How much would you pay?

[Sean Clark]

If you were ever to use a painting service, how much would you be prepared to pay per figure?

Im talking 15mm Peter Pig figures on the assumption youd consider using such a service; so indulge me rather than reply that you wouldn't  ever use a service 😉

I understand quality is a factor. Im talking about tabletop standard, with blocked in colours, wash and maybe the odd highlight. Basing not included.

I have seen two different takes on this from the painters point of view. One charges per figure. The other charges a day rate where he states he will paint so many 28mm figures or 15mm figures in one day.


ps...Im not setting up a business myself!

[martin goddard]

Good question Sean.

You could approach this from 2 directions.

1. What should someone who paints earn ?
2. What do gamers think they should pay?

These two are usually in opposition.
I am assuming it includes varnish and basing;  with the customer providing the figures.
I am also assuming a bit of highlighting and inking.

1. Would require about £3.00 per 15mm figure.
2. Would be about £1.50 per 15mm figure.

Like many wargame endeavours the provider is often working without paying tax etc as the price will not allow that.

martin

[SimonC]

Perhaps this title should - How much should you pay ?

rough math - minimum wage £9.50, let's say 10 15mm per hour. Given a 30% cost (wage) & material & profit , that is 95p x 3 = £2.85 per figure. This  is someone working minimum wage - as a self employed business.

[Colonel Kilgore]

At the rate I paint, I would definitely starve! 

Simon

[pbeccas (Paul)]

I used a painting service once to paint 24 Peter Pig ACW union figures.  The guy charged me $2.00 Aus per figure in 2010.  An online inflation calculator says in 2022 it's now $2.49 per figure. (1.38 Brit pounds).  Not far off Martins number 2 estimate above.  But that was the advertised price.

He did a good job with colours.  I based them myself which he was charging $1.00 per figure.  And I cleaned flash and smoothed the bases prior to giving them to him. (Easy job with Peter Pig).

Extra off topic part.
To my horror I later discovered the paint was rubbing off the figures when I handled them.  On closer inspection I found he had not primed the figures.  He just painted acrylic straight onto bare metal.  I had take them off the bases, give them a Dettol bath and then repaint them properly.  Lesson learned.  I have never used a painting service again.

[Colonel Kilgore]

I'm with you on that Paul. I had a similar experience with some plastic 54mm figures - the tartan kilts were painted nicely, but looked less good as bare plastic...

The blessing and curse of this hobby is that you can get what you want (assuming one's skills are up to it) by doing it yourself. Others can paint way better than me, but I like to know things have been done to my liking, and only have myself to blame if not!

As Stewart keeps reminding me, I had two units (not the whole force, Stewart...) painted by Essex Miniatures, and a nice job they made of them too. But I don't feel the same way about them as those figures I've done myself (guess who gets thrown first into the suicidal attacks...?). I think it was Phil Barker who included a quote in his "Purple Primer" Airfix Ancient Wargaming book to the effect that "if you don't love them enough to paint them, why should they love you enough to fight for you?". I'm sure my self-painted figures do better than bought ones would 

Simon

[martin goddard]

Dear Reader

"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that every man in possession of a large amount of unpainted figures needs some Vallejo paints"

martin

[sukhe_bator (Neil)]

3 of my Uni mates who are wargamers have all tried their hand as 'brushes for hire'. They could never recoup a decent amount for the time invested in painting unless they put in an unsustainable amount of time in extra detailing to be able to charge half way realistic prices. It also meant they were far less inclined to paint their own figures so had a detrimental effect on their own experience of the hobby. It sounds on the face of it like a match made in heaven but can so easily turn what is an enjoyable hobby into a chore.
Phil Barker's adage holds true - far better to invest the time and effort yourself...

Neil

[Lluis of Minairons]

I've been accepting painting commissions for money for a long since, from time to time (i.e. in those rare periods when I had no project in sight for myself).
When doing so, I've always had in mind users pricing expectations rather than a profit for myself - because, as someone above has already pointed out, there is a huge gap between what is any one willing to pay for such job, and how much would be needed for paying off the time, materials and effort spent by the artist.

In the end, I used to accept commissions at rates quite lower to what I actually considered fair, just because I did wish to paint those figures.
Given those mentioned particular thoughts of mine, if willing to take the job (not the case, currently; too many projects in pipeline!) I would be possibly asking for €2.00 per foot figure and €4.00 per horse & rider, plus €1.00 per each flag/banner/standard if supplied by myself. About basing, perhaps I'd ask up to €0.50 per base.

Not priming the figures or models you're going to paint for someone else is simply unforgivable IMHO. It's a compulsory preparatory part of the job - just as removing flashes or washing the figures.
I also believe it would be wise to agree eventual varnishing beforehand - although I've always applied varnish by default, because of considering it also part of the job.

Take it all just as a thought, though.
Lluís

[SimonC]

There is a world of difference in people painting for 'beer money' (mates rates) and those trying to make a living at it. When I look around - for no other good reason than interest - if you are looking for a pro job (Europe based) you are looking at £3-5 per foot figure (double for Cav) ...

[Colonel Kilgore]

Lluis,

As one of the grateful recipients of your loss-making painting / modelling commissions (I make an exception for ships to my general rule of painting stuff myself), I would say that it is wonderful.

And even if you don't make much money, hopefully the thought of the products of your labours sailing over numerous wargames tables across Europe can give you some satisfaction 

Simon

[Big Mike]

Just for the record, one of our wider group of wargamers uses a painting service. The prices are £1.86 foot, £3.70 mounted, flags £5.00. Unbased.
Mike

[Colonel Kilgore]

What do the figures look like for those prices, Mike?

Simon

[Big Mike]

Simon,
The figures look very good.( the foot are £1.85).
Mike

[Big Mike]

Sorry...., the prices i have quoted does include basing!
Mike