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hi guys i was just curious as to how so many models get painted so quickly by the 'eavy metal team? i mean yeah i know they work around the clock but it just seems like it would take a week to paint even one model to the quality they do
it just seems inhuman

Not really. They do paint some awesome things, but a lot of their models you can zoom in and see it's just 2-3 shades, a basecoat and 2-3 highlights, which a skilled painter working 9-5 and getting paid for it could probably pump out a couple of models a day. They also have the models well in advance. I actually think the heavy metal standard has dropped a lot over the years, probably not a lack of skill but rather the guys in charge at GW telling them to paint more simplistic. I look at some of the images in my 2nd edition 40k codices and they look like they'd take two or three times longer to paint than a lot of the current 'eavy metal stuff.

I actually think GW photoshops a lot of their models too. I saw the Wolf Lord on Thunderwolf model in a few different pictures and it looked to be different quality levels depending on the pictures. Certainly none of them looked bad, but some images appeared to have more layers of blending and a slightly different tone, so it was either multiple models painted the same or the same model photoshopped.

Some of the 360 views on their website at some rotation angles you can see how things were painted and realise it's nothing special compared to what a lot of guys/gals here on Dakka produce.

its not that GW tells them to paint more simply its more down to the fact they used to get one model at a time and now its more like 6 a day, meaning they have to cute back and work to schedule instead of the old days, and yeah they Photoshop the images to make them flatter for some reason but when you see the actual models in person they still look stunning..

Wolf Kharok wrote:its not that GW tells them to paint more simply its more down to the fact they used to get one model at a time and now its more like 6 a day, meaning they have to cute back and work to schedule instead of the old days, and yeah they Photoshop the images to make them flatter for some reason but when you see the actual models in person they still look stunning..

Yeah I didn't mean to say they weren't stunning. They're well above my standard, maybe once a year I sit down and work on painting a model to that sort of standard. Just more saying most their models aren't mind blowing or anything, and there's guys here who paint armies to a higher standard. Especially the past few years when they've been heading toward edge highlights on 'eavy metal models where as previously they used to do some quite impressive blending, the edge highlighting is often quite simple.

I don't think they should necessarily be the highest standard out there but more a realistic ambition for the painting side of the hobby, which they achieve nicely

Wolf Kharok wrote:its not that GW tells them to paint more simply its more down to the fact they used to get one model at a time and now its more like 6 a day, meaning they have to cute back and work to schedule instead of the old days, and yeah they Photoshop the images to make them flatter for some reason but when you see the actual models in person they still look stunning..

Quoted for truth... They had a pile of 'Eavy Metal figs at Games Day, and in person they were jaw dropping.

A lot of their large-scale dioramas are heavily photoshopped - even mid-range groups such as the images on the GW website have copy-pasted figures making up half the squad.
Having said that, the models in the store displays usually make me break down and feel depressed about my gakky paintjobs. It's one of the reasons I don't go to GW stores any more (among the staff, prices, etc.)

They are all still above my skill level though.

Both my local GW stores have got guys in there who do absolutley awesome jobs of painting, it makes me feel really useless!

Why does it make you feel useless? I go into my local GW and ask for help to get better, and they always are willing to give some tips and help me improve

Painting like all things gets both better and faster with experience. When you do it for a living you get good real fast, and get fast at doing it.

Wagguy80 wrote: When you do it for a living you get good real fast, and get fast at doing it.

Yeah thats true, ever since I started working as a rent boy I've been able to...

I remember reading at some point it use to take them longer to paint the models then it did for the guy to make it in the first place. So fast might not be true. Also there is the whole thing about them getting paid to do this for a living so they spend a lot more time painting then most of us.

They use illegal steroids. I've wondered also... I am just no good at painting fast.

Who says they paint quickly?

Some of the 'Eavy metal models are the actual Masters (As these are the sharpest most crisply detailed versions), which are probably completed at least 6 months before you see the pictures.

Though tbh pretty much every poster so far has nailed it. If you painted 40+ hours a week how much would you get done? At my standard i reckon 50+ models just by myself.

AllSeeingSkink wrote: I actually think the heavy metal standard has dropped a lot over the years, probably not a lack of skill but rather the guys in charge at GW telling them to paint more simplistic. I look at some of the images in my 2nd edition 40k codices and they look like they'd take two or three times longer to paint than a lot of the current 'eavy metal stuff.

Definitely agree. Models in old white dwarf mags and codicies really look great. Im not sure if this drop off can be attributed to GW or to the painters. Back in 2nd edition nobody did NMM or OSL painting....but I think perhaps Games Workshop wants to convey a message that you dont have to be the greatest painter in the world to paint minis. Maybe thats why the detail on more recent models isnt as great. I know personally if I admire something then I start to get discouraged at my own skill. I think they just brought the paint jobs back to earth because not everyone is out to win a slayer sword.....or golden demon....whatever the trophy is.

That said....its their job to churn out models....imagine how much they have crafted their skill at this point. They dont waist time like most of us procrastinating about colors or what paints to use. They already have that info, all they need to do is apply paint. You could also have an average joe assemble, and primer the models....then hand them off to the metal team.