Interview with Artist MrJack 01.31.2008
Hiriko: Just recently we featured a news article highlighting a project one of our members has taken on. Upon receiving his copy of the Starcraft Board Game MrJack, also known as Luke Mancini has custom hand painted all of the pieces to mimic their in-game appearance. He's done a fantastic job and it looks amazing. We wanted to take a deeper look into what motivated him to take on the daunting task of painting so many statues and why he invested so much time into it. MrJack, your StarCraft Board Game thread has received almost 3500 views, what gave you the motivation to paint all 180 units?
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MrJack: Well, I've been painting Warhammer for the last seven years or so, and that's about the same time I've been playing StarCraft; so I've pretty much always wanted to do something like this. I've been tempted many times to convert some 40k models into SC ones, particularly the Tyranids and space marines, but the work required was somewhat ridiculous, and it's only recently that I'd have had the skill to be able to do it anyway. So when I heard about the game that was the first thing that leapt to my mind - how awesome it would be to finally have the opportunity to paint not just a few units but three entire armies - whether the game itself was any good or not.
Hiriko: I see, so how long did it take you to finish the SC units?
MrJack: It took me just over a week, working pretty solidly every day. I'd guess close on sixty hours. I think a set of six units, which is the most common amount for each unit type, took me two-five hours. The infantry were more intensive, since they generally had both more detail and there were more of them. The Zealots and the High Templar were probably the most time-consuming or the Archons perhaps. Hehe, I specifically remember spending at least half an hour painting the team colours onto the knees and patches of the Zealots.
Hiriko: So was that the most difficult part of the project or was any other difficulties you encountered?
MrJack: I suppose those sort of fiddly bits were probably the most difficult, yes, though I very much enjoy the challenge in the detail; the most annoying bit was taking the masking tape off all the flying bases at the end after they'd all been over-coated. Instead of doing it the easy way and using specifically designed modellers masking tape I used some cheap shiny packing tape, which left glue all over the bases, as well as cracking bits of black undercoat everywhere. I spent about three hours rubbing the glue off all 60 bases . . .
Hiriko: So have you done any other model work before Warhammer?
MrJack: I'd been building and painting model aeroplanes since about '95, so there's been a lot of practice since then, I have to say. It's sort of developed since then, I guess; there were cars and whatnot as well, and more recently I've gotten into Mecha modelling - Gundam and Armoured Core Mecha and the like.
click to enlargeHiriko: So how many models have you done now, approximately?
MrJack: I'd say . . . about 10 or so planes + helicopters, 5 cars (most of which aren't out on display any more, they're a little outclassed now), 3 EVA units (actually no, that's a lie.. 2, and one's still in its box waiting some extra time), 5 or so Gundam models and two Armoured Core Mecha, one of which is waiting to be painted, and another that I've just commenced building. And of course there's a sizeable (but not over-the-top) Warhammer force, mostly Space Marines. Currently I have to get another display case, since they don't all fit anywhere just now - and I certainly don't want to keep the SC units away in a box.
Hiriko: With your long history with models, what advice would you give to our readers if they were interested in starting a model?
MrJack: Hmm. Start simple is probably the best way to go. I've found the Gundam models a very good way to go; they start incredibly cheaply for what you get in terms of detail, and you can try to paint or not as much as you want, since they come partially coloured already. And from there they go through quite a few levels of difficulty and quality, though they're all remarkably good value (relatively). Warhammer's a good place to start, as well, though that can certainly be less healthy on one's pocket - the upside being you don't just get something that sits on your shelf but something you can actually use. Not that I've ever actually played a game of Warhammer, but still. In terms of getting down to it, all you really need is time and patience. I originally used enamels for all the models, and began on the Warhammer that way, but it can get very time consuming that way and for details acrylics are usually a better way to go (if you don't want to end up smashing the whole lot in frustration). It all depends on the sort of thing you're doing, really; military models and planes all require painting to look any good, though they don't generally need quite as much attention to fine detail that the other miniatures need to come up looking pretty good.
Hiriko: Just out of curiosity, what’s the most expensive model you have? And what’s the average cost of a model plus paint?
