Painters Block

[daveyboy21]

Hi Guys
It happens to us all every now and then........................and recently I have hit the painters wall. I know I should be at the workbench and cracking on with some painting, but just can't raise the enthusiasm. What do the rest of you guys do to break through the wall and get the brush moving again 

[OldenBUA]

Can't say I'm very productive at the moment (in fact not at all) so maybe I'm not the guy that should be giving advice.

What might work (and worked for me in the past) is to switch to something else. Shelve your current project(s) (literally, just put them away somewhere) and start another. It also helps to actually play a game with what you've got, as this will often fire up the creative juices as well.

Other than that, I feel your pain.   

[Steve J]

I paint very little during the summer months as I just don't feel like I want to be indoors painting when we have long summer evenings to enjoy. However once September arrives, mentally I switch back to painting mode, often driven by the need to finish stuff for the Colours show. Even then I will only paint when in the mood as I will either rush the work or make silly mistakes. Patience is a virtue at these times.

[Fenton]

I think about rebasing...that usually gives me enough of  a push to get painting again

also the wife saying" Well if your not doing that , theres stuff about the house that needs looking at"...great incentive

[Jim Ando]

Hi

I`ve got painters block at the moment.

Usually knock out about 3 Pendraken armies a year plus other bits and pieces.

Only done an American D-Day para BKC army this year so far.

Got a Romano-British and Viking army lying here but I just can`t get going.

Jim

[fsn]

My incentive is usually looking at what others have done, or reading about techniques. I think "Oh! That's easy." Then prove myself wrong.

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Until last year my motivation was always 'I need this for a game in X weeks' as I hate unpainted troops in my own armies (however, if other people use unpainted to get the feel of an army, that's really cool).
Since the  birth of number 2 daughter and the slashing of game times, I just switch projects to what I feel like!

[petercooman]

I usually just wait and don't rush it.

Or if i feel i should get painting again, i start with something half done, so i have quick results when i start paintig, this satisfies me more and gives me more initiative to paint!

[Hertsblue]

I use a variation on Lemmey's trick. Arrange to play a game with someone for a given day (usually a club game) knowing I need certain figures/vehicles for that game. Pressure, what pressure? 

[sunjester]

CoC is out in a few days! That's certainly stopped me getting painter's block. 

I did go through a couple of dry months at the start of the year, but I find after a while something grab's my interest and I'm OK again.

[Shecky]

I usually get painter's block when I get a project to the point where I run a game. It doesn't mean all my figures are painted, just painted to the point where I have enough to run a game and my mind wanders to other projects. I start flitting between projects and can't get my mind focused.

The painter's block usually goes away once I get the fire for a new project. Sometimes it's a new rules set which sparks the fire, other times it's sparked by a book I read on a new period.

[Leman]

Switch to something else. Just rebased some ACW figures and then did some artillery pieces. Will finally paint up some command stands for 1861 Confederates in prep for Longstreet Heavy before switching back to Saxons in 10mm. Oh, and I also put my feet up this afternoon, as it looked like January outside, and started a Nikki Heat novel.

[nikharwood]

Yep - the best advice has already been given: don't try to force it, it'll end in tears 

It'll come - and that first brushstroke, psychologically, can be the tipping point for painting the entire army 

It's one of the reasons (probably) that I'll assemble & base everything - it means that I sort the bases first: and this work, which is simple and can be done, with beer, in front of the TV, means that I've started those figures: and they'll get done. Fast. I've had undercoated armies sat in boxes for yonks (those Warmaster Wood Elves & Goblins sat there for over a year - until I decided to bang some paint onto the bases - and then both armies were painted, and on-the-table, within a week).

[get2grips]

I usually stick on a DVD for the period I'm painting:  LOTR for fantasy;  Band O B, Stalingrad, Private Ryan etc for WW2;  Waterloo, Sharpe for Napoleonics  and so on.

Then sit down with it on in the background and start sploshing.

Also helps if you're rested and not "work stressed".

Gareth

[sebigboss79]

Same here. Too many projects, table covered (literally) and no start or end in sight.

To me it helps clearing the table of all stuff and then crowding it again in the process of painting.

[kev1964]

Hi,



I think everyone gets it once in a while, like the guys said, paint something different or as i try and do now and paint a couple of units then base them, then at least you can see an end result. I did paint all the figs first before basing any, but it does get very boring at times especially if i have a few hundred on the go. Luckily it dosnt happen very often to me , which is a good job as it's my living  , a good war film's also a motivator,

kev

[i_am_win]

When I get the block, I tend to have to mentally force myself to get something done, once I'm motivated I'll paint all sorts of stuff for days, but a change of tack is very good advice (especially when you have shed loads of identical uniforms/minis to paint up, that really does sap the energy from anyone  )

[Leman]

Which is why I have incredible respect for Mad Lemmey.

[daveyboy21]

Thanks Guys.
Some sound wisdom flowing like fine wine. I changed tack and started work on something completely different, Imperial Roman Auxiliaries, and it seemed to throw paraffin on the flames.
I suppose this happens when you have thousands of castings acquired over the years, bought with all good intentions, ans then you sit down and think " Oh my god! These things have gotta be painted". I've realised that "No" they don't HAVE to be painted, but eventually  they will be...............................No rush. I've always got my retirements years...........If my eyes hold out...........If I don't buy any more figures.............ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Leman]

New set of rules inspires furious painting - Longstreet has arrived at North Star!