No not really but they changed the way I approach my chosen hobby.I have always painted my own figures. Over the years I have painted figures for others, friends and sometimes for eBay. I never thought I would pay someone else to paint them for me because painting and modelling are as important to me as actually gaming it is part of the holy trinity of the hobby. I was excited when I took the plunge starting Flames of War after more than a decade of GW games my enthusiasm was rekindled as I discovered a new seam of hobby gold.
What I wasn't ready for was my impatience; I no longer have the free time I once did and I had given myself double the trouble by purchasing both axis and allies armies so that I could encourage one of my pals to play with zero investment. While I was painting my Panzergrenadiers and all the problems of moving from 28mm to 15mm started to reveal themselves, I started to look round for someone to help me out with the painting.
There are plenty of choices on the Internet and the prices vary a fair amount; after a lot consideration I went cheap and had my British Airborne Paratroopers painted by an online commission painter. What I got in return was ok but definitely gaming standard. I wasn't unhappy but it wasn't as good as I hoped. So I persevered with my own work and I improved by the time I was finishing my Panzergrenadiers. Infantry are definitely more of a chore than a pleasure and some of this is because I didn't know what I am painting, or what colour it should be. 
So now we get to the Fallschirmjäger in question. I bought the company box set because they were nearly 50% off, did I need them? No. Had I planned to build a Fallschirmjäger company? No, in standard gamer mode I bought them because they were cool and cheap. Pretty much at the same time a Fallschirmjäger company was selling on eBay, I contacted the seller, Matt @ Tarnowski's Table, and discussed commissions, timescales prices (double what I had previously paid) and committed myself to paying once again. To fund this project I cleared some of my lead mountain and very quickly covered the costsThe results are excellent and this is an area where you truly get what you pay for.
If you have the money or can fund it out of the surplus of never to be started/finished projects you should give it some thought.
They look very nice, but I wont be turning to the dark side, still have plenty of spare time to paint my stuff.
ReplyDeleteWho knows I may change my mind once I get round to painting my yanks!
how many dark sides are there? last week dipping was the dark side
DeleteThere are many, Dipping is king, buying pre painted is just a small sapling.
DeleteSays more about you than me. Ocd
DeleteNo he's right dipping is bad, buying prepainted is fine when it's as good as you are getting though it's mainly for those that can afford it.
ReplyDeleteNow where is my plastic/metal mountain and can I get enough for my Britsih Para's???
Saying dipping is bad is like saying compact disc is evil and you should by nothing but vinyl.
DeleteThey both play the same music
Despite my lack of time for such things these days I can't ever see me going down the paying for painting route - at least whilst I can still do it myself!
ReplyDeleteThis is gonna sound a little sad/odd but you just don't have the same connection to an army/model if you've not done it yourself.
If I were to get some stuff painted though I'd definitely contact your Man there. I love the stuff he's produced for you.
And for the record; dipping is everything that is good with the world!
Until you can come up with a solid argument against it you are plain and simply wrong, you Binx-ter!
I understand what you say about the connection but don't get the same thing myself.
DeleteAs for paying for it, if you won the lottery you'd look at it differently? Just like hookers!
Hookers are fine, thats why I can't afford to get my stuff painted!!
DeleteThey look amazing Zed...really makes me want an army!
ReplyDeleteI must admit though I agree with Lordy bloke, there is no better feeling for me then turning grey plastic from a box into a "living" thing, looking back on it and saying "yea I like that"
Saying that I haven't been doing it as long as you so who knows! As for hookers...go to Singapore they are cheaper there!
how much in singapore? i know they do two for one in thailand
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