14 replies to this topic

[Shogan]

I've noticed that several people are piling up on classes at Reapercon because they don't want to miss out of anything or wait another year to take a class. I was wondering if classes are ever offered other times of the year? I know the distance may prevent some from attending but I would be willing to make a trip for a workshop now and then if it was available. Just curious. Thanks.

Shogan

[ixminis]

We've got a slightly less formal get together in October call Octoberfes- er Reaper Artists Conference. It's a bit lower key, but more opportunity for an "intimate" setting - sittin' and shooting the breeze with the artists and hanging out.

There's also paint club, but that doesn't have classes per se... just a reasonable amount of talent willing to answer questions. It's most saturdays from noon - 4:00 pm.

["That Guy"]

Paint club is a rather informal gathering of staff painters and visitors. We usually sit and paint and answer questions or give tutorials and/or critiques to anyone who asks. If you are in the area, you are most definitely welcome to join us.

[Inarah]

Classes are usually offered at GenCon, often by the same people. Check their schedule.

[Wren]

There are a few other conventions that offer classes. I think Genghis Con does, and Origins tries to. I believe the Games Workshop Games Day has a painting lounge with classes and/or expert painters offering tips. If a con has a miniatures painting contest, it's worth checking to see if has classes or a time when painters hang out and talk or anything like that.

Also if there is an historical miniatures convention you can get to, you might consider that. The one I went to didn't have classes in the same vein where you practice and such, but it did have several presentations on different topics (weathering, diorama layout among others) that were valuable. Also people get together in the hospitality suite in the evenings and talk shop. (Many historical figure conventions also have fantasy categories so you will see fantasy, sci fi and horror miniatures as well as guys in uniform miniatures. ;->)

A painter named Mathieu Fontaine (Google his name for his site) travels a few times a year to do intensive two day painting classes, and there may be others who are doing the same thing. I'm trying to start a painting club where I live, though I'm not doing so hot at the organizing right now. ;-> Denver and Chicago both have active painting clubs. So looking out for local gaming sites, stores and other resources where you might hear about similar things is something else to try.

[pae]

Yes, Genghis Con (in Denver, in February) has many classes. Tacticon (also in Denver, Labor Day weekend) has some classes, but not as many as Genghis.

[Heisler]

On top of the Denver conventions, the CMPA meets on the 2nd Saturday of each month at Grey Matter Games, 3rd Sunday at Mythplaced Treasures and the 4th Saturday at Gamers Haven in Colorado Springs.

We also try to run at least one Spring/Summer workshop where we arrange for a guest painter to come in for a 2 (sometimes 3) painting class. Just last weekend Aaron Lovejoy for two days of airbrushing. We have also had Jeremie Bonamant out twice. So we try to keep pretty active as a group.

I think we have two of my painters teaching classes at ReaperCon.

Edited by Heisler, 11 April 2012 - 05:11 PM.

[warhorseminis]

Mathieu Fontaine

I'm trying to start a painting club where I live, though I'm not doing so hot at the organizing right now.

Wren, I wish you lived closer! I'm trying to do the same thing over here and not having great success. *sigh*

Is yours a time crunch thing that has the organizing on hold?

Mine is a lack of interest and a time crunch thing. I think if I made the time to put something together to get 'em curious, I could probably beat the apathy. But deadlines are looming larger and larger every day.

[Stubbdog]

Deadlines?

Basically what it takes is, you have to set the tone first, the group comes second or even third. Go to your local shop and take your painting stuff with you. And paint... Rinse and repeat... You might have to do it 4-5-or maybe 10-15 times on a regular schedule. People will undoubtedly start to at least look over your shoulder once or twice just to see. IF they like what they see they might ask you questions. Then you start asking to see their stuff. As you see other people that have good paintjobs gaming, you go and ASK them questions.. Have them show you how they executed some technique. Get them to show you using your brushes on an extra primed and ready mini that you happen to have with you...

Always have a few extra brushes and primed ready minis for others.... as anyone asks questions, offer to let them try out a technique on one of those minis.. anything to get them more comfortable with painting there at the store.

