"Best 15mm Ancients Sculptor?" Topic

Who is the best sculptor working in 15mm Ancients today?

Andy Cooper at West Wind has done a fantastic job on the War and Empire range of 15mm Ancients.

I would have to agree. It's a shame Andy doesn't try his hand at the Bronze Age. I'd love to see his take on the Trojan War!

Rodrick Campbell's work on the Splintered Light historical ranges has to rank near the top.

The sculptor who did the Chariot ranges is/was excellent.

Depends what you like and I'm as fickle as the rest of you but-for ticking every box it is "Clibanarium'.

The xyston IMHO figures are pretty much top of the pile .

I would have to second Jeffgrein's mention of Andy, nice figures there. I would have to second Swampkings call for Andy to do 15mm Trojan War……Another Kickstarter?

Xyston and War and Empire are pretty darn good. But a tick as well for some of the Essex ranges, the hunnic horses especially!

Lots of love for Anonymous?

Josef Ochmann, who sculpyed the old Gladiator biblical range.

Andy and Rodrick are at the forefront of top sculpts in this day and age. I've purchased extensively from both West Wind and Splintered Light over the last year. My only bone to pick is neither company does medievals and I'd love a range of WotR from either of them!

I'll second Josef Ochmann.

I have some Metal Magic Historical Heroes minis still in blisters from ebay a few years ago waiting for me to get good enough to do them justice.

Not sure how the molds are holding up at Gladiator on the minis they picked up from Metal Magic, but they are on my buy list, really like the Scyth horse archers.

His Medieval sculpts are all great too.

Not sure who the Bluemoon sculptor is, but there minis are Fantastic! my top 5:

1) Bluemoon
2) Splintered light
3) Peter Pig
4) Khurasun
5) Battlefront

Peter Pig and Khurasun …very close, Battlefront are lucky to get in too many quality control issues there.

Just my opinion

goragrad

Molds are still good and we remake the ones that aren't….

Mike

I like most of the Xyston ranges and some of the Essex ranges. Depending on where you draw the line datewise for ancients, I would also mention Mirliton's crusader and Alexander Nevsky ranges. Although I don't have their figures, some of the ranges from Legio Heroica and Khurassan look very nice too.

I'd second West Wind and Legio Heroica, both very nice ranges, plus Corvus Belli (if they ever get back to production – or expansion?)
I too would like to see Bronze Age/Biblicals from West Wind for their next range.

AB figures
Ancient Greek, Roman and Sassinid ranges, just beautiful

Mike -

On my wish list, but hadn't actually ordered from you (or Scale Creep) to confirm.

Good to read.

Anthony Baton is probably the best 15/18mm sculptor, ever, but I wish he did more ancients. Mike Lovejoy did a real nice job with some of his Xyston sculpts. I particularly like his Scythian range.

I did this guy for Khurasan.

TMMeier,

Great job – lots of character! Have you thought about sculpting a 'Trojan Wars' range?

The Blue Moon sculptor these days is Chris Hughes.

@Swampking, I'd like to make all sorts of things but unfortunately it would be a good way to go broke. The changes in demographics and markets in the past 30 years have made it very difficult to sell this kind of work profitably. I did these for Khurasan more for the fun of seeing how well I could make some 15mm stuff in a reasonable amount of time.

Those Romans are amazing, the mail is twice as dense as anything I can manage. Without being told what size they are I doubt anyone would guess they are 15mm.

Tom, I know the feeling "I'd like to make all sorts of things but unfortunately it would be a good way to go broke". I find it very difficult to make a living as a sculptor, without even considering indulging my personal interests, and there was a thread the other day asking whether we've reached "Peak Miniatures" i.e. all the lines that can be produced, have been. I don't really believe that but wonder whether the threat lies in the profitability of the industry (certainly from a sculptor's point of view) makes it hardly worth bothering any more?

Is there more than one West Wind? the only 15s I see on the website are WWII, and the rest are 28s.

Sorry. I see its actually Forged in Battle

I'll second the nomination of Chris Hughes at Blue Moon Manufacturing, for his consistently excellent work.

I'm still staring at those Romans by Tom. I need a bigger dictionary to adequately describe that level of skill. So for now I'll settle for 'Wow'.

Agreed, those Republican Romans look ace. Tom, do you know per chance when those wil be released? Did you sculpt enough for an infantry based army (Hastati, Princeps, Triarii?). Those are the best 15mm Romans I evr saw. Truely stunning work. However, you already know that you rock.

Now some Carthaginians to go with them and I sell my entire collection of 15mm stuff and start again…

I made two throwing pilums, two with swords out, the centurion shown, a signifier and cornicen. He wants me to do more, cavalry and such but I don't know when I will get to it. Like I said, the work doesn't pay.

Thank you Tom for the reply. Fair enough, fully understand your reasoning. I guess I buy a bunch, so that Khurasan can pay you more ;). Gladly time is really no a factor in this hobby. I just really like your work and I am happy with whatever you decide to sculpt!