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Made in us
Lesser Daemon of Chaos




Utah

Project dropped off and paid for: February 16 2016.
Project returned. June 5 2017.
476 days later.
Cost: $120 ($90 cash+ some assembly work in trade)

I will try to keep my personal feelings out of this, and keep to the facts.

The model was converted by me, with some help from a co-worker (who is unrelated to the outcome of this story, I just cant take full credit for the conversion). I was originally quoted for completion mid March 2016. So I would have it in time for a campaign I was participating in. Model was dropped off, along with cash and beer (to bribe the painter). Assembly work in trade had already been done. So instead of being paid, I put it towards the models paint job.

After multiple promises of it being done "next few weeks" and dozens of life events that always prevented the model from being worked on. The painter finally decided to finish the model, after taking major offense (when none was intended) by a comment from me.

I will let the Dakka community judge the paint job and its price for themselves. As for me, I will be doing touch up work...... Spikes right next to each other are missed, some are picked out, others are not. No details and smudged paint on the deamonette (who was supposed to be detailed as a living model, not a hood ornament). Icons and skulls the same color as surrounding material....











Edits for grammar

This message was edited 3 times. Last update was at 2017/06/09 00:35:08


"Accept that Tzeentch has a place for all of us in his grand scheme, and be happy in the part you have to play." "This is Chaos. We don't "ka-frickin'-boom" here."  
   
Made in us
Longtime Dakkanaut





Looking for the Rest of the II Legion

Excellent conversion work, but paint job is not in any way, shape or form worth $90-$120. That wait sounds terrible... If this was really a studio job it doesn't show. I would steer clear of them.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2017/06/09 00:34:04



 
   
Made in us
[DCM]
Dankhold Troggoth






Shadeglass Maze

The conversion is sweet, the quality is okay. Maybe another painter could give it a bit more detailing and highlighting like the conversion deserves?

But just for the record, I've had way worse experiences having things commission painted, and so now stick to folks I know pretty well and who care enough to do a really good job. It's tough to find those folks, but I personally wouldn't be too upset by this end result for the price paid, even with the delay - kind of a good deal given the conversion, to be honest!
   
Made in gb
Fresh-Faced New User




UK

Unacceptable amount of time.
   
Made in gb
Longtime Dakkanaut




Nottingham, UK

I'll be blunt. Sorry OP, but you've been stung by your own stupidity here.

For reference, I'd be looking at charging around £450 ($570) for that model, expecting it to take around 1.5 to 2 weeks work (scheduled time, not turnaround, with at least one other job running concurrently on another stage).

You went with a low quote and got an cheap job done by a studio whose portfolio consists of badly photographed tabletop paintjobs. Not quite sure what you were expecting as a result, but I wouldn't have held my breath for much more than you got.

Places that quote that low cannot maintain full time painting at that rate - it works out below living wage, before you even take into account overheads like rent, power, paint, website etc. In all likelihood you've paid for and gotten about 6-8 hours work.

Because it's not an effectively paying job, it's either been done 'as and when', or other jobs have had to take priority to pay the bills. This delays things and is unfortunate, but it's something that does happen. You should have been informed though, and given the option of a refund of any monies paid, especially with it being such a small amount.

Lesson to all: If you want a professional job doing, get a professional to do it, and expect to pay a professional rate. There've been a LOT of threads about this, and you should have read them.

 
   
Made in se
Pulsating Possessed Space Marine of Slaanesh




I honestly think the painter did it to his best ability as on their website the other minis looks about the same quality.
So you got what you paid for I would say?
And the model is huge! $120 isn't that much considering the time it would take to paint to a good level.
Some really good painters can take like $60 just for the daemonette.
Except the wait time. There he was just lying to you and being lazy is my guess. I would demand back my money just because of that(but before I got a finished mini).
And that is why its good that you did this review so people know what they get into.


   
Made in us
Fixture of Dakka






I would have been wary of his professionalism when he accepted beer as payment...

"The Omnissiah is my Moderati" 
   
Made in us
Powerful Phoenix Lord





I think the price is about right for the paintjob. The time, however, is unacceptable and I would have demanded the model back long before it was ever finished. That alone would force me to never ever even glance in that shop's direction.
   
