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WoW.... this is way out of my league... wow...

i feel astounded... wow

on the other hand good job to everyone

These are some mighty fine minatures

Thanks for the feedback MrMerlin!

I started to do the same as Mr Merlin but got a few entries in and realised they were all coming out as "Great work, might need a bit of a tweak *here*"... which wasn't overly constructive after all. Ok, here's an attempt. My apologies if they aren't constructive enough... just yell if you want more clarification

entry #1: I like the colour scheme, though I think a better photo and some more shading would help make the model pop. At the moment it's too blurred and dark to make out too much.
entry #2: I love the scheme, but as with MrMerlin's comment, the middle image could be a lot bigger so we can see the figure properly, rather than the awesome terrain.
entry #3: Awesome details with the tiny logos, but unlike MrMerlin, I like the patterning on the clothing as I've seen rain coats like it in London.
entry #4: Looks good, though it could do with some more attention to the gun as it currently looks like it;s gunmetal grey washed with black.The sword could also benefit form a couple of stronger lightning bolts painted over the current ones to add some depth
entry #5: The base and scheme do seem very familiar. I'd also agree that there are too many pictures squashed in, so we can't see the model properly. It would have benefitted form one big image and a few smaller detail shots around it.
entry #6: I think the colours are great, though the paint seems a little thick in the photos, making the osl and detailing seem overpowering.
entry #7: I love the subtle blending on this one, though it seems a little too plain to me. It might benefit from a spot colour somewhere on the uniform and more of a glow on the eyes.
entry #8: The blending on the armour is incredible, as are the skin tones… awesome paint job, it's just a shame I don't like the physical model.
entry #9: Awesome weathering; this is kind of how I want mine to come out like. I do feel it could do with another colour on there that isn't blue tones to make it pop. The osl is also very subtle and might benefit from being more prominent.
entry #10:Nice crisp painting, but some of the highlights seem to be in odd places, for example the light grey highlights underneath the legs (though this may be my eyes)
entry #11: Some really nice use of osl on this one, but the camo feels a bit weird. For ages I thought the camp stripes on the arms were highlighting on the cloth ridges. Again, this might be just me.
entry #12: There is some very subtle highlighting on this one; nice work on the base too.
entry #13: Some awesome detail and freehand work on this Yuan Yuan. I just can't tell where painted shadow starts and natural shadows finish…
entry #14: The lighting on this is bleaching the model a bit, making it difficult to see the model properly. The robes look nicely done though.
entry #15: I keep being distracted by all the details on the base… there's a model in there?
entry #16: The freehand on this one is insanely good, as is the osl. mind blowing!
entry #17: The image lacks the punch of a lot of the others due to being bleached out. I'm also not to keen on the brown cloak… it looks a bit grainy. Some nice osl and nmm though.
entry #18: Achilles seems to be overpowered by osl. It could do with being a bit more subtle as it is losing all of the main colours.
entry #19: A good, solid paint job very reminiscent of Spider-woman. It could do with some more definition to make it pop though.
entry #20: I like the subtle, watercolour look to the painting. I think the subtle nature is probably it's weakness as everything else overpowers it.
entry #21: Nice choice of colours on this one, bit the painting looks a little thick and unrestrained. Thinning the paint a bit more would help tidy up things a bit; especially on the white gauntlets
entry #22: I'm in a weird situation with this one. The painting and freehand is top notch… but there's something slightly off about the nmm that isn't quite right.
entry #23: Great colours with some nice shading; though there are a few bits that could be neater, like the shoulder pad.
entry #24: The face mask on this one is excellent, I love the glowing eyes. Some bits of the feet and arms seem under painted though.
entry #25: Some great weathering and markings on here; though some of the red shading looks a bit too much like a rough wash. A bit of chipping on the paintwork would bring this up nicely.
entry #26: Some of the paint looks a bit thick on the white areas, but I like the hexes inside the coat.
entry #27: Very nice job on the armour, especially the glow. I'm not as convinced by the patterning on the sword though I'm afraid; though getting the shine on metal right is notoriously difficult.
entry #28: This one is probably my favourite for it's subtle colour scheme and great definition on the cloth.
entry #29: Pretty sure I know who this one belongs to, even though he doesn't normally advertise his painting. Some fine highlights on the black would make him pop a bit. It would be nice to see a front view as well to see what was done to the visor.
entry #30: Nice choice of colours here as well as an awesome base. I would say the turquoise could do with a few more levels of definition, especially in the shaded areas, but still great.
entry #31: Interesting colour choice that could be awesome with a bit more contrast and study of where light falls. Edge highlighting seems to work fine on space marines, but not quite so well on Infinity level miniatures.
entry #32: Unlike the previous full rundown, I like the colour choice on this one. There's some great levels of contrast int he painting; though a larger photo would have done wonders for the model.
entry #33: Some better lighting on this one would have improved it's chances. The colour selection is good, but the metal on the rifle looks very basic and would benefit form more shading/highlights.
entry #34: Again, better lighting for the photograph would have done wonders. As it is, I can't tell how well the rifle and head are painted, but the which paint looks a bit thick/
entry #35: Some excellent work on this; I love the blue armour and the osl on all the little lights. Stunning
entry #36: Some great work on the visit and rifle, but this doesn't seem to have carried over onto the body suit, which looks a bit flat in the photos?
entry #37: Nice solid colours and brush control. Now it's time to start playing around with shadows and highlights as currently it looks like he's in a comic
entry #38: Really nice work on this one. Some of the transitions, such as on the ears, would be smoother, but it's fine. Some of the osl is a bit uneven, but you could put that down to the lights flaring on the TAG as much as the paint job
entry #39: Really good brush control on this one for the face and tartan. I'd like to see more views though as I'm interested to see how the shoulder pads turned out.
entry #40: This one suffers from a really poor photograph; putting most of the model out of focus or in shadow so it's tricky to tell what's going on. What you can see looks like more brush control is needed in placed; but I'm as guilty of that as the next person.
entry #41: Great cloak, but I think the armour could do with something to break it up a bit. Even something as simple as a few yellow markings not he chest or leg would break up the wall of green; no matter how well the green is painted.
entry #42: Nice additional to the base. Some of the colours look a bit messy around the chest area, but the helmet looks good. Given the flames on the base, the light sources on the shading are wrong, or being thrown off kilter as you have shadows right next to the flames on the base. Some additional highlights in these areas, tinted with reds and yellows would work well.

