Back to the hobby....the future?

[kevininpdx]

Hey guys. It’s been a while since I’ve been on PF and even longer since I’ve been in the hobby. The story is I had a devastating loss of my collection in a move. Both painted and and even bigger loss of boxed kits I may never see again. Just to let you know I never posted my work on here. I’ve seen people here pick masterpieces apart so I’m not keen to see my meager work trashed. But anyway I got a passion going again after seeing a beautiful piece by a company called Triloka. I was thinking about the future of this hobby. It appears to be dying but these new Russki companies are making quite a splash. My return to the hobby coincided with Pegaso launching a new site and have put a large part of their collection on super sale. As you can imagine I spent quite a bit of money but I’m concerned for their future. I would like to start a conversation about the future. Pegaso is still the best but how can I say no to these new companies? Is their rise good for the hobby as a whole? I would like your opinions and other observations of the past, present and future of figure modeling.

Kevin

 

[Forté]

Kevin.

I have no idea how long you've been out of the hobby but the past few years have seen a huge amount of companies spring up from all over the place, including those countries more renowned for recasting (which is really damaging the sustainability in the hobby).

There is however (and this may get a few backs up) a level of complacency within the community though. Especially areas like historical where it sometimes seems from outside that is is a very clicky community who don't want things to progress. Sadly that is not attracting a younger modeller which essentially is the future of any hobby and needed to keep things going.

If you make a comparison to the fantasy side of things where forums still buzz and social media is busy then you can see that things like show promotion, product advertising, and general acceptance for change and experimentation needs to step up. Shows die, companies close, etc.

 

[Tecumsea]

HI Kevin, if I had to guess I would say that Pegaso are reducing their inventory and deleting some of their older models-makes sound business sense if that is the case. With discounts of 30% if they are not doing this it would/will have an adverse effect on their distributors. If the older figures are being deleted then the distributors can decide for themselves how they manage their remaining stock of deleted kits. This is pure guess work on my part and I would hate to see a company that has produced so much wonderful stuff over the years decline.

You are right of course the hobby is going through huge change with technology changing the face of sculpting and a revolution in the quality of the offerings from some suppliers with little or no clean up required before you start painting. Resin now the preferred option for some modellers and a bonus when it comes to postage costs.

For me there has never been more choice-the hobby is alive and well but companies have always come and gone that is the way markets work.

Keith

 

[theBaron]

Not dying, just changing. As Forte mentioned, there is new blood coming into the hobby via the fantasy painters, and more specifically, wargaming fantasy painters, not album-cover-style fantasy painters. They have their own subculture, including their own show circuit, that is now beginning to meld with the more traditional historical miniature genre.

Prost!
Brad

 

[Forté]

I did ask about the price drop on their Classic range as I was worried they were being deleted. I've been told that they're not being deleted and it's a permanent drop in price for those.

 

[Forté]

Not dying, just changing. As Forte mentioned, there is new blood coming into the hobby via the fantasy painters, and more specifically, wargaming fantasy painters, not album-cover-style fantasy painters. They have their own subculture, including their own show circuit, that is now beginning to meld with the more traditional historical miniature genre.

Prost!
Brad

The only trouble is that some in the more fantasy/ wargaming side get dissuaded from trying historical due to seeing so much about not picky details like "wrong shade of red" and when competition entries are penalised for using painted effects (fire glow on the underside of an elephant bust comes to mind).

Historical needs to loosen up and open up. There are many incredible miniatures in the historical side of things and the more that boundary comes down the better personally.

Historical information isn't always completely accurate. I still remember when the British Museum changed many of the dinosaur poses because of new information.

I want to see this whole hobby and community grow. Together.
I want to see shows with great attendance.
And I want to see recasters stamped all over for damaging the hobby.

 

[Martin Antonenko]

And I want to see recasters stamped all over for damaging the hobby.

 

[Forté]

@Martin
That is perfect

 

[kevininpdx]

Thanks for the replies. My concern is market saturation in a shrinking pool of consumers. It’s true companies come and go in any industry. I remember being saddened when Seil closed. Masterclass also. As far as Pegaso, I’m not sure they are in trouble or not because I can’t see their books but I would be heart broken if they closed. When I think about it, this is the only industry where I see companies trying to run a legit for profit business competing with hobbyists who are content to break even. I see that is good for choice but bad for sustainability.

 

[Wayneb]

Sorry to hear about the loss of your collection.....I don't understand why you are so concerned about the hobby of miniatures like it's the only thing in the world. There are so many things to do as a hobby. My attention span has for the most part revolved around some kind of creative outlet; right now it's painting miniatures; I don't even know what my next venture will be;...maybe counted cross stitch.....It all depends on how my finely tuned mind progresses or regresses...

Wayne

 

[Alex]

This 'hobby' we are discussing is not just a 'hobby' but a real art form where sculpting and painting are all coming together to produce something very unique and different.
It is not dying at all but evolving, as every art for has been doing in the last centuries.
I do not like the artificial boundary between the historical and fantasy pieces and painters.
Pegaso was and still is among the best manufacturers out there but they had to evolve and they knew it.
With the Kimera brand, they put aside metal casting and improved their fantasy offering.
With the launch of the new website and with discount shipping, they are going to reach a lot of new and old customers.

 

[MrBMB]

Hey guys. I Just to let you know I never posted my work on here. I’ve seen people here pick masterpieces apart so I’m not keen to see my meager.

