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Im not sure if this is the right place for this but anywho.

A new Gamesworkshop store has opened up near my house (finally!) and Im strongly considering taking the painting class that they are offering there with my buddy, but ofcourse, I would like to get everyone elses opinion. Has anybody else tooken the class that they offer? if so what did you think? is it worth the money? does it really help?

Wait- theyre CHARGING for paint classes at a GW store now?

Mistress of minis wrote:Wait- theyre CHARGING for paint classes at a GW store now?

well they have a full-on class thing where they give a bunch of models to you the painting book, a hobby kit, and they teach you bunch of stuff, like a bunch of techniques that have to do with preparing models, assembly, painting, and basing.

The internet could give you just as much information, and give you more choice over what tools and models you get.

the payment most likely covers the minis and paints you keep in the end i think

Fafnir wrote:The internet could give you just as much information, and give you more choice over what tools and models you get.

very true, but the best way for me to learn is through example and by being able to ask questions.

Girthman wrote:

Fafnir wrote:The internet could give you just as much information, and give you more choice over what tools and models you get.

very true, but the best way for me to learn is through example and by being able to ask questions.

I think you just answered your own question.

I'd really suggest finding a non-GW gaming store in your area. They wont jam the 'With you GW sprue cutter you do this, then with your GW file, then you take the GW glue...then GW primer' etc etc

But ya, finding a non GW store that runs tourneys and such will give you a good chance of finding painting classes or groups. All in all most painters have no problems helping newer player learn how to handle the basics.

Girthman wrote:Im not sure if this is the right place for this but anywho.

A new Gamesworkshop store has opened up near my house (finally!) and Im strongly considering taking the painting class that they are offering there with my buddy, but ofcourse, I would like to get everyone elses opinion. Has anybody else tooken the class that they offer? if so what did you think? is it worth the money? does it really help?

This is definitely the right place . THIS -IS - DAKKAAAA

Where most of the members here will be able to teach you atleast the things GW will teach you.

For FREE.

I think a GW course would be perfectly good and lets you ask questions and get instant feedback.

Just bear in mind that GW isn't the only hobby company in the world. Once you have the skills you can look around for paints, tools and so on from other companies.

You should be able to just go and paint and ask them things about what your working on. At my GW store, I've had a bunch of lessons on how to paint a type of model (Vostroyan, Salamander Marine, etc) and never paid a dime.

I would agree with GitD - just go in, paint some stuff, and chat with the GW slave about how to paint. Many stores will have dedicated painting areas, some will even have (free) painting sessions too.

If it is the multi-visit tutorial to assembling models, painting, army-list building, etc... it's not really worth it.
Yes, you get the painting minis book which is pretty neat on it's own, but as people said, all that info is on-line.
You get the painting kit, but you may not even use the colors in the kit.

Overall I don't think it's worth the money.

I say go for it. (unless its insanely pricey, those cheap basterds)
Anyways, itll give you hands on experience and the chance to get to know some of the people there. Who knows, it might even get you into a group, which is always a plus. I dont see any negatives really in doing this. Just keep in mind that not everything GW sells is the bestest in the worldest.

Academy Packages
We're offering special Academy packages at a considerable savings, over 25%! The Academy is a 6-week introduction to the Games Workshop World of Hobby Games. Learn figure assembly and priming, painting and basing, gaming and basic tactics, army structure, scenery building, modeling, and conversions! And, as if the knowledge isn't reward enough itself, graduates receive a certificate of graduation along with a Games Workshop figure case (and game depeding on your package) upon completion of the program. There's simply no better way to jump right in!

Choose the basic package or upgrade!
Basic Academy - $30 (includes a Figure Case)
Basic Academy Upgrade - $75 (includes an Army Case)
Academy & Core Game Bundle - $80 (includes a Figure Case & Core Game)
Academy & Core Game Bundle Upgrade - $125 (includes an Army Case & Core Game)

I believe this must be what he talking about I seen the ads in the back of the last couple issues of White Dwarf

If its called Academy, its geared for noobs. If you want just higher end tips, go to that GW, by looking at staff's stuff, find their best painter, talk to him/her, come in for painting lessons with JUST that person.

Or, if you can, you can spring for going to a big event and booking a class there, like Adepticon, etc.

One thing I gotta say, that while yes, you can see a lot of techniques over the 'Net, its nothing like actually sitting down and putting brush to model and having the guy right there be able to tell you " hang on, try like THIS, and itll go better" instant feedback.

But yeah, to re iterate, unless you are stone cold brand new, dont do academy.

Yeah, just rock up to the GW and ask the gimp for advice. It's not like they hire a specialist for the day - it's the same guy that will tell you whatever he happens to know for $9 an hour during the 'academy' anyway. Hell, you could even ask Dakka for advice. Don't pay a cent, my friend, unless it means you save one.

I say struggle through on your own using tips from the web, and ask GW specific questions on stuff you have that's really troubling you. Just wondering: how much did they want you to pay?

I love the levels of thinly veiled moral outrage (or is it nerdrage) and borderline conspiracy theorist vibe that permeates this thread...

