Good Evening,
As promised, here is the first 'In the Spotlight' article featuring Andy Statham. Andy took the Best in Show award at Figure World North this year with his superb Utah Beach Vignette. A few recent pics of his work are attached including the Utah Beach Vignette.
Without further ado...
Q: How long have you been painting miniature figures and how did you get into the hobby?
A: Like many people, my journey into painting miniature figures started more than 55 years ago when as a child… I collected and 'tried' to paint 1/72 Airfix soldiers. I had hundreds of them but what really started my figure painting off was the introduction, by Airfix, of their 54mm series of Napoleonic figures during my teenage years. When Airfix then introduced their 1/32 'multipose' range I got the converting bug and discovered milliput. In my late teens Hinchcliffe brought out their metal 54mm range courtesy of Ray Lamb and I discovered Historex and the rest as they say is history.
Q: Do you have any particular figure painters / artists that have influenced your style or motivated you?
A: I owe a lot of my passion for figure painting to Pete Barnacle. As a newly married twenty one year old, we moved to the Matlock area of Derbyshire and that is where I met Pete and his wife Elsie. He was a great painter and sculptor and in the ten years we were associated (before we moved to Lincolnshire) I learnt so much from him. In those days we under painted in Humbrol enamels and painted in oils. He taught me so many styles and techniques. At this time other influential painters for me included Max Longhurst, Shep Paine, Richard Scollins, David Grieve, and Ray Lamb.
From approximately 1990 to 2015 my figure painting dropped off due to the demands of my career and a growing family. Any spare time for a hobby was taken up with railway modelling, another of my many modelling passions! In 2016 however, I began planning for my retirement and was determined to get back into figure painting and started researching and re-aquainting myself with the art form. I had kept going to Euro-Militaire and noticed that many of the best (amazing) painters were coming from Europe and had a painting style that clearly did not utilise oil paints.
Acrylics were clearly the new paint medium and I had no idea how to use them. I began my journey into acrylics by painting 28mm Perrys wargames figures and quickly developed my techniques and used the internet to watch how the experts did it. Now my primary paint medium is acrylics but I still use oils and enamels.
Q: What are your favourite brand of miniature figure paints and why?
A: During my experimentation period with acrylics I tried out all of the major brands that are out there and as a result the brand I have settled on is Vallejo Model colour. They have a fantastically wide range of colours and different mediums. I find the model colour range is consistently good in quality and consistency and always gives a good finish. I also use their washes and in particular their 'Model Air’ metallics range which I can achieve excellent results with. At shows I always look at all the paint ranges on offer and often will pick up something new or different to try but I always come back to Vallejo as my primary source of paints and finishes.
Q: Approximately how long do you spend on a typical figure project?
A: The amount of time I spend on a particular figure varies significantly and for a variety of reasons. My modus operandi is to firstly identify a figure or group I want to concentrate on, sketch out how I see the completed figure and make a scenic base for it and get a name plate on. This motivates me to prime, fill where/if necessary, temporarily stage the figure and commence painting. How long the painting takes depends on how well I am getting on with the figure. During lockdown, if I was really 'into' a figure and the paint was going on well I could complete a 75mm figure in five-seven days. Conversely, if I am struggling with a figure and I'm not happy with the effect I am trying to obtain, completing the figure can take considerably longer.
I always have at least a dozen figures on my work bench primed and ready to paint with a completed base waiting for them. If I'm struggling with a figure, I put it down and leave it for a few days and start on another figure or some separate items that need painting. This acts as a 're-boot' and I find that when I go back to the 'problem' figure it does not look so bad after all and I start working on it again.
Q: Do you have a favourite manufacturer and why?
A: When I first started figure painting metal castings where the order of the day, but, as with the advent of acrylics, we now have a fantastic range of figures and scales to choose from and fantastic sculptors and companies constantly introducing new items. Invariably these figures are cast in resin or, as technology has advanced, 3D printed in resins. I have an alarmingly large grey army which probably consists of examples from all of the well known manufactures. I do not have a favourite manufacturer as there are so many great companies out there producing excellent figures that it would be impossible to choose.
Q: Do you have a favourite miniature figure show that you have attended or would like to attend?
