New to historical miniatures..

[Forté]

..and frankly a little confused.

There's so many brands and scales out there that honestly I've found choosing a bit tricky. I've managed to chose a bust (Young Miniatures Daimyo 1650, was a no brainer as it's stunning) but when it comes to full figures I've got a little stuck really.

Now don't scream but I've spent over 20 years painting fantasy and sci-fi (mostly Games Workshop up until two years ago) which have mainly been 28-32mm in size. Though I now have a couple of busts under my belt which I've quite enjoyed and started thinking more about textures and lighting than clean blending.

So my question really is...

What would you recommend to someone looking to try historical miniature painting? Ideal scales? Companies well worth looking at? Things/ faux pa's to avoid slipping into? Anything of help really.

Many thanks,
Steve.

 

[Joe55]

Steve I really believe you have already answered your own question. Above you stated the following:

"I've managed to choose a bust (Young Miniatures Daimyo 1650, was a no brainer............"

Paint what strikes your fancy, that's my philosophy! Some folks are focused, and that's ok. They might specialize on one specific era, for example, Napoleonic, Victorian, Middle Ages, WW2, etc.. and others perhaps on more than one era. Along with this, is that they may be drawn to a specific scale and stick to it. They might do only busts or only full figures or flats. If you wish to specialize that's up to you. The choice is yours and there is a lot to choose from.

Personally I consider myself primarily a historical painter, however I paint what ever I like. Makes no never mind to me the period, scale, bust, full figure, flat, demi round, whatever !

Joe

 

[Bailey]

Yeah, seems like you've already found a good place to start. Normally I'd say if you're used to painting 28/32mm fantasy figures, then start with a 54mm historical figure. That's one of the more common scales and it's not that big a jump if you're used to doing 28's. Going right from 28's to a 90mm figure can be much more intimidating. But you can think of painting a 54mm figure as if you're doing a large 28mm (like a troll or ogre). However, if you've already been doing busts, then you shouldn't have trouble picking up a historical bust.

As far as brand, well Young Miniatures is one of the best out there for busts, so you've made a great choice there. If you wanted to try a 54mm historical figure, I'd recommend looking at Pegaso Models. They've got a huge range that covers a lot of historical eras.

If you want to focus more on light and texture than clean blending, then go for it. You'll see people approach historical figures using all kinds of painting styles, so go with what you like. If texture is big for you, then pick a subject where you can do a lot of it. Something with lots of leathers, metals, whatever you like to texture.

And, above all else, have fun! Pick subjects that interest you and paint them how you want, not how you think people want you to paint historicals. Personally, I'd like to see more people taking inspiration from fantasy miniatures and applying it to historicals.

I wrote an article with some advice for people just starting out on historical figures. As I recall, you already read and commented on the PF post about it, but I thought I'd share it again here just in case someone else who's in your shoes is reading this thread.
http://figurementors.com/advice-for-historical-painters-html

 

[Metal Extremo]

Hi Forté.

I'm agree with Bailey about scale and brand. Anothers in 54mm that have a good casting are Nocturna, Origen Art, the new (from last ten year to here) of Andrea, for example. Painting GW since 20 years, maybe easier begin with something "from the past", like medievals, romans or greeks than something more actual.

 

[Blind Pew]

If you like it - paint it. Keep it simple, and you'll be fine mate.

 

[Forté]

I wrote an article with some advice for people just starting out on historical figures. As I recall, you already read and commented on the PF post about it, but I thought I'd share it again here just in case someone else who's in your shoes is reading this thread.
http://figurementors.com/advice-for-historical-painters-html

Cheers Bailey. I've read that already (and your OSL one using your amazingly lit hobbit) and I also would love to see more fantasy painters trying historical, and vice versa. Painting is painting after all and I'd love to see the whole "so you're that type of painter" sort of thing go. Each area can pick up so much from each other and apply it in different ways.

And thank you too Joe. Not sure why I've got it in my head that the historical thing is so particular about how things should be done. Need to get that out of my head.

 

[Forté]

If you like it - paint it. Keep it simple, and you'll be fine mate.

Thank you. Not sure about keeping it simple. I'm finding trying to keep out of my comfort zone and trying things much more fun and rewarding these days.

 

[Forté]

Nocturna.

Cheers Extreme.

Nocturna do have a very high casting quality though still very fantasy/sci-fi. I was lucky to tackle this from last year.

That's was fun to paint even though it was bigger than my comfort scale.

The orc pilot I painted this year actually got me really enjoying a larger scale so I reckon I'll be giving Pegaso, Andrea, and a few others a look over.


And I've really been trying to push away from the GW style of painting I learned which is closer to being gone. Did a little three hour mini from Hasslefree.

 

[Metal Extremo]

The historic periods i mentioned in my othter answer are not for the style of painting. Watching your avatar is obvious you have an average level of painting as minimum, and this is usefull with fantasy and history figures. Is for the habbits taken when we are paining. I think whit GW miniatures you don't have to paint gallons, medals, and those kind of things, and maybe a bit heavy to begin with historical and all these new ellements at the same time. Something more familiar to begin and loose the fears, and then... ok, there's no limits.

 

[kenshin393]

When I came back from my 6 year painting sabbatical, it turned out that I'd spent those 6years reading historical text books, mainly about samurai, pirates, moorish Spain and north American Indians. So when I started on the historical subjects the choices were already made in effect. It's much easier to get enthused about a project if you have a genuine interest (and a little knowledge) in the subject. Whenever I paint a historical piece I know exactly where that figure is and what it's doing. I always like to invest them with a story even if I never share that story

 

[Forté]

That does make sense kenshin.

Funny that the three things that come to mind I did in primary school (American Indians, Egypt, and Hastings 1066). Who knows what I'll find for those.

 

[kenshin393]

Well, there ya go! There's some great saxon and Norman pieces out there, not least fer miniatures companion busts. Though I'd be tempted to go with a saxon at Stamford Bridge cos we won that one

 

[Forté]

Well, there ya go! There's some great saxon and Norman pieces out there, not least fer miniatures companion busts. Though I'd be tempted to go with a saxon at Stamford Bridge cos we won that one

I'll have to look for that. Doubt there's a specific sculpt for that exact moment. Have spotted a fairly nice one by Art Girona, though there's two that do look really good but their not currently available (old Latorre Miniatures ones).

 

[kenshin393]

Romeo do some nice ones, such as this.
http://www.historexagents.com/shop/hxproductdetail.php?ProductCode=RM54-93

 

[Forté]

Oops. That's the one I meant.