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Check out this Awesome Wolf knight at my Heroic Tabletop (Level 2) paint job

How are you going to paint the base?


How many threads are you making? lol

What's the difference between your level 1 and level 2 because this model needs a wash and tidying up the mistakes. I prefer your level 1 chimera

I am all for "affordable" commission painters, but the absolute bare-bones basics should not be skimped if you are doing work for someone. If anything, you should be clean and uninspired if you are going cheap.

Here are some rather egregious issues I had to highlight (one of us has to highlight, amirite?) - including bad silvering, one-layer coloring, sloppy brushwork and lettering.

I am not nearly so hard on casual painters, but you are a commission artist and I am going to be blunt about it because people are paying you money.

 Stevefamine wrote:
How are you going to paint the base?


How many threads are you making? lol

The client had a specific basing style he wanted, so its done, as for the number of posts i think 4 shall do the trick today

em_en_oh_pee raises valid points. As a project for friends this is absolutely fine, but as a commission painter you should always strive to meet basic standards of work regardless of which level you're painting at.

This includes:
- Cleaning the Models
- Clean Edges between paints
- Removing the shine on transfers
- Touching up messy/damaged spots.

Looking at the head alone in the second image, I can see:
- A large hair curling around the base of his ear
- Paint chipping around the eye
- The gold nose bumps aren't fully painted
- The teeth are lacking a wash for definition, and the gold paint has splattered onto the lips
- Gold paint has smudged onto one of the ears and was wiped away and not touched up
- There is still some blue showing through on the gold plate on the top of the head

It looks like you may not be sealing the miniatures with a clear spray either - this is why you have paint chipping and glossy transfers on matte surfaces. Use a matte spraypaint when you're finished painting to completely seal and protect the miniature as well as even out the shine on all the transfers. Anything you want to be "shiny" you can go over with 'Ardcoat.

Keep posting your work, keep asking for feedback, and keep striving to improve! Thanks for the post!

Even professionals make mistakes, thanks for the feed back

 Muggami wrote:
Even professionals make mistakes, thanks for the feed back

I think the issue is that these aren't mistakes - they are quality control issues. Also, these are things that have been pointed out before on other pieces you have done.

As I said, I think you should take a few months and really try to solidify your skills and not on commissions. The pressure on those is usually too high, especially with deadlines. Grab a few old, cheap sets off eBay (like Black Reach or something similar) and just practice, practice, practice.

Seriously, homework helps. I learned a vast amount of my knowledge from watching others on YouTube. Even GW's painting tutorials will help elevate your skillset - watch them! What Duncan does is the rock-bottom standard of what people expect from commission work. 2-3 paint layers and a wash. You currently are not meeting that standard, so it is something to shoot for.

 Muggami wrote:
Even professionals make mistakes, thanks for the feed back

Being 'professional' doesn't mean your work is high quality. There is no barrier of entry other than 'someone paid me once'. That someone could be your Nana.

Look, no one is trying to be mean to you, but for charging money, vs the market, your work is sub par for the professional level, rife with beginners mistakes and badly executed basics. You have a lot to learn, and I encourage you to do so, as you certainly have potential. I am not sure how old you are, but if you are a young guy trying to make a buck who is much better than your peers, I get that. But you are trying to come off as pro here, and though you may be 'pro' in the literal sense as someone paid you to paint, you are absolutely not pro in that there is no way you would place in any competition talent pros are involved in.

My advice; learn your basics. Learn to prime without it having sandpaper texture. Learn minimum QC. Learn minimum tabletop methods, washes, edge highlighting, minimum 3 tone per surface. At that level, you can't be messy, otherwise you will continue to get helpful lectures every time you post.

 MajorTom11 wrote:

 Muggami wrote:
Even professionals make mistakes, thanks for the feed back

Being 'professional' doesn't mean your work is high quality. There is no barrier of entry other than 'someone paid me need once'. That someone could be your Nana.

