Replying to page 1 without reading the whole thread yet just to answer Dustin's original question. Art vs Hobby. Unless I'm actually trying to SAY something, I'm just usually applying one of my existing surface treatment techniques, or experimenting with a new one. It starts to blur with sculpting or surface modification. I think as far as stuff that I've shown on here, it's all hobby. However, I'm thinking harder about doing more narrative stuff with hobby-painted pieces. For example, the Stare Down or Romantic Interest thread was really inspirational, and got me some good photos that have received a lot of attention. http://www.skullbrain.org/bb/viewtopic. ... &start=375 *edit* Ok, having read the rest of it... For the most part, I paint toys that I like to paint. Because I like the toy. I appreciate the form and want to try my hand at putting my spin on it. I haven't really bought anything that I wouldn't want on my shelf. On pricing, which fits into the above comment, I've adopted a somewhat "you need to want it on your shelf more than I want it on mine" approach. Because I'm doing something I love doing. And I'm painting things the way I like to see them painted. I'm still learning a lot about the scene(s), and I'm fighting on nearly every piece to make not look like someone else's work, whether it's color choice, application, technique, pattern. I do a lot of feathering/drybrushing/distressing, which makes me have to really watch what I'm doing so I don't look like I'm biting Dril or Leecifer. That's where it gets really hard. Pushing yourself to remain unique.