It doesnt happen overnight. Most people paint at their house and go to the store to game, so it does take more time and some effort to get them to change that thought process.

See if the store has the ability to designate one of their game tables as a painting table one night per week. With extra lights, some demo paint (so people don't have to lug all of their paints up to the store), brushes, etc... I know Reaper has helped out stores in the past getting the demo paint stuff for those type of set ups - they just have to ask.

The biggest issue is that you will have to know that you will be painting by yourself for a while most likely. You will have to be okay with that until you can get some people to catch on.

[Wren]

Is yours a time crunch thing that has the organizing on hold?

Mine is a lack of interest and a time crunch thing. I think if I made the time to put something together to get 'em curious, I could probably beat the apathy. But deadlines are looming larger and larger every day.

It's more that I'm a pretty disorganized person and time slips by much faster than I realize. And when I have organized, apparently I have a knack for picking dates that are bad for other people. So far there has been more attendance from people who have to drive 2+ hours than from locals. I'm considering commiting to doing it the third weekend of every month, since my husband has a computer thing near the game store. But that happens to be the one weekend out of the year I'd most have to reschedule for, since ReaperCon and ArtistCon usually fall around then, and Gen Con sometimes does, too.

Even if I set something regular up like that, then I'm getting flak (on a forum, again very few locals have actually showed up) about the store I picked to start with. Which is the store that invited me after seeing me run a paint and take at a small local con. It's also the most traditional gamer store in our town, in terms of having table space set up and used by gamers regularly, and having more gamer friendly hours. So then I have to think about rotating the location and talking to other people and so on, and we hit my lack of organizational oomph again. I've considered just having it in my house, we already have a lot of tables and chairs from hosting board gaming regularly, and it'd save hauling the lights and paints and spare brushes and so on, but I'd like to meet some of the people who might come at least once or twice before doing that.

I'd definitely say advertise what you're doing on local forums so at least people know. So far I've done it twice at the shop and have had absolutely zero passer by interest. Seriously, not even someone pausing to look for a moment. (Granted the most recent time we were out back on the patio, so no people passing by, but the first time we were pretty much the first thing people saw coming in the store.)

[Heisler]

Quite frankly in order to get a painting group off the ground you have to be consistent, as Stubbdog said, I set up the date at my local FLGS and probably it was myself and maybe 2 other people for well over a year. I just kept at it and suddenly it just blossomed and we now regularly have 10-12 painters at the table even though the original FLGS has shut down and we are at a new place. We have been able set up multiple weekend dates because we have enough members to always have people show up at just about any location.

So this is what I recommend. Pick a date during the month that you can go out on a regular basis. Pick a store that is willing to have you. Then just keep going, folks may complain initially but the ones that are interested will start coming on a regular basis as well. You just have to do it. No real organization or equipment required although over the years I have amassed quite a number of lamps, extension cords and power strips, those are all pretty optional and they are primarily used for the cons.

[Wren]

Doing something on a regular basis counts as organization in my mind. ;->

Stuff I have, so I've tried to let people know complete novices and people who just want to paint up an RPG character now and then are welcome too.

[paintminion]

You can always ask painters you like to see if they will give a class - I am too far away, but I know I am happy to do this for people and I cannot imagine others would not have one-on-one sessions with you.

But paint groups are fun and worth the effort - good luck!

[Thaelynne]

Wren,

I don't think that's entirely true.... I seem to remember at the first paint that there were some store patrons who where looky loos and took a peek over our shoulders. Of course, how could they not, we were right in front of the door! <laugh> And I know at the local gaming con before that, there were a lot of folks crusing by. Not sure how local they were, but they at least showed interest. As for not liking the location or type of the store you're at... foo-y. We go there to paint, how much can the store really affect that? If they want to have painting company and tutorials they'll come. Besides, it's a nice enough place, and nice owner. Plus a beautiful patio area!!

Either way, you know Ana and I will be there to support!

~Gwen

[Wren]

Thanks for the support Gwen! If some more locals don't show up soon I'm going to have to change the name of the group, it's pushing it to call Nashville part of the "Knoxville area". (I just like the KAMP acronym. ;->)