Look, no one is trying to be mean to you, but for charging money, vs the market, your work is sub par for the professional level, rife with beginners mistakes and badly executed basics. You have a lot to learn, and I encourage you to do so, as you certainly have potential. I am not sure how old you are, but if you are a young guy trying to make a buck who is much better than your peers, I get that. But you are trying to come off as pro here, and though you may be 'pro' in the literal sense as someone paid you to paint, you are absolutely not pro in that there is no way you would place in any competition talent pros are involved in.

My advice; learn your basics. Learn to prime without it having sandpaper texture. Learn minimum QC. Learn minimum tabletop methods, washes, edge highlighting, minimum 3 tone per surface. At that level, you can't be messy, otherwise you will continue to get helpful lectures every time you post.

Pretty much this, i dont consider my self a pro painter by any means, but ill still paint for people if they ask me to. As i said before i think some things you have a good grasp on, and others need work. The ambition and potential are there, just need the practice.

Also, "At that level, you cant be messy" Well, unless its nurgal then its just extra puss and rot

 Backspacehacker wrote:

Also, "At that level, you cant be messy" Well, unless its nurgal then its just extra puss and rot

Even that requires lots of control and technique. Nurgle is a lot less "messy" than people think. It is a lot of careful transitions and glazes to build up the appearance of decay. I find them quite the challenge over something bland like a generic Space Marine.

 em_en_oh_pee wrote:

 Backspacehacker wrote:

Also, "At that level, you cant be messy" Well, unless its nurgal then its just extra puss and rot

Even that requires lots of control and technique. Nurgle is a lot less "messy" than people think. It is a lot of careful transitions and glazes to build up the appearance of decay. I find them quite the challenge over something bland like a generic Space Marine.

I have never done nurgal but it always seems like that one that comes off as hard to be messy and not actually look messy, but oh the secret i found to make genaric space marines look good is one, an air brush to really get armor highlights, and two, putting battle damage chips on them to give them more flare and character. I started doing that to my dark angels, holy crap, night and day.

 Muggami wrote:

 Stevefamine wrote:
How are you going to paint the base?


How many threads are you making? lol

The client had a specific basing style he wanted, so its done, as for the number of posts i think 4 shall do the trick today

Sand and glue?

Lots of sand paper

 Muggami wrote:
The client had a specific basing style he wanted, so its done

There's a difference between "specific basing style" and poor execution, and you've got the latter. Even if you want a simple sand textured base leaving gaps around the feet like that is inexcusably poor quality, and I can't imagine your client wanted unpainted sand instead of finishing it. It just looks like you didn't bother to do any better, not a good sign for someone who wants to sell their work.

 Peregrine wrote:

 Muggami wrote:
The client had a specific basing style he wanted, so its done

There's a difference between "specific basing style" and poor execution, and you've got the latter. Even if you want a simple sand textured base leaving gaps around the feet like that is inexcusably poor quality, and I can't imagine your client wanted unpainted sand instead of finishing it. It just looks like you didn't bother to do any better, not a good sign for someone who wants to sell their work.

Believe it or not there is a color to the sand, its rather hard to see, the client asked for a very very light brown coat its hard to see on camera

 Muggami wrote:

 Peregrine wrote:

 Muggami wrote:
The client had a specific basing style he wanted, so its done

There's a difference between "specific basing style" and poor execution, and you've got the latter. Even if you want a simple sand textured base leaving gaps around the feet like that is inexcusably poor quality, and I can't imagine your client wanted unpainted sand instead of finishing it. It just looks like you didn't bother to do any better, not a good sign for someone who wants to sell their work.

Believe it or not there is a color to the sand, its rather hard to see, the client asked for a very very light brown coat its hard to see on camera

Take better pictures.

As it stands, it looks like the Knight is striding through a litter box.

It looks very much like raw sand over a black base to me.

winterdyne wrote:
It looks very much like raw sand over a black base to me.

It is, There is no paint to it, in fact it looks like that course rock you put under train tracks for model trains, the name eludes me but there is a specific name for it. I use it all the time when i was making my hot coal bases.

It looks like unpainted train ballast, whether it's painted or not you need to cover the entire base including under the feet.

I hope you're painting for free for local friends... I'm scared what level one would look like on a pricing pdf you send to clients. That base is unpainted.

