Diversity of sculpting styles

[Nikola]

I am intrigued by the miniature horsemen from this exhibition http://www.museumofafricanart.org/en/current-exhibition.html “Kotoko Equestrians, Guardians of the Soul”. Has anyone seen a game utilising figures made in traditional styles for appropriate fantastic creatures?
Would you be satisfied with new figure ranges that differed significantly from the established cartoony, manga, naturalist or heroic canons? In both stance and representation, and also in the spirit, not just adopting (and often abusing) iconography.
Also, I am very curious about any such dedicated wargames figures’ range that you could direct me to.
Thank you
Nikola

[nic-e]

I was thinking of making a range of miniatures in the styles of japanese netsuke or old religious sculptures, but can't see anyone really willing to pay the price for a stylized carved wood and bone figure over a nice realistic resin one.

The problem is that stuff in this style just doesn't sell so no one can afford to make it.

[Conquistador]

I am intrigued by the miniature horsemen from this exhibition http://www.museumofafricanart.org/en/current-exhibition.html “Kotoko Equestrians, Guardians of the Soul”. Has anyone seen a game utilising figures made in traditional styles for appropriate fantastic creatures?
Would you be satisfied with new figure ranges that differed significantly from the established cartoony, manga, naturalist or heroic canons? In both stance and representation, and also in the spirit, not just adopting (and often abusing) iconography.
Also, I am very curious about any such dedicated wargames figures’ range that you could direct me to.
Thank you
Nikola

In a word, no.

Unless they are "monstrous" figures I need my figures to be - when ever possible - to be used for historical, Fantasy, and SF games.  Now it is a stretch (though not as much as you might initially think) for elves on unicorns and dwarf/gnomes/etc in traditional garb/weapons for SF games and many SF figures won't play well in 1680 North America but for me to buy figures like these appear would be very niche (even for me) and see little table time and would be low priority on my overly ambitious painting queue.

These are great figures to be admired in a museum but they would never make a "buy" list much less be bought by me.

Gracias,

Glenn

[grant]

They work well as art, it would be interesting to see how they would fit into a game. It would almost have to be a fantasy/scifi type game where such animals were mythical in nature.

[Cubs]

The Isle of Lewis chess set would make a great SAGA warband.

[Nikola]

The chess set looks wonderful, thank you. Now I need to think how terrain would need to be done to accompany it. Possibly find some inspiration in manuscript illuminations?
I have become almost indifferent to the usual wargame figures and terrain, particularly when so many figures are sculpted as if they were of opera singers or fashion models posing, completely unconvincing. Also, the emphasis on uniform details seems pointless at my age.
However, I also do not think that any such range would find even few customers, but I was hopeful that someone had seen something unusual to perhaps reinvigorate me for the hobby.
Hopefully, when I have some time, I may make my own figures...

I had never heard of netsuke, thank you nic-e.

[Michi]

Confrontation miniatures by Rackham were of a rather unique and very artistic design that didn´t match well with anything else on the wargaming miniature market. I think they mastered to stay away from classic GW style sculpting as well as manga type fantasy, although some sculpts were cartoony of a certain sort. Remarkable, still recognisable and very special.

[westwaller]

The Isle of Lewis chess set would make a great SAGA warband.

Tomorrows paper:

Diminutive Welsh painter vandalises ancient chess set!


That is what you mean by 'miniature painter' isn't it? 

[Comsquare]

I like that idea
Allways thought about making something skirmish-wise with minis inspired by this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=O-Br42hNGFY

[Cubs]

Tomorrows paper:

Diminutive Welsh painter vandalises ancient chess set!


That is what you mean by 'miniature painter' isn't it? 

If diminutive means smokin' hot chick magnet ... then I concur.

[Conquistador]

If diminutive means smokin' hot chick magnet ... then I concur.

Shouldn't this be on the "Fantasy" board?        

Gracias,

Glenn

[nic-e]

I also always wanted to try slip cast ceramic miniatures, in the style of bonsai tree figures. i'd love a nice game one played in their own little zen garden with glazed miniatures.

Or i would like to have a go at some traditional christian style wooden carved figures, like the renaissance triptych figures one can find in alot of European churches.

I have to say that a more "art" style of miniature appeals to me more as alot of miniatures i see these days are so crowded with detail and guffins that it detracts from the joy of the object as a whole for me.

[nic-e]

If you are looking into making miniatures like these yourself, can i suggest plaster carving ? it'll save you alot of money on chisels and hardwood. 

[Nikola]

I don’t like woodwork, but detest plaster.
I’ll move with the times, green stuff is very nice.

[nic-e]

I don’t like woodwork, but detest plaster.
I’ll move with the times, green stuff is very nice.

You could meet halfway and use ceramic.