Thanks Macross. Yeah, it's definitely a labor of love. I've been setting my prices as low as I can; it works out to less than minimum wage, but I get to share my work, do projects I wouldn't otherwise do, and subsidize my hobby a little.

I talked to my store's TO tonight and offered to provide a repaint for prize support in the next league. It's a great store, X-Wing has been blowing up there, and I'm excited to contribute to the community.

If you're thinking about getting into painting I encourage you to try it! With black, white, and the primary colors you're out thirty bucks and you can mix any color. A two dollar plastic palette, ten bucks on a decent #1 and #2 brush, and you've got all you need to learn on for a long time. I don't think it takes any special talent. Before I started painting miniatures my artistic ability just about extended to stick figures, I had no idea if I'd be any good at it or if I'd like it, and it's turned out to be really enjoyable.

The idea about giving off a repaint for tourney prizes is my kind of community word of mouth style. (how I ended up moving my music around).

Thanks for the inspiring words about painting last few posts, certainly want to pick up the brush and throw down.

sort of related: Do you think people would like to win just a model? Or would the whole package(original box, fresh cards unpunched) really make it a prize worth winning?

Much Peace,

Malev

Malev, I've been giving clients the option to take a discount for the model only, and it's not a popular choice. I think the whole package is ideal for prize support—and repaints do look particularly cool in the retail packaging.

I'm glad I gave you an idea and some inspiration! Spread the X-Wing love!

Word! Thanks for the words.

Certainly gonna grab a new one, initially I was like 'ah man, ima have to repaint from fresh!' ...

but I can just buy a new one and put my repaint in the box... Yes!

Now just to ask some organizers.

Malev

This is my favorite commission to date. The client found the pattern on BoardGameGeek and asked for it in red, with heavy wear. Here's what I came up with:

I accomplished the wear effect in two ways: by taking a toothpick to the paint as I went along and it was still tacky, and by sparingly applying some hull-colored paint in a few places also. Mixing different methods that achieve a similar effect can help blend the effect and confuse the eye, for a more realistic result.

Would love any feedback! Any of you experts have any advice? The client was thrilled but I have to keep upping my game!

Looks great.

Is the original grey untouched ? (only the red panels are new paint?)

Interesting method, I usually don't push myself to do 'unorthodox' painting styles/applications.

Much Peace,

Malev

A better and simpler method for the wear and tear is sponge chipping. You take a piece of foam/sponge, load up an edge of it with some paint and lightly dab it against your model. This leaves small spots of paint that very much look liked chipped and scratched areas. Below is a picture of a WWII Tiger tank turret where the technique has been used to good effect and I've also included a video tutorial, though do beware that the music in the video is rather cheesy.

*Edit* And because I like to show off, I wrote a chipping tutorial a few months back. Yeah, I'm cool like that.

https://community.fantasyflightgames.com/index.php?/topic/138255-tutorial-scratches-dents-and-blaster-hits/#entry1495925

Is the original grey untouched ? (only the red panels are new paint?)

Yes, so far most of my repaints have left at least some of the factory paint showing. Depending on the effect I want to achieve and how well the original paint serves the purpose, this can be economical and even sometimes look better. I do have a couple of fully-basecoated models on my bench right now though.

I do basecoat the areas I'm going to paint over to eliminate any unwanted variation in the top coat.

A better and simpler method for the wear and tear is sponge chipping. https://community.fantasyflightgames.com/index.php?/topic/138255-tutorial-scratches-dents-and-blaster-hits/#entry1495925

I've actually read (and enjoyed) your tutorial, Macross. In this case I used the techniques I was most comfortable with, but I agree the sponge technique is another great tool to have in your toolbox. I haven't been able to use it yet to convey micrometeorite impacts in the way I want, but for more general wear, especially on a starfighter, I've seen spectacular things.

Thanks guys!