If you fancy yourself a commission painter, post pictures of each level of quality you offer, as well as a fully completed army of 100-150 models at each level for Stormhammerpainting

I can post a few dozen armies at varying qualities and I don't even advertise in my signature on the forum.

 Stevefamine wrote:
I hope you're painting for free for local friends... I'm scared what level one would look like on a pricing pdf you send to clients. That base is unpainted.

If you fancy yourself a commission painter, post pictures of each level of quality you offer, as well as a fully completed army of 100-150 models at each level for Stormhammerpainting

I can post a few dozen armies at varying qualities and I don't even advertise in my signature on the forum.

Oh there are about a dozen threads from him of each various level.

 Backspacehacker wrote:

 Stevefamine wrote:
I hope you're painting for free for local friends... I'm scared what level one would look like on a pricing pdf you send to clients. That base is unpainted.

If you fancy yourself a commission painter, post pictures of each level of quality you offer, as well as a fully completed army of 100-150 models at each level for Stormhammerpainting

I can post a few dozen armies at varying qualities and I don't even advertise in my signature on the forum.

Oh there are about a dozen threads from him of each various level.

They're single models... I've seen a grand total of maybe 80 models from him. There isn't a difference between the levels either...

 Stevefamine wrote:

 Backspacehacker wrote:

 Stevefamine wrote:
I hope you're painting for free for local friends... I'm scared what level one would look like on a pricing pdf you send to clients. That base is unpainted.

If you fancy yourself a commission painter, post pictures of each level of quality you offer, as well as a fully completed army of 100-150 models at each level for Stormhammerpainting

I can post a few dozen armies at varying qualities and I don't even advertise in my signature on the forum.

Oh there are about a dozen threads from him of each various level.

They're single models... I've seen a grand total of maybe 80 models from him. There isn't a difference between the levels either...

Sorry did not clarify there are about a dozen THREADS i mean. But yeah the model range is very low i do agree. Same with the quality there is no real definition between it all.

I think you'd benefit from good photos and basic quality control.

Ah yes another good dakka thread. Three good comments, followed by a bunch of idiots chest punching on the internet picking on someone.

No where is your opnion asked for, so you should keep your opnion to yourself. This is him showing what he does if it is not worth it to you so be it. But no where does it say, get your gang bang inadequate comments off here. I know this is the Internet and people seem to think manner so onto apply here but grow up and shut up.

This is why it is harder and harder for people to post on here, serious lack of morals in the mods. Any forum that lets 30 comments of insults go on and on with out bumping in is imbarassing to say the least. This is internet bullying to say the least....... or u.s.a run forums not sure which.

OgreChubbs wrote:
Ah yes another good dakka thread. Three good comments, followed by a bunch of idiots chest punching on the internet picking on someone.

No where is your opnion asked for, so you should keep your opnion to yourself. This is him showing what he does if it is not worth it to you so be it. But no where does it say, get your gang bang inadequate comments off here. I know this is the Internet and people seem to think manner so onto apply here but grow up and shut up.

This is why it is harder and harder for people to post on here, serious lack of morals in the mods. Any forum that lets 30 comments of insults go on and on with out bumping in is imbarassing to say the least. This is internet bullying to say the least....... or u.s.a run forums not sure which.

And no where was your opinion asked for. This is not a thread about "hey guys look what i did what do you think I could improve on?" Someone paid for this and we are pointing out the flaws and the lack of detail that should be taken in a commission. This is not your flgs where people will hand hold and be supportive, this is the internet where filters are off. There is plenty of moral here. I have been painting for some 6 years now and guess what I have been trash talked and i have been compamented, and I have learned from people on here. Thing is this guy is coming off as if he is some pro painter and these are commission works that can't even pass basic painting techniques let alone be considered above table top.

If you want a hug box go else were, if critisizem offends you then for the love of god do not go into comp painting because you will be destroyed by the official judges. Which maybe you have not noticed but this guy has posted like 10 threads and ignores all the advice and only responds to complements.

What we are doing is called tough love, telling him to get better before doing commission lest he ruin his "studios rep.

OgreChubbs wrote:
Ah yes another good dakka thread. Three good comments, followed by a bunch of idiots chest punching on the internet picking on someone.

