Akky's Space Opera-type project - Under New Ownership

[AKULA]

Would be interested in seeing some non-military types, to be honest.
Smugglers sounds good.

Understandable - there will be non-military types on the list.  The reason for focussing upon a chunk of military types initially is that it makes sense in terms of getting the moulds made.  The figures todate are just a fraction of the military variants I'm getting made - they will give me some critical mass, and then allow me to start upon some civvies.... 

[Mason]

Sounds like a sensible plan.
 

[Gundamentalist 5.56]

I'd be definitely interested in a set of the garrison troopers.

[AKULA]

This is the fifth pose from Ian Mountain.

Ian is also working on some additional kit for me, including some more weapons - once these are done, everything will be put in a master mould, and then work will begin on a whole bunch of conversions from the basic poses, including the assault troopers that Kev White made.

[Juan]

This one is really nice, and has a lot of "aplications" in a Future Wars game. I want him!

[Vanvlak]

And he even has a nice frown - excellent! 

[Raxxus]

Akula, these are very nice figures but if i might ask? how much did it cost to get them sculpted?
I know that Kev has a high price for commisioned sculpts but the rest?

[AKULA]

Akula, these are very nice figures but if i might ask? how much did it cost to get them sculpted?
I know that Kev has a high price for commisioned sculpts but the rest?

No disrespect but I'd rather not discuss the commission costs online - they tend to vary (even for a given sculptor) according to the brief, it's complexity and the number of sculpts you are interested in. 

What I would say, re:cost is that I'm happy with the VALUE for money I've got from the sculpts I've commissioned, and with each project I learn a bit more.

 

Over the past few years I've commissioned sculpts from Whiffwaff, Shane Hoyle, Bob Olley, Andrew Rae, Kev White and Ian Mountain - every sculptor has their own rates, but also IMHO a style that suits particular subjects.  I try to pick the right sculptor for the right brief...the cost is secondary - for my Russian Dwarf project, Bob Olley was a natural choice....but for the style that White Knight wanted for his Dwarf project John Pickford was a happy fit.

It is natural to focus upon the cost of a sculptor, after all if you find someone "cheap" then you get more figures....right?  ....but for me quality is far more important, AND reliability.  You can easily spend a couple of grand with a sculptor, and think you've got a great deal, with a whole bunch of sculpts, but from experience I'd rather pay more for a sculpt, wait longer, but ultimately get something that I'd be proud to sell on.

Sorry, as I know that doesn't answer your question, but the best advice I can give is this:

- Decide upon your brief - period & scale
- Are you working from a sketch or can you give a descriptive brief?
- Do you want complete prescriptive control, or are you the sort of guy that is happy to trust the sculptor to get on with it (if the former, you need to be specific, if the latter then if they interpret it differently then it's your fault not theirs).

My own preference is to give a loose brief and let the sculptor get on with it - I've already chosen (I hope) someone that suits the brief, and the sculptor knows better than me what works in a mould, so I let them get on with it.

I'd rather not turn this thread into a general discussion about sculptors, but I'm happy to answer any questions (except cost) on a PM, or contribute to a discussion if you want to start a thread in the Open Talk forum - I'd suggest the latter, as there are plenty of others on here that would be happy to contribute to such a discussion.

 

[Raxxus]

Thank you for that reply Akula,it was very informative.
If I need to commission anything in the fture(dont think I will) I will look at it again:)

[AKULA]

....then again, I could have just said, "you get what you pay for..."

 

[Raxxus]

yes,

[Predatorpt]

This is the fifth pose from Ian Mountain.

Ian is also working on some additional kit for me, including some more weapons - once these are done, everything will be put in a master mould, and then work will begin on a whole bunch of conversions from the basic poses, including the assault troopers that Kev White made.

You know, after seeing this fig, I know what's "wrong" with the first ones you posted - the shirt collars. If all of them had this sort of tunic/uniform, I bet no one would call them UPS guys 

[AKULA]

You know, after seeing this fig, I know what's "wrong" with the first ones you posted - the shirt collars. If all of them had this sort of tunic/uniform, I bet no one would call them UPS guys 

true, but then this guy is an officer, hence the high collar, and the tunic is right of centre (as per the first sculpt) whereas sculpts 2,3, and 4 are squaddies.... 

[Predatorpt]

true, but then this guy is an officer, hence the high collar, and the tunic is right of centre (as per the first sculpt) whereas sculpts 2,3, and 4 are squaddies.... 

Yes, I know, but the collars are way too different, even for squaddies 

[tnjrp]

It'll work as an officious civilian official, as long as no guns are added obviously. Might like to get one of those too in that case.