the curse of the box art

[kenshin393]

Are you like me? Do you struggle to get the box art out of your head when painting? I mean, I get it. Good box art draws you in and sells more, and if it's a uniformed subject can be an invaluable guide. But I'm not wanting to reproduce someone elses work (for one thing I'm not that good).
I have to get rid of boxes early on and then pester my wife for advice. Can you tell I'm struggling with this right now?

 

[megroot]

If you don't want to paint a box art (mostly they are well researched) go into the fantasy painting.
There you have no limits.

Marc

 

[Claude Portsmouth]

Personally I can understand the absence of Box Art, with the pressures on the manufacturers especially the smaller ones it is a substantial add on cost. With a poorer selling figure it can mean the difference between breaking even or making a loss.

The quality of box art doesn't bother me as I know I am only an average club painter who enjoys the relaxation of painting and reading up on military history. If I want something special then I can always get a professional to paint it for me.

I think it is important not to get too hung up on this, we improve as we go along but so do the professionals so we will never catch up-just enjoy it for what it is and do your best.

Claude

 

[peedee]

I've always thought the box art should to appeal to all shoppers and modellers,
simply tempting them to spend money, and why not?

BUT yes the image off the box can overly influence your approach to building and painting.

Like you I dispose of the packaging as quickly as possible, but I also cut out and keep the piccies in a safe place,
and for absolutely no reason whatsoever!

Most box art is far higher quality than the 'serving suggestions' on food items that we are tempted to buy,
and i do hope the manufacturers continue to offer it.

I suspect it's only you and I that are possibly a bit strange I've never heard anyone else mention it

Paul

 

[Nap]

Hi Guys,

Box art...at times an expensive add on...its great to see it and does I am sure assist sales ...but not everyone is swayed by this ...the subject matter and quality is the most important IMO ...after all we don't display the picture but our version of the completed model.

Nap

 

[brian]

Doesn't bother me either way, as it's what's inside the box that counts, as a brilliant box art can enhance a mediocre figure,as well as an average paint job can make a brilliant figure look mediocre.
There are some figure manufacturers, whose figures i would buy sight unseen,and some that i would check out before buying,so it's not all down to the box art.
Brian

 

[kenshin393]

If you don't want to paint a box art (mostly they are well researched) go into the fantasy painting.
There you have no limits.

Marc

I paint both historical and fantasy/scifi. In actual fact, the piece I'm having trouble with/grumbling needlessly about, is a fantasy piece. One of scale75's steampunk series. I can't think of a better look for it than the box art! Perhaps I should only paint while drunk? That might help.
And I've been swayed to buy a figure many times because of the box art, they do give you something to aim at.
Oddly, I got another scale75 piece a while back, the Mohawk militia, got rid of the box straight off and spent some 4 months on and off with it. When I'd finished I looked at the box art and found I'd done the beadwork and hair practically the same. I'm so easily led

 

[garyhiggins]

I sculpt mostly non military historical, and fantasy stuff, and I feel that if I put a painted version on the box, it will unduly influence people, And anyway I'm crap with a camera.
Gary
PS, I'd love someone to paint one of my pieces sa a Goth

 

[peedee]

[quote="garyhiggins, post: 731853, member: 9160".
Gary
I'd love someone to paint one of my pieces sa a Goth[/quote]

I could do that with the 'marauder' Gary,
he could easily be a Goth, Punk viking,
a Vandal rioting in Tottenham nicking tellies,
any kind of barbarian really

I will suggest a positive use for box art in so far as when you are painting the
piece even if in a completely different colour schematic the planes of highlight and shade must be the same>
and i'm sure a help for the less experienced or even occasional painter>
Anything that helps

 

[swralph]

Personally I like box art,It give's me something to aspire to and a reference to colour.However I don't think it is important to have box art.Either way if you give the same model to ten painters then you will get ten different version's of the same piece.

 

[DEL]

I'm pretty relaxed either way. As Brian says it's what's inside that matters. We've all occasionally seen brilliant box art on a duff figure but that's relatively rare.
What is less so is duff box art letting down a brilliant figure, it's always worth checking the reviews and discussing with hobby friends any purchases you plan.
It's not uncommon for me to lift the colour scheme directly from the box art when I'm painting a piece. I also use prints of others work as a guide and reference, why not?
Any aspiring painter would be mad not to.
It's the paint quality tthat matters not whether it's the same scheme as the box artist used.
Cheers
Derek

 

[MCPWilk]

Box art has two functions. Firstly it acts a painting guide, i.e. what part is what colour and secondly it acts to entice a prospective purchaser. Not everyone has access to uniform and equipment references, and I would suggest the first function is the most important.

Mike

 

[Mirofsoft]

In a perfect world, for uniformed men, the supplier woukd put available for downloading, on his webb
Pictures ( colours), front, back, right, left minimum
Assembly sketch
Colour information, detail on belt buckle, sash, sabretache, etc....
Dreaming .... NO .. all production of the 70ies had ( OK no colour picture usualy ) always assembly infos and colour infos

Today I have seen makers who don't even give information about the size ( scale ) on their webb

 

[peedee]

In a perfect world, for uniformed men, the supplier woukd put available for downloading, on his webb
Pictures ( colours), front, back, right, left minimum
Assembly sketch
Colour information, detail on belt buckle, sash, sabretache, etc....
Dreaming .... NO .. all production of the 70ies had ( OK no colour picture usualy ) always assembly infos and colour infos

Today I have seen makers who don't even give information about the size ( scale ) on their webb

My friend they don't need to do it because they know we can download anything at all from you !!!
Well I have never been let down by you anyway,
Keep up the great work
Paul

 

[Gary D]

I've been cutting out the pic on the front of the packaging and keeping them. Then after scouring the internet for colour mixes etc., I write them down on the back of the pic and keep it for future reference. I like the box art as I know the artist has done his/her homework and I try to replicate the colour schemes.

Gary

 

[Gra30]

Downloading is not an option for everyone, I have customers who don't even have a computer, there are many of the older generation in this hobby and why I always include a painting guide, backed up with pictures if I have box art. One gentleman phones and always pays by chq as he has no computer access.
When you try to bring a vision to life, you put a lot into it and therefore try for the best box art, if possible, I do anyway. As a customer from the modeller side, I like to be inspired by the painted piece rather than put off, my take anyway.

 

[peedee]

[quote="Gary D, post: 732120, member: 4591" I write down ...colour mixes etc...on the back of the pic and keep it for future reference. Gary[/quote]

What a simple and clever idea !
I've never thought of that
Cheers Dude.
Paul

 

[Paul Kernan]

Box art can make or break a piece. I've passed on some pieces (poor photography or painting) only to change my mind on seeing an entry at a show. A lot of kits do not come with instructions, so I find a good box art invaluable during the construction phase of a piece

 

[Huw63]

Personally I do my own research for colours etc as I am an avid uniformologist at least in the areas of interest to me. In any event if the box art is good it helps me as I'm an average modeller and painter and I find it inspiring- the same with visiting shows (never enter anything as I'm not that good nor do I want to compete) and photographing manufacturers displays. Equally where I try something outside the usual Napoleonic or WW2 periods I find any guidance helps get things started. Just my thoughts.

 

[Ray Stout]

Here's what "Box Art" was like when I started !!!