At what scale does a figure stop becoming a miniature?

[Andrew Craft]

I know the answer for this question is probably up to the individual painter but I just thought I'd ask what everyones view was.
I really liked the bust of Major Winters and I believe it's about 1:6 scale which is the largest figure I have ordered in my few months in this hobby.
I know most people choose their figures because of the look of the piece rather than the size.
I was just interested to know at what scale you stop calling a figure a miniature and is their another name for the larger scale models?

 

[tonydawe]

Without sounding like a smart-arse, technically everything less than 1:1 scale is a "miniature" because it is smaller than real life.

I don't know too many, if any, company's that produce commercial model kits (busts or figures) at scales larger than 1/6th scale.

Naked Army is an example of a company that has produced a range of 1/6th scale figures (approximately 350mm in height), but they are uncommon and exceptional. Most commercial figure kits tend to be in the 1/16th to 1/32nd scale range (120mm to 54mm).

I certainly regard 1/6th scale as "miniature", but obviously some miniatures are more miniature than others.

A figure that is larger than 1/6th scale could be described as a statuette.

I'm not sure if this has helped you or not.

 

[Einion]

Without sounding like a smart-arse, technically everything less than 1:1 scale is a "miniature" because it is smaller than real life.

Hey, I was going to say that!

But I think at around 1/2 scale things get big enough that miniature doesn't feel right as a description, although the smaller the original item the more dinky it looks reduced by half.

Einion

 

[Andrew Craft]

Yeah thanks Tony that helps.
I'm mainly asking cause I'm new to this and I'm still trying to find which size model I am most comfortable with. I have tried 30mm, 54mm, 80mm, 90mm and 3 busts I have done that are about 1:10 scale. So far I have enjoyed the busts the most but I'm always keen to try other sizes. I wondered if there was another term for the larger sizes and/or a different type of shop to check out that specifically catered for these larger sizes, but i guess the 1:6 scale is close to the limit for commercial kits.

As for the Naked Army thing I'm almost too scared to type it into google search!

Cheers,
Andrew.

 

[Andrew Craft]

Without sounding like a smart-arse, technically everything less than 1:1 scale is a "miniature" because it is smaller than real life.

haha thanks Tony and Einion, there had to be a few.
Is it a miniature or is it just reduced??

 

[tonydawe]

I know some people like to stay within one particular scale and they get very comfortable with it, but I find it helps me to alternate between larger and smaller scales.

So I tend to do a 54mm figure and then a 350mm figure or a 120mm, just to keep myself motivated and challenged.

My only advice is to try a few different scales and see what works for you. You may find that one scale suits you better than others, but you may also find that the scale doesn't matter so long as the figure is right.

By working in a wide range of scales, I have the best possible choice of the figures that are available and therefore more chance of getting to paint the models I really like.

 

[gordy]

I'd agree anything < 1:1 is a figure (miniature)

I do like many different scales, but there is always that small part of me that wants it all to match scale-wise, which of course is hard when there is much variance!

On the other hand are statues "Macroatures" ?

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Without sounding like a smart-arse, technically everything less than 1:1 scale is a "miniature" because it is smaller than real life.
I don't know too many, if any, company's that produce commercial model kits (busts or figures) at scales larger than 1/6th scale.

Naked Army is an example of a company that has produced a range of 1/6th scale figures (approximately 350mm in height), but they are uncommon and exceptional. Most commercial figure kits tend to be in the 1/16th to 1/32nd scale range (120mm to 54mm).

I certainly regard 1/6th scale as "miniature", but obviously some miniatures are more miniature than others.

A figure that is larger than 1/6th scale could be described as a statuette.

I'm not sure if this has helped you or not.

Hey! That was my line?

However, I would like to add that 1/3, 1/4 is quite popular among the guys doing miniatures based on movies. Even 1/1 scale is popular for certan subjects but I rather call them props when they are in 1/1.

Cheers
Janne Nilsson

 

[thegoodsgt]

The answer is: Anything larger than 1/16th scale.

 

[Johan]

I think anything from 180mm upward is a statuette, but that's just a personal thought.

1/6 articulate figures like Dragon sells are Action Men ! but I have two of these 1/6 figures myself and I must say they're quite good !

 

[theBaron]

...1/6 articulate figures like Dragon sells are Action Men ...

I must respectfully disagree, they're GI Joes, and they can kick Ken's sorry butt

 

[Uruk-Hai]

I must respectfully disagree, they're GI Joes, and they can kick Ken's sorry butt

But so could Barbie, Cindy and Barney as well?

Cheers
Janne Nilsson

 

[khorgor]

I don't know too many, if any, company's that produce commercial model kits (busts or figures) at scales larger than 1/6th scale.

I thought you would be used to my modesl Tony :-D hahaha

anyways. as a painter of models that go up to 1/4 scale, I agree with tony in the area of it it leaves the miniature category when you reach 1/1 scale (I would also hesitate to include 1/2 scale due to the sheer size of the model).

You just need to be careful in these regards though based on what is a miniature in reality. I keep at looking at a 1/35 mecha model that measures in at a staggering 70cm high anf 55 cm wide. That in no right is a miniature despite the scale. its a centrepiece!!!! :-D (and yes - I will buy it one day!!!!)