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Nope. I enjoy the painting aspect of the hobby, even if I'm not very good. I am not interested in showroom quality minis. I just want something I can throw on the tabletop and play a game that looks halfway decent. I like scratch-building too, and money can't buy that kind of fun. I rarely buy new; I am perfectly happy to buy minis second hand, strip them, and paint them at my leisure. Honestly at current retail prices, if I did have that kind of money to spend pro-painted minis, then I would probably spend it on something else (house, car, travel, savings, charity, etc.). If the NIB kits cost 75% less, then I might be willing to pay a premium to get a few models painted. I would pay per model to remove mold lines, but no more than $0.25 each. No offense to the pro and semi-pro painters out there. I respect people who can paint better than me, and I have seen a lot of quality work, but I'm not your target audience.

 Cleatus wrote:
Nope. I enjoy the painting aspect of the hobby, even if I'm not very good. I am not interested in showroom quality minis. I just want something I can throw on the tabletop and play a game that looks halfway decent. I like scratch-building too, and money can't buy that kind of fun. I rarely buy new; I am perfectly happy to buy minis second hand, strip them, and paint them at my leisure. Honestly at current retail prices, if I did have that kind of money to spend pro-painted minis, then I would probably spend it on something else (house, car, travel, savings, charity, etc.). If the NIB kits cost 75% less, then I might be willing to pay a premium to get a few models painted. I would pay per model to remove mold lines, but no more than $0.25 each. No offense to the pro and semi-pro painters out there. I respect people who can paint better than me, and I have seen a lot of quality work, but I'm not your target audience.

wait a minute. Who said show-room quality? professional does not have to mean showroom quality. I've seen pro-grade paintwork done to achieve tabletop quality miniatures. It comes down to color selection, confining the paint to where it belongs and how the paint is applied. There's something to be said for knowing how to control a brush and how much paint to put on the model. I've seen people thrust a model in my face with pride on their face, and i've struggled to smile and share their pride because so much paint was slathered on that the model actually lost it's definition. There's something to be said about applying so much paint on your tank that you can actually use the additional millimeter of paint to represent an upgrade of "extra armor" on the model.

1. No, as I like to paint my own for the most part.

2. No, as GW prices are ludicrous. $30 for a single marine figure? Then pay for painting on top of that? I suppose if you vacuumed my brain out.

 poda_t wrote:

 Cleatus wrote:
Nope. I enjoy the painting aspect of the hobby, even if I'm not very good. I am not interested in showroom quality minis. I just want something I can throw on the tabletop and play a game that looks halfway decent. I like scratch-building too, and money can't buy that kind of fun. I rarely buy new; I am perfectly happy to buy minis second hand, strip them, and paint them at my leisure. Honestly at current retail prices, if I did have that kind of money to spend pro-painted minis, then I would probably spend it on something else (house, car, travel, savings, charity, etc.). If the NIB kits cost 75% less, then I might be willing to pay a premium to get a few models painted. I would pay per model to remove mold lines, but no more than $0.25 each. No offense to the pro and semi-pro painters out there. I respect people who can paint better than me, and I have seen a lot of quality work, but I'm not your target audience.

wait a minute. Who said show-room quality? professional does not have to mean showroom quality. I've seen pro-grade paintwork done to achieve tabletop quality miniatures. It comes down to color selection, confining the paint to where it belongs and how the paint is applied. There's something to be said for knowing how to control a brush and how much paint to put on the model. I've seen people thrust a model in my face with pride on their face, and i've struggled to smile and share their pride because so much paint was slathered on that the model actually lost it's definition. There's something to be said about applying so much paint on your tank that you can actually use the additional millimeter of paint to represent an upgrade of "extra armor" on the model.

Are many pro-painters skilled? Yes. Am I willing to pay for their services? No.

No, but only because I have no interest in using models I didn't model and paint myself. That point aside, given the time and effort that goes into pro-painting, I'd think twice the recommended retail price is a good figure, more like 3 times if the painting is of a very good standard.

I enjoy painting too much to pay someone else to do it for me. I also believe I'm at a competent tabletop standard level of painting so I don't see why I ever would.

