Thank you for your interest in the White Metal Games commission painting service.
WMG is no longer accepting projects for 2020. During the COVID-19 crisis, we received an unprecedented surge of support from clients, resulting in a backlog of projects. That backlog “should” be caught up by January 2021.
While all of our painters are working remotely, many of our painters are currently on sabbatical taking time with their families. As such we simply have more work than we can keep up with at the moment.
There are many painters that could benefit from income during this period, and we hope that clients will use this opportunity to explore other commission services.
In 2021, WMG will be moving to a new commission system that, rather than pricing models on a case by case basis, will be based around time. So, for example, clients can book a block of time, usually reserved in 10 hours increments, for their project. That project is tracked in live streams or private streams, and fully viewable after the stream concludes.
At the conclusion of the block of time the client can decide how to proceed, either by allowing us to complete the work at the same rate per hour, or by having the models returned to them as is, or postponing the project until they are ready to purchase another block of time. That’s an abbreviated version of the full service which will roll out in 2021, and I would be happy to answer some specific questions before the service goes live in January.
Traditional commissions will only be available as follows in 2021:
Already existing clients (for project of any size)
Very small projects (less than five models)
Very limited number of slots (will constitute approximately 10% of our total project load in 2021, with large projects expected to take 2-3 months to complete)
If you fall under one of the above criteria, feel free to submit your traditional quote request as normal.
We hope to launch many new services and ways to support White Metal Games in 2021.
Please sign up on our wait list by clicking this link to be notified when WMG will be accepting new commission requests, such as Rolling Commission requests.
For non commission related inquiries, feel free to contact us at [email protected].
Thank you for your support and business. Stay safe out there!
Has your collection grown so large you no longer know where to begin? Chip it away a little bit each month with The Collector.
The Collector is a membership based monthly commission subscription service.
Reserve a standing commission with our service each month. Payments are deducted automatically each month on the same day. Cancel at any time.
The Membership tiers are based on the number of hours we apply to your projects monthly. The highest tiers cost the least per hour, respectively, and are prioritized first each month.
Shipping and Handling are Free, no matter which level you select.
Membership also includes PRODUCT DISCOUNTS at every level from major vendors like Games Workshop, Reaper, Wizkids, and many others! Use it on miniatures, kits, or even game aids like rulebooks!
*For clients that would like us to acquire models on their behalf, we can offer up to this discount from key vendors like Games Workshop, WizKids, and some other major brands.
Membership may also include other “perks” over time; such as access to exclusive content, discounts in our web store, and more.
Pack Rat Monthly Giveaways
For each month that we maintain 10+ collectors across any combination of levels, we will randomly select one lucky collector to receive their choice of the following:
2 bonus hours at no extra cost! OR $5 per collector in bonus product credit!
(e.g., 10 collectors = $50 in bonus product)
Differences Between Commission Types
Differences between “The Collector” and Other Commissions
This chart summarizes major differences between The Collector subscription, Rolling, and Traditional types of commissions we offer at WMG.
Please note that Traditional Commissions are in the process of being phased out.
The Collector
Rolling Commission
Traditional Commission
Pricing
Based on Monthly Budget
Based on your budget
Based on your budget
Balance Due
Consistent every month
Paid up front in full
Upon completion
Priority
Based on your Tier
Within 60 days
First come, first served
Turnaround – Average Wait
Monthly
About 60 days, each time you book
Varies, often 3-6 months
Transparency
Painted Live
Painted Live
Painted Off Camera
Models are Mailed
When finished
Based on client request
When finished
Shipping
Free
Free
Varies
Handling
Free
Free
Varies
Signature Confirmation / Insurance
Free when applicable
Free when applicable
Varies
Product Discount
Up to 30% off
Up to 25% off
Up to 20% off
Tracking Your Project
Your hours are tracked through Video Streaming, which can be live during the schedule below, or private, depending on the time of day. These streams are viewable afterwards. We stream on platforms like Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook Live.
These streams are summarized and tracked on a Project Log which is shared between WMG and you.
Live Streaming schedule for 2021
“The Collector” Commission Subscription Sample Log Click image to view pdf file
For Traditional Commission clients, when your project comes up in our queue we work on it until complete and you pay an agreed upon balance due, estimated at the outset of the project.
For Collectors, when you project comes up in our queue, we do as much as we can in the time provided. Finished models are mailed to the clients, and unfinished models are stored until next month.
For Rolling Commissions, when you project comes up in our queue, we do as much as we can in the time provided. At that point clients can then decide if they wish to continue with this Rolling Commission, change over to a Subscription client, or simply have their models sent back to them.
In general we try to pair the same painters with the same clients over time as they learn client preferences and the particulars of long term project. This also helps ensure consistency over the life of the project and the clients tenure as a Collector.
In practice, custom work like this is never as valuable on the resale market as it is to the client, so reselling models rarely results in a “break even” scenario.
As the old adage goes, something is worth what someone is willing to pay for it. You can always consider consigning the model through our service and we will attempt to get you the best possible price for it.