Made in us
Sybarite Swinging an Agonizer





Leavenworth, KS

I agree with Elbows, price is right for the level of the paintjob and the size of the model, but the amount of time from hand-off to completion is ridiculous. I would be glad you got the model back and just not use them in the future.

"Death is my meat, terror my wine." - Unknown Dark Eldar Archon 
   
Made in us
Lesser Daemon of Chaos




Utah

winterdyne wrote:
Spoiler:
I'll be blunt. Sorry OP, but you've been stung by your own stupidity here.

For reference, I'd be looking at charging around £450 ($570) for that model, expecting it to take around 1.5 to 2 weeks work (scheduled time, not turnaround, with at least one other job running concurrently on another stage).

You went with a low quote and got an cheap job done by a studio whose portfolio consists of badly photographed tabletop paintjobs. Not quite sure what you were expecting as a result, but I wouldn't have held my breath for much more than you got.

Places that quote that low cannot maintain full time painting at that rate - it works out below living wage, before you even take into account overheads like rent, power, paint, website etc. In all likelihood you've paid for and gotten about 6-8 hours work.

Because it's not an effectively paying job, it's either been done 'as and when', or other jobs have had to take priority to pay the bills. This delays things and is unfortunate, but it's something that does happen. You should have been informed though, and given the option of a refund of any monies paid, especially with it being such a small amount.

Lesson to all: If you want a professional job doing, get a professional to do it, and expect to pay a professional rate. There've been a LOT of threads about this, and you should have read them
.


$570? I must live in a very different community. I was quoted (and paid) less then that for my Warlord Titan. Different artist. (The painter who did the warlord has been doing commission painting for over 10 years. So it wasn't "to new to know better.")
https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/717794.page

I really need to post pics of inside the head. It's fantastic.

Though I do conceed that I may need to give it more credit. The missed spots and the deamonette are distracting and disappointing.

"Accept that Tzeentch has a place for all of us in his grand scheme, and be happy in the part you have to play." "This is Chaos. We don't "ka-frickin'-boom" here."  
   
Made in se
Pulsating Possessed Space Marine of Slaanesh




Any reason you did not ask for the model and money back after such a long time? There is always two sides to every story comes to mind.
   
Made in us
Martial Arts Fiday






Nashville, TN

Beer as payment + pre payment + lowball price= not getting anything you are expecting

"Holy Sh*&, you've opened my eyes and changed my mind about this topic, thanks Dakka OT!"

-Nobody Ever

Proverbs 18:2

"CHEESE!" is the battlecry of the ill-prepared.

 warboss wrote:

GW didn't mean to hit your wallet and I know they love you, baby. I'm sure they won't do it again so it's ok to purchase and make up.


Albatross wrote:I think SlaveToDorkness just became my new hero.

EmilCrane wrote:Finecast is the new Matt Ward.

Don't mess with the Blade and Bolter! 
   
Made in gb
Longtime Dakkanaut




Nottingham, UK

 Igenstilch wrote:
winterdyne wrote:
Spoiler:
I'll be blunt. Sorry OP, but you've been stung by your own stupidity here.

For reference, I'd be looking at charging around £450 ($570) for that model, expecting it to take around 1.5 to 2 weeks work (scheduled time, not turnaround, with at least one other job running concurrently on another stage).

You went with a low quote and got an cheap job done by a studio whose portfolio consists of badly photographed tabletop paintjobs. Not quite sure what you were expecting as a result, but I wouldn't have held my breath for much more than you got.

Places that quote that low cannot maintain full time painting at that rate - it works out below living wage, before you even take into account overheads like rent, power, paint, website etc. In all likelihood you've paid for and gotten about 6-8 hours work.

Because it's not an effectively paying job, it's either been done 'as and when', or other jobs have had to take priority to pay the bills. This delays things and is unfortunate, but it's something that does happen. You should have been informed though, and given the option of a refund of any monies paid, especially with it being such a small amount.

Lesson to all: If you want a professional job doing, get a professional to do it, and expect to pay a professional rate. There've been a LOT of threads about this, and you should have read them
.


