing sponsor section.
Personally, I love some of the articles which are well done and with lots of pictures showing steps and detailed explainations. I think if you are going to do a step-by-step or write an article that should be the way to go. I\'m not keen on the articles that list colors used or techniques with very little pictures or much in the way of explanation of what was done. Or those that have lots of pictures but the barest of explanations which mainly consist of listing colors used. To me those aren\'t really worth looking at as it tends to not be helpful and a solo picture listing colors would be just as helpful while leaving more room for other articles or more gallery pictures.
I would have liked to see much more diverse artist work in the gallery. It was an excellent gallery pictures but too much represented from just the same artists. For the next if there are too many submissions from the same folks, but not alot of artists submitted designs, I\'d cruise places like CMON and other painting sites and PM/email some of the top artists just to give the gallery some varity.
Overall I would have gotten this book for the few articles in it that I found interesting and the gallery, but I\'d probably wait to see the finished copy if Darkson puts out a second.
Darkson Designs
New member
Thank you for all the replies so far. We just wanted to put out a couple of things:
1. We worked closely with Vallejo and they gave us the color charts and photos. They did not contribute any monetary value that we would consider as a sponsor. So we made sure to give them proper credit, thanks and listing all of their contact info in the back.
2. We left all of the articles they way they were submitted. We also used all of the photos that accompanied them. We felt like everyone has their own learning style and by having diversly written articles each will appeal to different people in their own way.
3. We went on CMON and emailed/PM a lot of various artists as well as touched on many manufacturer forums. We did have many gallery submissions, and what made it to the gallery were one\'s that met the submission criteria (photo size/quality/clarity). We had a lot of multiple submissions from the same artists.
4. Since we were not a very well known company for this first book, we are hoping that in volume 2 we will have an even greater turnout of articles and gallery submissions to choose from.
A little bit about Darkson Designs:
We are made up of 2 people; Crystal Kennedy and Robert Kingery.
This was our first project as a company. Crystal worked a full 8-5 job and came home in the evenings to put together this book on a new program that she\'d never worked on before. Robert is a full time student and in the Air Force Reserves and makes a living through commission painting.
This project was a work of passion and interest in the hobby. Something that we felt was lacking in the industry.
If this book has helped anyone in their painting or inspired them to try something different then our goal has been reached.
What ever we can do to make Volume 2 even better that is our next goal.
Enjoy!
Robert and Crystal
1. We worked closely with Vallejo and they gave us the color charts and photos. They did not contribute any monetary value that we would consider as a sponsor. So we made sure to give them proper credit, thanks and listing all of their contact info in the back.
2. We left all of the articles they way they were submitted. We also used all of the photos that accompanied them. We felt like everyone has their own learning style and by having diversly written articles each will appeal to different people in their own way.
3. We went on CMON and emailed/PM a lot of various artists as well as touched on many manufacturer forums. We did have many gallery submissions, and what made it to the gallery were one\'s that met the submission criteria (photo size/quality/clarity). We had a lot of multiple submissions from the same artists.
4. Since we were not a very well known company for this first book, we are hoping that in volume 2 we will have an even greater turnout of articles and gallery submissions to choose from.
A little bit about Darkson Designs:
We are made up of 2 people; Crystal Kennedy and Robert Kingery.
This was our first project as a company. Crystal worked a full 8-5 job and came home in the evenings to put together this book on a new program that she\'d never worked on before. Robert is a full time student and in the Air Force Reserves and makes a living through commission painting.
This project was a work of passion and interest in the hobby. Something that we felt was lacking in the industry.
If this book has helped anyone in their painting or inspired them to try something different then our goal has been reached.
What ever we can do to make Volume 2 even better that is our next goal.
Enjoy!
Robert and Crystal
A
Anatora
Guest
@Darkson Please know that I was aware of the points you stated when I made my post. I can appreciate that this was a labor of love from two very busy people. I can also appreciate the niche this publication filled. It was not my intent to degrade or demote your efforts in any way.
I would have bought a copy regardless of the quality but, being your first volume, it is still a classy reference volume. However, I hope my comments will be taken in the light that will help you improve the next volume.
First efforts are always open to critiques, especially when you ask for them. No one intends to be critical of the publication for malicious reasons. This was a great first effort and I would expect the second volume to reflect your ability to absorb the good, and the bad comments you receive.
What do I know about publication? Only that I have edited a few, written a few, and never enjoyed any critiques of my work. But you have a good thing going, and I would hate to think your efforts would not continue to see improvement.
I am not the world\'s best judge of anything, but I do know quality in the making. I stand by my comments and hope you take them in the spirit I intended.
I would have bought a copy regardless of the quality but, being your first volume, it is still a classy reference volume. However, I hope my comments will be taken in the light that will help you improve the next volume.
First efforts are always open to critiques, especially when you ask for them. No one intends to be critical of the publication for malicious reasons. This was a great first effort and I would expect the second volume to reflect your ability to absorb the good, and the bad comments you receive.
