"Is Paul Hicks the best in the industry?" Topic

Hello Fine Fellows,

Over the last several days I have seen numerous examples of Paul Hicks' sculpting and I have to believe he is the best 28mm historical sculptor working today.

The Perrys had been, in my mind, in that spot previously but I believe Mr. Hicks has taken the lead.

Here are a couple examples of what I'm talking about:

Thank you for the very kind words but the Empress English Civil war figures are not by me.

Paul

Ah – my mistake! I had meant to post a link to your Lancers:

Paul Hicks or not those horses are pretty splendid.

My favourite 28mm figures are the older Gripping Beast ranges. Haven't a clue who did them but I like their simplicity.

By the by you must be the busiest man in wargaming with the number of ranges you are currently sculpting. It seems every time a new company pops up you're the sculptor!

Knowing Paul personally, it's hard to be objective, but I think he is an extremely talented sculptor and belongs to the higher tiers of the hobby. And he's a thoroughly nice bloke as well.

Hmmm, last I checked, Tom Meier is still sculpting…
Mike Broadbent, Mark Fenlon and a few others spring to mind too. Anthony Barton…

If you are speaking towards a particular size/scale then the list probably narrows a bit. I do believe the Perry brothers to be very talented and prodigious sculptors. Getting it done well and fast is not easy….

For me, it's a toss-up between the Perrys and Mr. Hicks. The only problem I have with Mr. Hicks is that he seems to be committed to so many ranges that progress is slow on many of them.

But I have to have some of those Poles! Can't wait for the lancers to come out.

+1 to the OP, I love Paul's stuff.

I have a question regarding the lancer in the top photo at right. Does his right hand look like it's the wrong way round? Looks like the model has been assembled wrong, the back of his hand should be facing out from his body rather than inwards.

Cheers

w.

He is definitely in the top tier. Only him and the Perrys will make be start a new project I never would have just by the beautiful figures they sculpt.

The hand appears to be correct. The figure has simply moved his hand from a low thrust to a high thrust. Moving the back of the hand to face outwards would require the rider to reposition his hand while mounted and in combat.

@79th PA

OK, I see what you mean. It still hurts my hand to put it in that pose though – I think maybe it works better with the elbow extended further. It might just be the angle of the photograph.

Regards

w.

The most prolific sculptor at work today is Chris Hughes who works on Old Glory 28mm and 15mm, Sash and Saber 28mm and 40mm. Paul is very good but….

db

I met Paul about four years ago. Nice man. I have always liked his sculpting and he gets better and faster with every new sculpt. I don't know if I would say any one of the top sculptors are better than each other. It is thanks to their skill and the ability to keep a schedule that lets us enjoy all these well done figures in eras that no one would have been gaming even 10 years ago.

^^^This. We are blessed with more than one fantastic sculptors.

Who did the Ebor WSS? Those are splendid.

I have to say I think that to say any one of the top flight of sculptors are very good and 28mm is very well served at the moment.

I am biased since I have had one top sculptor do work for my company and I think he is as good as the Perrys.

But some top work by sculptors in smaller scales also needs rewarding as well – Splintered Light are pretty nice …

I think certain sculptors styles have influenced the next generation, and this is most seen in some very poor new figures in some ranges that are attempts by less talented hacks to imitate the epic work done by in house sculptors of great renown.

I'm trying to imagine what Warhammer would look like if Tom Meier had done all the sculpting…

I do not know what (it) would have looked like – but I can certainly say that I might have owned more of it than I do at present

I'd use the ECW figures although the helmets look slighlty weird. I would not use the infantry – arms unnaturally short and heads too big.

Well without detracting from the talented work of the gentlemen named above, noting only that the reknowned Antony Barton works in predominantly in 18mm; I would like to add an honourable mention to Peter Fitzgerald of Calpe Miniatures. Peter has sculpting prowess of no mean account which combined with the prodigious research effort that goes into each and every one of his figures, results in Late Napoleonic War Prussians that are second to none….

We certainly are blessed with a wide array of talented sculptors in 28 mm Historicals.

When I began Kings MT. Minis, I chose the extremely talented Alan Marsh to do my Highlanders. I could not have made a better choice. The sculpts have been met with universal acclaim from everyone who has purchased them.
The best AWI figures painter that I know of (Giles Allison, Tarleton's Quarter) even devoted a 5 part series on his blog to them.

Alan also sculpted Eureka's Ragged Contentials series that is just outstanding.

All of the above mentioned names are excellent. Alan Marsh belongs in there.

They are all great, and I would add Kostas Heristanidis who does the modern sculpts (and other stuff I think) for Eureka miniatures to the list.

Brian Nelson (GW) hands down.

Paul Hick is a ne'er do-well wot currently sports a big scary mustache and likes to violently roll around in the mud. Curse him I say!!!

;-)

-Eric

You have me to a Tee Eric.

Thank you very much to you all. I'm very humbled by your comments.

Does there really have to be one painter to rule them all? We are talking about apples and oranges when it comes to sculpting style, for instance, in comparing TM with any of the Foundry style sculptors. Paul does good facial likenesses, which is a rare talent, and his stuff is very reminiscent (and a successor of) the Perry style, which I love. I will certainly get excited about any range that Paul sculpts. My favorite sculptor, hwoever, is still Mark Copplestone, but I wouldn't claim him to be "the best" as his style is very distinctive. BTW, the Conquest sculptor is pretty amazing too! >;D

Those are really impressive…

Can you do Modern troops? (I can dream…)

I will throw in my hat for Paul Muller. Doesn't do historicals that I know of but pretty amazing sculptor.

Sounds like a TMP poll in the making.

And all of a sudan they'll call him hicks pasha…

I like the work of Paul Hicks very much, particularly his range for Tsuba Miniatures.

Your right Porkman paul is the sculptor of my Ebor WSS range which are oustanding sculpts and Paul's a great guy to deal with so a winner al round.
cheers Nick

Just received some Ebor WSS figures and they are indeed outstanding!

I love the character that Mr. Hicks manages to put into all of his faces. Quite a talent.

Chris Hughes is good, but can't compare to Paul Hicks. I own both miniatures to compare with to say this.

Sean Judd working for Gringos 40 is the new the
kid on the block.
Very low profile.
His 28mm stuff has to make him in the top 3.

Since "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" I find this kind of post rather empty of meaning. Hicks just one of very many talents we are blessed with.