Yes GW is the money hungry evil empire. I'll be the first to agree.

That being said there is something to be said about getting out from behind the computer and out of mom's basement and actually interacting with other human beings face to face.

Might be a good way to meet some other players, etc.

They are charging 70 us dollars instead of the usual 50 us dollars, and now they dont even include a figure case....which is something I need, cuz millions of broken mini's can easily vouch for me haha.

now instead of offering the figure case, they are charging 70 us dollars for the: class, painting citadle miniatures book,a hobby kit, and a box of "army men" or so he tells the aspiring young members that hes gonna brain wash into the hobby who has absolutely no idea what the armies are haha, except space marines are big, and shiny. well enough with that rant.

back to the subject, theyre also offering a box of space marines, most likely a tactical squad or a battle squad (probably the battlesquad since GW is cheap) or you can also choose from some other ones as long as its around the same price.

...wow. At that price, no. If you're desperate for basic painting skills, just walk into an independent gaming store where people are painting, watch, and see if they'll mind chatting with you.

To be honest, you would be learning to paint in a single style.
Since im guessing its 1 person that will be teaching?

Ill be honest here.
The internet does not charge you for lessons, and you can learn alot more through varied opinions and styles of painting, rather than a basic one GW want you to pay for.

If you need help painting a certain colour (gold armour, bone etc) simply ask here, should take an hour or so and you will have a fair few replies with pics and tutorials from people.



By looking at what they offer, its just another way for them to sell thier stuff (in this case, its army / figure cases and core games)





Not only that, but i'd bet you will find much better painters here as alot of them roam about
Quick example are "cool mini or not" painters like jah.
All paint to a very high standard and are more than willing to offer help (mailed a few people on painting NMM)


Just give this a shot 1st, if you dont like it, you have lost no money.
If you go with GW, you pay 1st and may not get what you want from it.

You should just walk into an independent local gaming store and ask for advice and then buy all your stuff from the internet.

Asking the internet is easy when you know the proper questions to ask. Having someone show you, whose job it is to show you, is much easier. For instance, when someone says drybrushing and then shows you how to do it in front of you it makes a lot more sense. Until I asked one of the guys at the FLGS, I had no clue what drybrushing was vs. overbrushing.

Classes aren't bad. The can be a great start. Just ask people that have taken the classes and how they feel about them. Or check out the minis of people that have taken the class. You know, time is money and shilling their wares while providing a service isn't unreasonable.

One style of painting is better than 0 style.

the_trooper wrote:You should just walk into an independent local gaming store and ask for advice and then buy all your stuff from the internet.

Just ask people that have taken the classes and how they feel about them. Or check out the minis of people that have taken the class. You know, time is money and shilling their wares while providing a service isn't unreasonable.

One style of painting is better than 0 style.

lol U know thats what I was doing in this thread right? I was asking if anybody had taken them and I was asking for their opinion haha

CT GAMER wrote:I love the levels of thinly veiled moral outrage (or is it nerdrage) and borderline conspiracy theorist vibe that permeates this thread...

Yes GW is the money hungry evil empire. I'll be the first to agree.

That being said there is something to be said about getting out from behind the computer and out of mom's basement and actually interacting with other human beings face to face.

Might be a good way to meet some other players, etc.

Thats pretty much what I was getting at as well. Its more then just learning a trick, and disappearing into the basement for 5 months again

I'm interested to hear what people think about The Academy classes and what is actually taught.

To the original poster... There's tons of YouTube videos that teach you how to paint. I honestly don't think $70 is worth it. You're not going to walk away with anything substantial.

GW offers painting classes now?

Last time I checked, it was "How to slap a drybrush on everything"

metallifan wrote:GW offers painting classes now?

Last time I checked, it was "How to slap a drybrush on everything"

This is pretty much about it.
I did the Academy a few months ago.
The painting lessons were basically 2 sentences, 1 of how to apply the paint and another on how to dry brush.
After that, he went and did employee things for like 30 minutes then came back to check how I was doing.
The painting minis book that comes with the Academy has more information in it about painting than I got from the GW employee.
I'd say the painting kit is also a questionable purchase, too.
It comes with a wide variety of paints, but they're paints I didn't want.
The other aspects of the Academy aren't worth it as well.
Army listing and learning the game can be a bit tricky to a new player, so if you didn't have friends bring you into the game like I did than maybe this part is worth going for, but I already had a good grasp on the game playing with my friends Proxies a couple times.

My take - anyone can paint (badly). But $70 isn't bad if you get all the materials you need and models/paints to boot. Just make sure you know what you're getting before you pay. You can probably wander around the store and price brushes, paints, and so on if you want to get a good idea.

Where I am, one jar of paint is $4 and a GW brush is like $9. A box of models is between $25 and $60 depending on the models.

Do you want the models amd painting stuff or are you doing it for the painting tips. If you are after the paints go for it. If you want to learn how to paint I strongly recomend searching for video tutorials on the web. They are much better than most GW employees and you can watch them repeatedly.