furniture range discussion

good news … as I said, I’ll take part in that. And … maybe … I might have more to offer.

I’m not a wargamer nor role-player, I’m just a collector. I think it’s always nice to arrange a collection of figures by adding some details, such as furniture. I think that for example the accessoire-set of the Prancing Pony series is great. So it’s much nicer to present the figures of that series with additional material. When you have a further look at some other details Master Tubb sculpted you might guess what I mean. The books and the globe of that Gandalf & Saruman vignette, the pieces of the Barrow-tomb-vignette , etc.
As for the price I would like to say that I do prefer material that meets the figures and not adding some of that resin-stuff. Though this solution might be a bit more expensive.

I’m only saying that there is a lot of competence in that field out there (I could name six companys without even searching!). It’s true that Mr. Tubb gives a nice design touch, but I think there is less potential market for furniture than for characters.

That’s an interesting point. So, are we speaking about a generic cheaper-than-Mithril line? A resurrection of the Prince August fantasy line perhaps? Furniture does not require license, same as a Dwarf warrior or an Elven archer. Prince August could make a ‘generic’ Mithril-compatible line and reserve Mithril for characters. That way:

– They could produce wargaming miniatures.
– They could have less production costs (if they pay for each released miniature) and faster releases (no need for aproval).
– We would have fully compatible miniatures (by the same sculptor and company).

For example, Prince August could produce a line of generic Rangers (with light armour, bows and so) and then Mithril release the Grey Company in chainmail, with the star-shaped brooch and characters such Halbarad (with Arwen’s standard unfolded!) and mounted versions of Elladan and Elrohir.

They could even have minatures with separate shields and then Mithril would produce separate Middle-earth ones. For example a range of generic ‘Northmen’ with plain separate shields by Prince August and then a pack of Rohirrim shields by Mithril. This would be restricted to basic troop types.

What do you think?

I didn’t know such a difference existed, it’s a difficult situation indeed. Then I’m afraid my only suggestion are the ones I’ve already made: update the style (it’s what people look at first, specially in Fantasy miniatures) and improve the accuracy to Tolkien. as dramatic as it sounds, I think Mithril has to renew and reinvent itself or will die slowly.

A matter of point of view, Master Elf. As I see things, it’s the only way.

Why did Mithril lose ground over the years? The end of MERP was a reason, of course, but I don’t think people stopped loving Tolkien’s book suddenly. I guess shops stopped making orders to Mithril and the only possible reason I can think of is because they didn’t sell well. As price are now, Mithril is expensive but there are many others marks of generic fantasy doing well which are even more expensive. So, following this line of thinking, I guess the style didn’t adapted to the ‘new age’ as you call it. Of course, I can be wrong but that’s how I see it in the bigger picture.

I let you here some links to some of the expensive generic fantasy companies I have spoken of (all in 28-30mm), in case you want to compare. Link 1, Link 2, Link 3, Link 4, Link 5, Link 6. You’ll see all of them have a ‘new age’ style (in fact the 80’s is called now ‘old school’).

No, Master Tree. They’re all in nice shiny metal. But they usually give some imprimation to the bare metal for the photos, so the details can be better apreciated.

I was speaking about elaborated expensive companies. I know Fenryll, but I consider it “average” in quality and price.

About them being “weird”, they’re generic fantasy so they follow the mainstream. I was refering only to the detail. Anyway Thunderbolt Mountain is even more realistic than Mithril. Anatomy, movement, textures and folds are just perfect.

And is just a matter of picking the right ones… I own this ranger and is an awesome miniature, and I’m after some red Box Elves like this.

But we’re speaking about updating, not changing. Adding textures when needed, add more expresion to faces… The essence would be the same we love, but in a nicer box so to speak.

I agree a skilled painter can achieve wonders on a flat surface, but detail helps greatly to the average painter to achieve a decent result (that’s why I insist!).

For example this plain plastic toys painted average here and painted by a better painter here. There is quite a difference in the faces (not that I like any, but the second looks more detailed than the first) and that’s an extra brush work which wouldn’t be needed if the detail was sculpted.

It’s a matter of how skilled you are. Simulate volumes or textures on a flat surface and make it look real needs a pretty advanced technic and it’s time-consuming (and beyond my skill, I must confess!).