Thank you, God.
My wealth and power come from you, Lord. Without you, I am Nothing.
Amen.
Sculpture and Miniature
So you got a look at the new minis. Prolly thinking "How does someone come up with a concept like them?" Well, I used to be an avid AD&D player, painting minis for my own characters when I wasn't drawing them on paper. And as anyone knows, your mini collection grows when you have campaigns! So there I was looking at minis to convert when the thought came to me: Why not sculpt minis that you'd like to see? Yeah well, I'm learning how to get the detail in miniature, having already enjoyed the fruits of large scale sculpting. So I've yet to sculpt my own characters, only practicing in contests and off of art.
Yet the competition for Area 51/Hasslefree really got my groove into professional, quality sculpting. The ability to draw a figure, or a concept sketch, then have it rendered in a 3D format, (sculpture, CG), then released as a consumer product, was a full run from conception to success! How could I not give it a shot?! Especially with the Kev n' Libby team at the fore; they know what is production quality or not! Yah well, I didn't win. =P But it's okay because I got a slew of critiques and discussion with my peers, which helps me grow as a sculptor to the next level.
I started by taking the idea and digging through images and productions that I've enjoyed that shared the same theme. As well I looked to the Artists I found inspiration from, then sat down in every spare moment to sketch, sketch, sketch. I would be on BART heading to work or school, scribbling away while some drifter was watching over my shoulder. (lol street art.) When given an idea let it take over you, so I found myself even late at night going over concepts and ideas in my mind. So after a week of brainstorming and bouncing it off of people who had no idea what they were looking at, I came up with finalized concepts. These I then started to sculpt.
That's where it leads to now. Looking at the Scientist, you can see where I've taken the Invader Zim influence but rendered in into a Real setting. A lab coat akin to the 18th Century Highwaymen coats, long gloves reminiscent of "Hostel", and are those goggles or glasses? Plenty for someone to accessorize their mini with ideas of their own. Perhaps it's not a Scientist but an Evil Doctor ready to serve poison to his victim? Or a Serial Killer in his modified apron, with lenses to better watch his victims! Yeah, the opportunities are there, but looking at the others they have the options as well. Sure there's an Einstein influence, yet for me he reminds me of Benson, only ready to run the lab instead of the house. Still Hip, Slick, and Cool though. We live in an age of Geek Chic, with that creepy chick in CSI to applaud for furthering the cause! No way do I live in an unsaturated world, oh no! Think outside of the box.
Then we have the Aliens, only I call them Teh Greys. Yeah, the misspelling is appropriate, since they are uber-L33t. But they have the generic look to them that allows the imagination to grow wild. Painters can emulate a favorite Space Marine Chapter, or copy their favorite Hello Kitty character. With the idea to expand the range, I'll be able to bring units that suit the gamer. Players can choose how to represent units, and with inexpensive decals from Ginfritters, they can make whatever they desire. I'd dig seeing people paint them up as their favorite Super Hero! And the ideas that are being discussed make me even more excited to put putty down.
So yeah, I got lucky and there was a manufacturer who likes my minis. =D The next step is to begin anew, with ideas for the next rendition: Concept, Sculpt, Success!
So I when I have time I have to prioritize. I'm still in school, with 7 more classes until my BA. (lol part-time student.) I'll be working on the last commissions I still have as well. (God bless their patience!) The ability to sculpt is increased when the sculptor has faith in their work. I'm looking forward to tackling the projects, as well as sculpting my own figures in my free time. I want to see more Greys, but also Meddling Kids and their Guardians, Biko, L'llndra, Eka, and Boston.
Y'know. Fun stuff!
GW Paint Contains Lead
Some nasty business to think about:
http://www.nationalpost.com/scripts/Story.html?id=130544
Quote from the above:
"Three toys were found to contain detectable levels of lead when tested by a team at the U of O laboratory: a Warhammer Battle for Skull miniatures paint set, a Pirate Play-set figurine purchased from a dollar store and a puzzle cube from a dollar store.
The yellow paint colour in the Warhammer paint set had the highest levels of lead compared to the other toys, at 60 milligrams per kilogram, according to the lab tests."
Games Workshop responds:
"The company that makes the Warhammer set, Games Workshop, said the yellow paint should not test for higher lead levels compared to others because the same pigment is used for other colours in the paint set. After speaking to its supplier, the company said some contamination must have occurred that resulted in the presence of lead."
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/08/21/3313/
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/11/business/worldbusiness/11lead.html?_r=2&pagewanted=all
This is kind of sad, when I pause to think about it. I started playing Warhammer years ago, and was around during the peak of Games Workshop in America, rolling thru painting competitions and seeing some of the best miniatures painted. Yet seeing how the company is trying (desperately) to maintain profits by going this route seals the deal for me; a company that puts profits over their customer has already lost sight of who they are responsible to. The yellow may be contaminated, yet how was it contaminated in the first place? And if it wasn't a fluke then the pigment which contains lead is in more paints than we know about.
At this time, I have to say "No!" to GW paints.
|