$570? I must live in a very different community. I was quoted (and paid) less then that for my Warlord Titan. Different artist. (The painter who did the warlord has been doing commission painting for over 10 years. So it wasn't "to new to know better.")
https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/717794.page

I really need to post pics of inside the head. It's fantastic.

Though I do conceed that I may need to give it more credit. The missed spots and the deamonette are distracting and disappointing.


Yes, you must live in a different community.

I wouldn't do a warlord for less than around $2,500, at the very minimum it's 4-5 solid weeks work. Most finishes I'd recommend on a model of that type would roll in at significantly more.

As you say though, different artist.

It begs the question, how much are you expecting to pay per hour? Case in point, do you know how long the Warlord took?


 
   
Made in us
Lesser Daemon of Chaos




Utah

Quick note. The beer was for encouragement. Not official payment. I gave it to be nice to the artist.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
 DanceOfSlaanesh wrote:
Any reason you did not ask for the model and money back after such a long time? There is always two sides to every story comes to mind.


I had worked with artist at Blue Table Painting. So it was someone i knew personally and thought I had a good relationship with. I try to be patient and understanding. So when the artist needs to appease other clients or has disruptive life events, I try to be easy going. So I wasn't strict enough I suppose.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
winterdyne wrote:
Spoiler:
 Igenstilch wrote:
winterdyne wrote:
[spoiler]I'll be blunt. Sorry OP, but you've been stung by your own stupidity here.

For reference, I'd be looking at charging around £450 ($570) for that model, expecting it to take around 1.5 to 2 weeks work (scheduled time, not turnaround, with at least one other job running concurrently on another stage).

You went with a low quote and got an cheap job done by a studio whose portfolio consists of badly photographed tabletop paintjobs. Not quite sure what you were expecting as a result, but I wouldn't have held my breath for much more than you got.

Places that quote that low cannot maintain full time painting at that rate - it works out below living wage, before you even take into account overheads like rent, power, paint, website etc. In all likelihood you've paid for and gotten about 6-8 hours work.

Because it's not an effectively paying job, it's either been done 'as and when', or other jobs have had to take priority to pay the bills. This delays things and is unfortunate, but it's something that does happen. You should have been informed though, and given the option of a refund of any monies paid, especially with it being such a small amount.

Lesson to all: If you want a professional job doing, get a professional to do it, and expect to pay a professional rate. There've been a LOT of threads about this, and you should have read them.


$570? I must live in a very different community. I was quoted (and paid) less then that for my Warlord Titan. Different artist. (The painter who did the warlord has been doing commission painting for over 10 years. So it wasn't "to new to know better.")
https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/717794.page

I really need to post pics of inside the head. It's fantastic.

Though I do conceed that I may need to give it more credit. The missed spots and the deamonette are distracting and disappointing.


Yes, you must live in a different community.

I wouldn't do a warlord for less than around $2,500, at the very minimum it's 4-5 solid weeks work. Most finishes I'd recommend on a model of that type would roll in at significantly more.

As you say though, different artist.

It begs the question, how much are you expecting to pay per hour? Case in point, do you know how long the Warlord took?



I assume I pay around $20 an hour, for what the artist quotes. Based on my experience working at BTP and working with other local artists. Will have to check with my warlord painter for time spent.

This message was edited 3 times. Last update was at 2017/06/09 14:21:03


"Accept that Tzeentch has a place for all of us in his grand scheme, and be happy in the part you have to play." "This is Chaos. We don't "ka-frickin'-boom" here."  
   
Made in gb
Longtime Dakkanaut




Nottingham, UK

$20 an hour is actually, from what I've seen, a pretty high rate for commission work.

However, that rate on the Warlord translates to only around 25 hours work (assuming you paid about $500), with nothing extra for materials or overheads. I don't think I could bring in a half decent job in that timescale. Something feels amiss.




 
   
Made in us
Longtime Dakkanaut






As someone who has assembled/painted two Warlords, even with a relatively easy paint scheme and knowing the kit well its still about 40-50 hours of work. This doesnt even come close to approaching something of Winterdyne's skill level, and the price he quoted is about right.