What do I know about publication? Only that I have edited a few, written a few, and never enjoyed any critiques of my work. But you have a good thing going, and I would hate to think your efforts would not continue to see improvement.
I am not the world\'s best judge of anything, but I do know quality in the making. I stand by my comments and hope you take them in the spirit I intended.
Valloa
New member
To answer the comments you made in reply to comments posted by folks I guess I\'ll go number by number. Please be aware that none of this is a \"slam\" or otherwise meant to be discouraging. Comments were asked for so I wrote what I thought as well as what I hoped was taken as helpful criticism as well as what didn\'t appeal to me and why. I am not always the most delicate of people when I state my opinions, but I\'m also honest in what I think.
1). I assumed that you had worked closely with Vallejo since there was so much there from them. I had no objection to that and in fact think that it was good. However, just seeing the Vallejo swatches without any like references from other manufactures was curious and just stuck out to me. Solo company swatches, when the book wasn\'t built around them, didn\'t seem to add that much to the book. The conversion chart is useful, but I don\'t see what a company color listing really added other than filler.
2). Fine by me and I do know that everyone has their own learning style. To me a learning guide should be well in depth as possible, but that is my style. Regardless of type, I did think that the articles covered too much of a different learning field. The differences in how the articles are set out (some have great descriptions for the pictures, and some have really poor or very little text but lots of pictures that don\'t connect well to the text), makes it, at least for me annoying to read, glance over or to try to gain anything from them. Just as a suggestion, maybe for the next one you could find the most popular \"style\" of article and gear submissions to that, then place others in another form of presentation style in either a different book. It might also make the book more defined. In a few places it was hard to tell whether the book, or the section, was meant to be more of a guide or gallery.
3). I wasn\'t aware if you did this or not, but I\'m glad to hear that you did. I do hope that the next one has more variety and people willing to meet the photo requirements. For a first book it\'s a very good showing and I\'m aware you work with what you have, but was an area I felt that could and does need improvement next time around.
4). The turnout was excellent for a small company without a name. Same additional comments as above apply.
I was aware that Darkson was a small company, however I did not take into account that nor that this was a labor of love for you or how much time had to be squeezed out to make it happen. In the long range anyone reading the book will either not know that or not really factor that into whether or not to buy the book. It\'s the same as with anything else, you could put years, blood, sweat and tears into it but in end it doesn\'t mean that people will see that or like it or not point out flaws or improvements that they see. Or that you should take critics of the final work personally because of the effort and time you put in. Just as a random example, you can (and I for one have) spend months to years working on scientific articles/projects and see it get rejected because it\'s not agreed with, have every little flaw pointed out in the worst possible major, fail in your goals because you didn\'t pay enough attention to your target audience when writing it, etc, etc, etc. The main point is that I understand that it was a labor of love for you and took alot of time to do, but those are truthfully not things that should get factored into comments on the final product or that should be taken personally. Reviews and critics are usually done on the final product without care of what went into it.
The miniature hobby has one of the largest amounts of works, of all kinds, shapes and forms, coming from people who have a true love and desire to help others in the hobby that I\'ve ever seen. I hope you do make Volume 2 better based on all reviews both good and bad. The series has some great potential to it.
Maya~
1). I assumed that you had worked closely with Vallejo since there was so much there from them. I had no objection to that and in fact think that it was good. However, just seeing the Vallejo swatches without any like references from other manufactures was curious and just stuck out to me. Solo company swatches, when the book wasn\'t built around them, didn\'t seem to add that much to the book. The conversion chart is useful, but I don\'t see what a company color listing really added other than filler.
2). Fine by me and I do know that everyone has their own learning style.
To me a learning guide should be well in depth as possible, but that is my style. Regardless of type, I did think that the articles covered too much of a different learning field. The differences in how the articles are set out (some have great descriptions for the pictures, and some have really poor or very little text but lots of pictures that don\'t connect well to the text), makes it, at least for me annoying to read, glance over or to try to gain anything from them. Just as a suggestion, maybe for the next one you could find the most popular \"style\" of article and gear submissions to that, then place others in another form of presentation style in either a different book. It might also make the book more defined. In a few places it was hard to tell whether the book, or the section, was meant to be more of a guide or gallery. 3). I wasn\'t aware if you did this or not, but I\'m glad to hear that you did. I do hope that the next one has more variety and people willing to meet the photo requirements. For a first book it\'s a very good showing and I\'m aware you work with what you have, but was an area I felt that could and does need improvement next time around.
4). The turnout was excellent for a small company without a name. Same additional comments as above apply.
