Figure of the Month Competition - A SUGGESTION - ALL PLEASE COMMENT

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DEL

A Fixture
Joined
Aug 9, 2004
Messages
7,196
Location
Glasgow 'no mean city'
Hi all.
Let me first state that having as yet never entered into the competition I feel a bit out of order.
That being said I remain very much in favour of the whole thing and these are just my personal ruminations.
The commendable intention was to give members some recognition and the possibility of a small reward for their efforts. Inevitably like any such competition it is as much about popularity and awareness of the painter as it is about skill, inevitable but that's ok.
What is noticeable is the increase in pro and semi pro painters taking part and that is more than welcomed.
To give an example this month, November, includes a superb atmospheric piece by Sergie P and a fantasy piece that is of Chrystal Brush standard by Alphonso Floren . This is great but I wonder if it's a discouragement for many?
With the competition now being well established perhaps the time has come to consider a change by creating categories where entrants self identify as master, experienced or standard painters.
Basically this would create level playing fields that might well encourage participation
Sponsors could be asked which category they'd like to support.
What I'd be inclined to suggest is rather than prizes that have an immediate sense of reward but limited long term worth, a badge/medal system a bit like Euro would be more valued. Certainly I know I would enter.
A gold, silver, bronze and HC accompanied by a certificate would work. I know getting sponsors on board might be a bit more difficult but worth consideration and I think sponsors being identified on the certificate offers more marketing longevity.
Modellers who plug away but never get to a show might feel that this is a means of engaging in a proper competition.
To an extent it would still come down to a popularity vote but at least you'd be on a level field.
It could be factored in that any member who medals twice automatically moves up to the next level.
Thoughts?
Cheers
Derek
 
I class myself as a beginner painter irrespective of how long I have been trying. I would not enter the competition as I know my work is not up to the standard being entered and it is unlikely it ever will be.

That doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy painting, I really do, but I know it will never be of a competitive standard. I do love seeing the amazing work that is entered though and I think a competition of any sort is worth while to those who are good enough to try.
 
I think that's an excellent idea Del, been thinking along those lines myself for quite some time. Indeed I mentioned it when the idea was first mooted, as a means of levelling the playing field. There are those who are artists in every sense of the term and then there is groundlings like me who just throw paint about, but enjoy it regardless
Steve
 
Good call Derek! I've no axe to grind but I do think there needs to be some form of categorisation which enables the journeymen painters like me to compete against contemporaries, rather than place my work up against those who earn a living from painting and commission work. I wholeheartedly welcome the professionals' involvement as what they do is inspiring and informative. That said, we need also to encourage all painters to share their work. Encouragement and sensible critique is what this forum is surely all about, but also giving the top painters/sculptors a platform to get their work out in the public domain. I'm with you on this(y)

Phil
 
Excellent ideas Del (y)

I've been a supporter of competitions when I think I have a piece is worth entering - not with any hope of winning, but for the same reason I usually enter club comps at shows; it helps show support.

There are some superb pieces from the folks who make a living from painting in the contests and I understand their reasons for entering. :) I've absolutely no axe to grind (as Phil says) Competitions should be about the best around, but my understanding was these comps were originally to encourage members to show their work and become more involved with the community? (I may have that wrong) :unsure:
With the current competition open to pro and semi pro painters your 'average' brush swinger may well be discouraged from entering and it will become another 'showcase' for schools and individuals who make a living at this. Nothing wrong with that we all enjoy a bit of eye candy, but it doesn't really contribute to the community we are. (Takes a step back and waits for the howls of protest and indignation)

Back in the day the Model Engineering Exhibition (Remember them?) used to ask entries to declare if they had ever worked or sold professionally so the situation has been around for a while . . . .

Paul
 
Hi Del

Thanks for posting this a lot of good points are raised

Really good response and thoughts from members as well

The idea in my mind is to also promote and encourage members to show their work and be involved in PF more .....that's what PF is all about

What I say is this will take a bit of sorting out .....I like the idea of a pin badge ......sourcing and cost needs to be considered of course

Perhaps a "virtual pin and certificate" ?

We are lucky with having such excellent support from companies as well

My idea then is to run FOTM as it is till end of Decembers voting ( ie: Jan 31 ) and I can set up separate thread for " PROFESSIONAL and PRO PAINTERS or those that have placed in International Comps ( perhaps Gold/Silver/ BOS etc ) for example like Russian artists and those Del mentioned

Initially the virtual Gold/Silver/ Bronze pin & certificate to be awarded

Painters will know which they fit into but I will have the option to move entry if needed

This will leave the normal FOTM for entries from " Journeyman " and those that just enjoy the benchtime like me , Paul, Phil , Chris and other PF members

We could also give out virtual awards as well


THOUGHTS PLEASE

Nap
 
Sounds good Kev (y)

Just a thought - how about a flag/star/pin which is added on the Name tag at the side of posts (under the members name and picture) Shouldn't be too difficult to sort out for someone who know's their way around the system and can be a reminder of the award permanently attached to their profile o_O
(It also shouldn't cost too much to sort)(y)
Toodlepip
Paul
 
[quote="Nap, post: 1108460,

What I say is this will take a bit of sorting out .....I like the idea of a pin badge ......sourcing and cost needs to be considered of course

Perhaps a "virtual pin and certificate" ?

