Just to inform anyone about my experience, as I have read and have had the problem of picking a service to paint my 28mm figures.
I have looked at the TMP Painting Directory and read any comments. Have seen banners for painters at the top of the page. I've read were people send a lot of figures to be painted. I sent smaller lots but still to me they were important.
I had mentioned I'd commissioned five seperate painting services to paint SYW figures for me. I did all the ordering with the painters within about a week or two, so I would be able to judge speed also.
First was Pigmented Miniatures which did an Austrian Infantry battalion for me. He sent photos for approval before shipping. I was quite pleased and have asked for two more battalions. Just a note he carries Crusader Miniatures and if he paints figures bought from him you may get a discount on the cost of the figures. I was quite please with the cost.
Second. Selected by banner at top of TMP page.I put in a rant about this painter as the colours were wrong and not shade but totaly wrong, white used in place of yellow and green and blue. Mounted officers boots painted as gaiters. No photos were sent for approval just an e-mail that the package had been sent.
I've tried to correct some and have already spent five hours repainting and don't know what to do with the others. I did not mention their name but shortly after someone else wrote a complaint about them.
Third. Reinforcements By Post. I had Elite Miniatures directly sent them SYW for two small infantry battalions
(Lally 2 & 3 Battalions for India) and a bunch of artillery guns and crews to cover my future needs for the French for quite a while. It was done quite quickly and photos were sent for approval before being shipped. Packaging was good as the box had five huge dents in it, yet everything was in good condition. Plus shipping was fast as a package was sent from California same day as the package from Bangladesh and both arrived the same day at my place in Canada. I may have them paint Elite Miniatures for me again as French 69th Lorraine as two batalions were in India. That would keep my palnned two regualar units in India similiar.
Fourth. Waiting for the figures. There had been quite a delay in getting the figures to the painter. Have had lots of communication with the painter. So far so good.
Five. I an getting the figures and having them painted by the same source. They were up front and stated they wouldn't be able to start painting for two to three months minimum. Correspondence was good and they seemed quite familiar with what I requested.
Once I received the others I will post about it and state their names if all went good.
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