(and years from now, I will probably be described by my neighbors as 'a quiet man, friendly, kept to himself, mostly....')[/QUOTE]
Don't they say that about serial killers?
Carl.
Don't they say that about serial killers?
Carl.
Defining ourselves ..
- Thread starter gordy
- Start date
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Jamie Stokes
A Fixture
[/quote] Don't they say that about serial killers?
Carl.[/QUOTE]
You should see what I do to a bowl of Wheaties, daily....poor cereal......
Carl.[/QUOTE]
You should see what I do to a bowl of Wheaties, daily....poor cereal......
Tecumsea
PlanetFigure Supporter
I'm not sure what Gordy expected when he started this thread but it has given me a chuckle as I read through the various comments.
I usually say I paint Military figures then quickly explain that it is nothing to do with toy soldiers or wargaming. The replies really sum up the difficulty in describing a virtually unknown hobby to outsiders particularly the artistic and creative elements.
The absence of shops and magazines devoted to the hobby doesn't help to increase its profile. Most mags are aimed at Toy Soldiers, Wargamers. In the UK Military Modelling is full of tanks and only the occasional figure special are worth buying. Pity about the demise of Historical Miniatures and QTM seems to be very slow with Issue 3.
Keith
I usually say I paint Military figures then quickly explain that it is nothing to do with toy soldiers or wargaming. The replies really sum up the difficulty in describing a virtually unknown hobby to outsiders particularly the artistic and creative elements.
The absence of shops and magazines devoted to the hobby doesn't help to increase its profile. Most mags are aimed at Toy Soldiers, Wargamers. In the UK Military Modelling is full of tanks and only the occasional figure special are worth buying. Pity about the demise of Historical Miniatures and QTM seems to be very slow with Issue 3.
Keith
thats indeed difficult i never thought about it.
when i did mention this hobby on my job to others they looked at me with an mixture of mercy and disbelieve.
then they asked me why i would play with pupets...
therefore i really did never meet here in this villagelike strip of lower Frankonia
an human interested in the same thing in person.
i would like to say in german Figurenmaler say figurepainter
therefore i look in this forum to see that there are other human beeings hugged with this hobby.
i started with tamiya tanks but always where more keen on the figis than on the tank itself.
when i saw the first verlinden figure in real i could not believe.i invested an whole months wage in an hobby shop and bought all i did like.of course i terrible screwed them.
so i think we are not to many its neverless interesting to see that an industry-even small- can live from us.
when i did mention this hobby on my job to others they looked at me with an mixture of mercy and disbelieve.
then they asked me why i would play with pupets...
therefore i really did never meet here in this villagelike strip of lower Frankonia
an human interested in the same thing in person.
i would like to say in german Figurenmaler say figurepainter
therefore i look in this forum to see that there are other human beeings hugged with this hobby.
i started with tamiya tanks but always where more keen on the figis than on the tank itself.
when i saw the first verlinden figure in real i could not believe.i invested an whole months wage in an hobby shop and bought all i did like.of course i terrible screwed them.
so i think we are not to many its neverless interesting to see that an industry-even small- can live from us.
Harry
Well-Known Member
I remember once I went to meet my little brother and his latest squeeze in Paris. While waiting for them I noticed there was an exhibition of model soldiers in one of the antique emporia opposite Les Tuilleries. Entree vingt Franc. It was a collection, but it was so long ago I can't remember who it was by. Some great pieces, including large dioramas. When I got back to Amsterdamn I mentioned it to my cow-orkers to general signs of puzzlement: "Antiques, yes - but...toy soldiers!?" . Nowadays I don't mention it to anyone - I think I'd sooner admit my gasmask and rhubarb fetish!
pylgrym
Member
I am a figurine collector who likes to JUXTAPOSE: make assemblages, dioramas and playsets with my collections... my hobby includes but is not limited to building and painting historical/military miniatures. We are inded an eclectic bunch and a rather small fraternity, to be sure - but a dedicated coterie!
sam b
A Fixture
I am a figure paint (aka butcher with a brush 16 stone ex head doorman in night clubs but a TOTAL TOTAL GEEK) who cry’s when people say I still play with toys!!!
Sam
Sam
Disco58
Member
I don't label myself as anything, not even a "modeler". I have a real difficult time telling people (particularly women I meet) that I build models for a hobby. Then I have to explain what I mean by 'models' --"...you know the cars and airplanes and armor and sci-fi stuff your brothers probably built when they were kids". Then I go on to tell them that I primarily do figures now, which elicits another questioning look, to which I explain figures of...sci-fi stuff, movie monsters, fantasy figures, etc, etc. Most are kind enough to not yawn in my presence, but there have been a couple.... I actually had one woman ask if I lived with my parents! So I don't even talk about it much to anyone other than guys in the club (I'm President of the local IPMS chapter) and on sites like this. I started into figures because I was confused about my genre-orientation. One of my truest passions is aviation. If I could travel in time I would seek out those who shared that passion -- DaVinci, Wright Brothers, Lindberg, Amelia Earhart. But modeling aircraft gets me in trouble. I am too much of a perfectionist. So I've run the gamut of armor, sci-fi, etc, and I found figures somewhat by accident. I was at a show and something about the sheer artistry of figure painting grabbed me. I don't care so much for the historical figures. They require the perfectionist and rivet counter to come back out of hiding, and I don't want that. I want to keep this fun and interesting, so my interests lie in figures that are less structured and less rigid in color or accuracy requirements. My biggest hangupa at present are fleshtones and leather. The rest I think I can muddle my way through. So I guess I am just someone who has a bit of an interest in modeling, and builds or paints whatever suits my fancy this week. When my interest wains I put it all away until it returns.
It's too hard to describe our hobby 'cause it's beyond description!
