Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

So was thinking about possible idea of becoming a bit of a painter for Warhammer 40k models, spoken about it with others off site and wanted bit of input with it.

As later in the year once I've homed my painting capabilities and such stuff alike, want to be able to earn a bit on side & mostly to help others who want to see their models painted in another style or method then they are used to. But its only a very outline of it but would really be something could enjoy doing for others to be able to keep painting for others and my own models as well.

But as said, would be later in year as got a bit of back log of my own models to do & still homing my painting capability.

Hope its an all right idea for a bit of an earner on side and be able to help those who need a hand painting. Thanks for taking time to read this thread post.

Was there a question here?

Anyway, from what I`ve seen, a great part of UK and US gamer-type dudes have absolutely abysmal painting skills and aesthetic feeling, contrary to many poles, for example.

So, if you are any good(I mean, GW `eavy metal, layer, drybrush, was good) you actually might earn something.
Just my 2c and feeling, really.

Remember the best way to launch into this kind of thing is with images of the best work you can achieve along with ideas of the kind of quality a customer could expect to recieve (average level? display level?) etc. Its also quite a time intensive thing to get into within the hobby, most commission painters make less than minimum wage unless you can paint to tabletop quality in a very short time, or to golden daemon quality (different markets for either). Until you're certain what you can achieve it's hard to market yourself to others.

That is true, Well I do have some images of what painted in my gallery, will have to fine my best painted ones and show them.

Think the ones with most likely good for showing (but got more that could be classed as tabletop worthy) are like HQ unit and squad leaders (so aspiring champions etc.)

So got my Archon here :



Also got Necron Overloard as well :



But end of day am also still painting more models as currently working on Triarch Stalker, so can show that into gallery to allow people to see more of my work.

Also got A lot more photo's to put onto my gallery such as my Chaos Army.

Either its the picture or the archon is really, really choppy. Thin the paints, get better brushes or IDK what. Airbrush is always nice, especially if you know how to make the compressor yourself(dont be the idiot who actually buys the thing)

Archon was the first model I painted since getting back into Warhammer 40k so its most likely just Highlight part that is a bit off rusty back then at painting.

Will aim to get better image put up onto here. As do have my Chaos Terminator Lord that is far better then that image

Will get my CSM images up into my Gallery and shown once I finish my current project ( Triarch Stalker Blog)

OP - You need to find a style that enables you to drop 3 colours on infantry with the minimum amount of time that looks good.
Clean - Crisp - Clear.

Sit at your painting desk or whatever and time yourself painting a squad of infantry models. That'll give you a basis to work from.

Really look at the amount of time it takes you to paint, then check what that time costs you - be it minimum wage - your salary per hour - your leisure time etc.

Take a look around at what some of the commission painters already offer. Ask yourself if you can really do that.

If you feel you can and are good enough then go for it.

But remember: (in no particular order)
1 - Do not give mates rates.
2 - Do not accept work that you know you cannot finish or paint to the customers required standard.
3 - Get a photo set up that allows you to take clear photos - So you have a high quality portfolio to show.
4 - If you agree to paint - and accept cash - your personal likes/dislikes and boredom threshold are't worth a damn.

I know my CSM follow World Bearers colour scheme so Red, Metal (But for my CSM) Bone white for skulls and sections as trophies.

Will be going through some parts such as you mentioned and listed as well Mr. Burning, as got HD camera so can take clear images, just need to find a perfect area that shows the model clear in view.

Over the time as painting as well, will go into like time slots can give to painting, breaks in day and so forth as that.

 DarkMistro wrote:
I know my CSM follow World Bearers colour scheme so Red, Metal (But for my CSM) Bone white for skulls and sections as trophies.

Will be going through some parts such as you mentioned and listed as well Mr. Burning, as got HD camera so can take clear images, just need to find a perfect area that shows the model clear in view.

Over the time as painting as well, will go into like time slots can give to painting, breaks in day and so forth as that.

Cool,

But what about breaks form normal work AND the painting?