Great post, endtransmission! There's much more constructive criticsm in it than in mine..... well done.
I'm also happy about someone commenting on my work, thanks!

Thanks Endtransmission !
Every little things help =D

Call me crazy. . . But most these guys are wearing flashy armor, standing in dramatic poses. . . . Don't you think their weapons should look equally as dramatic?

In my opinion, too many of these weapons look interchangeable to the characters who arm them.... But yes, these are all very very well painted.

#1, #34, and #40. . . your paintings are great, but I feel you might have gotten more votes had you have used a better camera.

Glad to be of service! I'm looking forward to finding out who owns which models!

It's also interesting writing a mini critique on your own model as you don't normally get the opportunity to rip apart your own work in secrecy

Great stuff, think you are completely correct about the critique of mine!

Thanks for the C&C guys - I think you are both right about my entry and having seen the others, I would agree entirely

Exceptional entries all round guys; with a couple that are utterly above the rest. Well done to all.

Think I'll give any further competitions a miss myself though, I've been given a bump down from seeing myself as a fairly acceptable painter to... well owch.

I'm definitely suffering from lack of a decent camera / lightbox, but also from not being very good at painting. Really appreciated the constructive crit, though, endtransmission!

Fantastic jobs all round. I can't pick out one without mentioning 10 others, so I'll just say well done to everyone!

comments on mine are correct : )

#7 and #35 are little underrated. They pay a bad choice of colour (the nomad) and a too small photo (the combined) but they have smooth paint and good looking. Combined needs more cleaning on the armor (the osl is very nice and with inusual colours). The nomad needed another colour between the yellow tone : \
#39 is also nice and underrated (the sword is not good as the face and tartan) but he needed some more photos

edit: sorry i means UNDERrated

Thanks for the insights....helps us a lot in improving our skills.

Presentation is also a critical factor I believe....quality of pic and the use of photo software to combine several shots and show the fig in different angles.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Hey look at this moment...the line kazak has 47 votes...and there's a number 47 on its base.

What would have happened, if the painter would have added an % to the 47?

I dunno, I definitely think I paint for pop on the tabletop, and that doesn't translate very well to these painting competitions.

I feel like I'd have to relearn everything to stand a chance in a comp like this, since I prefer models to stand out on the table.

I guess the question is, am I willing to try a bunch of new ways to paint, or have I resigned myself to my ways of painting like a grumpy old hermit.

Nachtpfiffel wrote:What would have happened, if the painter would have added an % to the 47?

What would have happened if he painted 1000 on its base?...he'd win!

I'm kinda sad that my personal favorite #13 is so underrated :(

Color choice was fantastic, NMM is very clean, and the freehanding is fantastic.

BlueDagger wrote:I'm kinda sad that my personal favorite #13 is so underrated :(

Color choice was fantastic, NMM is very clean, and the freehanding is fantastic.

Yeah, it deserves more. But I think the most underrated mini here must be 9. I really, really like it, and I think it deserves more votes than it has up to now.