Thanks gordy starting this thread I think this is a good topic to talk about and share everybody's thoughts from all over the world.
In my country, Japan, the country of Manga/Anime figure, when everyday people talk about "figure", it means "Manga/Anime" figures. I know Japan has a little bit different culture in figure modelling but Anime figure market is too big to avoid in Japan. so I don't want to use word "figure" to describe my hobby here in Japan, I decided to describe my hobby "Historical Miniatures", which can include many elements such as figures, AFV, ac, cars...etc. When we use the word "historical figure" in japan everybody think it means Samurai figures so it is easier for people to understand.
Thanks gordy starting this thread I think this is a good topic to talk about and share everybody's thoughts from all over the world.
In my country, Japan, the country of Manga/Anime figure, when everyday people talk about "figure", it means "Manga/Anime" figures. I know Japan has a little bit different culture in figure modelling but Anime figure market is too big to avoid in Japan. so I don't want to use word "figure" to describe my hobby here in Japan, I decided to describe my hobby "Historical Miniatures", which can include many elements such as figures, AFV, ac, cars...etc. When we use the word "historical figure" in japan everybody think it means Samurai figures so it is easier for people to understand.
Disco58
Member
...I think I'd sooner admit my gasmask and rhubarb fetish!
Harry, you too?! My god, what a relief! I thought I....oh wait.
Fernando Ruiz
A Fixture
I use to define myself as "miniatures painter". Normally, it requires a bit of explanation to get the other to understand what I do. About the other thing, what people outside of the hobby thinks about it, I have noticed a small but important detail. In most cases, is not a matter of ignorance or condescension, it's just that people don't have the tools to establish a criteria about our hobby. And they don't need necessarilly to be ignorants for that. Take that example. When my parents come to my house, they always ask me to show them any new figure. I can see they like the miniatures but, if you analize their words, you realize they wouldn't see much difference in technique or style between one of my miniatures and other of a painter with a very different style or experience degree. When I realized about it, I ceased to show my work to people who didn't asked to see it. Now the only ones who see my figures are either non-modellers who ask to see them or fellow modelleres, of course.
Curiously, Facebook is a fantastic tool for showing them. People that are not really interested in the hobby can have a look at them without the obligation of saying a false word of appreciation. And, in the other hand I have received words of interest and congratulations for my work from unthinkable people...
If I had to come with a term to define us all (in my opinion, of course), both painters and sculptors, both historic nerds and fantasy/Sci-Fi freaks, even the guys who build tanks, planes or ships, this would be Scale Artist. It includes the two concepts we all have in common: the undoubtable artistic aspect of our creations and the fact that we all work with the reality in scale.
Regards
FeR
Curiously, Facebook is a fantastic tool for showing them. People that are not really interested in the hobby can have a look at them without the obligation of saying a false word of appreciation. And, in the other hand I have received words of interest and congratulations for my work from unthinkable people...
If I had to come with a term to define us all (in my opinion, of course), both painters and sculptors, both historic nerds and fantasy/Sci-Fi freaks, even the guys who build tanks, planes or ships, this would be Scale Artist. It includes the two concepts we all have in common: the undoubtable artistic aspect of our creations and the fact that we all work with the reality in scale.
Regards
FeR
Wim Keller
Member
What about... "life in scale creators"?
OK, seriously now, I think that "figure modellers" is the official term.
Although I actually do believe that what we create is alive, since it carries a part of our personality.
OK, seriously now, I think that "figure modellers" is the official term.
Although I actually do believe that what we create is alive, since it carries a part of our personality.
polyphemus
A Fixture
- Joined
- Mar 15, 2006
- Messages
- 1,230
Does anyone discern a different reaction from the great unknowing masses towards busts as opposed to full figures. Similarly does the scale of the piece provoke different reactions?
On a slightly different tack, any offers for a collective name for a gathering of figure painters? You know the sort of thing; a number of accountants, a body of undertakers etc
Geoff
On a slightly different tack, any offers for a collective name for a gathering of figure painters? You know the sort of thing; a number of accountants, a body of undertakers etc
Geoff
pgarri27
A Fixture
I paint "Little People". I do like to point out to my unknowing guests the difference between what I painted 20 years ago and now, and then I describe the differences between my best work and the pieces I have from really good painters. Then I thorougly amaze them when I tell them the prices some collectors will pay for certain artists figures. Seems like putting a price tag on it either helps them appreciate the peices, or comfirms to them that we are a bunch of crazy people.
Disco58
Member
A "kit" of modelers would be appropriate, but since miniataure figures are not always in kit form requiring assembly it wouldn't always apply.
Disco58
Member
How about a cast (as in falcons) as the figures are cast pieces of art, or an ostentation (as in peafowl) since by painting figures in bright colors we strive to make them more noticeable as does the peacock.
Disco58
Member
I think that maybe in the eyes of the uninitiated a price tag, particularly one with at least double digits in the dollar column, gives the piece some credence, and separates it from a dime store toy. That in turn makes the painter seem (at least somewhat) more of an artist, and less someone who paints and plays with those toys. One of the other posts mentioned busts v. full figures, and I think the toy v. art conundrum is there as well. If you were to sculpt a scale bust of Beethoven (wouldn't Schroeder be proud!) you would be considered an artist, but a scale full figure would get rather odd looks and you'd be considered more than a bit eccentric. In contrast, sculpting a bust of Bela Lugosi as Dracula wouldn't be considered art at all in most circles, and a full figure is definitely just a toy. The psychology behind that is anyone's guess.
billyturnip
A Fixture
For those that haven't tried it if you think it's difficult explaining painting "normal" figures have a go at explaining painting flats.
Roger.
Roger.
Disco58
Member
Those seem a bit more acceptable as art in a classic sense. I see them more as paintings as opposed to painted sculpture.
