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After painting miniatures for two decades, I feel like my painting skills are some of the better examples within my own friend group. Or maybe I'm the only one with enough free time between work and family these days! And with an oversized pile of grey plastic and access to a 3D printer I have plenty of miniatures to give away that I might never use myself. So on occasion, I have painted up a few miniatures for my friend's armies. And it's something I could do more often.

But the thought has wormed its way into my head asking if that's something person would really want. They might not exactly fit with other people's paint schemes and there might be a few people out their who prefer to have everything painted by their own hand. So I thought I'd posit the idea here and see if people would actually use these models or maybe just let it sit pretty on a shelf somewhere. Or worse case scenario feel slighted in some way (but I assume that is my own paranoia).

One of my friends gave me a beautifully painted Eversor Assassin. It looked better than anything else I had.

I would wedge that guy into every army I could.

I think it's a great idea and a great gift.

 Mr Nobody wrote:
After painting miniatures for two decades, I feel like my painting skills are some of the better examples within my own friend group. Or maybe I'm the only one with enough free time between work and family these days! And with an oversized pile of grey plastic and access to a 3D printer I have plenty of miniatures to give away that I might never use myself. So on occasion, I have painted up a few miniatures for my friend's armies. And it's something I could do more often.

But the thought has wormed its way into my head asking if that's something person would really want. They might not exactly fit with other people's paint schemes and there might be a few people out their who prefer to have everything painted by their own hand. So I thought I'd posit the idea here and see if people would actually use these models or maybe just let it sit pretty on a shelf somewhere. Or worse case scenario feel slighted in some way (but I assume that is my own paranoia).

I would love to receive a gift like that.

I can see some people feeling otherwise, so my advice? Just ask them.

I would not feel slighted.

I’d prefer to receive either one-off minis (like assassins, HQ/characters, or non-army minis like PCs for use in RPGs) instead of rank and file. I like my army to look uniform, so if one squad, or half of one was in a different paint scheme it would bug me a little.

I enjoy painting my own stuff. But there is always more to add to the army then I have time or resources to add.

I’ve painted everything from whole armies for friends, units, HQs, and characters. I think everyone appreciated it.

If any of my friends ever wanted to gift me painted minis? I'd definitely use them*.

*Yes, even if that was my friend Dave - who is a terrible terrible painter. You know that horrible gloppy white SM whose pic floats around the net? Yeah, Dave's DA are only slightly better than that. :(
I'd just use that mini only in games against him.

And if anyone was concerned about matching my forces? All they'd have to do is request i bring x force to the next game so they could get a good look.

I did used to gift people painted miniatures, but only as decorative pieces. None of them played the games nor had any interest in the miniature hobby, but they did put those figures on display once gifted. No idea if they still have em though..

 tauist wrote:
I did used to gift people painted miniatures, but only as decorative pieces. None of them played the games nor had any interest in the miniature hobby, but they did put those figures on display once gifted. No idea if they still have em though..

I have been experimenting with making little shadow boxes that the model magnetizes to. My first attempt fell off the wall and dented my Gandalf model.

I figure sitting pretty on a shelf is not so bad.

If you want to test this out... I, and some other forum members, will be more than happy to receive gifts in the mail.

We will even send you thank you notes.