Exemplar Wet Palette Returns! New Sizes & Next Gen Refills
Created by Kit Peteranecz
Game Envy's Renowned Mini Painting Wet Palette Gets Two New Sizes, the GO and MEGA + Enhanced Palette Paper and Dual Density Sponges
Latest Updates from Our Project:
Exemplar Wet Palette Surveys Locking + Pretties + General Update
7 months ago
– Thu, Jun 06, 2024 at 08:07:46 PM
Hello hello hello!
I hope everyone is enjoying the changing seasons as, for us at least, summer has arrived. Things at the office have been progressing smoothly and we are finalizing things so that the main production runs can begin!
A frog friend visiting the garden <3
BackerKit Surveys
We sent the 48 hour notice today via BackerKit so be sure to lock in your final selections before the survey closes. This is JUST for adding additional gear and making color selections as you will be able to adjust your address when we collect shipping closer to fulfillment. At the moment we are still waiting on more than 550 backers to fill out their surveys. While we can move forward that is still more than 10% and we would like that to get smaller :D SO if you haven't had a chance to complete your BackerKit survey please do so.
If you cannot find your survey:
FIRST, check your spam folder for a BackerKit email
SECOND, visit THIS LINK and enter your Kickstarter email
Once the surveys are locked we will process the payments for any additional gear that was added. If you do need something changed before fulfillment please reach out and we will attempt to accommodate your request.
Pretties!
We have a few pretty things to share! First, we have brand new character illustrations by Slavko Kahovsky for stretch goal stickers! I absolutely love his style and hope you do too! :D Maybe we will even get some made into t-shirts in the future...
In addition to the character designs we worked with Slavko to create an entire Sci-Fi battle scene to complement the fantasy scene he had done for us previously. The texture palette features a slice of the sci-fi battle madness!
We will have some more pretties to share in the next update like the new pins, final stickers and the squeegee design!
These books are a wonderful look at the art, styles, techniques and more of some of the world’s most unique and praised miniature painters. This campaign will explore the fantastic works of Roman Lappat, Sam Lenz and Josua Lai. Support the campaign here!
Other News
Over the last two months we have been hard at work getting the office ready for our largest Kickstarter fulfillment yet! With this came the need to have another pair of hands at the office, so I would like everyone to give a big warm hello to my amazing mother who has been instrumental in getting the warehouse organized and in a place where we can increase our bandwidth! Among other projects she is also learning our laser cutting systems and helping to stream line stock management.
We would also like to give a shout out to Neil "Duff" Duffey aka ImpendingDuff who has joined us as our community manager and has taken over day to day social media management. Having Duff managing our outreach efforts has allowed us to better support our amazing painting partners and the hobby community!
Exemplar Wet Palette Returns - Pledge Survey Update!
7 months ago
– Tue, May 14, 2024 at 01:09:07 PM
Hello Friends!
First, I want to thank everyone for their patience as we finalized the pledge surveys! Last month was very hard for our family dealing with a loss, and knowing our amazing community was understanding made it easier to focus on things at hand. The only delay at this point was the actual send date for the survey; the production timelines are unaffected as we had some final tweaks to the production molds for the Exemplar which were already built into the schedule during this time. That said, I would ask everyone to hop into BackerKit as soon as you receive your survey link so we can make sure to get a good idea of quantities to start production :D
**Important** Outside of updates I will be posting pinned, dated comments on the main Kickstarter page. These comments will have the most up-to-date information if there is news between major updates. Please check there first, and if you still have questions, please email [email protected]
BackerKit Pledge Surveys
We received notes on the survey yesterday and made the adjustments that were needed. BackerKit has done its final review and we are good to proceed!
Survey Information
We will be sending out what is called a "smoke test" which is where BackerKit sends out 5% of Rewards Surveys to each of the pledge tiers (~200+ surveys) to make sure the survey is working correctly, making sense and that we are getting the information we need to fulfill pledges.
Tomorrow morning pending positive "smoke test" results the remaining ~3800+ surveys will be sent out! I will post a pinned comment on this update and the main page when this goes out with the information on recovering your pledge survey if you have not received it.
In the survey, you will be able to confirm all of your color and style selections, select and pay for additional add-ons and enter your shipping information. The pledge manager will be open for two weeks at which point we will lock orders and submit the production orders to our manufacturers!
We will not be collecting shipping payment until closer to the shipment date. We will however be collecting shipping information now, so we can begin preparing for fulfillment. When fulfillment is closer we will send out a reminder to make sure your address is current and charge for shipping then before locking addresses.
Additional Information
The pledge manager surveys will be sent from BackerKit with a link to access your pledge. This is tied to the email address you used on Kickstarter, so if you do not receive it please check your spam box.
If you paid with Apple Pay your email address would have been hidden in Kickstarter and you will not automatically receive your survey. If this is the case you can contact BackerKit support and if needed [email protected] and we will be able to get your email address added tied your pledge.
