I think there is a overflow of well (and not so well...^_^...) painted Minis to that time... and I don´t think that prices will get better...
I think that the collectors found out that they can ask a Painter directly, so they can get the minis they need via comission... that´s a lot more easier that to wait for a Mini for some time...
I cannot complain about being without work, although I would NEVER give something to CMON again after my 9.0 mini sold for just 30, 00 USD... NEVER again, I stick to my customers as they do to me......
I believe he meant 30,00 = 30 dollars and 00 cents
@demi - I hope no offense was taken, as I only wanted to give an example of an auction when the 'pro' term doesn't help. and I believe it doesn't help at all, as Pucis said
I think Tanya and Pucis pointed out well what the problem is. Lately there are way too many painted miniatures on eBay and the demand is not growing as fast as the supply. It's a pity, and an additional problem, that a lot of wannabe pros are poisoning the supply with their speed-painted-for-money minis.
But I think it's a normal thing in any branch of business (and painting minis evolved into a bisuness, let's admit it). There is always stuff of various quality and cost, but we can't ignore the fact that competition makes prices drop.
Exactly.
Furthermore mini painting has only a small market where only the bests can stay alive on a long term. There are indeed some people who do it for living, or as a secondary job, but I think alone from mini painting noone can make a good standard of living in western countries, it's not a hidden goldmine
I know a few artists whose fulltime job is painting/converting minis, and they live in Western Europe or in the USA. But you're right, there ar better ways of making money than that...
Staff painters for companies make an okay living at it over here. If you add in any extra things that they paint and sell (like Fluffy's occasional ebay auctions), then they can do reasonably well. But I've heard bits and pieces that makes it sound like being a staff painter takes a lot of the fun out of it sometimes since you have strict deadlines and high production targets.
Also, if you can get into sculpting, you probably do a little better, too. I sculpt that is going to be used by Reaper for a while probably earns you more than just a single paintjob.
I might have to go sit in on Sue's talks at Gen Con about becoming a professional painter/sculptor so I know more.
"I like gypsy moths and radio talk
Cause it doesn't remind me of anything"
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