A: I have always attended military miniature exhibitions and shows even when I was not actively modelling. Euro Militaire was always a source of inspiration (and new figures!) and was a great weekend each year. I am a member of the White Rose Military modelling Club and the BMSS and attend their annual show and I like to support all the national clubs and societies that put on a show/exhibition each year. I don't have a favorite but the BMSS Annuals, Figure World North (White Rose) and the Scale Model World show (Telford) are always in the diary.
When I retired, I had an ambition to constantly develop my figure painting skills as much as possible and to visit some of the big shows held in Europe each year, and perhaps enter some of the competitions. Covid and lock down prevented going to any events but in 2022 I went to my first, and to date, only European modelling event when I attended World Model Expo in Eindhoven. What a fantastic exhibition! brilliantly organised and a true feast for the eyes (and wallet). I took some figures and entered them into the standard categories and to my surprise and delight was awarded a Gold and Silver medal for my efforts. I can't wait for the next World Model Expo to be held at Versailles in 2025.
Q: Where do you see your miniature figure work headed in the near future?
A: As to the future, I get a huge sense of achievement painting military miniatures and derive a great deal of pleasure and relaxation from painting. If I never purchased another figure I have enough 'stock' to last two lifetimes. I intend to keep developing my skills as a painter, visiting and exhibiting at exhibitions in this country and in Europe and continue to enjoy the company of fellow painters and modellers.
Q: What are your current thoughts on the miniature figure world today?
A: I am passionate about getting the fantastic work of figure painters recognised as a true and worthy art form. In my opinion, the concept of painting military miniatures falls into the category of 'toy soldiers' as far as the general public and society at large is concerned. In my experience when the general public actually come face to face with beautifully painted miniature figurines they are completely blown away by the skill and artistry. How we can change/influence this mindset and get the critical acclaim miniature figure painters deserve is a whole subject on its own but I am hugely optimistic for the future given the amazing skills and emerging skills and talent that is evident particularly in the fantasy area(s) of miniature painting.
Fantastic – A huge thank you to Andrew for his time and detailed answers. We look forward to seeing more work from you in the near future Andrew!!
As promised, here is the first 'In the Spotlight' article featuring Andy Statham. Andy took the Best in Show award at Figure World North this year with his superb Utah Beach Vignette. A few recent pics of his work are attached including the Utah Beach Vignette.
Without further ado...
Q: How long have you been painting miniature figures and how did you get into the hobby?
A: Like many people, my journey into painting miniature figures started more than 55 years ago when as a child… I collected and 'tried' to paint 1/72 Airfix soldiers. I had hundreds of them but what really started my figure painting off was the introduction, by Airfix, of their 54mm series of Napoleonic figures during my teenage years. When Airfix then introduced their 1/32 'multipose' range I got the converting bug and discovered milliput. In my late teens Hinchcliffe brought out their metal 54mm range courtesy of Ray Lamb and I discovered Historex and the rest as they say is history.
Q: Do you have any particular figure painters / artists that have influenced your style or motivated you?
A: I owe a lot of my passion for figure painting to Pete Barnacle. As a newly married twenty one year old, we moved to the Matlock area of Derbyshire and that is where I met Pete and his wife Elsie. He was a great painter and sculptor and in the ten years we were associated (before we moved to Lincolnshire) I learnt so much from him. In those days we under painted in Humbrol enamels and painted in oils. He taught me so many styles and techniques. At this time other influential painters for me included Max Longhurst, Shep Paine, Richard Scollins, David Grieve, and Ray Lamb.
From approximately 1990 to 2015 my figure painting dropped off due to the demands of my career and a growing family. Any spare time for a hobby was taken up with railway modelling, another of my many modelling passions! In 2016 however, I began planning for my retirement and was determined to get back into figure painting and started researching and re-aquainting myself with the art form. I had kept going to Euro-Militaire and noticed that many of the best (amazing) painters were coming from Europe and had a painting style that clearly did not utilise oil paints.
Acrylics were clearly the new paint medium and I had no idea how to use them. I began my journey into acrylics by painting 28mm Perrys wargames figures and quickly developed my techniques and used the internet to watch how the experts did it. Now my primary paint medium is acrylics but I still use oils and enamels.
