International Flat Figure Society - British Flat Figure Society
Flat Figures Painters Forum => General Discussion => Topic started by: Brian on January 06, 2013, 11:30:15 AM
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Just put some painted figures up for sale, now the question is, is there a market for this kind of figure.
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Yes Brian, there is one for very very well painted figures from acknowledged artists ; the best example is Douchkine
If you look at EBay or at mr Mrosk auctions results, you will see that standart painted figures, even with a good quality, do not sale for high prices
The market was much better in the 80's; I sold a lot at that time at Drouot
Nowadays there are less collectors and the crisis is here
Eric
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Have to agree with you on that one Eric, in all the years I've been interested in flats I've only brought two painted figures, one set of factory painted Mignot Romans to show on the BFFS stand, and the other was from you ;)
But we will see what happens to the figures I've got for sale, they will be on the BFFS table at shows,but it's good to see we are mainly painters of flat figures, and that one vote for "yes"! don't know who could have done that ;D ;)
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Excellent Topic Brian, whilst on this subject, as you may know, the Alls Well figure is sold purely in aid of a Childrens Cancer charity, with all proceeds being paid to the Charity at Kulmbach.
With this in mind, I will be selling my version later in the year. How this will be done is still under review
(any suggestions ???)
Luckily from the pole, 10 out of 12 owners said their dogs prefer pedigree chum ;D ;D ;D
sorry carried away there, got distracted by the telly!!!
10 out of 12 of you said you may buy painted figures, although 3 may be discounted by the well known artist bit :(, SO 7 of you may be interested in helping this good cause.
Please let me know your thoughts.
Sorry Brian, Hijacked a perfectly good thread again ;)
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I will bid on good quality painted figures often as I am a collector without the talent to paint figures to a level I would find acceptable for my own collection
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I do buy factory painted figures if they're the castings I need. But I strip it off.
As for collecting other people's work, it holds no interest for me. Of course there are many better painters than I. But regardless, for me the joy of collecting flats lies primarily in painting them. And of course in admiring the engravings.
If I ever get around to wargaming with my figures, then of course the men in factory paint can serve as cannon fodder just as well as my own work.
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I've been buying flats painted in Russia for the last 15 years or so - all very high quality and a bit pricey, but worth it to me. There are subjects I just don't have the time or inclination to paint but want to own.
I agree with Eric that the price for most painted flats is pretty low - probably due to a combination of fewer collectors and (perhaps!) quality of the paintjob. Good luck with your sales, Brian!!
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This is getting good now ;)
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Interesting question! Although I'm eternally longing to own figures painted well in oils or enamels (since I fail at both, miserably), having someone else's work on the mantlepiece just doesn't feel 'right'.
Perhaps the only instance I'd buy something already painted is if it's a rare subject, and especially if factory/badly painted so I can strip it. If it's a hard to find piece that's brilliantly painted, I'd leave the paint intact out of respect (int he past, I've sold painted figures but I've always hoped they'd be treated well). If it were Heinrichsen's Siege of Paris or Paris Commune set, the condition really doesn't matter to me ;D
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I voted "yes," but I would have checked off everything but the "no" option. As a BFFS member who only began to (try) to paint flats in late 2007, I have built up my collection from pre-painted sources (primarily from Ochel's Kilia line). Also I began my interest in flats via wargaming. (See the chapter in Donald Featherstones' Wargames where Tony Bath's rules are given.) So I am in something of a minority in the Society as I am only a so-so painter and a flats wargamer as opposed to a flats artist. Thus my wish to cast those three votes.
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I would buy Painted figure or figures at shows if I was going to strip them and repaint them. Second if my eye sight was going and I could not hold a paint brush then I would buy painted figures from the master painters Willie
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Thanks for your votes and replys, it has been a big help as it looks like there is a market for the painted flat figure ;D so what would you buy ::)
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What would I buy? (Temptation get behind me!)
What wouldn't I buy is a better question. Quick answer: Ancients of all nationalities. They are so colorful.
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It's been over 4 years since this question was asked. What's the thinking now? Since most IFFS members are painters I'm guessing that they want unpainted figures, but those of use who love flats but can't do them justice painting ourselves shouldn't we speak up and say we'd like to support the pre-painted market? There is a demand out there. Let your voices be heard!
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I couldn't in my present situation afford painted figures, as they would be by a top painter like Douchkine.
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If I could find painted figures to reasonable prices and I'm interested in the offered period so I'll take them. It must not be a work of a top-painter, I also
like a clean painting with light and shadow. I also buy old (historical) figures and like the old painting style (Fabrikbemalung) very much.
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Painter since 5 years only, I've bought painted 30mm flats for stripping and repainting sometimes because casting was good at the time. I bought 2/3 well painted as models to improve my skills as model next to the work table.
