Chest of Colors forum

Some time ago Illusionrip interviewed Bragon (Jeremie Bonamant Teboul), a well-known French painter. Here are the answers he gave to this forum members' questions:

• How long have you been painting miniatures?
  
  - Since 1994
  
  What made you interested in this hobby?
  
  - I wanted some manual work, creation of something with my own hands.
  
  Do you still remember your first painted miniature? Do you still have it?
  
  - My first miniature was a plastic space marine, whole painted in red. Unfortunately I don't have it in my collection any more.
  
  Have you ever tried gaming in addition to being an "artist"?
  
  - I am not a gamer, nor an artist. I don't think our passion deserves to be called art.
  
  Do you have any favorite manufacturers of miniaturers? If you do - why? (Allan Kraken is not taken into consideration )
  
  - I am not a fan of particular brands but of sculptors and painters. The best ones often represent various brands.
  
  What helped you in making the biggest improvement in your painting technique?
  
  - Meeting other hobbyists and the joy I have from painting. I believe that joy releases creativity. Try to avoid anything which frustrates you, eg. the wish of perfect execution, rivalry, or endless comparisons to other painters.
  
  What made you start sculpting or converting?
  
  - I wanted to execute a project from scratch, to use my imagination and especially try something new, instead of resting on my laurels of already achieved abilities.
  
  What would be more fun to you: creating a new miniature and having it painted by somebody else, or painting an unconverted miniature sculpted by somebody else?
  
  - The only criterion of my choices is the fact that I like the particular project (concept), and the rest doesn't matter.
  
  Do you have any favorite brands of paints or brushes? Which ones and why?
  
  - Surely Raphaels brushes, series 8404. Good combination of volume, precise tip, and length of bristles. Just perfect for the technique I use...
  
  What advice would you give to painters and forum members of Chest of Colors?
  
  - Paint for fun, avoid rivalry and comparisons of various executions - such approaches only cause frustration and complexes.
  
  Layering or wetblending? Which is your technique of choice and why?
  
  - I don't care much about techniques, the most important thing is fun of using them. Even if a technique is more efficient, I often choose a different one - the one which I more enjoy.
  
  Are you going to this year's Golden Demon? (say NO, please - we'll have at least any chances )
  
  - Why not? I've felt like visiting your country for many years - I am especially interested in visiting Oswiecim (Auschwitz) of which I read a lot.
  
  Which miniature are you the most satisfied with?
  
  - Unfortunately I don't have a favorite miniature.
  
  Do you have any artistic education? Do you think it's useful in our hobby? (for example I am a butcher )
  
  - In my opinion education in itself isn't all this important, it's more about one's manual skills and creativity.
  
  Have you ever been a modeller before you got into painting and sculpting?
  
  - I've loved drawing and assembling models since I was a child!
  
  Who is your current favorite painter? Whose works attract the most of your attention?
  
  - The person whose influence is the strongest is obviously my flatmate - Allan Carasco, but it's more about everyday life than painting. Painting is a result of my experiences, lifestyle, and it's where my ideas and subject come from.
  
  Could you point us to a few new artists, who - in your opinion - can join the 'world-class league' of painters?
  
  - Of course, I am watching many young authors, who are able to use the experience of their older friends to the fullest, and on the other hand they are very spontaneous at presenting their own visions and personalities.
  
  Do you think there are currently any trends in miniatures painting?
  
  - There are a few talented painters, who present new motifs and in some way have influence on others, but it's not enough to be talking about trends or fashion.
  
  Is painting your hobby, or maybe your source of income?
  
  - I am combining my passion with my way of living, indeed...
  
  Has it ever happened that you sold a contest-winning miniature?
  
  - Of course, painting gives me much fun, but after finishing a miniature I don't need it for anything else, so I don't have any problems with parting with them.
  
  How much time per day do you spend painting?
  
  - I think it would be 8 hours daily in average.
  
  Do you listen to music while painting? What are your favorite musicians?
  
  - Of course, as I am typing this I am listening to Berurier Noirs (French rockband). Then I also like French light and alternative music. I often listen to cultural programmes on the radio.
  
  Would you like to add anything to the community of Chest of Colors?
  
  - I hope we'll be able to meet during some contest, exhibition, etc.
  
  And now, at the very end, one more but more precise question: Jeremie, could you explain the term "Saturation of color"?
  
  - Saturation is the proportion of grey (black, white, or combination thereof) we have in a particular miniature - playing with saturation allows to achieve visual effects like contrast, etc.

And here we have Jeremie playing the most popular French national sport: striking!
(the banner says "more cops, less professors" and is an ironic comment about the last elections in France)

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And a few of his works:

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nice one - thanx Stefan! hope the interview with THE MHAAASTHAAA... is on the way :pray:

That is a very large amount of non-answers. Is he a politician?

#bexley: where have you been when asked people to propose questions for the interview....

nobody reply so we had, with mahon, to ask him basic questions....

if you have pertinente questions, you're welcome

I believe he means that the answers are not direct, as if he wanted to avoid going into details.
While translating the interview I had a similar feeling, but later I noticed that with such a subject like mini-painting you can't always be precise with your answers...

Yes, mahon is correct- his answers were hardly ever actual answers. I must have missed the thread seeking questions to ask him, but given his interview, I don't think I'd have gotten any answers. It might have been different if it were a live interview, where there could be follow-up questions.

As far as being imprecise... well, that's true, but he wasn't so much imprecise as evasive. Which would be understandable if you had run into him on the street and just asked him a bunch of questions, but if you're going to agree to be interviewed and then take the time to answer questions at your own leisure, it seems rude to then not really answer any of them.

hey, You can alwatys PM illusionrip and send him some questions:
IIRC the main plan was to interview more than one uberpainter...

yep next one in run.....allan

just don't forget to ask him my question

witch is ????? :/ i forget....

tell !!!!!