One I did for charity, the other commission:
https://www.baphominiatures.com/warlord2

So I can only imagine what Winterdynes rates would be if it takes that long, and I can only imagine how little the painter made per hour for the $570 commission. : /



Automatically Appended Next Post:
Also I need to know if the OP's model was inspired by this:



This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2017/06/09 15:02:51


   
Made in gb
Longtime Dakkanaut




Nottingham, UK

Dammit, Zach, now I need to know that too. I *knew* it looked familiar but I couldn't remember why... and the song's stuck in my head now too!

 
   
Made in us
Lesser Daemon of Chaos




Utah

Original inspiration came from the old Slaneesh Doomrider, and the shape of the Khorne Bloodthrone. "I bet a Bloodthirster could ride that..." The Meat Loaf "Bat out of Hell" reinforced the motivation to do the conversion.

I texted my warlord artist. Asking them how long it took to paint. Will let you know once they respond. They quoted, and I paid, $500. (For full disclosure. I gave them an extra $100 as a gift when I picked up the warlord, because it was done on time, and the final work was beyond my expectations. So $600 total.)

"Accept that Tzeentch has a place for all of us in his grand scheme, and be happy in the part you have to play." "This is Chaos. We don't "ka-frickin'-boom" here."  
   
Made in us
Longtime Dakkanaut






Man I never thought Id run in to so many people in to the same hobby AND Meatloaf, good stuff.

   
Made in ca
Buttons Should Be Brass, Not Gold!






Soviet Kanukistan

@OP: I'd be interested to see a picture of the $500 warlord.

I watched another commission painter's warlord progress blog and it literally took weeks to complete.
   
Made in us
Powerful Phoenix Lord





Something tells me $500 on a warlord gets you random airbrushing with a TON of extraenous spray points which the artist then insists are "OSL".
   
Made in us
Colonel





This Is Where the Fish Lives

Elbows wrote:Something tells me $500 on a warlord gets you random airbrushing with a TON of extraenous spray points which the artist then insists are "OSL".
keezus wrote:@OP: I'd be interested to see a picture of the $500 warlord.
He already did:
 Igenstilch wrote:
$570? I must live in a very different community. I was quoted (and paid) less then that for my Warlord Titan. Different artist. (The painter who did the warlord has been doing commission painting for over 10 years. So it wasn't "to new to know better.")
https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/717794.page

I really need to post pics of inside the head. It's fantastic.


 d-usa wrote:
"When the Internet sends its people, they're not sending their best. They're not sending you. They're not sending you. They're sending posters that have lots of problems, and they're bringing those problems with us. They're bringing strawmen. They're bringing spam. They're trolls. And some, I assume, are good people."
 
   
Made in us
Longtime Dakkanaut





Looking for the Rest of the II Legion

Went to check out the warlord you linked, and it looks superb! Also, very much appreciating the level of Meatloaf in this thread.


 
   
Made in us
Tail-spinning Tomb Blade Pilot





Michigan

this right here is why you just learn to paint yourself. I would NEVER pay a studio to paint a model for me (especially not $570 as the above studio mentioned!?) that is insane. 2 hours of youtube tutorials will have you painting near this level without wasting your time and money. and you'll gain valuable skills from it.

I do not understand how commission studios charging $570 for one model this size retain business. this isnt a full time job, IT'S A HOBBY

Necrons - 6000+
Eldar/DE/Harlequins- 6000+
Genestealer Cult - 2000
Currently enthralled by Blanchitsu and INQ28. 
   
Made in us
Snord




Midwest USA

 supreme overlord wrote:
this right here is why you just learn to paint yourself. I would NEVER pay a studio to paint a model for me (especially not $570 as the above studio mentioned!?) that is insane. 2 hours of youtube tutorials will have you painting near this level without wasting your time and money. and you'll gain valuable skills from it.

I do not understand how commission studios charging $570 for one model this size retain business. this isnt a full time job, IT'S A HOBBY
While it is a hobby, some people are literally (and I use that correctly) unable to paint their own miniatures, due to time constraints (not everyone has an hour a day to spend on painting) or for health reasons (I have a friend who had trembling in his hands that he wasn't able to pick out any major details).

