Many of you who are going to be viewing this blog know me as a collector of tabletop miniature games, specifically Privateer Press Warmachine, Games Workshop 40K, and Wyrd's Malifaux. Over the past few years my collection has grown to mammoth proportions, and I've even invested in many collections of models for Game Workshop's fantasy game, Warhammer Fantasy Battle. For some time I had more money than sense (or time to play) and so I satisfied my need for gaming by collecting vast hordes of models (read: toy soldiers) to look at and admire. I would clean them, prime then, and very occasionally paint a few of them. Very occasionally. I did learn from this that plastic and white metal models are NOT a sound investment strategy...
On those rare occasions in which I did put paint on models the results of my efforts were less than spectacular. They worked fine on the battleground to add color to the game, but no one would gasp in wonder at the schemes used or the artistry of the work done. I had spoken from time to time with real artists hoping to eventually have one of my armies done in such a fashion as to be the showpiece of my collection, but ultimately I was unable to find anyone who would be willing to do the work for less than thousands of dollars. But those were dollars I could use to but more models!
Over time, I've realized that I will never be able to play all four of my WM armies as well as the nine 40K collections that I owned... on top of Dystopian Wars, Malifaux, Flames of War, and my many board games and rpgs. A student... a father... and efforts in working ministry prevents me from investing the time I once had as a young man into the hobby I love so much. Then something occurred to me... what if I traded off armies I would never play to get painted collections that I would play? Hence this project started.
I was really looking for great talents to paint my models... the problem was that I needed to find folks willing to expend a great deal of time and effort on painting beautiful armies filled with lots of models who would be willing to accept models in return as payment. In addition to that, I needed to feel I could trust these folks with thousands of dollars in models for a very extended period of time (ten months) with the confidence I would then get them back at the end! Along comes Jay, a brother in Christ, a graduate of my college, and an all around great guy... who happens to also be an outstandingly talented miniatures artist. In talking with him he realized that his abilities far outpaced the payment that was being offered him for his time, but he sympathized with my wish for some really well done models and has committed to painting two Warmachine armies (Khador and Menoth) in exchange for my 40K Grey Knights and Necrons (which he promptly had listed on eBay). Jay's abilities a an artist are well known at Ordo Fanaticus, the club we both belong to, and his character is without question. I'm very excited to see the models his work will produce!
The other young man I met through the message boards is Brent Lange, a new arrival to Portland who is interested in making a name for himself in the small market of professional miniatures painting. He agreed to paint my massive Eldar collection for my Tau army, and again he understands that his work is worth far more... however he views this as a portfolio job in which he can display his considerable talents as an artist and through that gain work on a commission basis. He submitted to me several references who all spoke highly of him, and if you meet this gentlemen you soon find that he has a personality that engenders trust. He's just an all around nice fellah.
Above are the first images of the three eldar test pieces that Brent painted. These pictures are taken from a post Brent made, so I will be learning how to photograph my own detailed images of the models to post here. Brent is going with a Blue and Yellow scheme for the eldar, with a star pattern on the weapons and vehicles. Though it cannot be seen clearly, every gem on the Eldar armor is painted and the Warlock has a galaxy of stars adorning his blade... its just amazing looking.
So these are my artists for now. I do hope to add more in time, however this blog will showcase their work, and I am very excited to get the chance to see, and eventually own a significant amount of the fruits of their talents.
Armies being painted:
Games Workshop 40K Eldar by Brent for a 40K Tau collection
Privateer Press Khador army by Jay for a 40K GKnight collection
Privateer Press Menoth army by Jay for a 40K Necron army
Armies to be painted:
Games Workship 40K Orks
Privateer Press Cryx
Privateer Press Skorne
Armies left to trade
Games Workshop 40K Dark Eldar (older army)
Games Workshop 40K Chaos Marines