Kevin

Hi Kevin
Apart from the "New figure/release thread" which sometimes has turned into a brutal honest thread
I think 99% of the site and people here are great. I have posted many things on this site and people have been more than helpful, infact I would say this site has been better than any other site I am on. My stuff isn't great but no one has said go away.
Even when I started doing Video Reviews I am sure there were lots of people thinking "who is this Tosser" maybe still do but no one has said something to me even though I am a lot younger and much better looking.
This has to be the best figure site on the web, so if you want to improve this is the best place for advice and support!!
Kevin lastly don't worry about putting something up and getting bad comments, most of the time I put Video Reviews up and get hundreds of views and no one comments at all, so give it a go!!
Ok I'm off to do my hair for another figure review.

 

[Blind Pew]

I reckon we must be in a golden age. The choice is bewildering these days, and the quality of stuff available now is unrivalled.

Ignore the button counters. They're very seldom good painters anyway, and all they do is regurgitate what they've read in a crusty old Osprey.

We can all learn and there's nothing more I love more than learning, or if I can, passing something on.

The fantasy side have always had the edge on us in terms of how to present a figure. The showmanship on display at their competitions is fantastic. We can learn from them. Personally I really do want to see many more younger people in the hobby. We need it, big time.

There is so much to enjoy these days.

 

[MrBMB]

So many great figures and models it's almost too much, almost. I can't remember buying a Pegaso figure for years so much stuff out there I am more worried about cupboard space

 

[fogie]

...... Just to let you know I never posted my work on here. I’ve seen people here pick masterpieces apart so I’m not keen to see my meager work trashed..........

Most of the answers have already been given, Kevin. Companies come and go but the quality and diversity of figures these days is tremendous.
It's probably the latest golden age - I've seen a few come and go - and is currently a really good time to return to this hobby. By the way, I too
am one of those who don't post their work here. Some of us just don't feel the need to do so. We're not particularly concerned about comments
good or bad - it's just that we've been doing this stuff for so long that we know we can paint, and no longer have a need for either recognition or
encouragement. We just paint for the sheer joy of it ( carefully counting buttons and mixing the precise shade of red of course ).

Mike

 

[Dan Morton]

There are lots of things wrong with this world - but this hobby (meant in the broadest sense) isn't one of them. Yes, it's evolving...name something in your life that isn't.

Yes some figure producers thrive and others go 'belly up'. Most (?) are small businesses, enjoying the advantages of small business and/or suffering the disadvantages.

I agree with fogie - paint (or sculpt or research historical miniatures) for the joy of it.

Everybody should have some kind of art in their life! In the morning I start messing about with a figure or two and when my wife calls me for lunch, hours of some kind of zen state have passed without me worrying about anything.

All the best,
Dan

 

[theBaron]

The only trouble is that some in the more fantasy/ wargaming side get dissuaded from trying historical due to seeing so much about not picky details like "wrong shade of red" and when competition entries are penalised for using painted effects (fire glow on the underside of an elephant bust comes to mind).

Historical needs to loosen up and open up. There are many incredible miniatures in the historical side of things and the more that boundary comes down the better personally.

Historical information isn't always completely accurate. I still remember when the British Museum changed many of the dinosaur poses because of new information.

In my experience, the fantasy wargamers can be just as particular about a detail or a color, as the most rabid rivet counter in the historical painting or scale modeling communities. And I've seen more fantasy painters showing interest in historical miniatures, at our shows. They admire the painted figures in the exhibition, and they spend money on Napoleonic hussars or medieval knights in the vendor rooms.

But it's good to see the two areas of what is essentially the same hobby-painting and building-coming together. There will be some rough spots, to be sure, but it's a net positive.

Prost!
Brad

 

[Wayneb]

There are lots of things wrong with this world - but this hobby (meant in the broadest sense) isn't one of them. Yes, it's evolving...name something in your life that isn't.



Yes some figure producers thrive and others go 'belly up'. Most (?) are small businesses, enjoying the advantages of small business and/or suffering the disadvantages.



I agree with fogie - paint (or sculpt or research historical miniatures) for the joy of it.



Everybody should have some kind of art in their life! In the morning I start messing about with a figure or two and when my wife calls me for lunch, hours of some kind of zen state have passed without me worrying about anything.



All the best,

Dan

Totally agree Dan.....nothing stays the same...If you enjoy what you're doing now, run with it and try to do the best you can until your next interest comes along. Everything runs its course. To be honest; I feel somewhat sorry for anyone who's stuck in a rut doing the same thing for too long. Right now for me painting miniatures is my thing which I try to challenge "myself" with each piece.
One of my favorite sayings....."No one's guaranteed tomorrow; and today's not over yet"...……...

Regards,
Wayne

 

[Babelfish]

most of the time I put Video Reviews up and get hundreds of views and no one comments at all

Guilty as charged most times LOL! Keep up the good work though, you can rest assured you aren't being ignored.

- Steve

 

[MrBMB]

Guilty as charged most times LOL! Keep up the good work though, you can rest assured you aren't being ignored.



- Steve

Yeah I have been losing a little interest in doing the vids, probably takes 2- 4 hours doing the vid with editing and uploading, without feedback its like having a TV on and no one is home LOL. I actually liked doing them but starting feeling silly thinking that no one really liked them hence the little to no comments/feedback.