Automaton's miniatures

Post by **mahon** » 7 Sep 2008, o 10:06

:plzdie:

NAVARRO · Post by **NAVARRO** » 7 Sep 2008, o 11:17

I had the feeling of looking at that concept before...
Come on mates, steer away from this, theres a huge world of concepts outhere waiting to be explored... The jester is a good example on that direction.

sebastian · Post by **sebastian** » 8 Sep 2008, o 06:34

SSHHHHHH don't tell anyone, I don't wanna get my ass sued or something!!

haha...the idea was to try to make something that might appeal to the big market of warhammer players out there...don't know if it really worked though: it seems most GW fanboys couldn't really care less about it and would rather spend twice as much to get a GW figure haha

On the other hand, the jester is probably the most popular of the minis hehe. So I think you're right though guys, I should try to make more original figures. I will definately try to think about this in the future. As I said before, for these first ones I wanted to teach and test myself a bit. So now I'm a bit more confident, maybe I can try something a bit more unusual.

Post by **mahon** » 10 Sep 2008, o 18:06

you must be right, as I found the jester the most interesting of them all.
and I think you nailed it - most GW fanboys will prefer a GW miniature anyway, so why bother expanding the range of GW-lookalikes instead of making more interesting stuff - especially that you have the potential to make it interesting and well-selling

Trovarion · Post by **Trovarion** » 10 Sep 2008, o 22:36

i'm gonna be advocatus diaboli here...

the sorc doesn't look GW at all. just because it is inspired by a warhammer related video game artwork (that barely anyone knows I guess, would it been wider known I doubt the mini would have been made to start with) doesnt mean it will appeal to someone who buys GW minis. If you prefer GWs style you will stick to it.
calling those people fanboys is a bit ...arrogant... beause who are we to judge peoples taste...

In fact I even think the sorceress looks a bit too generic to be appealing. It's not the "fanboys" fault.

Post by **Demi_morgana** » 10 Sep 2008, o 22:54

pffffffff, smartass

sebastian · Post by **sebastian** » 12 Sep 2008, o 11:40

trov - I didn't mean it to be arrogant, but you are probably right that it comes across that way...I should be more careful what I say.

I was in a bit of a frustrated mood, because I feel like a big part of the community here in australia just won't give a chance to other ranges, or other minis, because the love of GW is so ingrained. I was hoping to get a bit more support from australia, because we are so isolated and have very few people trying to do creative miniature stuff here...and it is a bit disappointing that I get ignored by a massive part of the australian fantasy wargaming community. I get big support of course from our 'oz painters' forum, which is for the people focussed on painting/modelling like me, who are great friends...but we are such a tiny part of the australian scene.

But I think it's true that GW dominates in all places, because GW has such a strong presence and is of course the most popular and common range by a long way. That's ok though - like almost everyone, I grew up on GW minis too, so I owe them a lot.

The problem, of course, is that there are two opposite ways of looking at things, if you are in my position, trying to start out with a little range of figures. First of all, there is the more 'artisitc' point of view, that you are arguing: I should try to make original, creative figures, try to do something new, and in this way, stand out from other ranges so that people will want my minis. And that is the natural way for someone like me also, because I am really only concerned with painting and modelling, and I do not play any of the games at all.

But on the other hand, a lot of people have said that it is better to try to make figures that will 'fit in' with the most popular mini ranges out there...if I can make figures that could possibly be used in people's gaming armies, then there is a much larger market - gamers of course outnumber people like me by a very very long way. So, following this logic, I should avoid the creative projects and instead make more 'generic' figures...

I suppose the best way is to try to balance the two sides. Make some generically appealing figures, but then also make the creative ones...but then, when you're struggling for money, you have to go for the things that will sell the most - at first, anyway!

Anyway, this is just me whinging haha, so I'll shut up! And hopefully I might have something new to show you soon...maybe I can post a preview here and see what you guys think about it.

Post by **Demi_morgana** » 12 Sep 2008, o 13:22

actually I must say I totally understand Your point of view Sebastian - Scibor and I were walking similar "path" when our tiny miniatures-business was decided to be started

it's sad but sometimes fine sculpts don't find new owners because collectors cannot place it in ranks of any army

I wish You all the best with the business and hope to paint one of Your models one day

Post by **mahon** » 13 Sep 2008, o 16:10

that was a good and honest post, Sebastian. I think you're right and that's one thing you cannot argue with - if one wants/needs to go for money, he must take he sure and secure path and choose miniatures which will sell as surely as possible. and if one wants to do something more creative, well, he must be aware it may not be the best seller.

many great artists were not admired during their lifetimes but often died in poverty.
Now go figure...

Do you really want to take the 'artsy' way?

ToMaZ · Post by **ToMaZ** » 19 Sep 2008, o 13:54

I found the beastman...HERE