I understand why people do though, maybe they don't have time to get painting done (I also share this problem but try to persevere), don't enjoy it, or simply want an army painted far beyond their abilities. I don't do it myself but all respect to them.

I would rather put a poorly painted model on the table that at least I did myself than one that I paid someone else to do. Even with x-wing I had to give them my personal touch. its just not fun for me otherwise.

I'm unreasonably bad at painting, and I don't want to spend money on "practice models" so I would.
It needs to be a 'eavy metal standard or equivalent though, and I need to like the colour scheme they went with.
Bonus points (but not money) if it's custom coloured.

No I would not. Why?

Because this game is as much about painting and assembling as it is playing. If it wasn´t the mini´s would come pre painted like the xwing variety and GW wouldnt bother with all the effort they put into the selection of paints, books and videos about painting etc etc...

Assemble. Paint. Play.

Give it your best effort and field your painted mini´s with PRIDE.

Your opponent and community will respect you all the more for it.

Plus I guarantee you will get better and better as you paint up your models.

I consider myself a better builder/converter than a painter.I would still preffer to paint the models myself. Even though I get more fun out of the building part.

For me to buy a pro painted model it would depend on a couple of things, such as would I have preferred to paint the model myself next to the quality of the painting and my mood at the time.

No, because the painting is the bit I like best. I have taken so much pleasure over the last few years in watching myself get better, trying new things, seeing it come together. If I got other people to paint my models for me, how am I going to get better.

That said, of course, I am not critical of those that do. There are many different hobbies all tied up together in the world of Games Workshop and if someone elses isn't like mine then so what.

I don't understand how having someone paint a minature for you stops you painting yourself. I have yet to meet a wargamer who didn't have a massive pile unbuilt/painted grey plastic and metal.

I had my mantic undead painted on commission (never had any GW stuff done) and it was not for the benefit of a tourney list, in fact it has never been anywhere but the cabinet.

I regularly pay for painting services. This is because I have nerve damage in my dominant arm. Holding a brush for anything longer than a few seconds will make it start to tremble and shake, making painting beyond the loosest of drybrushing effectively impossible for me.

Hell no! I wouldn't buy painted models unless I was willing to take the time to strip them first, and I certainly would not strip a nicely-painted model (therefore I would not buy it). I only buy unpainted stuff, and that is because of my philosophy about painting my models: no one paints them except me!

It just seems like cheating...

I don't agree with buying painted models it just seems to be pointless as the hobby revolves around painting the minis yourself. I'd rather play someone who has painted their army themselves rather than someone who has bought it already painted.... There is nothing better than creating a custom colour scheme, painting the models and getting that feeling of achievement afterwards. That feeling is priceless....

Sword Of Caliban wrote:
I don't agree with buying painted models it just seems to be pointless as the hobby revolves around painting the minis yourself. I'd rather play someone who has painted their army themselves rather than someone who has bought it already painted.... There is nothing better than creating a custom colour scheme, painting the models and getting that feeling of achievement afterwards. That feeling is priceless....

The Hobby is whatever you want it to be

Some people just like the modeling,
others thepainting
Others the gaming
Some one or more

Whilst its right to say what you enjoy about the hobby its not for any of use to say what is the right way to enjoy it.

 Mr Morden wrote:

Sword Of Caliban wrote:
I don't agree with buying painted models it just seems to be pointless as the hobby revolves around painting the minis yourself. I'd rather play someone who has painted their army themselves rather than someone who has bought it already painted.... There is nothing better than creating a custom colour scheme, painting the models and getting that feeling of achievement afterwards. That feeling is priceless....

The Hobby is whatever you want it to be

Some people just like the modeling,
others thepainting
Others the gaming
Some one or more

Whilst its right to say what you enjoy about the hobby its not for any of use to say what is the right way to enjoy it.

Thank you. When I got into this game, it was to play a cool, fully customizable game with a number of my friends who I found out played, not because I enjoy building models or have any desire to paint anything; at that time I didn't even know other options existed and if I tried another game I wouldn't have had any opponents. I hate to paint, however I wouldn't pay for a whole painted army because the price for that gets ludicrous, but I'd certainly pay for certain special characters or big models painted. I don't mind ruining infantry with my awful painting skills, but I do mind ruining a 50+ dollar model, not to mention I view painting like a job I don't get paid for.

