Sergey Chasnyk is one of the painters who took part in the awesome Celestial Painting Competition we are running alongside Diemension Games. Sam took some time to talk to him about his work and what he does...

Remember to hop on over to the Facebook Group to share your thoughts with the other artists and see some amazing WiP pieces too.

Tell us a bit about yourself. Who are you and what work do you do?

Hi Sam, my name is Sergey Chasnyk and I am a full-time miniature figure artist from Russia. At the moment I specialise in miniatures from the Fantasy and Sci-Fi genres, large-scale models, dioramas and creating special painting effects.

How did you get started painting miniatures?

About thirteen years ago a friend of mine invited me to a local Warhammer club where I was lucky enough to get a part-time job painting models. That's where it all began!

How have you found the painting competition so far?

This competition has been very beneficial so far, even though I'm not really chasing the super main prize. For the painting community as a whole, this has provided us with a new competitive format and shows off the evolution of the miniatures figure market. The Diemension Games team and their Celestial miniatures are very special indeed and it's been nice to see them pioneering this experience. 

Why did you choose Zhurong?

I chose Zhurong because I thought that the model was very balanced overall. It was also covered in a mix of metallics and flesh which presented me with a very weird and spectacular project to work on. It is one of the best models in the line. 

Why did you go with this colour scheme?

Initially I started with a completely different colour scheme in mind. It was very complex and unusual but due to circumstance and timeframes, I changed it so that I was going to be able to finish the model for the deadline. The current scheme though really does show off the dynamic clash between the metallics and the flesh of the model I think!

Did you have a backstory in mind for your take on her?

Oh yes! I think one look at the model tells you the story. This is clearly the Spider Queen summoning forth her minions!

Did you try any new techniques? Did anything surprise you about it?

Yes, this model was perfect for me as I tried out fluo colours. I was surprised to paint what turned out to be an almost white skin, shaded up with a few other colours. The skin gained this glowing marble-like effect due to the fluorescent orange as a main midtone and blue for the highlights. 

What challenges did this model present you with?

Phew, quite a lot of challenges. The first is that the model is better to be viewed as three models melted together, like a triptych in art. I realised it clearly only after a few failed attempts to blend together the visual effects on the body and exoskeleton. 

The second is the focal point. I spent a lot of time designing and sculpting a proper head for the model so that it would stand out. 

The third is the unknown material quality of certain elements of the model. While in most places on the miniature it features recognisable materials, between them you can find all sorts of twisted flesh and metal corrosion or diffusion. It was hard trying to bring all of this together into a single piece. Black seemed to be the best solution for this.

What are your thoughts on the other painters’ work?

It has been great seeing their work and how their processes come together for these final pieces. Everyone has shown their best qualities here in such limited conditions. 

Where can people go to see more of your work?

People can check me out on Instagram as @we7art or my profile on Facebook which is also We7Art. 

You can also check out my Putty & Paint Gallery and my CoolMiniOrNot Profile for some additional pieces.

Thanks for taking the time to talk with us Sergey and good luck with your painting!