Interview with Sascha Buczek (Goatman)

Sascha has always been my hero and over the years he turned into a friend and companion. When I meet him a couple of weeks ago, we made an interview for my blog. First I wanted to show you a picture of Goatman playing guitar hero but he didn't like that idea. Instead, I chose this picture:



The bald guy is Goatman. :)

You won your first trophies at the time I started to paint miniatures. How do you deal with your function as a role model?

I don’t think that I am a role model. The more you are on the spot, the more you should act as if you were a role model. First of all, I think it is important to share your knowledge. Secret-mongering doesn’t help you or other painters, you stagnate. In the end it doesn’t matter whether you share your „secrets“ on a public forum or on a private level.

Regarding the common techniques, the world of miniatures has changed a lot during the past ten years. Did that influence you?

Of course it did. When I see something new or something different, I try it myself. That does not mean you have to follow each and every trend but you should at least try new techniques. When I like an effect, I adopt it and adjust it to my style. Copying styles can become dangerous because you only chase a trend. For the main part you paint for yourself.

How would you describe your style of painting?

„Chaotic, yet clean“ sums it up quite good. I use all sorts of stylistic device I like and mix them on a miniature to create an overall image. This way, every miniature brings along something new.

After many years of fantasy miniatures, today there are also a large number of historical miniatures in your collection. What led to this reorientation?

It might sound stupid but I wasn’t aware of the superb range of historical miniatures. I painted more and more large scale fantasy miniatures, so the border to historical miniatures wasn’t that hard to pass. It was Pegaso Miniatures that finally caught my attention. However, I like both fantasy and historical miniatures. I buy (and sometimes even paint) miniatures that look good, no matter what kind of topic they raise. That keeps me motivated.



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People often criticize me for my „fantasy-looking“ historical miniatures. Where do you the difference concerning the painting style?

Historical miniatures try to imitate reality on a downscaled surface. Colours have to be very close to the model. That means light is used much more aware and colours are way more desaturated. Structures and different kinds of surfaces  play an important part. This strict frame sometimes makes it hard to develop a personal style. In fantasy painting, on the other hand, there isn’t a no-go. Colours can be very loud and exaggeration becomes a stylistic device. Both sides of the shield have their own advantage, in the end you should be satisfied with the result of you work.

„Painting miniatures consists of 10 percent talent and 90 percent practice.” What do you think of this statement?

That’s what I always said. Some painters might start with a little bit more talent but in the end it’s burning ambition and the will to invest time what makes a good painter. When you try to get better with every miniature you paint, you can reach everything. Depending on your talent, this process takes more or less time.



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You own a countless number of trophies. How important is competition for you? Do you become a “better painter”, when you compete with others?

Competitions are a great source of motivation. You aim for a goal and you invest many hours for it. You learn a lot of things when you compare you work with that of other people. The older I get, the less important it becomes to actually win a contest. Planning and painting a miniature is the chief aim, a trophy is a nice bonus. Contest with the open system are great because there is no pressure to perform and people interact much more relaxed. That makes it easier to find new inspiration.

 

Who or what inspires you?

Other painters, books and movies serve as source of inspiration. When I see a great artwork, I instantly try to adapt it to a miniature. Sometimes miniatures inspire me to convert them and tell a whole new story.

 

What is a „no-go“ when you think of painting?

I don’t know if there is such a thing. However, I think every painter should find his own style. It is ok to copy good miniatures when you start painting. With more and more experience you should try new things and go your own way. There will be a point when copying won’t help you any longer.

Your presence on the internet decreased a lot. What are the reasons for that?

You are right. It is both my job and my private life, you can’t be a student forever. Today I divide my spare time among my girlfriend and my hobby, so there isn’t much time left for the internet.

You will attend the World Expo for the first time this year. What can we expect?

Some old things, some new ones in fantasy and historical painting. I have been working for two years on my version of Gotrek and now he is finally finished. At the moment I am working on the awesome griffon from Nocturna. The knight will be replaced by a Sigmar priestess.  

 

What did you always want to tell me?

Your historical miniatures look „fantasy“. ^^

....oh really Goatman? Take this:

Just do it....

Chris