gamegrene.com

Around a year ago, I did an article on Dominic Heutelbeck's Visions in Color show, or ViC, wherein participants all select the same miniature and convert and paint it as desired. The success of this show inspired Harry Colquhoun to start a similar show on the 1listsculpting Yahoo group.

Harry's idea was to have a group of sculptors (amateur and pro) sculpt miniatures around a fairly broad central theme. Jeff Valent and Jeff Rodman volunteered to cast these figures, and the Visions in Putty show was born.
The theme of the first contest was gladiators, which was both evocative enough to call up an image, and vague enough to allow for broad interpretation.

Participants designed and sculpted miniatures that somehow incorporated the gladiatorial theme. Figures included several fairly traditional Roman-style gladiators, a cyborg, anthropomorphic animals, monsters, casualties, at least one risque piece, and an emperor to stand in judgment and give them all a thumbs-down.

The sculpting quality varied from professional (the emperor looked suspiciously like Chris FitzPatrick, for example) to rank amateur (the headless gladiator was lumpy and ill-proportioned). Nothing stopped the pros from selling their creations - Jason Wiebe's piece went into production as "Tonga, Gorilla Man Gladiator" (stock number 2454) - and the amateurs were pleased to have their work in metal.

The second ViP had a Victorian theme, and creations ranged even further afield. There were fairly staid busts and proper gentlefolk miniatures, and there was a steam-powered kangaroo driven by Sherlock Holmes, with a Moriarity hang glider in hot pursuit. Later ViPs (not all of which have been cast) have produced equally fun and interesting results.
Recently, I spoke with Harry via email to ask him about the show. I also talked with Jason Wiebe, a professional sculptor for Reaper miniatures among other companies, and Ming-Hua Kao, a very talented amateur sculptor.

Gamegrene:
How and why did you come up with the ViP?

Harry Colquhoun:
I'm one of those types of people who really like to procrastinate. I was really interested in learning how to sculpt miniatures, but I found that as soon as I sat down to try and sculpt I'd get frustrated or my mind would wander, and three hours later I'd be left with a very hard lump of partially-sculpted green putty. An event along the lines of ViC, but for sculpting, just seemed a perfect solution to get me started sculpting. I tossed the idea out there (to the sculpting group) and things just took off.

GG:
What's the point of the ViP?

HC:
It's meant to be a showcase of miniature sculpting. Every so often some ideas will be tossed around on the sculpting list regarding a ViP theme. Once a favourite theme has been chosen and an end date set, everyone gets busy sculpting their vision of the topic. For the first ViP, the chosen theme was "gladiators" and the best part of the event was seeing all of the different sculpts in the end. It's not a contest, and there's no winner. It's all for the challenge and fun.

Ming-Hua Kao:
It provides an opportunity for everybody to do a fun sculpting project.
Main keywords being "everybody" and "fun".

Jason Wiebe:
Well, I imagine each participant has their own goals in each VIP, but I think the alpha and the omega of it is the sculpting. For some, the chance to see something they've sculpted taken through the process and cast into metal. For others, the chance to be part of a diverse group of people working on a common theme. For me, it is always a chance to stretch my wings a little and do something for myself. It gives me a "legitimate" excuse to sculpt something out of the normal process, something that is mine through and through. And, I just love getting that box of other people's metals in the mail! Seeing how each participant has visualized and sculpted on the theme, and seeing a representation of work by folks I have seen on the painting lists or sculpting lists for years. It's just damn fun.

GG:
How do participants view it?

HC:
I can only speak for myself, but I think an event like this offers the participants a unique opportunity, regardless of whether or not you are a pro or beginner sculptor. It's great to get feedback from everyone on your sculpt, and it's even better to see all the amazing stuff everyone else is capable of producing. For some, it offers a unique opportunity to watch the progression of a sculptor from one ViP to another.

