First figure attempt

Looks great Matt. I'm in the process of doing this same figure. Hope mine comes out as good as yours.

Very nice job Matt, especially if that is your first attempt. Thanks for sharing.

Regards, Rick

Wow, very impressive frst figure project. Great job!

The cape looks really good. I'd like to see better close-ups, however, to give more feedback. If you can make it to Granitecon ( http://www.finescale.com/fsm/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=28287 ) on the 17th in Nashua, please do. I'd be happy to look at his up close and offer comments.

Excellent first try Matt, keep up the good work and thanks for sharing.

id like to get better shots,but my camera is quite bad really. About Granitecon, im interested in coming, ive never been to a show before, nor compeated in anything like that. its only about 2 hours away from portland, so i may come down. but, what are the specifications for a junior? im only 17, and it seems for me to bring my mediocre AFVs and my one figure seems to be a waste of your resources there. thanks for looking
-matt

If for no other reason Matt, you should enter your figure for some commentary from other figure painters. If you feel like hanging out around your entries, you can get some very helpful and interesting commentary.

As in anything like this where you open yourself to criticism both constructive and stupid, you have to learn to grit your teeth for the bad and learn from the good. You'd be surprised what some people can impart and are happy to share with you. If you have to stand and listen to 5 senseless remarks about your figure the 1 or 2 really helpful ideas or techniques you may receive will be worth it. Its much easier to find other figure painters that you like and ask them technique questions when you have your piece there for reference and can make comparisons. Your not comparing how good your painting is to theirs, but your techniques to theirs. And hopefully they'll teach you something or show you a better way of doing something. All it really requires from you is an open mind and a willingness to have your piece critiqued and to accept direction and advice. (Which I assume you must since you put your figure up here for us to enjoy.)

Give it a shot. What have you really got to lose?

BTW. If you check out Osprey's book on the Vikings you'll see the Angus McBride painting that inspired this figure along with a couple of others in the Andrea, Verlinden and some other figure mfr's lines.

I think there are two ways to approach something like a competition. The first is to see yourself as "competeing" against the other entrants. This isn't the best attitude to adopt because you can become very discouraged rather quickly, especially if a piece you worked very hard on isn't rewarded with a prize. The second, and more productive attitude, is to compete with yourself, in a manner of speaking. Try to remember you're entering to see if you can reach a certain standard. (This is especially the case where organizers use an"open"system of judging) Seeing some of the other entries can be really inspiring, and as others have said, the opportunity to pick up technique tips is worth the risk. So don't be discouraged! The hardest contest to enter is the first one. After my first contest, I couldn't wait to enter another one. For some real inspiration, seeing as you live in the New England area of the U.S.A., you should really consider checking out the World Expo figure show and contest in Boston this July. The very best sculptors and figure painters form all over the World have this one marked on their calenders, and you live right next door! Check out the website at www.boston2005.com

Don't usually check out the figs forum, but I should. Looking at your work, I've got a thing or two to learn yet

thanks for all the tips guys, FSM forum is alot better at people actually responding with criticism than some other places. I just finished my set of friuls for my PZ IV, so i wont be praticing any figures soon , but im def. going to try more. thanks again