Another underrated one is of course mine ......

I think the main thing i have learnt from this comp.. is I need a proper camera, lightbox and better background.

I think the Jotum looks good, but it also looks boring. It's just a blur of grey, and it's hard to pick anything out on it. I think it looks great and all, but showcasing a model in monochromatic isn't exactly exciting.

But yes, the Yuan Yuan is an amazing bit of work. I love the wings on the wings, and the detail on the lips and face is great. It's a fun model, and really deserves more votes.

Saladin is still king of the litter though.

And I'm still incredibly grumpy in regards to the Securitae, #15. The model looks great! But That base is so over-the-top and uncecessary. It's a painting contest, not a basing contest. I think the model should be able to stand by itself and be judged accordingly, everything else is just a distraction.

Again, I use Saladin as an example. The focus is the model, and that is where I think the focus should be.

Agreed. 13 and 9 are so underated. IMHO 12 does not deserve so many votes. Don't get me wrong, the colours are nice, but the whole miniature seems diffuse, blurred.

13 combines nice colours, excellent freehands and a smooth NMM effect. 9 for example could use some faction logos, numbers or something that could break the greish overall look, since the OSL is too shy.

Thanks for the critics on mine, btw!

Chemical Cutthroat wrote:
And I'm still incredibly grumpy in regards to the Securitae, #15. The model looks great! But That base is so over-the-top and uncecessary. It's a painting contest, not a basing contest. I think the model should be able to stand by itself and be judged accordingly, everything else is just a distraction.

Main reason I have no issue with #15, that model is UGLY. I mean man faced terrible pose, one of the worst in the nomad range, ugly. However the painter has achieved making her look good, when painter he by selecting skin toning placed that would normally be uniform. Kudos to the painter.

That's what I'm saying though! He/she doesn't need that ridiculous base, they did such a great job on the model, I just feel like the base is a distraction.

The Yuan Yuan one is really good, I just have a problem with the color scheme due to personal reasons. It looks... too olive-y? Personally I don't see the combination of those colors as fashionable: haven't seen anyone with a purple + green + blue outfit that works. I do agree that it is underrated: aside from the color choices (and that is mostly subjective) I think everything is top notch.

Now, please don't be offended Entrant 12, but I think yours is overrated. Aside from the color scheme, and yes I really have a pet peeve with purple + green, it just feels lackluster.The weird face-cropping does not help, it is blurred and shows that the applied paint is very much uneven. Lip color bothers me, too.

Good remarks all around, and I agree with most of them. There are many entries here that should have more votes, and a few with oddly too many. But, the people have decided.

I felt confident about mine coming in but there are some here that just blow it out of the water. I suppose though I'll have a great start on a new army, so that's always good.

To do well in one of these you really, really have to step things up. Like, the way the face is done on that Saladin, I could never do a face that well. That is some seriously amazing skill when you consider how tiny of a target it is.

I usually try not to be too critical, but watching the results makes me realize something.

#15 really is too dependent upon the big display base and diorama it has going on.

The model is well-painted and all, but if it were placed by itself it would not be nearly as impressive.

@stardawn @Kanluwen @ cave_dweller

after reading your comment i'm very excited too see your masterwork.

But i will await the end of the votation because i think is not kind to spit on a (maybe) hard work during a votation. Like you have done.

zoddozoddo wrote:@stardawn @Kanluwen @ cave_dweller

after reading your comment i'm very excited too see your masterwork.

But i will await the end of the votation because i think is not kind to spit on a (maybe) hard work during a votation. Like you have done.

Even if I have a really good or a really bad work, it does not invalidate one's comments on the subject matter.

Cave_Dweller wrote:I felt confident about mine coming in but there are some here that just blow it out of the water. I suppose though I'll have a great start on a new army, so that's always good.

I know exactly what you mean, on both counts

starsdawn wrote:

zoddozoddo wrote:@stardawn @Kanluwen @ cave_dweller

after reading your comment i'm very excited too see your masterwork.

But i will await the end of the votation because i think is not kind to spit on a (maybe) hard work during a votation. Like you have done.

Even if I have a really good or a really bad work, it does not invalidate one's comments on the subject matter.

If you think something is overrated or is bad i hope you can paint better than that. Or at least you can give advice on painting or colour choice or you can say "i like this one".
If you want to say that something is bad or overrated or a child work you wait (for kindness) till the end of the challenge and then you can say everything.
You will say that this is bad , or the worst paintjob you have seen in your life, or that your orks are better.
You also didn't join the challenge, so you haven't spent lot of hours on something just to see someone coming and say it is bad

Looking at the entries i can say which i prefer and which i don't, but the last thing i shall do is writing a comment that could influence a vote in negative way. I also have respect of everyone has joined the challenge.