Whats wrong with it?

[Davyboy74]

Hello friends, i would like to discuss my most recent submission.

I was averaging 5.8 before i put this one up, but im guessing some users put me down on this one (4.3 after 5 votes)

I cant understand why because, IMHO this is a lot better than all my previous subs. Im guessing that im making a \'name\' for myself (forum nuisance mostly) Is this my problem? Am i being sniped? Should i just shut up?

Anyway, i primed it white, the shell got 4 coats of pissed-up Space Wolves grey, the drache got 3 coats of pissed up golden yellow, then highlighted with white (yes! white) then a few coats of 50/50 Gryphone Sepia/water wash. The shell then got 2 thick (ish) coats of enchanted blue glaze (50/50 with Vallejo matt medium)

I also (obviously) struck the lines with Scorched brown (appear a little dark in the pics though )

Then i done the teeth & stuff...scorched B surround...Bone to highlight (with an extra coat of pure white for the teeth)


Is all this effort really worth a 4???

 

[Theomar Pius]

Sometimes it doesn\'t come down to the paintjob, but whether or not people think it is a \"cool\" mini. That could be part of it.

I personally think the cracks in the shell look a bit un-natural, and the mouth on the right side of the head lacks definition, but it\'s certainly not a 4. On the plus side, I really like your color choice on the dragon skin mostly, but the blue egg as well.

For me, it\'s important that a project looks like what is supposed to be, not what it is.
In this case, it looks more like a figurine of a dragon hatchling, rather than an actual dragon hatchling.

 

[Davyboy74]

Yea Theomar, i tried to paint this one in a more \'fantasy\' style than the first one i did (more vibrant colours)

I come to this site as a historical/military style painter, and i was under the impression that i was painting these minis too realistically before.

I refer you to the first of these 2 pieces i did, in the style im more accustomed to:

Do i just need more practice with the fantasy \'style\'?

 

[Davyboy74]

lol I asked a friend about this just now (good buddy...shet hot 1/76 tank painter too)
He says it looks like an easter egg lol
I guess scorched brown was a bad choice to use for the cracks lol

 

[Theomar Pius]

Well looking at your Uruk captain, I think you have the basics down, it\'s quite a nice piece. I really think the issue on the hatchlings comes down to the subject matter more than your paint.

I wish I could give you more painting tips, but I\'m more a scenery builder than a painter. Personally I prefer more subtle paint schemes, but that may just be a matter of taste.
Not every submission is going to be everybodies taste, as long as you are having fun and proud of your work, that is the most important thing.
I say keep plugging away, and best of luck!

 

[Sukigod]

Lookin\' alright in my book, but a bit of advice... Don\'t put any stock into the ratings until theu get around 50+ a single low score with less than 10 votes can drop your score by 1-3 points! You gotta give it time to level out. I gave it a 6, mostly for the work on the head. the egg does tend to come off a bit \"Eastery\" in comparrison to he dragon itself.

Keep it up and don\'t get discouraged by scores!

 

[Davyboy74]

Thanks guys, i guess i just got a bit annoyed when i saw that initial rating.

Words of encouragement and advice such as yours is worth more than any rating

 

[Dragonsreach]

Originally posted by Davyboy74

Since you asked nicely I\'ll provide you with my opinion:-
This is a \"Cute-sy\" mini and therefore needs a lighter, softer approach to the colours and painting.
Going with heavy darklining hasn\'t aided the effect of the mini nor has the fact the egg looks \"Un-Shadowed\" ie despite the mottling there is nothing to define the lower area being curved.
The problem with older \"non-gaming/non-canonical\" mini\'s such as this, is that they get typified very easily as \"TOYS\" and therefore not regarded as \"serious painting pieces\".

 

[Infidel Castro]

Aye, it\'s not doing it for me based on a similar reason to Mike\'s. I just don\'t see any value in such a piece and it inspires me not one single iota. That painting is fair, it just doesn\'t do anything for me.

 

[airhead]

Mike nailed it.

For the egg, try a dark blue wash in the cracks. Then a thin dark blue wash along the bottom half of the egg. (it needs some shading).

But quite honestly, perfectly painted, I don\'t think this mini would score over a 6. It just does not have the cool factor that people are voting on here to get the top marks.

(you can only polish a turd so much, but in the end, it is still a turd.).

 

[painterboyroy]

I understand all what has been said, about the painting skills ect.

So does it mean to get a decent score on CMON we should concentrate on cool looking figures and not post figures we have enjoyed painting??

just a question I am throwing in..lol..

 

[airhead]

Originally posted by painterboyroy
...So does it mean to get a decent score on CMON we should concentrate on cool looking figures and not post figures we have enjoyed painting??

just a question I am throwing in..lol..

That would depend on what you are after. If you want to be all about the score, then only post the coolest best painted minis.

BUT, your score is based only on your top five minis, so post the rest of your stuff too, just don\'t count on it affecting your standing. (This is the reason I have not taken my old crap down.)

 

[Amazon warrior]

Cool is a very subjective thing, anyway. I have minis in my gallery that I think are cool, and to me, that\'s what matters. I can paint popular minis too if I want.

 

[freakinacage]

i agree with rev that it\'s not overly inspiring but i do like the mottled effect and the ground. wait for a bit until the score levels out and then complain (not to us though!!)

 

[Davyboy74]

Originally posted by painterboyroy
I understand all what has been said, about the painting skills ect.

So does it mean to get a decent score on CMON we should concentrate on cool looking figures and not post figures we have enjoyed painting??

just a question I am throwing in..lol..

And its a very good question too!


Anyway, thanks to everyone who took the time to post on this, i appreciate it a lot guys

DB74

 

[squidders]

So what *is* cool then? I\'d love to know lol

Anyway, I agree with Mike, the mini is well painted but it\'s a bit on the cutesy side for me and the sculpt doesn\'t do it for me... paint it all in shades of brown and it could look like a big... nevermind.

painting 7/10
mini 3/10

How I vote on this... no idea whatsoever!