Mark Spackman | 18 Nov 2012 2:53 a.m. PST |
Does anyone know the whereabouts of Paul Darnell of 'Touching History'? His artbalgg email address has now been cancelled. I won't go into details regards my enquiry as I'm hoping Paul and I can resolve my issue. Appreciate any help. Regards, Mark |
Prince Rupert of the Rhine | 18 Nov 2012 4:19 a.m. PST |
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combatpainter | 18 Nov 2012 10:25 a.m. PST |
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MajorB | 18 Nov 2012 11:31 a.m. PST |
He last posted to that blog in July: link Wonder what's happened to him since
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Mark Spackman | 20 Nov 2012 3:41 a.m. PST |
Gents, Thanks for your assistance so far. @combatpainter the link you have provided is to the now defunct artblagg email. I know Paul periodically finds himself dropping off the radar with outstanding commissions, but usually resurfaces agter resolving whatever obstacle he has come across. I'm hoping this is the case. If anyone is in current contact with Paul, please advise so I can get in touch. |
Mark Spackman | 08 Dec 2012 12:02 a.m. PST |
Well a disappointing response and still no word from Paul Darnell himself. I bought and received a number of models from Paul over about an 18 month period and have to say his models are absolutely 1st class. It's a pity Paul has disappeared with matters outstanding, but I'm not going to rant or carry on. Paul, if you read this, we can still sort matters out and hopefully your only temporarily off the radar. If anyone has a contact number for Paul, please pass it on. Cheers, Mark |
Tricks | 08 Dec 2012 2:52 a.m. PST |
Sorry Mark, I have been trying to contact Paul to let him know you are looking for him but all my contacts with him which I use for inviting him to shows have dried up completely. If I do hear from him I will pass along your details. cheers Richard |
Mark Spackman | 08 Dec 2012 3:28 a.m. PST |
Hi Richard, Thank you very much for your post,I really appreciate your efforts. Hopefully you might be able to raise communication with him in the near future and he is okay. Cheers, Mark |
Empires at War | 08 Dec 2012 12:14 p.m. PST |
You could try contacting him via publishers Pen and Sword as he is producing a book for them. Failing that i think you've had it. |
Albie56 | 02 Jan 2013 2:27 p.m. PST |
Hi Mark, no further info I'm afraid, but I am in the same position as you in respect of outstanding models from Paul. I am still trying to contact him, but to no avail so far. If I receive any further info I will contact you. I would appreciate a contact if you hear anything too. Regards Leigh |
Mark Spackman | 04 Jan 2013 12:00 a.m. PST |
Hi Leigh, Thanks very much for posting. I suspected that there must have been more than one person who had outstanding models. All this is very disappointing given the fact Paul Darnell has been a prolific contributor to the hobby for a number of years and is a published author. I hope Paul resurfaces at some point with every intention of clearing his outstanding commissions, thus salvaging his reputation in the hobby. I recall the vitriol Paul aimed at some well known gamers in Essex here on TMP when he felt he had been cheated! I'd be very grateful for a contact number or address if you happen to discover one and likewise, if I learn anything, I will post here immediately. Best regards, Mark |
Architectus Militaria | 04 Jan 2013 9:05 a.m. PST |
Hi Mick the Magpie, I think you'll find that Paul Darnell is no longer writing said book for Pen & Sword so I suspect that may be something of a 'blind alley'. |
Long Valley Gamer | 04 Jan 2013 2:47 p.m. PST |
Too bad some folks are facing these issues.I've been a big admirer of his work over the years and contemplated purchasing from him. If this continues his name will be dirt in the hobby and if he wishes to return to model making his path will be difficult
he should think about that
Mark and Leigh please keep us informed of your progress over time
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Steven Pepa | 07 Jan 2013 3:06 p.m. PST |
I highly doubt you will see anything from Paul. I can speak from experience, and all of you can search my prior posts here and around the internet. |
geoffb | 10 Jan 2013 3:57 a.m. PST |
We do seem to get our fair share of houdinis in the hobby |
Mark Spackman | 15 Jan 2013 12:42 a.m. PST |
I don't think I will hear from Paul Darnell regards this issue any time soon which is a real pity! I can say that I was very fortunate to have acquired some utterly brilliant models from Paul prior to his disappearance which is some consolation. Paul is a brilliant model maker, his blog was a must visit and his reputation in the hobby was sound. In fact I find it hard to believe he can have just dropped off the face of the planet without some in the hobby knowing his contact details?? Still not too late to salvage your reputation in the hobby Paul, it's really up to you. Mark |
battleeditor | 15 Jan 2013 6:32 a.m. PST |
To the best of my knowledge, Paul had a serious breakdown following the death of his mother and has moved away and moved on. I haven't heard from him for a long time now. The last I heard he was living up near Hadrian's Wall somewhere giving guided tours, but he may have moved again. I very much doubt, as others have said, that we'll see him back in the hobby in the foreseeable future. Very sad. Henry Battlegames |
Mark Spackman | 15 Jan 2013 10:36 p.m. PST |