I was aware that Darkson was a small company, however I did not take into account that nor that this was a labor of love for you or how much time had to be squeezed out to make it happen. In the long range anyone reading the book will either not know that or not really factor that into whether or not to buy the book. It\'s the same as with anything else, you could put years, blood, sweat and tears into it but in end it doesn\'t mean that people will see that or like it or not point out flaws or improvements that they see. Or that you should take critics of the final work personally because of the effort and time you put in. Just as a random example, you can (and I for one have) spend months to years working on scientific articles/projects and see it get rejected because it\'s not agreed with, have every little flaw pointed out in the worst possible major, fail in your goals because you didn\'t pay enough attention to your target audience when writing it, etc, etc, etc. The main point is that I understand that it was a labor of love for you and took alot of time to do, but those are truthfully not things that should get factored into comments on the final product or that should be taken personally. Reviews and critics are usually done on the final product without care of what went into it.
The miniature hobby has one of the largest amounts of works, of all kinds, shapes and forms, coming from people who have a true love and desire to help others in the hobby that I\'ve ever seen. I hope you do make Volume 2 better based on all reviews both good and bad. The series has some great potential to it.
Maya~
Darkson Designs
New member
In a post it\'s really hard to show emotion, we have been very happy with all of the critiques/comments/feedback so far. We are absorbing all that is being said out there and considering it with making Volume 2. In the end all of your comments are great, because they all mentioned that you would have still bought the book. That in it\'s self says something.
Thank you very much and we hope to have more people contribute and participate in Volume 2.
Cheers
Robert and Crystal
Thank you very much and we hope to have more people contribute and participate in Volume 2.
Cheers
Robert and Crystal
I for one would be VERY interested in a book that focused on basing; maybe for a volume three? You could include pics of dioramas and various basing techniques, and have a bunch of how-to articles. I could probably find ideas for each different base type (Stone, snow, grass, cobblestone, etc...) all over the web, but to have all of the different types with pictures in one place would be very helpful.
A
Anatora
Guest
@MarkusTay
Mark, that is an excellent idea from my point of view. I can envision Darkson Designs publishing a series of such volumes rather than redoing the same type of publication each time...a painting guide...base techniques guide...special effects guide...etc. What an opportunity to see the works of the best artists in their area of expertise. I personally would buy all of them.
Mark, that is an excellent idea from my point of view. I can envision Darkson Designs publishing a series of such volumes rather than redoing the same type of publication each time...a painting guide...base techniques guide...special effects guide...etc. What an opportunity to see the works of the best artists in their area of expertise. I personally would buy all of them.
Heard, Mark, great idea!
Questionto those who\'ve already received: Does the present volume cover such advanced painting techniques as zenithal priming, source lighting etc? This is perhaps what you mean by special effects, Ann. It\'d be good to have a refernce work at hand detailing subjects such as these.
Questionto those who\'ve already received: Does the present volume cover such advanced painting techniques as zenithal priming, source lighting etc? This is perhaps what you mean by special effects, Ann. It\'d be good to have a refernce work at hand detailing subjects such as these.
RedDawn and I got ours yesterday. I like ti very much and will definitely be interested in future volumes. Can I place my order for volume 2 now?
I was surprised that the gallery had SO many contributions from the same artists. Not that I mind seein a dozen pieces from SaxonAngel mind you, but a little more variety would have been nice.
I haven\'t read all of the articles yet, will probably do that today since its raining so the yardwork I was supposed to do is not going to happen, I have some time to read.
I was surprised that it wasn\'t a hardback, guess I just misunderstood that, but the paperback is fine, actually easier to store.
Overall very impressed, kudos to you two at Darkson, keep up the good work, can\'t wait for the future volumes.
And I LOVE Mark\'s idea for a volume dedicated to basing!
Cheers,
Scott \"Grumb\" Baker
I was surprised that the gallery had SO many contributions from the same artists. Not that I mind seein a dozen pieces from SaxonAngel mind you, but a little more variety would have been nice.
I haven\'t read all of the articles yet, will probably do that today since its raining so the yardwork I was supposed to do is not going to happen, I have some time to read.
I was surprised that it wasn\'t a hardback, guess I just misunderstood that, but the paperback is fine, actually easier to store.
Overall very impressed, kudos to you two at Darkson, keep up the good work, can\'t wait for the future volumes.
And I LOVE Mark\'s idea for a volume dedicated to basing!
Cheers,
Scott \"Grumb\" Baker
Thanks, James! I\'m glad you liked it! I put a lot of work in it to make it into an article I would have enjoyed reading myself had someone else written it. I was asked by Robert to describe the basing as well, and since I\'ve been getting quite many positive comments on my bases I thought it was a good idea too.
I haven\'t received my copy yet (should be here on Monday or Tuesday), but I can safely say that I wouldn\'t mind writing something for the next volume if I\'m asked to.
I put a lot of work in it to make it into an article I would have enjoyed reading myself had someone else written it. I was asked by Robert to describe the basing as well, and since I\'ve been getting quite many positive comments on my bases I thought it was a good idea too.I haven\'t received my copy yet (should be here on Monday or Tuesday), but I can safely say that I wouldn\'t mind writing something for the next volume if I\'m asked to.
tidoco2222
Active member
I realy must get one of these boks oredered before I miss the boat.