MHK:
A characteristic of VIP is that it leaves participants their freedom to do and try nearly everything they like in goals, ideas and techniques. There is a theme but it's usually general enough to not be really restrictive. So, what you get from participating in VIP is very personal and depends on what you want from it.
For me personally, it's the design challenge that I like. Since the theme can be anything from fantasy to SF it's quite an exercise in imagination to come up with a design that's fun to make and fits the theme.

JW:
I view it as fun and challenging and the chance to be part of the club. I'm sure we all go through the little agonies and small triumphs to produce each entry. For some people, it may be the only time they see their work in metal, and that first metal copy is such a feeling of accomplishment, no matter how many times you've done it.

GG:
Why take part?

JW:
It is an excellent opportunity to learn about the miniature process from armature to finished piece. I would think anyone who has used even a bit of putty for a conversion has some inkling they would like to try a full sculpture. VIP offers that chance.

MHK:
Professionals have mentioned liking the VIP as it's a break for them. That is, they get a chance to make something totally different from daily work. And they get to exercise their imagination in a different way since the subject is not dictated in details like with many professional projects.
Starters often find it hard to take the first step and start sculpting. VIP can provide them with a motivation since a lot of them do want to be part of the fun. The participants are of all levels so starters don't feel so intimidated. And since it's not a competition there is no pressure to be the best (there is no "I won't participate since I can't win anyway").

HC:
This really depends on the individual sculptor. For a beginner, this is a great chance to get yourself motivated to sculpt. When you're done, you'll often get valuable feedback from everyone else. For those who want the chance to get into the sculpting market, it's a great way to show what you're capable of. For the pros, I think ViP is a great chance to sculpt something they normally wouldn't.

As an added HUGE bonus, a couple of the ViPs have also come with the opportunity to get a full set of everyone's entries. Some of the pro casters on the sculpting list kicked the first ViP into high gear with an amazing offer to have everyone's entry cast, and a full set sent to each entrant. This isn't always the case with ViP, but it really is great when it's done. Aside from the obvious "cool" factor of having a set of miniatures that only a few others in the world have, it's a great way to get even better feedback on your sculpts!

GG:
What sort of need does this show fill?

HC:
If you are a highly-motivated sculptor who has no problems cranking out miniature after miniature, perhaps all the ViP can offer is a chance to show people what you are capable of, or a chance to sculpt something you normally wouldn't think of. If you're like me, then ViP is a great kick-in-the-butt type event to get you sculpting!

JW:
The need to be part of a group, the need to have a reason to get off your butt and sculpt something, the need to learn more about the process, the need to express oneself, the need for an online "convention" opportunity, the need to get off the tracks and into the jungle once in awhile.

GG:
Any other comments for us?

HC:
I need to mention here that ViP #1 would never have happened if we didn't have such a great community in our miniature hobby. If it weren't for Dominic Heutelbeck's tireless efforts, the first ViP may have been the last, as I quickly got swamped with work after ViP 1 was over, but Dominic put in many many hours behind the scenes to keep it going as well as giving it a web presence. If it weren't for Jeff Rodman and Jeff Valent, our generous casters, I don't think the interest in ViP would have been nearly as great to begin with. Now, ViP is handled by the efforts of a few dedicated folks who manage to keep everything rolling along nicely. I just wish I had the time to help out!

MHK:
The popularity of VIP is for a large part because of the way the 1listsculpting list is. Sculptor members there are very helpful and supportive, which creates the kind of atmosphere where something like this can be done.

JW:
I think the VIP and VIC projects are very good for the hobby, and fantastic outlets for the participants. The generosity and hard work of the moldmakers and casters has been amazing, as has been the enthusiasm for the shows from the participants and the organizers. If you haven't done one or two of these, and you love miniatures, you really should make room in your schedule for it.

(Author's note: as of this writing, the deadline for the robotic-themed ViP #5 has just passed and scans of the entrants are up for viewing. A new topic will likely be chosen early this summer after the current batch is cast and shipped, so please feel free to stop by and join in the conversation, or just lurk.
Pictures of painted miniatures from past ViP shows, as well as my own ViP and other sculpts, are up on my webpage.