If you lose your link or still can't find your survey you can visit exemplar-wet-palette-returns.backerkit.com and enter your email address to access your survey.
If you need further assistance please reach out to us at [email protected] so we can help your ASAP. Please allow at least 24 hours for our team to get back to you.
LATE PLEDGES - As soon as the "smoke test" is complete and the pledge surveys head out, we will open grant all the late pledges access to the pledge manager. Once access is granted an invitation to fill out the survey as a backer will head out.
What's Next?
Over the next few weeks, we will be finalizing all of our production pipelines and preparing the warehouse for fulfillment. We are working with GamesQuest on international fulfillment needs as well. Additionally, we are completing much of the artwork needed for stretch goals and will be sharing those in the next update.
Shoutout!
I would be remiss not to mention the amazing folks at GOBLINKO are currently running a campaign for an all-new way to experience the epic world of Dungeon Degenerates, The Battle for Bruttelburg videogame!
Please go check it out hereand toss some support their way for a game that "defies genres but uses elements of Beat 'Em Up, Rogue Lite & Action RPGs to bring you a unique, narrative heavy gaming experience."
Thank for your helping bring the new Exemplar Wet Palettes to life!
8 months ago
– Wed, Apr 10, 2024 at 09:51:19 PM
All I can say is WOW!
Well that's not true because I am going to say a lot more, BUT the sentiment is there XD
Thank you all so much for helping bring the new Exemplar Wet Palettes to life and for supporting our awesome partners with the special editions. This is our most funded campaign to date and our second time breaking 4000 supporters! Since the beginning of Game Envy back in 2017 this amazing hobby community has helped us create some of the best miniature painting and hobby gear on the market! We are a small, family business and we truly couldn't have done this without all of you. Thank you <3
This update would have gone out sooner however on top of recuperating from an insane March our kids decided to pass around some plague all spring break XD Everyone is recovering, and we are excited about the nice weather finally!
Here kiddo #4 is seen locked in plague jail at the office. No, she wasn't watching White Collar XD
Next Steps
The first thing that will happen after a campaign closes is Kickstarter processes everyone's pledges and, if there are any issues with payment, they help fix it. After ~2 weeks, once everything is processed, Kickstarter initiates the transfer of funds of all the pledges sans Kickstarter and processing fees.
During this time we are setting up the pledge manager survey in BackerKit. This is where you will be able to upgrade your pledge, select more add-ons, choose your pledge colors and styles, and complete the shipping form so we know where to send you pledges!
Once we have everything in place we will send out a "smoke test" to a small % of backers to ensure everything is functioning correctly on a larger scale. As soon as we verify everything is functioning as it should we will send out the remainder of the BackerKit surveys to the other ~4000 backers.
The target launch date for the BackerKit survey is April 26th if all goes smoothly with the setup and we will leave the survey open for two weeks. At this point, we will lock pledge selection and adjustments in so we can submit all our final production orders to the manufacturers.
Over the next couple of months, we will be hard at work preparing for fulfillment to begin! During this time we will also keep you all up to date on the production timelines and plans as we get closer to fulfillment. Shortly before fulfillment begins we will begin locking addresses, so we can start shipping pledges!
Late Pledges Open
If you missed the main Kickstarter campaign or know someone who wanted to hop on board, Late Pledges are open on BackerKit! Late Pledge reservations made before the pledge manager opens guarantee you receive the stretch goals unlocked during the campaign.
Finale Stretch Goals
Between the time I posted the last update and the end of the campaign (less than 24 hours?), we unlocked two additional Furballs of Fury STL Miniatures, the Swishbuckler and the Clawsassin (getting renderings currently), and, just because I felt like it, I am unlocking a The Order of the Miniature mascot sticker and possibly some more depending on how many fit on the sticker sheet!
Some folks have asked about physical Furballs of Fury models, and while I don't think WE will be able to provide them directly we are looking into including them on a print-on-demand service.
If you need any assistance please reach out to [email protected]and we will assist you as soon as possible! This is the best way to get in touch with us and will filter into our customer support queue.
All Exemplar Wet Palette Colors Unlocked! Plus, Stretch Goal Previews and More Reviews
9 months ago
– Wed, Apr 03, 2024 at 12:50:43 AM
It's The Final Countdown!
"It's the final countdown! The final countdown!" (Guitar Solo)
Friends, we are in the final stretch!
It has been a wild ride as we crushed one stretch goal after another. Behind the scenes we have been working with the our manufacturers, fulfillment partners collaborators, illustrators, and our amazing network of painting partners it ensure that as soon as the campaign moves into the next phase we can continue the momentum and get you your gear as quickly as possible, and that you are blown away by the awesomeness when it arrives!
All Game Envy Exemplar Colors Unlocked!
