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    137 views5 pages

    M310026a Martin Footitt

    Uploaded by

    Adrian Tyrakowski

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    of 5
    7 INI ra ke Da 172) = rm —_ —_ a | | \—] [_—] olin — — — ee _— - = Cetra eee ts ete of the world’s best Tes ce PCa Martin Footitt is well-known for both his sculpting skills and the awe-inspiring pieces that he enters into the UK Golden Demon Open Category. Here, he tells us of his journey from bi-annual gamer to the top of the hobby tree. hen asked how he first got into the hobby, Martin replies enthusiastically that “It was all down to HeroQuest. Before that I'd made a few World War II kits, but it was HeroQuest that really kicked things off, saw the advert and got it for Christmas.” Having played the game and enjoyed painting the Citadel miniatures that were supplied with it, Martin discovered that Games Workshop had a chain of shops where you could go to buy models, play games and paint, including a place in his home town of Nottingham! "I'd go in and buy a few models; at that point | wasn’t trying to build an army, | was just picking ‘models | wanted to paint.” Martin continued to dabble in the hobby but became more involved when his cousin also started collecting and gaming, with Citadel miniatures. *He was really into Necromunda,” says Martin. “But we also started playing Epic and Warhammer 40,000. However, we'd only see each other twice a year. I'd go to his house for the weekend and we'd play five or six games. $o I'd be painting my Even though Martin was a member of ‘Eavy Metal he remains very pragmatic about his own abilities in the first few ‘months of employment. “I was at a high enough standard to get the job, but, looking back, | don’t believe | was as good as | could be. However, when you're painting figures for seven-and-a-half hours a day, for five years, you get better at it! I was also working with other, more experienced ‘Eavy Metal painters and so | picked up techniques and then had plenty ‘of opportunities to practice them.” During his time in ‘Eavy Metal, Martin developed his style which has been described as a classic Games Workshop look with clean colours, neatly done. “I've become known for my metallics, which are very smooth and realistic.” (Of course, nowadays Martin is a key ‘member of the Citadel Design tearm with such great miniature lines as the High Elves, Eldar and Dark Angels under his belt. How did he go from painter to sculptor? “I tried sculpting early on during my ‘avy Metal days but it was rubbish so | force or gang during the six ¢ ¢ I was happy painting ‘months in-between visits. ‘As Martin got older he carried on painting the miniatures, becoming far less of a gamer, but continuing to refine his painting technique. Meanwhile, Martin eft school and decided to head into further education. “I went to University but didn’t get on with the course so | dropped out after a year. | came back home to Nottingham, unsure what to do. My Mum suggested painting figures was the only thing | really enjoyed, but while | was quite happy to carry on doing that at home, my Dad told me | had to get a job! As | happened to live in the same city as the GW Studio, | applied for a position on the ‘Eavy Metal team. I went to see the Nottingham store manager, who was impressed with my figures and rang up the Studio for me. The 'Favy Metal boss agreed to take a look, but | didn’t know where the Studio was, so the manager sent a member of the store staff with me as my guide! The painting manager said my models were good but there was room for improvement. Nine months later | had a proper interview, for which { had to paint a metal Saurus Warrior. {thought I fluffed the interview, but to my surprise I got the job!” models at home, but Dad told me to get a job! 99 packed it in, A year later | thought I'd give it another go. Iwas taken on as a trainee designer after a year of sculpting in my own time. The figures | did were mainly copies of existing ones - Space Marines, Empire Soldiers, High Elf spearmen and (Ore Warriors - t had to show the design ‘managers I could get the right shapes in the correct anatomical proportions.” Martin has also become well known for his Open Category entries at Golden Demon, some of which are featured on the following pages. “I never entered when | was in ‘Eavy Metal ~ it was only after | stopped painting full ime and it had turned into my hobby again that | considered entering. | now paint two figures a year; cone is my Golden Demon entry, the other VII paint for pleasure. don’t think two models is enough, though, so I’m going to do far more in the years to come!” When asked what his current painting project is Martin refuses to comment, saying only that al will be revealed in September ‘08, rerrorny This fantastic Grey Knight won the Gold in the 2007 Open category. The model is based on the Artemis miniature from the Inquisitor range, though it is heavily converted. The winding stairs on the scenic base are made from MDF, although the Daemon’s decapitated head is from the plastic Warhammer Giant kt (A). The conversions on the actual model are down to Martin’s sculpting expertise. OF note is the belt feed instead of an ammo drum on the storm bolter (B). Martin didn't want the arm to look too large and unwieldy, and felt the belt feed was a bit more elegant. When painting, he used a very tight palette of black, white, silver, red and gold. ‘www:gamer-workshop.co.uk 91 Ghazghkull Thraka and Nobz This diorama came about as Martin was fast running out of time to get a figure ready for the 2004 Open category. So, rather than creating something from scratch, he took Ghazghkul and some Ork Meganobz that he had already painted and placed them on a cool-looking base. Although the Orks are traditional 'Eavy Metal Goff colours. The piece ranked as a fin: foreeeneunatad t,as-yet-unreleased Chaos Champion was by Martin during his tenure asa straight-line designer. He wanted to do a more traditional figure to keep his skills up to par. It’s painted in a dark green

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