Rodnik Posted September 12, 2007 Share Posted September 12, 2007 Which is always a pretty scary thing.... A little background: My painting progress can be attributed to two major things---studying the works of other painters and sitting my butt in a chair and painting. So, I try to commission work from painters to get works I can study. I've had a few successes here, but most of the time I can't manage to secure a high-quality commission work. For various reasons, I've had a very difficult time getting my hands on display-quality miniatures to use as "study-guides. So, with that in mind, I thought about my own approach---in the fact that I usually turn down commission work, and I don't get involved in general exchanges anymore (simply because I focus on painting "for me")--and I don't sell many of my miniatures in any other venues for the same reason. Most of the time, I just give them away to friends/family. Which I'm sure is true for a lot of other painters, considering the challenges I've had commissioning painters. This prompted me to started thinking about how I could potentially help other painters improve, and I came up with an idea. Might be a good idea/bad idea...but that's why I'm asking you guys. I thought what I might do next year is offer up one my competition miniatures for an exchange with one person. I'd announce the mini, post a picture of it, and anyone that was interested would put their name "in the hat". I'd then draw the name and do an exchange with that person. The only expectation is they paint one as best they can for the exchange. A couple of other things I considered for this same exchange---if the person wanted a critique on their miniature, I'd give them a comprehensive write-up on it---or, I could offer a write-up on how I painted mine (techniques, colors, problems, warts, etc)---basically, a top-down overview of the whole process..... Do you guys think there would be any interest/value in an offer like that? Or should I just can it and go back to sittin' 'em on the shelf? Again, I'm just considering it at this point. I haven't made *any* decisions yet...so, feel free to offer ideas on what might offer more value to an aspiring painter. Cheers, Kev Oh yea...and statement of "Kev, you're kidding yourself, as you couldn't *give* your crap away!"---is valid too... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelcore Posted September 12, 2007 Share Posted September 12, 2007 Y'know, I might be into that, Kev. Workload and general apathy pending. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cerridwyn1st Posted September 12, 2007 Share Posted September 12, 2007 Fieldarchy asked me about doing a mini exchange and I agreed. I respect her opinions about painting and I wanted to see one of her minis as well. I think you are on to something, but I wonder if it might not be better to ask someone whose work you want to see, or whose critique might be useful. As far as obtaining high-quality minis, perhaps you should look at people who sell commissions for a living. Many professionals have their models for sale posted on their websites. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rodnik Posted September 12, 2007 Author Share Posted September 12, 2007 I guess I need to clarify... I'm not using this as a way to potentially improve my own skills (although that is certainly a possibility, it's not in the spirit of what I'm trying to do). I'm offering an opportunity for anyone that wants to improve theirs (or feels they could by examining my work)----to obtain a relatively high-quality miniature without the need to come up with a lot of money to do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelcore Posted September 12, 2007 Share Posted September 12, 2007 Dude, you say that like my work commands high freakin prices! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fieldarchy Posted September 12, 2007 Share Posted September 12, 2007 are you telling me your not expensive Kel? Are you a cheap date? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelcore Posted September 12, 2007 Share Posted September 12, 2007 are you telling me your not expensive Kel? Are you a cheap date? Cheap AND easy! Back to topic: Seriously, Kev, if you hadn't left me in the dust a while ago, I wouldn't've said anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabberwocky Posted September 12, 2007 Share Posted September 12, 2007 I, for one, would be very interested in something along these lines. I think having something "in hand" to look at would help considerably; especially if you would be open to questions regarding your technique for a particular part of the mini. A comprehensive write up about how someone has done a particular piece (to me) is always helpful and I would also be interested in a comprehensive critique of one of my pieces. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rodnik Posted September 12, 2007 Author Share Posted September 12, 2007 Seriously, Kev, if you hadn't left me in the dust a while ago, I wouldn't've said anything. ROFL!...yea...right...you sell yourself short... Hard for me to leave anyone "in the dust" when I move at a slug's pace... And off-topic---are you doin' RC next year, Kel? It's already on my calendar---and D and I are plannin' on buyin' a few folks some beers.....if you drink beer, that is.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ishil Posted September 12, 2007 Share Posted September 12, 2007 Well, even if I don't particularly want to be a 'top level' painter, I am still keen to improve, and I would be glad to own one of your miniatures (though you might not feel the same way about mine!). The write-up would be handy too, since even when people talk about what they're doing in the Show-Off section, I can sometimes find it hard to visualise. Ishil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fruggs Posted September 12, 2007 Share Posted September 12, 2007 i think it is a neato idea. I woudl really appreciate seeing someone elses work close up, and getting a critique about mine as well as a general idea on what was done to get the mini on front of me. The place where i paint ocasionally is mostly gw painters, the style is very different but I am learning things to improve, more exposure to others and evaluation of my work would be great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fieldarchy Posted September 12, 2007 Share Posted September 12, 2007 psst guys . . . that's what exchanges are for too. You can always enter in a regular exchange and just hope you get paired up with someone good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arkblade Posted September 13, 2007 Share Posted September 13, 2007 Rod, I'm thinking that mini-exchanges are pretty much what you're talking about here...or at least the same sort of concept. I was in two mini-exchanges on the Jenova boards and sent mine out and never received any minis for my work. It was a little disappointing, but I didn't do it to get a mini, I did it because I enjoy painting. Regardless, the mini-exchanges are a good way to express critques and better improve your skills (from both parties). If you want to share your skills with others, I would highly recommend you put in the efforts to either write long winded step by step tutorials or create a video of how you achieve your painting successes...or both. That would help more than anything else I can think of. Plus, it would challange you to hone your skills even more. It would also give you some recognition that you've been deserving for years (IMO). Hey, with enough people seeing your tuts, you may even get more inquiries about comission work. But then again, I could be way off base here and talking out my...well...you know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelcore Posted September 13, 2007 Share Posted September 13, 2007 Seriously, Kev, if you hadn't left me in the dust a while ago, I wouldn't've said anything. ROFL!...yea...right...you sell yourself short... Hard for me to leave anyone "in the dust" when I move at a slug's pace... And off-topic---are you doin' RC next year, Kel? It's already on my calendar---and D and I are plannin' on buyin' a few folks some beers.....if you drink beer, that is.. Moi? Drink beer? Why yes, yes I do!!!! I'm really, REALLY hoping I can make it to RC next year, man. I missed out on EVERY Con this year. I don't want a repeat next year. And it's been way, way too long since I've been to Texas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cerridwyn1st Posted September 13, 2007 Share Posted September 13, 2007 Well, even if I don't particularly want to be a 'top level' painter, I am still keen to improve.Ishil Just remember, Ishil, if you shoot the Moon and miss, you are still among the stars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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