 Mr Morden wrote:

Sword Of Caliban wrote:
I don't agree with buying painted models it just seems to be pointless as the hobby revolves around painting the minis yourself. I'd rather play someone who has painted their army themselves rather than someone who has bought it already painted.... There is nothing better than creating a custom colour scheme, painting the models and getting that feeling of achievement afterwards. That feeling is priceless....

The Hobby is whatever you want it to be

Some people just like the modeling,
others thepainting
Others the gaming
Some one or more

Whilst its right to say what you enjoy about the hobby its not for any of use to say what is the right way to enjoy it.

I'm sorry I just don't agree with it, if you buy a you should be the one to paint it otherwise what's the point? You may as well play something like X-Wing where everything is already painted...


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Painting is a fundamental part of the hobby just like Assembling the models are...

Sword Of Caliban wrote:

 Mr Morden wrote:

Sword Of Caliban wrote:
I don't agree with buying painted models it just seems to be pointless as the hobby revolves around painting the minis yourself. I'd rather play someone who has painted their army themselves rather than someone who has bought it already painted.... There is nothing better than creating a custom colour scheme, painting the models and getting that feeling of achievement afterwards. That feeling is priceless....

The Hobby is whatever you want it to be

Some people just like the modeling,
others thepainting
Others the gaming
Some one or more

Whilst its right to say what you enjoy about the hobby its not for any of use to say what is the right way to enjoy it.

I'm sorry I just don't agree with it, if you buy a you should be the one to paint it otherwise what's the point? You may as well play something like X-Wing where everything is already painted...


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Painting is a fundamental part of the hobby just like Assembling the models are...

Err sorry nope. Obviously it is to you, and that's fine, but everyone has their own amount of time, money and desire related to what they'd like to do in the hobby. Some only like the gaming part. Or don't feel good enough to paint their own, although I would argue for them to give it a go.

Some people can't paint. I mean, literally, cannot see to do it, either due to eye issues or other handicaps. Are they supposed to just not wargame rather than enjoy the aspect of the game that they can actually enjoy? Some people don't have the time and considering the amount of models required for most wargames, simply would never get to play if they didn't pay someone else to paint them.

I do not want anyone painting my models except me, but that doesn't mean I think that's the only way to do it. I encourage people who think they can't paint, to give it a go, and have fun with it as much as possible. That doesn't mean it's required however just because I enjoy it greatly and get a huge sense of satisfaction from it, doesn't mean everyone does or will.

While we're on the subject - what about making terrain? Everyone should do that as well. It's ridiculous to pay the kinds of prices for things when there are many better and cheaper alternatives when you make your own. And actually, you know what, forget the artists who make the miniatures. Everyone should sculpt their own as well, it's silly to buy premade ones when you can just make your own.

Obviously this is sarcasm, but it's not too far off what you are saying about painting, either.

The beautiful thing about this hobby is you can enjoy so many aspects of it, and everyone can and will enjoy different ones.

Sword Of Caliban wrote:

 Mr Morden wrote:

Sword Of Caliban wrote:
I don't agree with buying painted models it just seems to be pointless as the hobby revolves around painting the minis yourself. I'd rather play someone who has painted their army themselves rather than someone who has bought it already painted.... There is nothing better than creating a custom colour scheme, painting the models and getting that feeling of achievement afterwards. That feeling is priceless....

The Hobby is whatever you want it to be

Some people just like the modeling,
others thepainting
Others the gaming
Some one or more

Whilst its right to say what you enjoy about the hobby its not for any of use to say what is the right way to enjoy it.

I'm sorry I just don't agree with it, if you buy a you should be the one to paint it otherwise what's the point? You may as well play something like X-Wing where everything is already painted...


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Painting is a fundamental part of the hobby just like Assembling the models are...

Then we disagree - which is cool - but you simply don't get to say what is and is not the hobby - I play with pre paints, stuff I have painted (Badly) myself and stuff i have paid people to paint.

Thats people who 1) need the money, 2) often actually enjoy it

People like to see great paint jobs - well most people do............