I usually take like maybe between 30 mins to few hours of break depending on how much focus and time being spending so if done like 2 hours of none stop highlight and ultra detail parts, need longer to recover but do get the parts done by end of day that start

Fortunately my normal work (if meaning job) is YouTube so make my own hours which helps unbelievably Would make time as well to do my own painting between commission painting sections of model(s)

http://strobist.blogspot.co.uk/2006/07/how-to-diy-10-macro-photo-studio.html

Learn how to light and take a good clear sharp photo. Even if you're only selling local it lets you show updates and the paint work to your customers which is far better than having to lug everything back and forth from the store/club.

In general you want 1 colour of light source only on your photos, so by using something like the light box linked above lets you keep the colour constant.

A tripod helps a lot as well, use one and you can take a long exposure without any problems if you don't have as much light for the shot. Note if you are taking longer exposures be sure that you're shooting on a stable surface. You want something line flagstones, concrete, hard wood as a surface to stand the tripod upon and the table/surface the model is on. I've many a time shot on carpets or on old wooden flooring and found that the surface shifts around even as you just shift your own weight leg to leg whilst standing. These tiny differences will show up in close up photography.


When showing a portfolio remember:

1) Less is more; show a handful of really good paint jobs and they'll stand out a lot more than if you show a large number of average with the same good paint jobs thrown in.

2) Only show what you know you are capable of repeating. Your portfolio is your display of your talent and whilst you do want to show your best, you also want to show what you know you're capable of repeating.

3) You might want to break it down into sections based upon what kind of service you want to offer. For example you might have a 3 colours section showing models with just 3 basic colours - then one with more colours - and then another showing more advanced work yet. That lets you showcase your various options and also means that people get a clear idea of what you offer at each stage (remembering that each stage will also come with different pricing).

4) Don't show early works - you want to show your current standard of product and your current skill level always. Sure you might have Dakkadakka galleries where you might have a longer history of your works, but on your display front you want your current skills to show.

5) Try to get it right-in-camera. Yes you've got editing software and even the mighty Photoshop CS isn't out of reach any more (its something like £10 per month for Photoshop and Lightroom from adobe now). But remember that the more you have to edit the more time it will take you and the more work it will be to look good - get the lighting right and you'll fine things go a lot faster.

I'd say that unless you were going to do it ful-time, don't bother. It can really eat into your own hobby time, and destroy your love for the hobby. Stick with it however, and you will find yourself painting much faster (and better), and give you time to do your own stuff too. BUT, you need to improve your basics before you even think about charging people. Thin paints, clean, crisp highlights and shades. Work on that for now.

Oh and also take a look at this

http://privateerpress.com/community/privateer-insider/insider-9-7-2012

You might well find this a very useful tool to make use of when dealing with people. Many people (esp those who don't or can't paint) often have little understanding of how to express what they want in a colourscheme. And you can't be painting "test" models each and every time they want to try out a scheme. The above method lets you quickly and easily how a rough display of how different colours and colour combinations will look to someone. That saves you a huge block of time and also makes it a lot lot lot easier to get them to choose and communicate with you what they want.

Ah all right that makes sense Overread, had quick look over second link and that will help a lot with people who are unsure of paint schemes.

Will do that of course first Dr. Bizarre first so don't make complete fool of myself lol

Will read more into the two links you gave me Overread, going to put newer painted models into gallery and the most best looking into this thread too to show more detailed models.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
To show current skill area of painting (in case anyone wondering if interested in asking for commission) Have uploaded my two very best models (most recent) that have being painted.

Both belong to Chaos Space Marines and both are HQ.





The other view points of both these are in the gallery so please do enjoy.

Hopefully getting my first Commission June/July time

Sticking with this as do feel can achieve doing Commissions as doing my other job to help stabilise everything else currently doing

well from the photos I'd say this was a basic table top standard and I imagine an army painted to this level would look ok on the battlefield.
but if you can get commissions for this good luck to you, there are some very talented commission painter around.

Aye I know that there are far better ones out there in commissioned painting, but everyone starts out somewhere

Thanks for the good luck VonKessler Will have to take photos sometime of my entire armies fielded

Your second CSM photo there is definitely well above tabletop, you are doing very nice work - keep at it.

Also, start a blog in the P&M blogs section, as I would like to see your progress into commission painting.

That I will do kb_lock you'll be first to know moment that happens