Some people as well are just interested in displaying the models on the shelf or just playing the game with them and want to meet the minimum painting requirements for tournaments. Yes, the costs listed seem expensive (especially to me!) but that does not preclude them from enjoying the hobby in their way, does it? I like the painting aspect of this hobby, and it is something I can do with my wife and kids. But other people will want different things out of this hobby than you and me.
   
Made in us
Longtime Dakkanaut





Looking for the Rest of the II Legion



Some people as well are just interested in displaying the models on the shelf or just playing the game with them and want to meet the minimum painting requirements for tournaments. Yes, the costs listed seem expensive (especially to me!) but that does not preclude them from enjoying the hobby in their way, does it? I like the painting aspect of this hobby, and it is something I can do with my wife and kids. But other people will want different things out of this hobby than you and me.


Really well said.


 
   
Made in us
Tail-spinning Tomb Blade Pilot





Michigan

hey, it's your money, do with it what you please. I'll choose not to waste mine and try to hone skills.

Just throwing this out there for reference my buddy paid $3000 for 3000 points of space marines to be built, painted, and for their battle foam carrying case. this is from Blue table Painting and they were painted to above table top standard. Compare that to $570 for ONE MODEL... that's outrageous.

Necrons - 6000+
Eldar/DE/Harlequins- 6000+
Genestealer Cult - 2000
Currently enthralled by Blanchitsu and INQ28. 
   
Made in us
Longtime Dakkanaut






Los Angeles

 supreme overlord wrote:
hey, it's your money, do with it what you please. I'll choose not to waste mine and try to hone skills.


Way to miss the point.

It isn't a waste of money to the person who cannot or does not want to paint. I am sure there are plenty of services you pay for that you could instead spend time and effort to learn, but you don't because you can't or don't want to do those things.

I bet you are a lazy ass and buy your own paints and brushes instead of making them yourself, right? Probably buy clothes in stores instead of learning how to weave cloth and sew. I bet you even buy groceries at the store instead of growing and hunting for your food. Tsk tsk! Do you know what a waste that is? A few hours on Youtube and you'd be self sufficient and rolling in the monies!


 supreme overlord wrote:
Just throwing this out there for reference my buddy paid $3000 for 3000 points of space marines to be built, painted, and for their battle foam carrying case. this is from Blue table Painting and they were painted to above table top standard. Compare that to $570 for ONE MODEL... that's outrageous.


So you prefer Taco Bell to a fine steak house? That's cool. Quantity has a quality all its own as a famous mustachioed mass-murderer once said. However, Blue Table Painting is pretty well known for providing sub-par work. I'd love to see pictures of that 3000 point SM army because it is probably barely table top standard (3 colors and basing). There is likely primer showing through in spots, missed sections of paint work, etc. So, citing BTP as an example of, well anything other than a bottom-tier commission service isn't doing your argument any favors. But really you don't have an argument because you can't compare a $3000/3000 point army painted at a very low standard to a single model painted to a high standard. Again, it is like comparing Taco Bell to Morton's Steak House. Some people are okay with cheap and quick, others want something spectacular.

Anyway, food for thought ( ), before you deem something a waste of money think first. You're probably wasting just as much money on something just as inane to someone else.

   
Made in us
Tail-spinning Tomb Blade Pilot





Michigan

$570 for a moderately painted miniature (judging from the gallery I saw) is absolutely a waste. you can find better commission artist to paint it for much cheaper.

I stated that the army was above table top standard AND was completed by a more reputable company... your comparison doesn't work. a better one would be: you can buy a steak from a steak house for $70 or buy the same steak from Walmart for $20... it's the same steak except one is cheaper.

no, when including time to create textiles and overhead I am taking the cheaper route, same with brushes and paint.... not the same with painting minis

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2017/06/09 22:29:40


Necrons - 6000+
Eldar/DE/Harlequins- 6000+
Genestealer Cult - 2000
Currently enthralled by Blanchitsu and INQ28. 
   
Made in gb
Longtime Dakkanaut




Nottingham, UK

I paint as a full time job. Damn sight better than BTP, too.

 
   
 
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