So Many Fine Finished Projects

[Waterlooman]

Folks you should do build reviews - so many do not show there WIP (Work in Progress)

W.

 

[Banjer]

Doesn't suit everyone's method of building, some like to get into a flow without all the faff of setting up for photography and composing a commentary. I include myself in that category.

Bill

 

[Peter Day]

Agree with Banjer. Apart from WIP threads on this and other web sites I have done articles for modelling magazines, and I found I was doing more photography than painting. Also, having to think about what I was doing so that I could relate it coherently to the reader really interrupted the creative process, to the extent of taking all of the enjoyment out of it.

Off topic, I’ve just had cataract surgery and found that I have lost my near vision. That can be corrected with glasses to some extent, but I don’t think I will be able to see well enough to do close work in future. Never say never of course, but it looks like my figure painting days are over.

 

[OldTaff]

What an absolute bugger for you, I'm very sorry to read that. Perhaps there may be some optical aids that might aid you , along with specs. I wish you all the best.



Alan

 

[NigelR]

I think it depends on the project. Sometimes WIP isn't that interesting for a single figure unless you take really good quality photos of the painting process. Setting up for good photography can be a faff as well, I agree with Banjer. If you have an iPhone you can get good results from a mobile phone, but if you are a cheapskate like me, the mobile phone doesn't take great pics and I often can't be bothered to get the SLR out while in the midst of a painting session.

However, for bigger projects and conversions/scratchbuilds/sculpts WIP shots are always interesting because you can see how the project comes together over time.

Sorry to hear your news Peter. Fingers crossed it might work out.

 

[MalcC]

Agree with Banjer. Apart from WIP threads on this and other web sites I have done articles for modelling magazines, and I found I was doing more photography than painting. Also, having to think about what I was doing so that I could relate it coherently to the reader really interrupted the creative process, to the extent of taking all of the enjoyment out of it.

Off topic, I’ve just had cataract surgery and found that I have lost my near vision. That can be corrected with glasses to some extent, but I don’t think I will be able to see well enough to do close work in future. Never say never of course, but it looks like my figure painting days are over.

Peter, so sorry to hear the news, but as you say, never say never. I'm sure you'll find a way to continue in the hobby.


Malc

 

[KenBoyle]

Agree with Banjer. Apart from WIP threads on this and other web sites I have done articles for modelling magazines, and I found I was doing more photography than painting. Also, having to think about what I was doing so that I could relate it coherently to the reader really interrupted the creative process, to the extent of taking all of the enjoyment out of it.

Off topic, I’ve just had cataract surgery and found that I have lost my near vision. That can be corrected with glasses to some extent, but I don’t think I will be able to see well enough to do close work in future. Never say never of course, but it looks like my figure painting days are over.

Sorry to hear Peter! My near vision began declining 10 to 12 years ago and I've been using a head mounted magnifier ever since with different strength lenses depending on the situation. It was definitely an adjustment but has worked out fairly well. I'm also due for cataract surgery in the next year or two according to my doctor, so we'll see how that goes. Never give up!

On the WIP side, I agree that it makes the process less enjoyable and time consuming for me personably, so I only do an occasional WIP. However, I think they are very helpful for others and I appreciate the effort and time many of the Planet Figure painters put into them.

Cheers,
Ken

 

[Blind Pew]

I've tried it recently, and I found it a big distraction. Also, unless I was willing/able to halt modelling at specific points in the project, I found it was very disjointed. My hats off and thanks to those that do it, I just found it wasn't really my thing.

 

[Blind Pew]

Off topic, I’ve just had cataract surgery and found that I have lost my near vision. That can be corrected with glasses to some extent, but I don’t think I will be able to see well enough to do close work in future. Never say never of course, but it looks like my figure painting days are over.

So sorry to hear this, Peter. You're in my thoughts.

 

[Gary D]

Agree with Banjer. Apart from WIP threads on this and other web sites I have done articles for modelling magazines, and I found I was doing more photography than painting. Also, having to think about what I was doing so that I could relate it coherently to the reader really interrupted the creative process, to the extent of taking all of the enjoyment out of it.

Off topic, I’ve just had cataract surgery and found that I have lost my near vision. That can be corrected with glasses to some extent, but I don’t think I will be able to see well enough to do close work in future. Never say never of course, but it looks like my figure painting days are over.

Hi Peter. A friend of mine (who just joined the Planet the other day), is now painting figs under a microscope. The results are astounding. You might want to look into it as an option.
Gary

 

[Ferris]

Agree with Banjer. Apart from WIP threads on this and other web sites I have done articles for modelling magazines, and I found I was doing more photography than painting. Also, having to think about what I was doing so that I could relate it coherently to the reader really interrupted the creative process, to the extent of taking all of the enjoyment out of it.

Off topic, I’ve just had cataract surgery and found that I have lost my near vision. That can be corrected with glasses to some extent, but I don’t think I will be able to see well enough to do close work in future. Never say never of course, but it looks like my figure painting days are over.

Not necessarily Peter. With the artificial lenses the ability to adjust focus is strongly decreased, but a straightforward optivisor can correct for this. I had both eyes ‘upgraded’, had similar expectations you had, but have little problem painting now, as long as I wear the optivisor (combined with variable-focus specs that is). Hail to eye doctors and opticians!
Hope this works for you too.

Adrian

 

[Waterlooman]

Agree with Banjer. Apart from WIP threads on this and other web sites I have done articles for modelling magazines, and I found I was doing more photography than painting. Also, having to think about what I was doing so that I could relate it coherently to the reader really interrupted the creative process, to the extent of taking all of the enjoyment out of it.

Off topic, I’ve just had cataract surgery and found that I have lost my near vision. That can be corrected with glasses to some extent, but I don’t think I will be able to see well enough to do close work in future. Never say never of course, but it looks like my figure painting days are over.

I am so sorry to hear that, my eye sight has deteriorated over the years to the extent that I now need my strength 3 reading glasses as well as my high strength lens optovisor.

W.

 

[Peter Day]

Cheers all. Sorry to have hijacked the thread. It’s early days yet, and of course I will explore all of the options once my eyes have healed. At the moment I’m just coming to terms with having sacrificed my near vision.

 

[Blind Pew]

Cheers all. Sorry to have hijacked the thread. It’s early days yet, and of course I will explore all of the options once my eyes have healed. At the moment I’m just coming to terms with having sacrificed my near vision.

Not at all, Peter. You've shone a light on something really important. This sort of thing will affect us all to some degree, sooner or later, and it's only right that attention should be drawn to it. My only worry is that this (side) topic will get buried and missed unless it has its own thread.

 

[Babelfish]

Folks you should do build reviews - so many do not show there WIP (Work in Progress)

Speaking for myself here but I'd wager that a lot of other guys have similar thoughts:

1) Time: The time I have available for painting is limited (sometimes very limited) and I'd rather use that time actually painting than faffing about setting up lights, backdrops & cameras etc.

2) Some of the top guys in the hobby - as well as being ace painters - also appear to be ace photographers and able to give their work the "WOW!" factor whatever stage they're at. The same cannot be said for a lot of us further down the talent tree.

3) Following on from point (2), while good photography can enhance a piece, poor photography can make it look worse than it really is. Especially during the "WIP" phase when things can often look a bit rough anyway. The camera can be very unforgiving, and I see a lot of photos on here (both WIP and Completed) where I find myself thinking "I bet that looks much better to the naked eye". That's why I don't like positing WIP photos. I don't even like posting "Completed" photos unless I'm happy that they do my work justice. Occasionally I manage to take passable shots of a finished project that I might share, but more often than not I decide that my photos aren't up to scratch so I don't bother, and the only people who see the full contents of my cabinet are me, the wife and the occasional visitor to our house.

@ Peter: Sorry to read about your eye issues. I hope and trust that you'll find a way back to the bench in time, first and foremost for yourself of course but secondly for the pF community because your work is always excellent, and a pleasure to behold. Posts of your latest Verlinden or Dragon figure-tweaks have been missed around these parts of late!

