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I have a couple of pieces of work that I'd like painted up, and would like some recommendations from those who have used Commission Painters.

I would like to get some projects finished, and I need them done with a pretty decent paint job, without a lot of frills and details. I also would like the work done within a month or two, and need a decent price on the work.

What were your results and if you were happy or not from who you used?

How much were the hidden costs?

Were you satisfied at the end of the day with the work/ painters?

Edited for clarity.

Sorry for the misread on the post...

I've not heard of Mercenary Painting Services specifically so I can't vouch for them. You've probably been ignored since you've posted in the wrong forum and your title was a bit misleading. You may want to try: https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/612233.page

In terms of big named companies I've had friends hire: https://figurepainters.com/ and https://siegestudios.co.uk/ and we're extremely happy with their armies! Avoid Blue Table Painting if theyre even still around.

I've personally been hired for one off models on: https://www.reddit.com/r/brushforhire/ and they're solid to get quotes from different artists. I'd reccomend at least browsing or making a post.

I paint commissions for over a decade but I only work with people that I know locally. Hidden costs that I charge? Working with recasted models, 100+ metal model armies, or a really odd/terrible color scheme (Pink/Yellow/Neon) tends to add extra costs. Satisfied customers? 95% of them. Mostly deadline issues or shipping costs.

I don’t think there is a commission painter called “Mercenary Painting Service”, that’s just the Grotster being clever/funny and asking if anyone here uses any commission painting services and if they do, to give reviews, recommendations, warnings, etc.

Frontline Gaming can be a little slow but their work is great. I’ve had over 2000 points done with then. I also used Grinnialvex who I met on Dakka Dakka and was super happy with his work and communication.

I was also scammed by Third Eye Nuke Studio FYI, and not the only one. Avoid like the plague.

Gordoape wrote:
Frontline Gaming can be a little slow but their work is great. I’ve had over 2000 points done with then. I also used Grinnialvex who I met on Dakka Dakka and was super happy with his work and communication.

I was also scammed by Third Eye Nuke Studio FYI, and not the only one. Avoid like the plague.

Wow, you still haven’t got your stuff back? If I were you I would have already taken legal action, through PayPal and contact his local police and file a scam complaint, also warn others on all of his social media.

 Big Mac wrote:

Gordoape wrote:
Frontline Gaming can be a little slow but their work is great. I’ve had over 2000 points done with then. I also used Grinnialvex who I met on Dakka Dakka and was super happy with his work and communication.

I was also scammed by Third Eye Nuke Studio FYI, and not the only one. Avoid like the plague.

Wow, you still haven’t got your stuff back? If I were you I would have already taken legal action, through PayPal and contact his local police and file a scam complaint, also warn others on all of his social media.

Nope. I did get all of my funds back via PayPal, just not the $400 or so of new models I mailed over. Legal action seems doubly complicated since he’s in England.

The problem with social media is like, I use it for other parts of my life and don’t want my own public profile to be me blasting a warhammer painter. That said he posted a “mea culpa” on his Facebook page in February saying he would get in touch with everyone and there’s many people who replied there saying he never contacted them and they are out money too. I’ve replied there.

 Big Mac wrote:

Gordoape wrote:
Frontline Gaming can be a little slow but their work is great. I’ve had over 2000 points done with then. I also used Grinnialvex who I met on Dakka Dakka and was super happy with his work and communication.

I was also scammed by Third Eye Nuke Studio FYI, and not the only one. Avoid like the plague.

Wow, you still haven’t got your stuff back? If I were you I would have already taken legal action, through PayPal and contact his local police and file a scam complaint, also warn others on all of his social media.

Third Eye's last contact on social media is literally "I've converted to Islam" followed by comments about a brutal significant other issues. Hopefully he's doing better


+1 Frontline

I hear about Frontline a lot from The Independent Characters podcast. I might have to check them out because there is no way I'm going to clear my backlog before November and the Soritas release hits.

Is Blue Table Painting still around? They were adequate, before all the stuff in the owner's personal life went kablooey.

I've used White Metal Games in the past and their work was excellent and prices fair.

https://www.whitemetalgames.com/

I've had the pleasure of using a few different services.

Stiff Neck Studios- 10 man Seer Council.

Fast turn around, high quality painting, low cost at the time.... massive bang for buck!

Free resin bases included. 1 painting level.

Good communication start to finish. Would absolutely recommend without hesitation.


White Metal Games- I received a quote from them last year. I did not follow through because of cost.

They offer full on 1 stop shopping. Everything from multiple paint levels to complete display boards.

Good communication.

Tried to reach out to one commission, it fell through... Still looking for more....

Any good painting services out there?

I've heard good things about Siege Studios.

I have used commission services exclusively since I don't have the time/skill to paint to a level I am satisfied with. (I collect more than I play anyways)

My advice is, try and find one within the same country or even area as you. The advantage is you can inspect their works first hand and communication is much more effective. All the painters I have commissioned are local or have frequent trips to my area.

That said, if you do use overseas services, take note shipping is actually not cheap, especially if you get bulky models painted. There is also insurance costs and the added risks of having a courier company handle the parcel. I know the packaging can be done top notch but these are all risks I'd rather avoid if possible.

Last advice is, if you are not in a rush for the models, try browsing instagram a little, you may find some painter whose work you really like but has never done commissions. It never hurts to drop a message to ask if they would like to be hired by you. I found a great local painter that way and he even managed top 100 in recent everchosen competition.

Yeah try you lfgs and see if they know any local commission painters, even in my tiny town in the uk the local store had 3 good commission painters who played there.

Vyrullax wrote:

Last advice is, if you are not in a rush for the models, try browsing instagram a little, you may find some painter whose work you really like but has never done commissions. It never hurts to drop a message to ask if they would like to be hired by you. I found a great local painter that way and he even managed top 100 in recent everchosen competition.

SeanDrake wrote:Yeah try you lfgs and see if they know any local commission painters, even in my tiny town in the uk the local store had 3 good commission painters who played there.

That is kinda how I got into doing some commission painting. I don't consider myself anything special so I never advertise as a commission painter, but every now and again someone likes my style and I am close by/cheap. So I am usually willing to paint up some stuff up. I haven't done any large projects since I have my own backlog, but I can usually paint up a Kill Team squad or some terrain every now and again.

@Grot 6 - Assuming your country flag is accurate, I'd suggest Sullivan Miniature Studio - I know both parties via Twitch, and they do stream three to four times a week on there, which makes it pretty easy to engage with them.

I don't know what their pipeline is at present, but Nikki & Scott do good work.