No where is your opnion asked for, so you should keep your opnion to yourself. This is him showing what he does if it is not worth it to you so be it. But no where does it say, get your gang bang inadequate comments off here. I know this is the Internet and people seem to think manner so onto apply here but grow up and shut up.

This is why it is harder and harder for people to post on here, serious lack of morals in the mods. Any forum that lets 30 comments of insults go on and on with out bumping in is imbarassing to say the least. This is internet bullying to say the least....... or u.s.a run forums not sure which.

By posting a model in the showcase, you open yourself up to criticism and comments. This is not a hugbox safe space where only positive comments are posted.

If someone who is charging for their work posts substandard work on this forum, they deserve the criticism.

 Backspacehacker wrote:

OgreChubbs wrote:
Ah yes another good dakka thread. Three good comments, followed by a bunch of idiots chest punching on the internet picking on someone.

No where is your opnion asked for, so you should keep your opnion to yourself. This is him showing what he does if it is not worth it to you so be it. But no where does it say, get your gang bang inadequate comments off here. I know this is the Internet and people seem to think manner so onto apply here but grow up and shut up.

This is why it is harder and harder for people to post on here, serious lack of morals in the mods. Any forum that lets 30 comments of insults go on and on with out bumping in is imbarassing to say the least. This is internet bullying to say the least....... or u.s.a run forums not sure which.

And no where was your opinion asked for. This is not a thread about "hey guys look what i did what do you think I could improve on?" Someone paid for this and we are pointing out the flaws and the lack of detail that should be taken in a commission. This is not your flgs where people will hand hold and be supportive, this is the internet where filters are off. There is plenty of moral here. I have been painting for some 6 years now and guess what I have been trash talked and i have been compamented, and I have learned from people on here. Thing is this guy is coming off as if he is some pro painter and these are commission works that can't even pass basic painting techniques let alone be considered above table top.

If you want a hug box go else were, if critisizem offends you then for the love of god do not go into comp painting because you will be destroyed by the official judges. Which maybe you have not noticed but this guy has posted like 10 threads and ignores all the advice and only responds to complements.

What we are doing is called tough love, telling him to get better before doing commission lest he ruin his "studios rep.

I am looking for where he said pro...... Anywhere...... If you can find it, it would be nice to see. Because what I see is someone posting a model he painted to a level he describes it as.

So no people are not giving advise they are being rude, I am not sure where your lack of parenting comes from but allow me to fill in the missing gaps for you. Your opnion is not needed or wanted and what you think doesn't matte. If you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all. Right now there is 2 posts about helping improving and the rest are just jack ..... posts jumping on the jerk train.

So no this is not tough love this is why people especially women avoid and mock table top games because there is a pissing contest among those who people already look down on the type. It is also the reason I do not bring models to a store or pretend I even know what they are, just incase I get lumped into a group that pick on someone for a little toy with paint on it. My god it is like a kindergarten fight. My picture is better nah nah nah.


Just adding this, I am involved in a lot of hobbies but this is the only one I have seen that pick on someone trying to enjoy the hobby with them. It is quite disturbing picking on someone for how well the do on a hobby.

 MajorTom11 wrote:

 Muggami wrote:
Even professionals make mistakes, thanks for the feed back

Being 'professional' doesn't mean your work is high quality. There is no barrier of entry other than 'someone paid me once'. That someone could be your Nana.

Look, no one is trying to be mean to you, but for charging money, vs the market, your work is sub par for the professional level, rife with beginners mistakes and badly executed basics. You have a lot to learn, and I encourage you to do so, as you certainly have potential. I am not sure how old you are, but if you are a young guy trying to make a buck who is much better than your peers, I get that. But you are trying to come off as pro here, and though you may be 'pro' in the literal sense as someone paid you to paint, you are absolutely not pro in that there is no way you would place in any competition talent pros are involved in.

My advice; learn your basics. Learn to prime without it having sandpaper texture. Learn minimum QC. Learn minimum tabletop methods, washes, edge highlighting, minimum 3 tone per surface. At that level, you can't be messy, otherwise you will continue to get helpful lectures every time you post.

To the poster above, right here is your "pro" claim. and a decent response as most have been.