We have passed the $280k mark unlocking the RED accent color meaning all five striking color options are available in each of the Game Envy Exemplar sizes bringing the total number of style options to 18 (oh gosh what have we done)!
The Furballs of Fury STL Miniatures
The catventurer group known as the Furballs of Fury has been spotted! We commissioned this wonderful catventuring party to share with you, our amazing backers! As of right now the Paladin, Barbarian and Sorceress are unlocked and when we hit the next funding goal the Swashbuckler will unlock. Who knows, there might even be a rogue hiding somewhere...
The Furballs of Fury might look fierce, but toss a ball of yarn in their midst and prepare for smiles!
New Recruits to The Order of the Miniature
We were so thrilled when Five Points Press agreed to wield their pen again for The Order of the Miniature to help create the new recruits! Here are three of the newest members: the Paladin of Pigment, Spruemancer and Superglue Sorceress! Also, here are my corresponding awful idea sketches XD
Who/what else is joining The Order of the Miniature?!?!
This awful group of sketches by Kit is titled "Something?" XD
What Painters Are Saying
In his wonderful Hobby Cheating series, the estimable Vince Venturella discusses lighting and wet palettes and shares his thoughts on, and recommendations for, the Exemplar Wet Palette and LUCENT Art Light!
Friend, Game Envy Painting Partner AND newly crowned Slayer Sword winner Alex Dos Santos @alexdoesminis shares his thoughts on the Exemplar Wet Palette and LUCENT Art Light:
The Exemplar Wet Palette was already my palette of choice, and with these new formats it is even easier to recommend! The new paper and sponge brings the perfect amount of water to the paint, and I love that the paper is hydrophobic, which forces the paints to stay where you leave them and not scatter everywhere. The new thickness keeps the paper flat over the water, which is perfect!
The LUCENT Art Light is my go-to recommendation for hobby lighting. It has a high color accuracy, which is very important. It also is adjustable and foldable allowing you to light the whole model without any cast shadows. Not to mention, it is affordable!
Let the Final 24 Hours Begin!
I took a break today from the administrative side of Game Envy to put brush to miniature! I picked up this GRUUMP model at AdeptiCon along with some new Turbo Dork, Cuttlefish Color and Fanatic paints and decided to play around and use them to make him a little less grumpy ;D This is a WIP blocking out where I want his color spots to be. Once they are blended in I am going to do a few layers of Turbo Dork's Appleseed for what I am hoping is a really fun effect!
Maybe on the second GRUUMP I got I will sculpt him smiling XD
Exemplar is Customs Friendly | AdeptiCon 2024 | Cool Friends
9 months ago
– Sun, Mar 24, 2024 at 01:06:59 PM
Howdy Painter!
We are so thrilled by the amazing response from the painting & hobby community on the new gear and enhancements. We have been traveling for the last week, so we have been a little quite here, but we have gotten to chat with many of you in person :D
Shipping + Customs Friendly Update
International Backers we are happy to announce that the campaign is now customs friendly in many regions! We have teamed up with GamesQuest to handle a large portion of our international fulfillment. We will collect Shipping and VAT/Taxes in the pledge manager, so your pledge arrives without additional fees! We are waiting on revised quotes for one or two regions and we will update the chart when we get those.
AdeptiCon 2024
AdeptiCon is always a great time, and it was so great to see everyone who stopped by the booth! We wish is wasn’t below freezing with occasional snow, but at least it was expected XD We were able to get together with our amazing collaboration partners Turbo Dork, Ninjon and Creature Caster and talk about how awesome you all are for the support! The response by everyone who stopped by the booth to see the tooling samples of the Exemplar GO, PRO and MEGA was fantastic and the hobby lounge was so bright with a LUCENT at each seat and packed the whole time. The day is about at a close followed by tear down and a 12 hour drive, and we can't wait for next year :P
We Have Cool Friends!
I wanted to share two awesome campaigns by friends of ours. Both are so totally unique labors of love that are tons of fun and great to look at.
Like wizards? Like fighting? Like clever game mechanics? Like Sean Sutter? Like the Shattered Lands of Relicblade? Like painting awesome models? Are you a living breathing human? If you answered yes to ANY of these you should definitely check out Cursebreaker! Cursebreaker is a stand alone 1-4 player wizard battle game set in the Relicblade universe. Take a peek, support and see some amazingly painted minis by our friend Malev using the Exemplar, LUCENT and more.
Our yearly booth neighbors here at AdeptiCon, D-Verse Publishing, have released a new expansion for NEXUS a brutal dice chucking arena-battle extravaganza. Scott of D-Verse and his crew are great guys and have put a lot of love and thought into a fun, brutal game! If you don’t have NEXUS yet there are some deals to get the full epic experience!
Well we passed 200k :O Thank you all so much for the amazing support; this is officially our most funded Kickstarter yet! We will be adding Black as a color option for the Game Envy Exemplar sizes when we get to 220K!