- Steve

 

[fogie]

.......Off topic, I’ve just had cataract surgery and found that I have lost
my near vision. That can be corrected with glasses to some extent, but I don’t think I will be able to see well enough to do
close work in future. Never say never of course, but it looks like my figure painting days are over.

I've been cursed with much the same issues with an extra problem of an occlusion of my right retina.
Almost nine months of invasive treatment and some surgical intervention has brought demonstrable
improvement. Not exactly out of the woods yet but the medics are pleased. Never give up.....eh?

Mike

 

[Merryweather]

So sorry to hear your news, @PeterDay, I was missing your input on the forum -PM inbound.
As for WIP , I know it's not for everyone but I do find the process of writing the blog enjoyable and I enjoy the opportunity to share with like-minded people who actually understand the work that goes into these things. My wife and kids are dutifully impressed but not really interested, if you see what I mean?
I'm not such a perfectionist that I worry about the quality of my photography- I HATE the faff involved so it's all very cursory and simply used as a record.
I was a member of the forum for about 10 years before I dared post anything; I have no illusions about ever attaining the painting quality of most of the members on this site, but the positive comments I have received over the years have given me the confidence to keep going.

 

[Steve Ski]

As for WIP , I know it's not for everyone but I do find the process of writing the blog enjoyable and I enjoy the opportunity to share with like-minded people who actually understand the work that goes into these things. I have no illusions about ever attaining the painting quality of most of the members on this site, but the positive comments I have received over the years have given me the confidence to keep going.

Well said, Merryweather, well said


If I can chime in here, I too love the SBS/WIP threads, very informative and most often very useful for my future builds, they’re awesome. They do take a lot of work if done correctly and some guys just have that knack for doing them.


For me, taking snaps at every stage of the face paint/tank build is a production stopper and time consuming, actually ruining my momentum, but I will take snaps after a specific phase towards the end. There are quite a few gaps in my posted work. If I have decided to make an SBS from the start it’s much easier to keep the momentum, but often I get started and just let it rip, forgetting to take pics. Oh well, next time, right, or maybe I should plan ahead, lol.

Personally, I enjoy doing the write-ups, but sometimes I carry on too far into the build before making updates that I can forget the sequence. I recon a little bit of note taking would be an assist. I’ll keep doing them as long as I’m able and as best as I can. IMHO, we kinda owe it to the next generation of fellow “paint sniffers” since we’ve been given so many great SBS’ ourselves. It’s one way to keep this hobby alive and interesting, anything to stoke the imagination, that’s how I see it.

P.S. Pete, wishing you a speedy recovery, Amigo. We ain’t getting any younger, and I know we all have way too many kits in our stash, so I’m hoping you get back as soon as you can. What’s the old saying, “youth is wasted on the young”?


I personally have been using #6 readers and even #8’s. They are quite a bit more comfortable to use and not as bulky as an optivisor. Check em out.

 

[David Spencer]

Agree with Banjer. Apart from WIP threads on this and other web sites I have done articles for modelling magazines, and I found I was doing more photography than painting. Also, having to think about what I was doing so that I could relate it coherently to the reader really interrupted the creative process, to the extent of taking all of the enjoyment out of it.

Off topic, I’ve just had cataract surgery and found that I have lost my near vision. That can be corrected with glasses to some extent, but I don’t think I will be able to see well enough to do close work in future. Never say never of course, but it looks like my figure painting days are over.

Damn. That's bad news Peter.
Maybe a change of pace? I have built aircraft in the winter for some time now and it's a break from the figures with a brand new learning curve.
Maybe worth a try?
Best of luck with your recovery.
DS

 

[Warren SMITH]

Best of luck Peter.. Fingers crossed you get to be able to sit at the modelling table once again.. You have an amazing appetite for painting. Ive always enjoyed seeing your work..

As for WIP shots...
I dont do them, as many figures I start get put back in the box, due to lots of reasons.. So If I post. its a finished piece...

Smithy