Q: What are your favourite brand of miniature figure paints and why?
A: During my experimentation period with acrylics I tried out all of the major brands that are out there and as a result the brand I have settled on is Vallejo Model colour. They have a fantastically wide range of colours and different mediums. I find the model colour range is consistently good in quality and consistency and always gives a good finish. I also use their washes and in particular their 'Model Air’ metallics range which I can achieve excellent results with. At shows I always look at all the paint ranges on offer and often will pick up something new or different to try but I always come back to Vallejo as my primary source of paints and finishes.
Q: Approximately how long do you spend on a typical figure project?
A: The amount of time I spend on a particular figure varies significantly and for a variety of reasons. My modus operandi is to firstly identify a figure or group I want to concentrate on, sketch out how I see the completed figure and make a scenic base for it and get a name plate on. This motivates me to prime, fill where/if necessary, temporarily stage the figure and commence painting. How long the painting takes depends on how well I am getting on with the figure. During lockdown, if I was really 'into' a figure and the paint was going on well I could complete a 75mm figure in five-seven days. Conversely, if I am struggling with a figure and I'm not happy with the effect I am trying to obtain, completing the figure can take considerably longer.
I always have at least a dozen figures on my work bench primed and ready to paint with a completed base waiting for them. If I'm struggling with a figure, I put it down and leave it for a few days and start on another figure or some separate items that need painting. This acts as a 're-boot' and I find that when I go back to the 'problem' figure it does not look so bad after all and I start working on it again.
Q: Do you have a favourite manufacturer and why?
A: When I first started figure painting metal castings where the order of the day, but, as with the advent of acrylics, we now have a fantastic range of figures and scales to choose from and fantastic sculptors and companies constantly introducing new items. Invariably these figures are cast in resin or, as technology has advanced, 3D printed in resins. I have an alarmingly large grey army which probably consists of examples from all of the well known manufactures. I do not have a favourite manufacturer as there are so many great companies out there producing excellent figures that it would be impossible to choose.
Q: Do you have a favourite miniature figure show that you have attended or would like to attend?
A: I have always attended military miniature exhibitions and shows even when I was not actively modelling. Euro Militaire was always a source of inspiration (and new figures!) and was a great weekend each year. I am a member of the White Rose Military modelling Club and the BMSS and attend their annual show and I like to support all the national clubs and societies that put on a show/exhibition each year. I don't have a favorite but the BMSS Annuals, Figure World North (White Rose) and the Scale Model World show (Telford) are always in the diary.
When I retired, I had an ambition to constantly develop my figure painting skills as much as possible and to visit some of the big shows held in Europe each year, and perhaps enter some of the competitions. Covid and lock down prevented going to any events but in 2022 I went to my first, and to date, only European modelling event when I attended World Model Expo in Eindhoven. What a fantastic exhibition! brilliantly organised and a true feast for the eyes (and wallet). I took some figures and entered them into the standard categories and to my surprise and delight was awarded a Gold and Silver medal for my efforts. I can't wait for the next World Model Expo to be held at Versailles in 2025.
Q: Where do you see your miniature figure work headed in the near future?
A: As to the future, I get a huge sense of achievement painting military miniatures and derive a great deal of pleasure and relaxation from painting. If I never purchased another figure I have enough 'stock' to last two lifetimes. I intend to keep developing my skills as a painter, visiting and exhibiting at exhibitions in this country and in Europe and continue to enjoy the company of fellow painters and modellers.
Q: What are your current thoughts on the miniature figure world today?
A: I am passionate about getting the fantastic work of figure painters recognised as a true and worthy art form. In my opinion, the concept of painting military miniatures falls into the category of 'toy soldiers' as far as the general public and society at large is concerned. In my experience when the general public actually come face to face with beautifully painted miniature figurines they are completely blown away by the skill and artistry. How we can change/influence this mindset and get the critical acclaim miniature figure painters deserve is a whole subject on its own but I am hugely optimistic for the future given the amazing skills and emerging skills and talent that is evident particularly in the fantasy area(s) of miniature painting.
Fantastic – A huge thank you to Andrew for his time and detailed answers. We look forward to seeing more work from you in the near future Andrew!!
