An Interview With ... Bob Naismith

Bob Naismith has been one of the most prolific and well respected sculptors of wargames miniatures for over twenty years, having worked for Games Workshop at the beginning of "Space Marine" era. He has recently decided to go it alone and released his own range of SF miniatures onto the market.

Rag: When did your interest in wargaming/figure sculpting first begin and which came first?

Bob: I remember my first visit to a wargames show in Glasgow in 1970 something. I was fascinated by the landsknechts and the Napoleonic's and ECW on view. Initially I just wanted to be involved with models of any kind but really just as a wargamer.

Rag: You are probably best known for your work at GW, but what other manufacturers have you done work for?

Bob: Where shall I start? I was involved with Naismith Design and Vulcan Miniatures and Navwar Productions, then after GW came Mattel, Hasbro, Bluebird, Peter Pan, FASA, Iron Crown, Old Glory, White Wolf, Pinnacle, Target Games, AEG, Harlequin, Alternative Armies, Manticore, W Britains, Schmidtspieler AG and all sorts of other Toy, Hobby and Game Manufacturers.

Rag: You've recently been accredited with work on US Company "Four Color Miniatures" SuperFigs range, were Superheroes something you enjoyed doing? Where did you get your inspiration?

Bob: Oh yes, I did some of the Superfigs, too! Scott Pyle contacted me and things went on from there. I suggested that in order to recoup some of his costs that Scott produce the figures for sale. FCF seems to have been a great success! Russ has been a great help and folks seem pleased with the minis. Inspiration? Scott had a neat set of concepts prepared that showed clearly what he wanted to happen. I do still remember all those fabulous DC comics though...

Rag: You have also released a range of SF miniatures onto the market under your own name, what made you take this step and does this signal an end to you working for other companies?

Bob: Not an end I hope. I still enjoy working for all and sundry, mainly because the subject nature varies so very much and I like just speaking to people! My attention span is remarkably short so I prefer to have a batch of different sculpting jobs on my bench at one time. I see the wargaming 'public' as a whole and want to supply them in any way I can. Hence the 'open' policy. I have always wanted to have a go at making figures for myself as opposed to making figures to someone else's brief. Cobalt-l miniatures are the result. I'm having great fun sculpting these miniatures and I hope that wargamers will enjoy them too!

Rag: The "Cobalt Mercenaries" though obviously not copied from, do look somewhat reminiscent of "Space Marines is this a case of you going back to your roots.

Bob: I have a clear memory. of some freebie figures that came with Quaker Oats some thirty odd years ago when I was very young. These figs had big helmets and a big strong look that I fell in love with. The Cobalt are an attempt to revive this look. I want figures that are exciting and appeal to the wargaming audience. GW has made a terrific job of establishing high production standards and I believe that they have made a unique contribution to the hobby as a whole. We as suppliers and consumers owe them our gratitude for the way our hobby looks right now.

Rag: You also have a set of rules coming out soon, are these written specifically to go with your own figures?

Bob: Sure are! I also have a few sets of 'aliens' and such. I would like people to receive these figures in the way they were created - as essays to be developed and expanded. I would like Cobalt-1 to explode onto the consciousness of the wargaming public as a new direction of interactive gaming on the tabletop. The rules are similar - I wanted to provide the wargamers with an alternative to existing rules - something innovative and exciting.

Rag: Do you have any other new projects in the pipeline that you can tell us about?

Bob: Nope.

Rag: Out of all the many.!figures you've sculpted over the years do you have a favourite?

Bob: A favourite? Hmmm... I have enjoyed many figures for many different reasons. I recall a preproduction model of)a robot that I sculpted for Milton Bradley through GW for Space Crusade. I thought that it was a well realised miniature. I also remember the Ares Suit I made for VOR. I also have a fondness for Minotaurs and Dark Elves and Bob the Builder. Oh yes and a certain lady that I sculpted.

Rag: And a least favourite?

Bob: I made many model ships for Navwar in 1:3000 scale. I remember once making ALL the Fletcher class destroyer variants. Not my best time!

Rag: Are there any other sculptors that you particularly admire or is there a range of figures that you wish you had sculpted?

Bob: Jings - what a question! There are many superbly talented sculptors out there but names that spring to mind are Nick Bibby and Jes Goodwin. The Perry twins have never in my opinion made a bad figure and there are many US sculptors who take my breath away who I cannot name. I despaired a few years ago about the state of figure sculpting and feared that there were no new talents out there but in the last few months I have seen many examples that make my heart warm. There are many wonderful sculptors, not just in the hobby field and I have no fears about the future of our hobby.

Rag: What do you think of the current state of the hobby?

Bob: Again I had a worry that there was a 'dumbing down' going on -led by a desire to make the hobby a high street commodity. Recently though I have been heartened by the material that supports the view that wargaming as a hobby still has at its heart a desire among all to engage thoroughly and on all levels. I do wander round some shows though and the average age is reassuringly mature shall we say?

Rag: What would you like to be doing in five or more year's time?

Bob: Have not got a clue. I desperately hope that it will be different from what I do today - not because I don't enjoy my work but because I want to experience as many things in life as possible!

Rag: Do you have any interest in periods outside of SF/Fantasy? Do you plan to move into these markets at all?

Bob: I assume you mean Historical? I already make Historical figures for other folks. I find that historical wargamers have a depth of knowledge about their particular subject that I cannot emulate. I like to know a little about a lot. I prefer a historical brief to be as complete as possible so that I can satisfy the demands of that particular historical interest. As of this moment I have no plans to enter the historical market.

Rag: What was the last game you played? Did you win?

Bob: I played a game of Warhammer against a friend of mine some years ago (sorry). I had some Elves and my friend had Orcs. I routed a unit of orcs and the entire orc army fled! Very satisfying. I adore games of all sorts and have a reasonable collection.