We are lucky with having such excellent support from companies as well

My idea then is to run FOTM as it is till end of Decembers voting ( ie: Jan 31 ) and I can set up separate thread for " PROFESSIONAL and PRO PAINTERS or those that have placed in International Comps ( perhaps Gold/Silver/ BOS etc ) for example like Russian artists and those Del mentioned

Initially the virtual Gold/Silver/ Bronze pin & certificate

THOUGHTS PLEASE

Nap[/quote]

That is potentially a good option if sponsors can't be secured to cover badges. Something really well designed and printable.
Could be home printed by the winners or file could be downloaded and professionally printed.
Paul's idea of a 'flag' beside a members name is a good shout.
 
As someone who's hardly dipped a brush in earnest for years (...the body is weak), let alone entered FOTM, I don't have a horse in this race.

However, I do vote in FOTM and am regularly fazed by what some can do with a hairy stick and pots of chemical gunk. But, as we all know, there is a chasm between what some (notably our Russian colleagues) can do and yer' average hobbyist paint dauber. Of course one may say that if it's a competition then those without the skills to win shouldn't enter.. in which case, why sunday morning football, the vast numbers in the London Marathon, art club shows and the hopefuls in TVs amateur Masterchef? (hint: they have different leagues/classes/categories to level out the field).

If as Del says, the FOTM aims to encourage members to show their work, gain recognition amongst their peers and aspire to greater things then I wholeheartedly support his proposal (y)

Nap's suggestion for a 'Pro' category and virtual medals seems to fit the bill. However, it may be better setting it up as a 'Pro-Am' allowing entry for pros and also those who, as Nap says, are major comp medallists or just really skilled hobbyists who 'think themselves good enough'. The rest of us mere mortals can enter a purely 'Am-Hobbyist' category with a fair chance of winning (with the recognition and sense of achievement probably worth more than any tangible prize).

It would also be great if Paul's idea of pinning the medals to avitars can be taken up... perhaps some may end up with enough bling that Nap will want to paint them ;).

It may also be worth considering whether winning 'x' hobbyist medals involves promotion to the Pro-Am to give others a chance?

The discussion also raises the issue of a 'junior' competition for our younger member (are there any?). This has been raised in the past and turned down (can't remember why but I'm sure for very good reasons), but anything that can 'encourager les autres' and stimulate new blood into the hobby must surely make sense... thoughts on this?

Neil
 
Suppose you could set up a Par handicap system as in golf .

A good point ! if you continually win in a lower class you get moved up automatically although this would need to probably be entrant compliant so as not to give Nap mountains of work . " Then again I am not averse to using the whip to get more production ":eek::D
 
Some good ideas coming in.
Not wanting to stymie creativity I think there's a risk of overcomplicating to a degree.
Not sure about the Pro Am categorisation. I personally think that a simple 3 tier system is much more workable.
A handicap system would be a discouragement and for what we do unworkable.
 
... creating categories where entrants self identify as master, experienced or standard painters.

No problems with that Del.. my 'Pro-Am' suggestion is really just your 'Master' under a different name (I was suggesting just two tiers + possibly Juniors).

Not quite sure about the handicap system you mentioned?

Whatever we end up with, it's a good idea... well done for floating it (y)

Neil
 
Hi Guys

Okay been thinking about this ...still lots to think on but this is a good idea from our Scottish contingent

My thoughts are 3 category ....any ideas what to call each one ?

Main prize goes to winner of the first category , prize of bases goes to 2nd catogory winner and the download goes to 3rd category winner

Each winner gets a "star" possibly in a different colour to yellow as this denotes a PF supporter under avatar ( see mine )

From our systems genius ....."The only restriction is the size of the icon. It has to be small enough to allow enough room to fit the name. There is no restriction on color. It is basically an image file that gets displayed next to the name."


I will look at a pin badge or virtual certificate but need to really check this out

As for a "Junior" ...I woukd love to see this but don't feel we have many if any juniors to warrant it

All comments welcome

Nap
 
Phil ( Airkid ) mentioned sculptors ....I would like to see these entering as well in each section .....

Thoughts ?

As Phil says the forum is all about encouragement in all aspects of the hobby

Stop press thought : Perhaps the catagories could be called Hobbyist, Journeyman , Pro

Members would choose which catagory to enter in

Nap
 
Phil ( Airkid ) mentioned sculptors ....I would like to see these entering as well in each section .....

Thoughts ?

As Phil says the forum is all about encouragement in all aspects of the hobby

Stop press thought : Perhaps the catagories could be called Hobbyist, Journeyman , Pro

Members would choose which catagory to enter in

Nap

Why not the Good The Bad and The Ugly? :angelic:
 
Another stop press thought !

Rather than a star what about a BRUSH or maybe a PALETTE as a icon in a appropriate colour for each catagory ...these would be added to the winner only perhaps

All ideas welcome

Nap
 
Another stop press thought !

Rather than a star what about a BRUSH or maybe a PALETTE as a icon in a appropriate colour for each catagory ...these would be added to the winner only perhaps

All ideas welcome

Nap

Gold stars , didn't get many of them at primary school , managed a silver trowel though. could see us ending up with four star armchair generals
 


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