Colors, Finally!

Sometimes I forget that I am primarily a painter. True, over the years I had to learn to organize more or less all aspects related to this work, and paradoxically, in doing so, I often had to sacrifice what I'm best at: painting miniatures!

Thanks to the new 3D printer, I can finally paint my models when the project is still in the pre-production stages, and I have to say that this small detail is changing my life and making the approach to work damn more fun and rewarding. So, thanks to whoever invented 3D printers, and thanks to all of you who participated in my Kickstarter campaigns, giving me the opportunity to save up a decent sum and buy one!

In addition to feeling more involved in the creative process and not just a mere capital investor, there are several aspects of my work that benefit greatly from the opportunity to share with you not just simple 3D renders of digital sculptures, as inspiring and captivating as they may be, but actual painted models, some quite intuitive and others a bit more subtle.

Seeing a painted model is undoubtedly more interesting for a hobbyist and potential customer, both because they can get a more precise idea of what the final product will be like (important detail, especially for Kickstarter), and because I can better explain and show the artistic direction behind a particular product.

From the beginning, I imagined the Orcs of Inneath as a picturesque and over-the-top race, breaking away from the classic archetype of dark and gloomy barbaric Orcs to aim for something more extravagant and unique in its kind. As you can imagine, it's one thing to just tell you about it or try to explain it in words, showing you sterile 3D renders, and another thing entirely to literally show it to you with a precise use of colors that immediately clarifies the concept, as you can already see from these first two Orcs that I managed to paint in this last month.

Although it may not seem like it, a small revolution is taking place in the limited space of my desk, which, I hope, will finally enhance the projects I work on or even, as I'll tell you shortly, give rise to things that were previously unthinkable for me!

As a creative, I finally feel fulfilled by being able to contribute artistically to a new project in progress. I must say that even as a designer (or self-proclaimed one!), I'm noticing great benefits: painting a piece is not simply taking some color and applying it to a miniature as I like. It's a very intense "cognitive" process with the sculpture itself because only by assembling, filling, and painting a kit can you really understand it better, and this is a fundamental detail for learning what really works and what doesn't. Until now, I could only approach my kits once the work was completed, by which time the kits had already been printed and shipped worldwide. I learned many bitter lessons, of course, but nothing compared to being able to know my products better during the design phase!

Painting these first two Orcs has been a very enjoyable experience, and I assure you that it's an incredibly welcome detail for me. I love painting, of course, but generally, my creative process is always quite difficult and laborious.

These Orcs have given me hours of enjoyment. I don't know if it's due to the size of these characters that allows me to work with less "anxiety" even on the minute details or if it's because the sculptures themselves don't have overly complex micro-details (the only detail that gave me a bit of trouble was the cat's eyes, but unfortunately, it's inevitable when working on subjects that must be small in this reference scale!), but I managed to paint them in a couple of weeks of pure pleasure. It's a very comforting detail, I must say.

I know I should maintain some secrecy, but those who know me know that if there's one thing I'm absolutely not good at, it's keeping secrets, so I might as well spill the beans a bit: I'm taking advantage of these box arts to gather material for a small book that will accompany this range of Orcs.

Unfortunately, I won't be able to continue the "Peoples of Inneath" series (at least for now). Davide, who until now had been responsible for creating all the illustrations for the previous volumes, has decided not to continue working on similar projects, and at the moment, I don't have the resources or the time to hire an illustrator of equal skill and instruct them properly to continue this project.

While I initially felt a bit bitter about it, I decided to turn this setback into an opportunity by changing the format of Peoples of Inneath. It won't just be a booklet with some background notes and beautiful illustrations, but it will introduce you to the Orcs of Inneath and their story through painting tutorials and modeling projects.

I hope this new incarnation of the Inneath tales also piques your interest!

The characters you see are the protagonists of some side-projects I've been working on in recent weeks. As I mentioned, the new 3D printer has allowed me to think outside the box and free myself from certain constraints (both economic and in terms of timing) of traditional production. The chubby cat you see is part of Arùk's kit, one of the favorite mascottes in this range from the very beginning.

In the photos, you see 3 different scales: the classic 32mm, the 75mm, and the grand...112mm? Well, let's say I enlarged the 75mm version by 150%, so if I did the calculations right, it should be something like that!

While the 32mm will be the official size of the kit that will go into production, the other two will be the protagonists of two projects that I hope will intrigue you.

You will be able to buy the 75mm version shortly (in September) at...0€, plus shipping costs. I can already hear my Ligurian ancestors protesting: "What, are you giving away your models?!"

Let me explain.

My idea is to organize a short and fun contest that can involve as many people as possible in the weeks leading up to the Kickstarter campaign (scheduled for late October). It will be a painting contest featuring only the friendly feline you see. In the coming weeks, I will publish a proper announcement for the competition, but the idea is to leave maximum freedom of interpretation. I expect to see psychedelic and unconventional creations!

As for the giant version, it will be the basis for an even more ambitious project: a very limited series of painted models (by me) in the style of designer toys, which will be sold in blind boxes. I have various types of "box art" in mind, from the simpler ones (flat fillings but with special colors, such as chrome, phosphorescent, pearlescent, or with special pigments – I've been looking for an excuse to use the pinkest pink that I have in the drawer!) to rarer versions (different versions of the cat in the style of Dia de los Muertos!) and an exclusive version covered in gold leaf. So, you will see some beautiful stuff (I hope).

In short, the coming months will be full of novelties, and while you enjoy your well-deserved August vacations (do people also take vacations in August outside of Italy?), the DPF forge will be working incessantly to stage the best Kickstarter campaign ever!