OK, I think many of you have noticed in these recent posts that I have been throwing out the hint that we are working on a potential Kickstarter program! Nearly all of the posts lately have been 'how to' articles, as I attempted to train myself for breaking down all these techniques into information that could be more easily absorbed by you, the viewers!
Many people have asked us for videos and DVD's over the years of our painting techniques, but we never had the time or even the means. Until now!
We have been planning and researching for many weeks now what would be involved with such an endeavor. It takes a lot, let me tell you! So much planning, endless lists, etc., and we are still formulating a proposal.
Obviously, the photography element is the most crucial. Rich was kind enough to drop off the camera yesterday despite not feeling all that great. We spent hours looking over the camera, checking out lenses, etc.
I had set up a crude studio with lights and outlets, etc. In a happy accident, or Wii TV happens to make a fantastic video monitor! This is exactly where it normally resides, if you can believe that..
Rich, and Cathy watched closely as I tested to see how close we could get to the miniature, would things stay in focus... centered on the screen, etc.
I will be adding one more light to this set up. There was even a happy accident, as I discovered that this set up could be very handy for painting very large monsters and vehicles.
Normally, those do not fit under my magnifier light. I noticed that the miniature is even bigger on the screen than what my magnifiers can do! So, I am tempted to do some painting using the camera as my magnifier.
Anyway, there will be many more tests. Some of them will be posted to the blog. Over time, I will begin to post some lists of titles which I will be working on, etc. The initial videos will be of more basic topics as we figure out what will work best, etc.
I can say that we will be adding a voice over, as passing 737's just overhead could really ruin a good take!
Also, I have been in discussions with some other miniature companies about using their figures for our how to DVD's. That has been very exciting. I can tell you for sure that Raging Heroes figures will be a common sight! Urban Mammoth is going to be there as well. Both companies have great miniatures!
Cathy suggested that I try to mark the areas where the palette and lights work best. A very good idea!
So, we hope to provide all the loyal Wappellians around the globe what they have been clamoring for...
I will keep you guys updated as this moves along! Stay tuned!
I will be all over this! Keep us updated!
ReplyDeleteWill do! :-) My hope is to create videos that make it feel like you are attending one of our hobby seminars. It will take a lot of practice, trial and error, etc.
DeleteI was thinking of posting the tests here, and people could let us know what they thought...
AWESOME!!! Like I mentioned When you and Jeff (Well I think it was Jeff Wilhelm!!) when you were discussing this I thnk its Fantastic and would love to see/get one!!! Thanks for this!!
ReplyDeleteMunkey Joe!!
Thanks! I really hope this all works out the way I want it to. We wrote down a list of various titles that I could create, and when the number went past 15, I started losing my mind :-)
DeleteI'm in. Take my money. TAKE IT.
ReplyDeleteI really do hope that people want these! The techniques have been years in the making.
DeleteI just don't have the time to teach mini painting seminars in person these days, and that's a bummer. This could be a way to reach many more folks who are struggling.
Finally! At last! This is what i was hoping and waiting for, tutorials from you on video. Are you posting the trials on this site and selling video's later? Either way i will be all over this. Another :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks! What we would like to do is post some samples here, so that people can give us feedback on video quality and even sound when we get to that point. We want to be sure that you folks can see the techniques! The bigger screen you see in this image is 12 inches high...
DeleteAfter looking at how you paint. My style from Europe and from the style fo my friends here in the US of A yours is the only one that has made me think that I have been painting wrong (even though I am happy with the results most of the time). To be able to sit down and watch you real time paint a miniature (or x2/x4 speed) would really help me wrap my head around it and really push my painting. My money will be yours.
ReplyDeleteI hope you find them useful!! My own painting style is very unusual. My training is watercolors and pastels, so I approach a miniature as it it were a three dimensional painting... a very tiny one at that! :-)
DeleteI just wanted to throw out a universal thank you to everyone! These encouraging words are really helpful, since making this project happen will drop my sleep level from 4 hours a night to, well, less. ;-)
ReplyDeleteIt will be easier to make it through those even later nights knowing that people are counting on me to make them, and really want them!
VERY INTERESTED!!! And pleasee make a marbling effect tutorial! There are many picture step-by-steps, but knowing how to do the actual stroke is critical in my opinion. I've been trying for so long but am still not satisfied with my results.
ReplyDeleteThanks! We actually did a 2 hour hobby seminar called "painting your marble and tile base." I love painting my marble!!
DeleteNice. I have always wanted to see how you work in real time. It's one of the best ways to learn and far easier than stalking you ;)
ReplyDeleteWatching myself paint was much more like watching my oil painting teacher 20 years ago at the Academy :-)
DeleteIn my watercolor class, I spent two years watching demos at least 1 day a week. I had no idea how handy that would be when it came to teaching seminars!
I shall be keeping an eye out and you can be assured I shall be backing!
ReplyDeleteMany thanks! I hope I can come up with many titles that you will be interested in! We have been trying to break down the DVD's into a specific time limit, so that each one could be broken down into 5 "chapters" each. This would possibly let people paint along with them...
DeletePlease add me to the "I WANT THIS BADLY!" list :D
ReplyDeleteFor as many titles as we have come up with for the initial Kickstarter, more are being spawned in my crazy brain! I think K-starter could be more of a beginning rather than an ending!
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