MrJack: The Warhammer's the most expensive, probably - I spent about $140 on one Venerable Dreadnought, I think. The biggest Mecha I have cost around $60-$80, though the smallest ones are ridiculously cheap, at something like $10 each. Paints are pretty costly, usually, and most models need undercoating (one advantage of enamels is that they don't, usually) It's better with a model that you've got to buy paints specifically for it (usually they recommend them in the instructions) but for the Warhammer a starter set of basic colours is very handy. (I sort of cheated a little, since I got a whole heap of paints off a friend who'd mostly stopped painting, and I've only just had to start refreshing my supply). I think I spent around $80 on new paints for the SC units, including a can of undercoat and one of overcoat (both of which only just made it).
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Hiriko: So, any other future project you’re thinking of working on?
MrJack: Hehe. Well currently I'm rather overstocked with things I'm going to do - I've a squad and a few other bits of Warhammer that are entirely untouched as yet, as well as a tank which I'm planning on modding a bit (I don't know if I'm looking forwards to that or not, it's a pretty daunting task) as well as the current two unfinished Mecha that I've got sitting around in my room. So I'm certainly going to be kept busy; not to mention I'm going back to University in a month, so free time may dip a little . . .
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Hiriko: Well I heard you are starting/in your 3rd year for your BA in Graphics Design, what type of artist do you consider yourself?
MrJack: Well I don't entirely know, to be honest - though I certainly know I'm not a straight graphic designer. I really don't like the more commercial side to it. I guess I'm an illustrator, at the moment (since I am actually doing some work as we speak, in fact) though if possible concept art is where I'd love to end up. I've been pushing that angle a little more in my art lately, and I've been surprisingly productive in the last few weeks, which is always nice. Actually, I'm working with Spellbound at the moment as concept artist for his proposed SC2 Total Conversion, so that's keeping me nicely motivated currently.
Hiriko: Oh, I almost forgot to ask, do you have a job?
MrJack: Job? Ah well right now it's some small illustrations for a couple of sort of educational books, mostly primary school stuff. I don't have anything regular, but I've been doing this sort of thing more and more lately.
Hiriko: So it’s just commissions with your illustration skills?
MrJack: Pretty much. I do some design work from time to time but I prefer illustration generally. It doesn't take up that much of my time, though; the large majority of my art at the moment is done just for myself.
Hiriko: Do you have any other hobbies/interests besides modelling and drawing?
MrJack: Well that's the main part, though I do spend a lot of time reading and listening to music, I guess; both of which inspire me a fair bit. I very much enjoy gaming, too, though it's not a particularly common pastime, really, and I do more of that at LANs, which are always fun. I think game art inspires me more than anything, really, so working with Spellbound at the moment is a lot of fun, I have to say; and hopefully I'll be able to make a career out of that, at some point.
Hiriko: After you get your major, what do you hope to do in the future?
MrJack: I'd have to say unfortunately I'm pretty vague on that point. I'm hoping to do an Honours year afterwards, both to refine my skills more (as long as I can work out what to spend it doing) and so that it gives me a little more time to confirm what I want to do. Of course, ideally I'd love to work somewhere like Blizzard, I'd say, though currently I don't exactly have a plan of attack. Which mightn't be the best way to go about it, but I'm enjoying myself at the moment, so . . .
Hiriko: You've really blown away a lot of the community with this piece of artwork and there's been a bit of interest in purchasing a copy, would you be willing to sell? If you aren't, what do you have to say to those that want to buy a copy?
MrJack: Well the temptation is certainly there, I have to say. I wouldn't sell the set I have currently, but there is definitely the possibility that I would paint another set to sell.
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Hiriko: Thanks for taking the time to discuss your masterpiece with us. Do you have any plans for any future Starcraft 2 art that we can look forward to? Our site will be adding an Artwork section in our next update and we'd love to show off some more of your talent.
MrJack: I don't know that there's anything specific in the works - other than the work with Spellbound of course - but if experience is anything to go by, Starcraft has been a major inspiration to me and no doubt will continue to do so, so you can definitely expect to see more soon.
Hiriko: There you have it! Thank you MrJack for giving us this exclusive interview and we look forward to seeing more of your work. Be sure to check out MrJack's official thread on the forums where he's posted additional pictures about the process of painting all of these units as well as pictures of the game being played. He also has a gallery on deviantART you should check out, there are a few Starcraft 2 pieces there which look fantastic!