I have been receiving updates from this thread for a long time but have only just thought about the "Pro" aspect of the painting -now it could be a possibility that GW might do some pre-painted minis but they would likely be like D&D minis AT BEST, now there are lots of supposedly Pro-painted figured on e-bay that are always at best poor beginner quality and have not even had mold lines removed, now for proper "pro" level painting i think most of us would imagine something approaching golden Daemon level quality which would see an average trooper costing several hundred pounds.

I'd drop the cash if it was something like a painting service that I was sending models to - because, y'know that's the whole point.

I would absolutely NEVER pay anything above retail for pre-painted ebay/swap shop/trade stuff. I'm buying it second hand? I get second hand prices - paying extra on top of retail is just insane.

 Sharkvictim wrote:
There's nothing wrong with wanting your models painted.
That being said I would imagine that the only people that pay for their minis to get pro-painted are the win at all cost type gamers.

You know what they say about assuming.

I know a couple of people who've paid for painted models. One has a decent income and a young child. He has neither the space nor the time to paint miniatures, so commissions painters to paint his models for him. The other spent a couple of hundred quid on a model painted by the McVeys. And why not? It's as valid a purchase as buying any other painting, because he likes how it looks.

In my experience, it's people who like painted armies, but lack the time, skill or inclination* to do it themselves that buy painted miniatures, although they're more likely to use a commission painter than buying them off Ebay.

* After all, that was a major selling point for X-Wing, Star Wars: Armada and Star Trek and D&D Attack Wing, not to mention Heroclix, Star Wars MIniatures, etc, etc.

Why is this poll restricted to talking about GW miniatures, by the way?


Automatically Appended Next Post:

jprp wrote:
for proper "pro" level painting i think most of us would imagine something approaching golden Daemon level quality which would see an average trooper costing several hundred pounds.

Why? Most "pro" painted miniatures - by which I mean those painted by people making a living by working as a commission painter - paint to a much less demanding "tabletop" standard. That usually still means shaded, highlighted and based, but they're charging a few quid a figure and providing an army-painting service, not one-offs.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

heroscaper1515 wrote:
Maybe if it was amazing. But what is the fun of using miniatures that you haven't painted yourself.

For a lot of people, it's more fun than lining up the lead hordes.

It's also probably more common among "traditional" wargamers. It's quite common in many groups for someone to host an entire game; one guy will have all the forces and terrain to do the battle of Pegasus Bridge, another will do Isandlwana, a third will have a few fleets for Full Thrust, etc.

There's nothing wrong with wanting your models painted.
That being said I would imagine that the only people that pay for their minis to get pro-painted are the win at all cost type gamers.

Thats one of the dumbest statements on this thread and there are a number of others dotted about.

Why in the world would a "win at all costs" gamer want to pay for a well painted model when many of those who fit that description are more likely to buy the latest meta figures and barely assemble them nver mind paint them as they will likely be selling them on to pay for the next big thing.

I have not played WFB for years yet have recently commissioned several large WFB models to be painted well - simply because I want them and I want them to look good.

I was/am writing a pice of fiction about female Imperial Knight pilot and so commisoned a specific custom painting of her and her mech.

Guess that makes me a win at all cost gamer huh?

I still don't understand paying people to paint your models..... :-(

If your going to have a collection on display of your favorite models and you didn't have the time and/or skill to paint the models to the level you want on display then purchasing "Pro painted" models would make sense.

In the 80's and early 90's, my gaming group only used painted minis. Primed and unfinished minis were not allowed on the table.

We had a guy who painted minis in case you didn't want to paint. He charged the price of the minis (or you could buy two minis and give him one).

Sword Of Caliban wrote:
I still don't understand paying people to paint your models..... :-(

Some people really can't paint, but want nicely painted models.

Others might not have time, but still want new models to game with.

I enjoy painting and like to think I am reasonably good at it, but 2-3 years from now with career progression and probably starting a family, I won't have time to paint more than a model every other month if I'm lucky. I fully intend to commission out my projects at that point.

What GW charges for their unassembled kits, id expect them to be pro painted and magnetized aswell.

Sword Of Caliban wrote:
I still don't understand paying people to paint your models..... :-(

Do you grow your own food, make your own clothes, did you build your home?