DMS - Elrond ft and mtd (old one)

Crucium Giger · **Posted:** Wed Oct 15, 2014 8:16 am

That piece is an eye-opener ain't no mistake

CaptainBlake · **Joined:** Fri Jun 13, 2014 7:37 pm **Posts:** 104

Hi Kev,

a truly great miniature! I like the painting very much, so clean perfectly painted. The face is absolutely stunning!

How ever I don't like the base, it is just 'too much' for my taste...there is everything from torches to snow to plants to roots hanging from the ceiling, to water on the base etc. The structure is too massive and rather unbelievable.
Due to it's huge proportions the actual mini shifts back and is now longer the focus of the piece. I know all this sounds very harsh, but I prefer to tell you my thoughts rather than just saying 'ok looks good'! Composition is essential for such huge plinths. Often less is more and you should focus on one general theme for your mini...either winter, or osl, or many different plants. Same goes for structure...the base should make the mini stand out, many artists use different elements to crate a sort of 'frame' around the miniature do really bring it forward. I suggest you have a look at some of massive voodoos dioramas as these guys are particularly good with composition...
I would suggest a smaller plinth with much much less going on about it! Maybe Theoden next to some of the barrows near Meduseld, or victouriously standing amongst the fallen at Helms Deep. Bear in mind that for a 28mm human sized mini the surface of the plinth shouldn't be too big. Also the height should not exceed lets say 2-3 times the height of the mini (at the most).

I'm sure you will win a Demon eventually, but it is a slow process for most (especially as nowadays more and more people paint absolutely incredible stuff in every category)! So don't despair and keep your goal in your focus and you will get there!

Cheers,

Marc

Dorthonion · **Posted:** Wed Oct 15, 2014 12:21 pm

Marvellous work - and so many intriguing little details!

Dead Marsh Spectre · **Posted:** Wed Oct 15, 2014 1:50 pm

Marc - what fantastic feedback mate. Thank you I appreciate that.

Lol i know the base ended up being massive which was never my intention. It started out quite small and spiralled into the piece it is now. Its the first time I've ever made and painted a piece of terrain and I guess I just got carried away. Your advice is sound for sure and I will take all of it into account for future pieces. Thanks again mate.

Mally & Gene - also very sound advice. I'm going to look into increasing the contrast and using more glaizes on the next chance i get to paint a single mini. Cheers guys.

Thanks for all the great comments guys. Much appreciated.

Gandlaf the Grey · **Posted:** Wed Oct 15, 2014 3:01 pm

I think you are probably paying the price for all the commissions you do. You obviously can't do these to a GD standard and as a result you aren't getting the chance to push your skills further.
It's probably a catch 22 situation, can you cut down the commissions for your own benefit ? But then your losing the pocket money.
I would say you need to be doing one for yourself every month and really pushing your contrast and glaze work so next year you will be better prepared.

Dead Marsh Spectre · **Posted:** Wed Oct 15, 2014 3:03 pm

Mally - we are soo on the same page

Gandlaf the Grey · **Posted:** Wed Oct 15, 2014 3:22 pm

Being brutally honest mate, you have been producing excellent work since I joined this site, you still produce that excellent work, but the standard hasn't improved as it should have, hence like I say, the commission point.
To me, you have the talent to get alongside the likes of 10ball and Sproket, but it's just giving yourself the chance to push yourself further.

Dead Marsh Spectre · **Posted:** Wed Oct 15, 2014 3:31 pm

I like the idea of painting one model for myself every month. Might look into that once i claw my through the current jobs list. Good call and thanks Mally.

Red Corsairs · **Posted:** Wed Oct 15, 2014 3:40 pm

A good suggestion I think. It will certainly help you push yourself and work on different techniques at least once a month.

Gandlaf the Grey · **Posted:** Thu Oct 16, 2014 4:28 am

I would consider some alternatives to LoTR, even a different scale to get your standard developing. Some 54mm might be a good start before tackling any biggies.
Massive Voodoo is a good site for inspiration and to colour theory, Roman if probably as good as anyone, ever !
Good luck mate and I hope this road is a fruitful one.
One further thing, your base work is great so I wouldn't waste too much time working on them, just hit your painting.

garmenhord · **Posted:** Fri Oct 17, 2014 4:35 pm

stunning

i love the base

Gene Parmesan · **Posted:** Fri Oct 17, 2014 7:55 pm

I wasn't necessarily saying you should change your style by the way. Just that there seems to be one accepted style (though I am a fan of it generally). Anyway it's no harm trying out new things I suppose.

Hands_Hammerhelm · **Joined:** Tue Sep 16, 2014 2:48 pm **Posts:** 45

Stunning work, but if I'm honest I think the base detracts from the model. by which i mean, the base is so beautiful and elaborate that it overshadows Theoden. Theoden is stunningly painted and the piece as a whole is wondeful, but I think in the LotR catagory it is very much about the figure itself, and not so much its base. I've not seen all the winners, but that Gandalf (posted above) was on a simple display stand with a simple tree, similar to the Radagast which won last year.

Maybe next year try a simple, yet effective base, and really push the miniature. (go with one of the BotFA releases, GW love pushing their latest toys)

Dead Marsh Spectre · **Posted:** Tue Dec 02, 2014 11:13 am

Been working on this batch of elves for a client for some time and am glad they are finally done. 128 of them plus movement trays. There are more pictures in the Marshes

Thanks for looking and comments much appreciated as always.

Now to finish some Grimhammers!!!

John · **Posted:** Tue Dec 02, 2014 11:21 am

Very impressive. Love seeing well painted formations. Like the basing style too. You should have taken a photo of them lined up in ranks with bows behind the swords

Dead Marsh Spectre · **Posted:** Tue Dec 02, 2014 11:29 am

John wrote:

Very impressive. Love seeing well painted formations. Like the basing style too. You should have taken a photo of them lined up in ranks with bows behind the swords

I'll do that for the completed army photo. good call.

Ukfreddybear · **Posted:** Tue Dec 02, 2014 11:33 am

I'm so glad you finished that lot. You've been well grumpy of late. Nice job buddy.

Feanorthenoldor · **Joined:** Wed Sep 02, 2009 6:44 pm **Posts:** 879

That is one beautifully painted batch of elves. This guy's jelly.

Gandlaf the Grey · **Posted:** Tue Dec 02, 2014 1:14 pm

For a batch that big the quality is good, one of your hallmarks. I'm so pleased you've got this lot done as I'm itching to see some DMS work for himself.

Crucium Giger · **Posted:** Tue Dec 02, 2014 1:59 pm

Great job as always especially considering the amount of repetitive work there was.

DMS - Elrond ft and mtd (old one)

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