Defining ourselves ..

[gordy]

Miniaturists? Figurists?

What do we actually call ourselves and call what we do?

``I'm going to the hobby shop to buy some more ______ ''

or

``I just ordered some new _______ online today''

Here is how the world defines us:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miniatures

Or
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Figurine

Or
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miniature_figure_(gaming)

Or
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toy_soldier

Clearly, none of those accurately describe our craft does it?

Let's collectively define what we are and what we do!

Whether it be a new term, or a recycled one, we need to mainstream our craft so that publicly when the word is spoken people know what it is and give credit to our craft as an emerging fine art.

I can't think of a better place to ask this, planetFigure has the largest worldwide audience and we as members owners of this craft should be able to modernly define ourselves


~ gordy

p.s. this is not a debate whether or not wikipedia is an authoritative source on the matter, it merely provides examples.

 

[tonydawe]

I consider myself a figure modeller.

 

[Anders Heintz]

Figure Modeller or Historical Miniaturist is what I'd say. What we do are Historical Miniatures, to varying degrees of accuracy, but to fill in the blanks you provided I'd simply say "figures".

 

[Christosjager]

In one word I am saying: Figures.
The term Miniatures for me is not wrong but is most elegant.
In Greece we use the term "figurists" for the modellers ("φιγουράδες" in our language).

 

[housecarl]

I tend to say. "I paint figures."
Carl.

 

[John Bowery]

I usually say "I put together and paint Military Miniature figures.
Cheers
John

 

[captnenglish]

Historical miniaturist

 

[Einion]

I'd commonly think of it as historical modeller or historical model-maker.

Einion

 

[Tarok]

Simply "modeller"

 

[gothicgeek]

Painter, of Figures or busts

 

[pmfs]

Self-taught painter of figures

 

[Meehan34]

Figures is what I say, but I'm still wet behind the ears in this hobby.

 

[Barke02]

Bunch o' freaks an' God damn misfits! That's what I say!

You bunch o' scale weirdos!

But of course we are the best of the best!

We are the true heirs to all the world!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJnCHctOeJg

 

[Ernest]

Figure painter, but I don't know why the models tanker and models aircraft call me "the toy painter" or "you only paint dolls" or "you are very gay because you always paint men"

In my country the figure painters are like a green dog, very rare and too few, the majority goes to model aircraft and tankers too much tankers, also cars and bikes.

 

[Dan Morton]

No intended offense, Gordy (and possibly others(?)), but I'm having too much fun making models to worry much about what anybody thinks about me (us) or how the "majority" perceives me (us). Not trying to be difficult or sound crabby, just trying to be honest. Maybe public perception makes some kind of difference to those who are more into the commercial side of the hobby (what little there is of it). Can't speak for them.

My tuppence...

All the best,
Dan

 

[gordy]

None taken! Don't stop having the fun!

 

[Ernest]

No intended offense, Gordy (and possibly others(?)), but I'm having too much fun making models to worry much about what anybody thinks about me (us) or how the "majority" perceives me (us). Not trying to be difficult or sound crabby, just trying to be honest. Maybe public perception makes some kind of difference to those who are more into the commercial side of the hobby (what little there is of it). Can't speak for them.

My tuppence...

All the best,
Dan

Dan I speak about what I perceive in my country as figure painter, I also enjoy a lot to paint figures and I don't care what other think or say but I don't know why these people do these kind of comment, make me feel like a I'm less artist (or model painter) than them cause I paint figures instead tanks or aircraft what the must people here do.

 

[Anders Heintz]

Ernesto,

Thats what we call the nerdy plastic modellers here (relax people...). And for them to try to make YOU of all people feel like less of an artist, they sure have some serious envy issues. You are badass, dont let anyone tell you any different, especially a plastic modeller...pffft!

 

[jcichon]

When people ask I say historical miniaturist. WHen they ask I show them a Horan pic and they are intrigued. Then I show them one of mine and they smile and walk away

 

[Ernest]

Ernesto,

Thats what we call the nerdy plastic modellers here (relax people...). And for them to try to make YOU of all people feel like less of an artist, they sure have some serious envy issues. You are badass, dont let anyone tell you any different, especially a plastic modeller...pffft!

Yes Anders, that's what I mean, I don't know why some (because are not all of them) say that stupid things, was upon a time when I made model aircraft but I discover that to paint figures is more funner and has an artistic feeling, I respect what plastic modellers do, some of their works are stunning, but I thing the figure has more artistic view than an scale tank or aircraft <---personal opinion here