Box art

[Mirofsoft]

Suggestion about " more pictures at different angles " perhaps exposed on your site, it's far cheaper and there we have all the paintig istructions in pictures
Continue the good work
Best

 

[Tecumsea]

That seems like a very sensible suggestion-load all of the Box Art pictures on to your website so that customers can download them if they wish, same could go for references. I know that some of the older generation of models don't have computers but usually there is a family member who can do it for them. Any new Pegaso releases I usually download from the Historex site as they usually post 3-4 pictures. I them save them on the computer for when I make the purchase.

Keith

 

[Gra30]

I know what you mean Keith and Microsoft, the problem is some websites only allow a certain number of images per product. They also show on the PC but not on the iPad in some cases. That said, many even after paying by website prefer the hard copies and request I send them and then as you say there are the ones that have no internet access and those that impulse purchase and look through the box at shows.
It is that old debate of digital media and printed. Personally I prefer to have photographs in front of me rather than uploading images or trying to find them on the PC years after it has sat in the grey army
I think a front and back should be sufficient and was never a problem before the digital surge

 

[brian]

I remember when i first got interested in this hobby of ours many,many moons ago i used to be chuffed when someone would say that they reckon my figure was better than the box art which obviously pleased me no end.Nowadays with the advent of stunning box art i find that i'm spending a lot more on the hobby as i've been inspired by it.I used to try and emulate the box art to a certain degree but as i use only oils my version was not the same as an acrylic version.That's when you find your own style of painting and when you achieve a certain amount of success with it then it's a pleasure.
Acrylics and the young guns out there are taking this hobby into new territory which is great for the hobby and if you can pinch a few ideas from their style and adapt it Great!!!
I can now answer the question,is it art?Painted by the fantasy/historical painters ,yes it is as there is a blurring of the styles which i reckon will keep this hobby very healthy in the future.
Basically when it comes down to it,brilliant box art or just primed ?I'd buy the figure no matter what.Might not finish it ,but i'll buy it.
Brian

 

[BobLff257]

Interesting thread and comments posted by manufacturers and the customers. Can't add too much to this but having been in this business for 30 years I have always supplied box art. In the "old days" when we had model shops I thought it important to display your product to it's best vantage, packaging too being just as important. With the demise of the shop and the availability of the internet it may not be so crucial but still the appearance of the piece and it's potential should be displayed to it's best advantage, common sense marketing. I don't think any painted figure should put off a prospective buyer, as many of you have said, styles have been developed and your own aspirations should be endeavoured to be achieved. Just playing around with a future release's box art, would a combination of b&w/colour be to most peoples satisfaction?

Rob

 

[Foxwood Figures]

I just love these type of threads where both customer and manufacturer throw in comments. So here are mine although, as a low profile manufacturer our position is slightly different to Graham's or Stu's. My husbands on-going ill health means that I continue to run Foxwood Figures on a "part-time" basis so costs for us is very important. We sit quite firmly on the "good box art" side of the argument but the new figures we have purchased - such as those from Pete Morton - only ever had black and white pictures. Similarly, the former Maurice Corry Miniatures range only came with black and white (although Moz did supply Pete with sculptors notes on the range that Pete never managed to pass on!). Other ranges that we own - such as Hearn Originals - do have colour images but they are a little dated. So we tend to use black and white because the costs of having a figure professionally painted is, in our circumstances, quite high. Having said that, we have invited customers to send in completed pictures of our figures and, where they are good enough, we ask permission to use those. Above is an example painted by Paul Alderton, a member on this forum. I think Paul has captured the figure well. We also want to add a "customers gallery" to our website to be set up later this year but , as has been pointed out, their are some limitations to this. So, in summary, we go for good box art where we can - and we are happy to use customers box art where we can - but we will run with black and white if we have too. Hope this helps. Jackie, Foxwood Figures

 

[Steve]

I have been giving this some thought and arrived at the conclusion that the primed figure offers the most honest view of the casting. No intimidation factor and nothing else but a good look.

 

[Eludia]

I've arrived a bit late to this thread but in my case a good boxart is the thing that catches my eye and persuades me to part with my cash. I know that I'll never be able to produce anything remotely close to the photo but it shows me the potential of the piece, and it's nice to dream. One thing I have learnt though is to never....ever....ever, display the boxart anywhere near my amateurish efforts. In fact it's probably best to destroy the evidence completely once a figure is completed.

Just my tuppence worth

Cheers,
Billy

 

[taff edwards]

Hi guys
I would buy with out box art yes it's great to have it ,that's in a sense a bonus of reference , it's the sculpt the casting and the subject
That grab my attention ,the whole hobby is a learning process looking at the guys that paint the box art I take from it aspects of there style use of tone and colour weathering and add elements to my painting style and then the figure becomes in a sense mine .
As much as I admire the incredible painters that are out there I want the figures / busts in my cabinet to be what I have created with the constant learning process as the sense of elation when it comes together is wonderful .
Cheers Chris

 

[zane666]

I use to purchase after viewing boxart because of reference art and a quality to strive for, but nowdays we have so many talented painters(and sculptors) on this site that eventually the figure you are looking at will turn up on here and well painted. My wish list at the moment only consists grey prime images, I think the good quality photos help sell the product.

zane

 

[badger]

i think box art is important. its what attracts your attention ,it inspires you to complete the model/figure to similar standards, and looks good. i have a kindle but prefer a book with a cover and photos to refer to./badger

 

[MCPWilk]

Box Art can serve three functions:
to show off the figure to best advantage;
to act as a painting guide; and
to inspire the modeller (without being too intimidating).

I have been doing some sculpting/converting and painting for Victory Miniatures of late (e.g. http://victoryminiatures.co.uk/index.php?id=models&pid=64). I do not consider myself to be a particularly talented painter, but hope my efforts are a good average. As Jackie has stated above, getting figures painted professionally is an additional cost that may not be recouped with the current state of the market.

Mike

 

[steve c]

This is a very interesting question, we thought hard about this we had 1 issue.
1. Most good box art painters are very busy and there is a long ish wait for the finished figure.
This meant that there was a long wait for figure releases and we didn't want to do that so we went for the
stylised image. it works for us.
I personally love box art i'm all for it. I have kept a few of the box tops just because they were so good.
It was just the time scale thing for us.

 

[Gra30]

I know an old thread, but along the same vein do you think there is any sway for not providing painting and if needed construction instructions, especially if releasing with a black and white image.
I ask as I have spent a while lately researching some pieces for upcoming release and it can take a bit of time with cross referencing.
To me not providing instructions is half hearted but I may just be being traditionalist. it often it seems people are ok with it and no it doesn't make the kit more expensive I also think it makes the manufacturer do their research so they know the piece before going to market.
I know most of us have a reference library but many don't and even with the internet we get requests on here's truly.
Just wondered what the opinion was having seen the preferences for B+W

 

[prhayes68]

Following up Gra's question, I'm fine without painting instructions if it's a subject with which I am very familiar. I have a large reference library on the British Guards regiments so am fine if this is the subject. Occasionally I break out in an erratic fashion and will paint a line regiment figure. In that case, not being as familiar with the uniform details and having less reference material, I find painting instructions and/or box art very useful. So if Gra could just check with me each time and I'll tell him whether I need instructions or not . Joking aside it depends, which probably is not a very helpful answer for Gra!

Pete

 

[Richie]

Hi Graham/All,
Speaking for myself, although it is nice to see a painted box art versions, I have not seen one for your 17th Lancer and the photo's in grey scale spoke for themselves, that was enough to put it on my future purchase list. I think the subject, pose, posture, detail and sculpting are enough.

I have seen figures in grey scale posted by sculptors/manufacturers on here and not knowing anything about the figure or regiment it's forced to do a little bit of research which I have enjoyed, whether I have purchased or not based on my personal preferences.

I think you see the kit more or less as you would take it from the box and dry fit it. I concur with Keith research is all part of the fun and enjoyment. I do not think personally there is a need for assembly instructions so long as the assembled grey scale model is photographed initially from a number of angles.

Personally I would like to see a few more build threads on here for a new figure (and I know that does not cover all bases such as magazines etc), true it would be better if the person is comfortable with that period/regiment, as this wins on a number of levels for me. You get the historic background/reference, you get an assembly guide, a painting guide, tips and tricks. The figure as part of the build could be photographed up close and personal so to speak so it could then be reviewed at a later date.

So if box art is going to be the preference, then why not get the painters to do the above, the are doing it anyway but just not recording it!
cheers
Richie

 

[taff edwards]

I agree Ritchie
I think build threads step by step are really helpful, for me with the recent one I am doing on the Nuts Planet Aquila it has been really helpful for me as a process making mental notes of what I am doing ,as normally its a natural process which flows into stage by stage .
Like the the other day I was experimenting with different mattalic paints and making a note of how I was doing it , the box art with that figure is superb so there was the reference with it .