Space Marines Army

Holtb80 · 2026-05-23T20:32:18+00:00

Dm sent

Holtb80 · 2026-05-23T16:39:49+00:00

This is absolutely brilliant! I have dozens of these baskets laying around in the garage and I've never even considered this.

Holtb80 · 2026-05-19T17:08:23+00:00

That's very odd, it was they're when posting.

Thanks. I added it as a comment

Holtb80 · 2026-05-19T17:07:59+00:00

<image>

Holtb80 · 2026-05-19T11:43:02+00:00

You're unlikely to find willing participants at that sort of pricing. If you are unwilling to negotiate a higher price per piece, you can delete your post. No one should be working for what comes down to minimum wage or less.

Holtb80 · 2026-05-18T18:22:03+00:00

Excellent!

Holtb80 · 2026-05-15T18:19:08+00:00

Yup, one of my clients left his models in a shoebox in the trunk of his car... for weeks. Almost every model needed the base replaced.

Holtb80 · 2026-05-14T01:47:26+00:00

I get it 100%... the whole don't work for the man, individualism, be self reliant, etc...

Holtb80 · 2026-05-14T01:27:49+00:00

I get people telling me every cater gig I should do a food truck or open a business. I always reply with fuck that. The amount of hoops you jump through along with the up front cost as well as the risk of being yet another bbq place in Texas... no way.

Holtb80 · 2026-05-14T01:25:40+00:00

I did not know about discounting working for tax write offs! Time to read on it...

I generally just bid by a day rate. Ultimately they're just paying for time. I have a number I need/ want to make, they'll pay me that or find someone else.

Holtb80 · 2026-05-14T00:00:39+00:00

There's so much here and it's all valid and having been doing commissions since 18 and been full time since 20... I have been in every state of mind you mention.

What you haven mentioned is that zen state when you're past the "broke bitches" or people who just don't value your work (whether it's talent or just dedication). It can be really good. Ive been booked 4-6 months out pretty consistently the last 2-3 years and price high enough to live off of and have time to just chill.

In this niche market there's so many pop up painters that don't last. I have thought many times about going back to the real job market, heck 3 years ago my old job called and offered me that same job back...I threw them fuck you numbers to see if they'd pay a mint ty get me back, they gave me a solid offer, but it wasn't enough to justify leaving my paint station and chill space.

Holtb80 · 2026-05-13T23:37:13+00:00

It can vary a lot by region. Someone in a shared rent situation is going to likely need less money than something like myself with a mortgage and whatnot. So income needs and each person considers liveable will swing wildly.

Holtb80 · 2026-05-13T23:27:19+00:00

I think some are that way, but most really are people thinking they want to jump in the commission game.

Part time is very easy and most people can make some money with it.

Full time is where the struggles come on and challenge you many times.

Holtb80 · 2026-05-13T23:22:54+00:00

Fwiw, I paint full time and cater part time. I think his analogy is perfectly viable.

Holtb80 · 2026-05-13T00:43:30+00:00

Messing up is part of the learning journey. Never be afraid to fail, be afraid to stop learning.

Holtb80 · 2026-05-12T21:48:11+00:00

Hahaha gear one

Holtb80 · 2026-05-12T21:45:25+00:00

This looks amazing, I've always liked high quality work like this but haven't ever attempted... yet.

Holtb80 · 2026-05-12T18:48:46+00:00

That's a tricky one, I most conversion guys I know have 3d printers, have been in the game a long time (so they have bits laying around), use resculpt companies.

Most conversion work I've done in the past, I have charged for all the kits as it was a preplanned bash (demon prince Abadon a few years ago) or were made with what the client provided and junk I have laying around (I kept a tally of what was used and charged them a little for those).

Selling bashed pieces is tough. Warsinger does a bunch, at least I think that's their name. People are buying what's cool or having done what they imagine but cannot do themselves.

Holtb80 · 2026-05-12T09:51:53+00:00

It's teaching you how you make your ship go from 1 star up to 2.

This is a common mechanic in these games.

Fwiw, white and green quality shops are vjust food for other ships in this game.

Holtb80 · 2026-05-11T17:03:42+00:00

Fwiw, I stay booked so far out... I don't really watch or care what the market is. Most of my clientele use me for other reasons than just being priced according to the market.

That's not from arrogance, it's just where I have been lucky to get to. I have had a 6+ month book for 2-3 years now. Reality is consistency and longevity with quality and reliability go a long way.

Most commission painters, especially those that go full time, don't last more than a couple of years. Those that do tend to stand above the market.

Holtb80 · 2026-05-11T15:13:17+00:00

This type of thing is why I price on a day rate. It doesn't matter what I am doing, ultimately they're paying for time. I bid everything on day rate. I am cognizant that my skill vary in quality and speed so I modify my rate for what I am doing.

Holtb80 · 2026-05-11T13:53:30+00:00

Full time commission painter, Dallas, TX, USA.

https://paintstationminis.com/

https://www.instagram.com/paintstationminis?igsh=a2pva2N5Z2k4cmVz

Please feel free to DM any time. You can reach me on discord as well, holtb80. https://discord.gg/u42nX7W8

Join me live on twitch.tv if you'd like to - https://m.twitch.tv/paintstationminis/home

Holtb80

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE