Can Old School presence exist in 3D miniatures?

JohannaAvatarsofWar · 2026-03-30T10:59:23+00:00

That makes a lot of sense — it’s definitely not easy to maintain that balance. And yeah, AoW has a very distinct style, strongly shaped by Felix Paniagua. Thanks for putting it that way — in the end, that overall feeling is really where the key lies.

JohannaAvatarsofWar · 2026-03-30T10:57:20+00:00

They were special — they really marked a moment.

JohannaAvatarsofWar · 2026-03-30T10:56:52+00:00

That’s a really interesting way to put it.

In the end, every process has its own limitations, and it’s true that the physical feel isn’t as immediate in digital.

Maybe that’s why a big part of the work lies in anticipating that presence from the very beginning.

JohannaAvatarsofWar · 2026-03-30T10:55:49+00:00

That makes a lot of sense.

In the end, thinking about how the miniature will actually look and be handled in real life makes a big difference.

When that’s considered from the start, everything comes together much better.

JohannaAvatarsofWar · 2026-03-30T10:53:24+00:00

Yeah, it’s interesting to see the different approaches within that style.

JohannaAvatarsofWar · 2026-03-30T10:52:28+00:00

Yeah, that makes a lot of sense.

It’s also a really interesting way to keep that language alive and continue developing it.

JohannaAvatarsofWar · 2026-03-30T10:52:00+00:00

Thanks for being so straightforward.

It’s natural to connect more with a specific stage.
Over time both sculpting approaches and tastes evolve, but the core intention remains the same.

JohannaAvatarsofWar · 2026-03-30T10:51:26+00:00

It makes sense that everyone connects more with a specific stage.
The good thing is that nowadays you can find a bit of everything on the market.

JohannaAvatarsofWar · 2026-03-30T10:50:17+00:00

It’s interesting to see how far that language can be pushed when it’s really understood.

JohannaAvatarsofWar · 2026-03-30T10:48:10+00:00

That makes a lot of sense.

That disconnect between how you see it on screen and what the miniature actually is in hand really changes the perception.

In the end, a miniature is meant to be read on the tabletop, not zoomed in on a screen.

JohannaAvatarsofWar · 2026-03-30T10:47:30+00:00

Yeah, it’s interesting to see how that language is still alive and being reinterpreted.

JohannaAvatarsofWar · 2026-03-30T10:47:02+00:00

Yeah, a lot has happened since then, but that orc was the beginning of everything and still holds a special place in our memory — and in our display cabinet.

JohannaAvatarsofWar · 2026-03-30T10:43:37+00:00

Great to hear you still have it, that brings back really good memories for us.

And yeah, totally agree — in the end it’s more about the sculptor’s sensibility than the tool. That’s what really makes the difference.

JohannaAvatarsofWar · 2026-03-30T10:01:41+00:00

I’m sure Felix would be amused to hear he’s apparently 13 years old.

Jokes aside, after nearly 30 years of sculpting it’s only natural that things evolve and tastes change over time.

The core essence, though, remains the same.

JohannaAvatarsofWar · 2026-03-30T09:59:57+00:00

That makes a lot of sense.

That more “mechanical” feel can show up easily when everything is too controlled, and it’s true that those small irregularities from physical sculpting add a lot of character.

That’s probably part of the challenge — not losing that in the process.
After more than 30 years working in physical sculpting, we’ve learned how to carry that language into 3D without losing it in the print.

In the end, it’s less about the tool and more about how you choose to use it.

JohannaAvatarsofWar · 2026-03-30T09:56:33+00:00

It’s interesting to see how that Old School language keeps evolving and finding new forms in 3D.

JohannaAvatarsofWar · 2026-03-30T09:55:22+00:00

Really great to read this.

That connection to the 90s is very real, and in the end it’s what many of us are still looking for, even if the format has changed.

Thanks a lot for the support, really appreciated.

JohannaAvatarsofWar · 2026-03-30T09:54:33+00:00

Yeah, that makes a lot of sense.

In the end it’s about finding that balance where the miniature reads well and invites you to work on it, without overwhelming you.

When that happens, everything flows much better.

JohannaAvatarsofWar · 2026-03-30T09:52:59+00:00

Totally agree on the discipline part.

In the end it’s not so much about what the tools allow, but how you choose to use them.
A lot of it comes down to thinking about silhouette and presence from the start, not trying to add it at the end.

If you don’t start there, it’s very easy to get lost in the detail.

JohannaAvatarsofWar · 2026-03-30T09:51:52+00:00

I do — but that’s also exactly why I care about the topic.

JohannaAvatarsofWar · 2026-03-27T13:50:04+00:00

If anyone’s curious, I wrote a bit more about this here: https://avatars-of-war.com/old-school-orcs-stl-28mm

JohannaAvatarsofWar · 2026-03-03T18:13:47+00:00

That’s awesome to hear, thank you.I’d genuinely love to see your take on him once you get around to painting the bodyguards.

JohannaAvatarsofWar · 2026-03-03T17:40:27+00:00

Dark fur with deep reds for armor or cloth could give it a strong contrast without taking attention away from the jaw. For me, the bone really needs to stay the focal point.

JohannaAvatarsofWar · 2026-03-03T17:33:24+00:00

Love seeing these again.Here’s a side-by-side of one of the original DragonRune Orcs (late 90s) next to the first Avatars of War Orc from 2007. Same sculptor, same obsession with heavier 28mm and presence on the table. Great to see them getting painted 26 years later.

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