Team North America Primarch Project - PIC HEAVY

**tkkultist** · 08-12-2010, 02:37 PM

I was requested to post some of these in another thread and this is the most reasonable subforum I could find. I hope the Mods agree. I will split it into several posts so that I can update as I have time today.

A few years back, myself and a group of my painting/modelling friends formed "Team North America" (or TNA) - this was really meant to be a tongue in cheek jab at the very serious and coordinated European teams as we were really disorganized friends that just tended to hang out at Games Days and cheer each other on in the demons.

We thought it would be fun to make a big visual statement and agreed to do primarchs, all on the same display plinths (made by our friend Wayne - http://miniaturebases.withtank.com/ ) and in the same category. Man did this give the judges a headache lol! It wasnt that we didnt have pieces in other categories (and won most of them) - it was more a jab (once again) at the idea of really co-ordinated teams strategically spreading themselves across specific categories to achieve maximum win.

So it was that 8 of the most respected and well known painters in north america ended up in the same category (40K single) with scratchbuilt or extremely converted entries all based on a single theme, on matching display plinths and matching proportions.

Chris Borer won gold/slayer for Fulgrim. Jeremie B from france won silver for his harlequin, and my friend mathieu fontaine IIRC won bronze - the rest of us were given honourable mention in this category and threw a party of historical quality.

Chris Borer

**tkkultist** · 08-12-2010, 02:37 PM

James Craig (me)

**tkkultist** · 08-12-2010, 02:38 PM

Angela Imerie

**Arkaedin** · 08-12-2010, 10:37 PM

tkkultist, that comment you just made about having peers and everything is the best advice you can give anyone. Everything takes hard work and dedication, but without an objective party offering advice, you can only advance so far. For that, I give you a handful of Rep.

Also, I remember seeing that Fulgrim on the GW site and I *almost* started a Pre-Heresy Emperor's Children army because of it. All of the models are so good, but that one I absolutely loved.

**tkkultist** · 08-12-2010, 02:38 PM

Shawn Welte - Peturabo

Nathan Comanse - Ferrus Manus

**tkkultist** · 08-12-2010, 02:39 PM

Tom Shadle - Lion El Jonson (Dark Angels)

Joe Orteza - Jaghati Khan (White Scars)

Brice Cocanour - Sanguinius (Blood Angels)

**tkkultist** · 08-12-2010, 02:39 PM

Other pieces from the same day by our group

Aaron Wilson (bronze wfb single)

Angela Imerie (gold)

Chris Borer (gold open IIRC)

Dave Pauwells (silver open)

Dave Taylor's Captain Garro

Jeff Wilhelm (gold Vehicle)

John Schaffer's Kharn the Betrayer (preheresey)

Mike Butcher's preheresey Word Bearers (I think this placed too)

Nathan Comanse (silver vehicle)

Tom Shadle (silver wfb single)

**hwd** · 08-12-2010, 03:30 PM

I think I might just hate you a little bit...

But seriously folks, I am in awe of your (and your mates') skills
I think even if I practiced painting everyday I would never be able to come close to matching them!

**tkkultist** · 08-12-2010, 03:52 PM

Thanks for the love and hate

Getting better isnt doesnt require painting every day - where is the value in repeating the same mistakes over and over? - instead it requires a peer or better yet a group of peers who can give genuine support and advice and structured critical feedback - Jeff Wilhelm or Jen Haley will never look at my models and go OFG Dis RUUULES!!! Mathieu will never look critically at one of my models without finding at least one or two good critical things that I could improve on. Not that I always take the advice - sometimes I just file it away for next time. Heck when Jen shows me how to do something it ususally takes me about three years to actually understand and incorporate her advice! Joe taught me to sculpt, Dragomir taught me how to use plastic, Jeff inspires me with his weathering, Chris with the natural poses and elements of characterization. I have my own style but it incorporates everything I have learned from my friends.

The rise in quality of miniature painting and modelling worldwide is directly attributable to the internet and communities like Astronomicon. The ability to access quality feedback, tutorials and to make connections has made the mini competitions a much more interesting and challenging place.

well thats it for now - I hope you enjoy!