Hi Henry, Paul had been regularly contributing to his blog, battles in miniature and selling models up until early July last year. I believe Paul's mother died a number of years ago, but I was aware that he was suffering some form of ongoing mental health issue. Regardless, it does not seem to have been an obstacle to his marketing models and accepting and processing payments etc. Whilst I accept suffering a crisis due to a lost love one is tragic, I'm afraid I don't buy into it in this care. Paul references locating to London on his blog effective around July last year to pursue his artistic endeavours. We will see, I suspect this man will reappear at some stage in the future
. |
Empires at War | 18 Jan 2013 2:05 p.m. PST |
Of course he will, full of apologies and excuses no doubt. |
Goose666 | 26 Jan 2013 12:29 p.m. PST |
According to this info here; saatchionline.com/ArtBlagg he has (maybe had, now) "I have an artists Studio at Bar Lane Studios in York, England." If you contact them, they may have a forwarding address for him. |
Empires at War | 26 Jan 2013 3:01 p.m. PST |
I think its probably 'had'! |
Mark Spackman | 28 Jan 2013 10:26 p.m. PST |
@Goose666, Thank you for this as it actually provides a very real avenue of enquiry. Paul states in his blog his intention to move away from model making and into full time work on his artistic interests. Paul makes a living from his art, so won't be off too far away from the scene. Just wondering if there might be a TMPer close to York and who wouldn't mind making some discreet enquiries with Bar Lane Studios to see if Paul has an interest at the premises? Thanks very much to those assisting so far. Mark |
Deedles | 29 Jan 2013 10:22 a.m. PST |
I picked up some stuff direct at his studios in JULY 2012, he said then was giving up the premises the following week and plannning on setting up down South I will be in York this Saturday and will take a walk past the premises the mobile number i had for contact is going to voicemail , but not as out of service though |
Mark Spackman | 31 Jan 2013 12:43 a.m. PST |
@Deedles, Thanks very much for your post and kind offer. I'm not too optimistic but look forward to the result of your walk past. Cheers, Mark |
Deedles | 03 Feb 2013 7:37 a.m. PST |
@Mark Spackman The premises at Bar lane was locked yesterday. Asked at the coffee shop and they said had not seen for a while, So no idea of whereabouts i am afraid |
Albie56 | 08 Feb 2013 4:25 a.m. PST |
Hi Mark, I have already been in touch with the owners at Barlane Studios. Negative result I'm afraid, their answer is printed below. I'm still trying through other contacts, but again negative to date. Leigh "Sorry Paul left our studios july last year and we have no forwarding address. Sorry we can't be any help Regards" |
Mark Spackman | 15 Feb 2013 10:06 p.m. PST |
@Abie56, Thank you for your enquiries and post. It would well appear Paul has no intention of being found in the foreseeable future or any intent of clearing his debt or his name. Good luck to him. Thanks to all who have helped. Very much appreciated. Regards, Mark |
I see lead people | 17 May 2013 7:09 p.m. PST |
Just interested to see if Mr. Darnell has surfaced? Surely a man who was a prolific contributer to the hobby can"t stay away forever? Be good to see him come back, clear his name and get back on with making great models. |
Empires at War | 18 May 2013 4:06 a.m. PST |
I think he has done this once to often tbh. |
Goose666 | 22 May 2013 12:22 p.m. PST |
Be good to see him come back, clear his name and get back on with making great models. LOL
oh man, that is the best laugh, I have had all week! |
Madphil101 | 17 Mar 2014 2:31 p.m. PST |
Does indeed make lovely models. My friend is selling his Darnell boards (wife + insufficient space = eBay ) Link below but if nothing else it's a great set of pics of why people wanted Paul to build things. If you are trying to find Paul – simply repost saying its a Ringrose board! :-p auction |
DHautpol | 19 Mar 2014 6:27 a.m. PST |
Ahh, the first "Paul Darnell" post of spring; I must write to The Times. |
I see lead people | 21 Mar 2014 10:33 p.m. PST |
What an interesting comment from @DHautpol?! Perhaps you are Paul Darnell? Although I can't imagine the Times having any interest in Paul Darnell, I can however imagine him lurking TMP, perhaps making the odd silly dismissive comment like the one above. It is a pity Paul because you're a great talent and were once a true contributor to the hobby, but you decided to throw away your reputation for the sake of a small amount of money. @Madphil101, good luck with what must be a regrettable sale of a beautiful piece of terrain. I would love to have it in my collection! Paul, I'm sure if you were to come back, square away your debts and make a freash start you would be welcomed back by those who enjoyed and supported your work and once held you in high regard. |
Gloria Smud | 22 Mar 2014 3:15 p.m. PST |
I think you may be missing the irony of DHautpol's comment. Perhaps "Here we go again!" or "Will people ever learn!" may be a less subtle reference to the elusive Mr. Darnell. |
I see lead people | 22 Mar 2014 9:45 p.m. PST |
Maybe, but I think not. I see the terrain piece sold for a mere 216 GBPs. A very good buy for a lucky someone! |
Jemima Fawr | 23 Mar 2014 6:32 a.m. PST |
The results are back: It seems that you have absolutely no sense of humour. |
Ben Waterhouse | 26 Mar 2014 6:40 a.m. PST |
and what about Cuckoos? I think we should be told. |
Losing the Will | 26 Mar 2014 10:11 a.m. PST |
I can pretty much confirm that Cuckoos don't make wargames terrain
although they might well 'leg it' with other cuckoos money ;) |
butty160 | 21 Jul 2014 5:11 a.m. PST |
I bought a book by Paul at Attack in Devizes last weekend and have started looking for more but apart from the same one on Amazon have drawn a blank. Does anyone know where I can buy some of his other books? |
138SquadronRAF | 21 Jul 2014 7:43 a.m. PST |
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Empires at War | 21 Jul 2014 2:31 p.m. PST |
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