So far I've offered a couple of my own paintings as gift in special occasions, but I would sell them one day if they find buyers as they accumulate. The pleasure is to paint an see themfor a while, not accumulate them endless !
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I buy painted figures once in a while when the price is right and the painting is to my liking- often to see the technique of the painter first hand. I did once have the opportunity to buy DiFranco's 120mm model of maximillian the 1st which is illustrated in mike Taylor's book. Needless to say I missed my opportunity and have been kicking myself ever since!
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I like to buy the old factory painted Kieler figures. Often they can be bought at a lower price than new castings. The paint can be stripped rather easily and the figures can be repainted if so desired. Given the condition of many Kieler moulds, the older painted figures represent the best chance of getting a quality casting. But frequently I leave the paint, if the condition is good, because they represent vintage or antique figures.
Aside from Berliner Zinnfiguren, there is no commercial establishment that is offering painted figures on the internet. The flat figure market seems to be in a state of decline, especially the painted figure market. Right now BZ is selling painted figures (mounted) for 20 euro or less. Compared with the round figure (54mm) market, painted flat figures seem to be bargain priced. There doesn't seem to be the demand.
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The best way to buy painted pieces is via german eBay or via Mrosks auctions where 1000s of pretty decently painted figures go on sale
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If i like the figures, I buy painted figures.
I also let painted figures.
I also paint self. I am a collector;)
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I bought only two highly painted figures. Both painted by Doushkine. I have some other examples of painting styles : Jim Horan, Roland Simon, Janpaolo Bistulfe among them but these figures were presented to me. On the other hand I am the one who is for the last 15 years painting on commission. This work starts as a life necessity and now it is mostly the pleasure to preserve contacts with my customers who are great collectors and nice personalities. I also have some examples of Kiel , Mignot and Heinrichsen factory painting exactly for the purpose already mentioned here - the feeling of history of the flat figure itself.
Oleg
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Even though I paint most figures myself, it happens that I buy painted figures. I also love factory-painted figures.
Bernt
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perhaps we could indicate by a sign in the Members galleries, whether they are for sale or not, by the owner of the gallery ? like "on sale, sold, no sale.
For example, I know that Amelia Retuerto Elordi has still a few of her works for possible sale .....
If interested, one may contact her by MP ....
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Interesting to see this up again and just to up date you I had several painted figures for sell and not one was sold at shows or on ebay
I believe the name behind the figure is the important thing when buying painted figures ;)
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The thruth is that there are less and less flat collectors
I think the golden age was between 1930 and 1980-90
During this period there were some great collectors around the world who bought lots of old factory paint figures and high level painted figures by Douchkine, Rieche, Burkhalter, Alexandre, Leliepvre, and others, but there were not many amateur painters
Nowadays it seems to be the reverse : many amateurs painters, less and less collectors, and so less and less buyers for painted figures old or new
As in every collections nice things keep rather high prices; some old Allgeyer or Heinrichsen figures can reach very high level because of there rarity
Douchkine figures are very expensive because of there quality and also because a particular vogue for his figures
The name's notoriety is important
The prices asked by nowadays painters can be considered too high regarding the smallness of the figures; but every painter of flats knows how difficult and long it is to paint nicely
I am both a painter and collector, my interest being on old Allgeyer, Heinrichsen or others old civilian figures and on painted figures by Douchkine, Leliepvre, Rieche,and other old great painters
Sometimes there are good opportunities for buyers on EBaybut it is not frequent
The best way to buy figures is auctions but there are not many
I also paint sometimes for collector friends and try to sell on EBay just to get a little money to buy old books about costume and fashion history which are my other hobby
But Internet sites are not the best way to sell at good prices
Eric
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I agree with Eric. To me it's not worth selling painted figures given the amount of time and energy it takes not paint them - notwithstanding the cost of the unpainted sets. There are however some great painters out there that seem to sell figures for (what I consider to be) reasonable prices. Just not so easy to find them.
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Hello,
a very interesting discussion.
I started thinking about this. For myself I like painting flats. It is a great pleasure to sit there in the evening and giving colour to a figure. I have my own style of painting which I have developed over the last few years and this is the way I like to paint.
But also I like to look at other painters figures. To look how they have done it. Maybe to take some inspiration for my own painting or just because it is nice to see this figures.
But for myself I don´t need to buy painted figures. It is to much fun to paint them myself.
On the other hand I don´t like selling figures painted by myself. I`m doing some painting for friends from time to time, but not to get money for that.
But of course this is my personel opinoin and understanding of this hobby and I can understand that other people do I in other ways.
Christoph
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tinman and Mike G would you email me sometime? I'd like to correspond with US flats collectors.
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Sorry for the elementary question: how one can vote??
Maybe I am awkward a bit, but I could find the way... sorry... :(
Sandor
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snagy,
I'm afraid the poll is closed. But you could place your vote in a reply here.