When in doubt, use this simple equation to determine value per model: Time spent on your model x $75 per hour = Value of model
It depends on the level of complexity of the model or project.
One client may wish a squad assembled and another client may wish the same squad magnetized with 20 different options. Even if two clients have the same color scheme, time can vary from artist to artist.
That being said, here are some typical times we have observed over the years:
Model Type*
Assembly†
Painting‡
Suggested Time Allotment
Hero type
15–30 minutes
2–4 hours
5 hours
Small Squad (5 models)
1–1.5 hours
3–5 hours
5 or 10 hours
Large Squad (10 models)
2–3 hours
5–8 hours
10 hours
Small (40–50 mm) Vehicles/Monsters
1–2 hours each
2–4 hours
5 or 10 hours
Medium (60–80 mm) Vehicles/Monsters
2–3 hours each
3–5 hours
10 hours
Large (100+ mm) Vehicles/Monsters
3–4 hours each
5–8 hours
10 or 20 hours
Small Army (under 50 models)
20 hours
30-40 hours
50+ hours
Modest Army (over 50 models)
30 hours
60-80 hours
90+hours
Huge Army (over 100 models)
40 hours
80-120 hours
120+ hours
Armiger (pair)
4–6 hours
8–10 hours
20 hours
Imperial Knight
4–6 hours
8–12 hours
20 hours
Warhound
10–15 hours
15–20 hours
40 hours
Reaver Titan
20–30 hours
30–40 hours
80 hours
Warlord Titan
40–50 hours
80–100 hours
160 hours
*For the sake of this guide, all models are 28 mm unless otherwise noted. †These are typical times and can be impacted by many factors, such as pewter/resin models, complex assembly, reposing, conversion work, extensive basing, drilling weapon barrels, and magnetization. ‡This estimate presumes that most models are painted the same way, and we are saving time by looking for ways to assembly line the process.
Your hours are tracked through Video Streaming, which can be live during the schedule below, or private, depending on the time of day. These streams are viewable afterwards. We stream on platforms like Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook Live.
These streams are summarized and tracked on a Project Log which is shared between WMG and you.
We stream anywhere from 20–40 hours a week, depending on the number of clients we have each month. See our sample project log, above, for more details.
Sure! Twitch videos are available for viewing for up to 30 days after the live stream. Follow the link on your project log. Videos on Youtube never expire, so we favor Youtube in general. If you can’t find your video (like if the stream is set to private) let us know and we’ll look into it.
In practice, part of the time on any project is reading over the project notes, gathering the paints, and putting away materials after the project concludes. They also take necessary breaks from time to time. We loosely refer to this as Indirect Labor, and while a little boring to watch it a fundamental portion of any project often overlooked.
Think of this like a chef gathering ingredients; it’s still part of the meal creation process.
If a project was not completed in the time provided, members can elect to either have us complete the model to their desired level of detail, or we can conclude the project the next month, when their project comes back into rotation. This choice can be predetermined by clients for all projects or just that project.
If the clients elects to have us finish the current project and it takes more time than your membership provided, we can bill the client the balance due at their “rate per hour” based on their Collector level.
If you want to add some extra hours, just purchase a separate Rolling Commission, which is a one-time purchase of hours, albeit at a higher rate. For example, you can buy an extra 10 hours for an extra $550. The more hours you buy, the cheaper they are! These hours are then added to your project log.
In some rare cases we may be willing to fast forward a month (essentially doing two months worth of work back to back) and then “skip” their next rotation(s) to balance their account, but that would be based on the number of Collectors we have at that time and the number of projects we have on our queue.
This would be on a case by case basis and subject to our availability.
No worries! To help avoid this we encourage clients to ship us a few months worth of models ahead of time. Likewise we can warn you when your locker is running low.
We can certainly allow you some extra time to mail us models by us moving onto other client projects. However, if the models are not received in time to allow us adequate time to work on them by the end of the month, we’ll just roll your unused hours over to next month.
We can also suspend your account for one or more months to give you a second to catch up on whatever has you busy at the moment.
You can also allow hours to “accrue” in this manner, to build up time for a big project, if you want us to do it all at once, though this does require some pre-scheduling, so it’s best to check with us first if this is your intention.
If a collector has other models in their locker we just move on to another model, that way we can always start on the next model in your collection. Clients are encouraged to send us models in advance to avoid ever missing a chance to work on your models on any given month.
We can always spend more time on practically any model. For centerpiece models like characters, monsters, or vehicles, we can always add extra details on the model.
No worries! Your time is banked each month and rolled over to the next month. We can also suspend your account for one or more months to give you time to mail us more models!
Finished models are mailed to the client unless they want us to hold onto them (for example, if they are traveling overseas).
For unfinished models, each client is allotted an individual storage container called a “locker”. We keep your models safe and secure until the next time we work on it.
Generally most major game vendors, such as Games Workshop, Privateer Press, and Warlord Games. We are also open to product from smaller vendors like Knight Models, Firelock Games, and Raging Heroes; among others. We have accounts with most major distributors. When in doubt just ask and we’ll let you know if we will have any problem acquiring the models you desire.
