Poll: Are you a painter, collector, both, neither? (1 Viewer)

[johnnybach]

I am primarily a painter - but also like to repair - and then paint older, mostly broken toy soldiers. The pleasure to be had from saving something from the bin - is enormous too. I came back to the hobby, later in life, and just love to paint castings. I'm not the best, I know, - but the results suit me.

I must also confess that a major inspiration to me has been Obee's Ozzie site - mentioned earlier by John, which I think is just a wonderful resource to people like me. I agree with all of what John has said about this hobby - and when I sometimes see comments from folks - maybe perhaps struggling a bit to find the money to fund readymades - who are querying the costs involved with this not necessarily cheap hobby - I would really recommend them to also "have a go" at painting castings - or even plastics. With a bit of patience, a whole new world of pleasure becomes available - which can also come at a substantially reduced cost.

I do so agree with the comment that you will love them all the more, if you paint them yourself, I know that I do. It will also help to appreciate just why some detailed readymades can be so relatively expensive - they do take ages - to get a good result - but,"Oh boy!" - the satisfaction when you get there - is just so good!

Glad to see so many out there who feel the same. And thanks again John (and others too) - for your inspiration to me - even if you didn't know it.

 

[binder001]

Converting is my enjoyment.
I began buying completed metal figures. After I had seen some converted figures, I jumped right into that. Occasionally, I buy painted plastic figures. I usually paint them myself.

I'm with Denver. My background is building models. I like the painted stuff as it is fun to make display scenes etc. For "historical accuracy" I try to build a model. I just don't get very many done these days. My biggest hobby activity is converting plastics. I paint my stuff but my customers tend to prefer single color figures. I look at a new figure not just as a pose, but as a collection of arms, legs, head and weapon(s) that I can use to make whatever I need.

Gary B.

 

[lancer]

Re: Poll: Are you a painter, collector, both, nither?

This describes my pattern to a tee. I used to build, paint and sell figures when I was in the 16-25 age group. Haven't done it since my first born came along in 1978. Strictly pre-painted now, and I have enough trouble seeing them!{sm2} Couldn't vote in the poll. -- Al

Decided to vote, after all. Since I haven't built or painted figures since 1978, and I have only bought pre-painted figures since then, I chose the first option. -- Al

 

[aujj65]

As some of you already know, I only collect matt painted figures (K&C, JJD) but I also paint gloss figures but not for myself. I must have painted many, many hundreds of gloss figures over the years but have not saved a single sample for myself. Some have been commissions but most I have painted on a whim and then sold, I don’t have a problem letting them go but I will agree that there is immense satisfaction painting your own. Btw, I don’t paint matt figures.

Jeff

 

[Mister Dave]

Used to collect more, but have started painting much more than collecting in the past year. Like others have said, it is a very relaxing and rewarding experience, and often toughest choice is which kit to do next. Still buy some figures that really excite me but much less often now.

MD

 

[skeeterbuck]

A thread bump to hopefully get some more input. I'm thinking that most of the members responding are ones that a least do a little assembling and painting of their own figures. I know there has to be some more that just collect.

Jump in and vote!

It's FREE!

Let us know how you enjoy this wonderful hobby.

 

[HistoryfortheAges]

My main problem is getting the time to do a decent painting job on a figure and getting a satisfactory number of figures output. I plan to try this again in the future when the time element is resolved. I think it may be more satisfactory to paint them myself. I may even get into a smaller scale as there seems to be a lot of ranges and eras available and the quality has improved immensely with the smaller scales. The other option is to find a good painter. I looked into the scales closer to 28mm recently and you can significantly reduce your figure costs even if you had to have the figures painted by a professional. Something to think about... ^&grin

I was watching the movie "Murder at 1600" and the main character, Wesley Snipes, has a "Battle of Manassas" diorama in his apartment. I think the figures are 28mm, not sure of the maker but, they look really nicely detailed and painted!

 

[bromhead]

both

 

[Larry Allen]

I have only begun to try my hand at figures .... still not there yet.
However, I have gotten better at building, painting and weathering diorama items such as structures, bridges, ect.

 

[DavidHigson]

I'm not really in a position to afford the ready painted stuff and, having always been a modeller I prefer to get my hands dirty (sticky, painty.)
I re-started collecting out of a desire to replace or recreate some of the treasures of my childhood. As a kid, I had a sizable collection of both plastic and lead toy soldiers from varying manufacturers : Britains (of course) Swoppets and Herald alike, Cherilea, Lone*Star Harvey, Crescent and a host of other stuff.

When I hit teenage, I discovered Historex and Airfix figure kits along with the fledgling "Helmet Soldiers" kits. This started my interest in kit building and kit bashing.

Years passed and three grown children later I pick up the knife and brushes again.

David

 

[Mitch]

Seems to be the way. A lot of the people at some local clubs and painting groups are people who, have been involved with modelling etc had a break for similar reasons you mention and, are now getting back into it. I visited someone in the summer who had a room full nearly of old Tamiya kits from the 70's that he bought and had never had time to do until recently.

Welcome to the forum
Mitch

I'm not really in a position to afford the ready painted stuff and, having always been a modeller I prefer to get my hands dirty (sticky, painty.)
I re-started collecting out of a desire to replace or recreate some of the treasures of my childhood. As a kid, I had a sizable collection of both plastic and lead toy soldiers from varying manufacturers : Britains (of course) Swoppets and Herald alike, Cherilea, Lone*Star Harvey, Crescent and a host of other stuff.

When I hit teenage, I discovered Historex and Airfix figure kits along with the fledgling "Helmet Soldiers" kits. This started my interest in kit building and kit bashing.

Years passed and three grown children later I pick up the knife and brushes again.

David