Smaller vendors rarely offer discounts, and also keep in mind for products from overseas vendors, we need to order this product four to eight weeks in advance to ensure adequate time for delivery in time for your monthly schedule.
In general WMG retains any spares from any project we work on. Partially this is a “community approach”, in that bits from your project go on to serve the next clients, as bits from their projects may have been used in your project.
It also really helps in service to our Patreon and Conversion services.
If you miss a payment, your membership is suspended until the balance is paid.
Clients can cancel their membership at any time with no cancellation fees. Any partially painted models from your locker (see below) can be mailed to you “as-is” at no extra charge. Likewise locker models can be stored for up to six months allowing clients to recover and get their feet under them.
Should a client need to cancel their sub temporarily, we’ll make a note of where they left off. We will re-activate their membership when they are ready.
The biggest “perk” from being a Collector is watching your collection slowly grow over time, instead of sitting on a shelf gathering dust. Slow and steady really is the best way to build a collection.
Free shipping, handling, and product credit are certainly pluses.
Once we hit our target goal of 10 Collectors renewing their membership each month, one lucky Collector will win our monthly PACK RAT giveaway (see above), scoring them extra product credit or bonus hours each month!
Membership may also include other ‘perks’ over time, such as access to exclusive content, digital content, giveaways and raffles, and much more.
In truth, the “traditional commission system” rarely works. In most cases, painters spend too much time on projects and under-bill, leading to unrealistic expectations for clients and painters that never achieve financial success. For proof of this, just ask yourself how many FULL TIME commission painters you know? There are lots of hobbyists, that consistently under-bill and quit after a few years.
Having been in the commission business for nearly 10 years, we’ve learned quite a bit and received invaluable feedback from thousands of clients.
Not unsurprisingly, as our business has grown, so too has the cost of our service. We have struggled over the years to explain our evolving pricing system to clients.
Commissions are incredibly time consuming, much more than you’d think; from interacting with clients, to billing, completion, photography, shipping, etc. Despite our best efforts, this time is difficult to estimate and the artist often works more hours than he bills.
Time, and thus Cost, is extremely challenging to accurately estimate, as we are often asked to “guesstimate” times to assemble and paint models that we have never worked with before. This is made more challenging by a relentless new stream of products on the market.
Someone is almost always penalized by these guesstimates; most often the studio for underestimating time, but sometimes clients when we overestimate how long the project will take.
Commission clients are becoming increasingly less interested in quality, speed, or service; they are most interested in cheap service, which is only possible to provide when hours are booked consistently
Not at all! We love the opportunities our clients afford us to work on their personal projects. We love connecting with gamers, and we love knowing the models we work on are seen all over the world.
That being said, with other new commission services promising a cheaper alternative with seemingly no track record, we are interested in being valued as a service for our areas of strength, summarized with Why Choose Us.
Emphasis on the Personal Approach – e.g., live painting in real time.
Reliable and Vetted – with positive reviews pouring in on Facebook, Yelp, and Google.
More focus on consistency of models produced over a longer period of time.
Emphasis on Speed – we can churn out armies VERY fast indeed.
While that does mean a more premium service, we want to offer clients a reliable option to build their collections over time that also offers us a sustainable stream of revenue. Win-win.
Solo artists have an easier go of things, as they must only support one person at a time; though they are limited in resources and can only handle so much work at any one time.
The commission studio model can tackle larger projects over the same period but their needs are greater and thus, their need for sustainable income more consistent. In short, proper commission studios (with multiple artists) are rare for good reason; this is a difficult business to make work.
Here are just a few of our ongoing challenges:
Our rates must logically increase over time, which can be challenging to explain to even a dedicated client base.
More client income is now being spent on a relentless manufacturer release schedule, as well as more 3D Product and Kickstarter games than ever before.
An increase in DIY videos from Patreons, vendors, and other content creators.
Due to rising costs in the hobby, clients are more interested in painting themselves than they used to be (though they don’t seem to have much more time).
New technology (contrast paints, airbrushes) offer a seemingly lower entry for top level results.
The 99% get fewer tax breaks -; our clients have less disposable income than they did a few years ago.
New Kids on the Block – There is low to no entry requirements for new commission “studios” to enter the market. Most of these services are simply painters working from their homes with little to no overhead. These services are unreliable in terms of speed, consistency, and efficiency, but they have the benefit of being very cheap which for some clients is enough to take a risk.
Other Ways To Support WMG
There are lots of ways to support WMG, even if a membership isn’t the right fit for you.
Patreon – White Metal Games uses Patreon as a sort of virtual tip platform. Support us for as long as you like.
Podbean – White Metal Games produces a bi-monthly podcast called War Council. You can listen, donate, or even become a sponsor on the show via Podbean!
Twitch – WMG is very active on Twitch, producing live content every weekday! There are options to subscribe at different levels or just give us some bits! Just by watching you earn WMG Ore, which can be redeemed for prizes each month!
Tips Welcome – Any
proceeds go directly to improving our overall service, including better
equipment, more giveaways and more . . . .well, everything!
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