Painting figures is enjoyable, but sometimes a gamer gets part-way through a project and then is distracted by something else taking the fancy - we've all been there. I am now ploughing through a FPW project and have found that if I set up and paint a half regiment, then I have to get on with the other half to complete. I also make life more difficult for myself by separating the different poses as well, so even when half the figures are done I can't go on and base up and complete the first battalion until the other pose figures have been painted (it also has the benefit of allowing varnish to prove properly).
Does anyone else out there have any motivational ideas?
DP
For me it's about painting an army at a time: if I have *everything* in front of me, it'll happen; if I try to do a unit [or a few units] at a time, then I'll get distracted.
Music also helps - or a DVD on in the background [matched to what I'm painting].
Oh - and I never try to force it: if I'm in the mood, I'll paint like a man possessed. If I'm not, I'll do something else. :)
I paint when i am in the mood with CD or DVD (an old TV serie like Space Sheriff Gavan).
I set a goal like painting a whole regiment a day, for example.
For me the chief rule is not to set any deadlines, but I MUST paint something every day. Working on one army at a time, this gets things done.
The other is catching my wife when she's bored and inviting her to paint a small unit. That got my pancerni Cossacks done with little effort, and they look pretty good too.
Quote from: nikharwood on 27 July 2011, 11:25:05 AM
Oh - and I never try to force it: if I'm in the mood, I'll paint like a man possessed. If I'm not, I'll do something else. :)
That's the key for me. I seem to get more projects finished this method. Even though there are times when I might take a whole week off from painting.
Another thing I've found is listening to audio books. I enjoy painting more, and also feel like I'm accomplishing on of my other hobbies: Reading!
My usual motivation is 'Aaagh, I',m meant to be using that next Thursday, it's still undercoated, SH**E!'
As the mood takes me, between 8.55 and midnight, Monday, Tuesady, Friday (when I can go until 3.30am), Saturday and Sunday (if I haven't got loads of schoolwork to do).
Put my ipod on, MrsD watches her TV, I get on with it.
Why 8.55 - old superstition, if I start work after 9 my painting is awful, before and it's great!
Quote from: nikharwood on 27 July 2011, 11:25:05 AM
For me it's about painting an army at a time.......
Oh - and I never try to force it: if I'm in the mood, I'll paint like a man possessed. If I'm not, I'll do something else. :)
The right way for me. Also sometimes I tried with feel of guilt :) .
I painted my first two 6mm armies while playing the entire "Ring" on four successive evenings. If you're a music lover, you've got an advantage.
I've got to the stage now where I can't sit in front of the box and do nothing. Some irrisistible force drags me to the painting table - which has a perfect view of the screen anyway.
I fully agree with the "don't force it" rule, however. If you're tired or something starts to ache - give it up. ;)
Start by doing the bit you enjoy least first eg paint the thousands of drab Sassanid levy spears before the cataphracts and clibinarii.
Great ideas everyone. I also use the music and take time off if not in the mood. The key factor seems to be stick to one army at a time - that's how I completed my Austrian SYW.
Thanks for everyone's input.
DP
Money - DP, as not doubt Nic will tell you.
IanS
Quote from: Dour Puritan on 29 July 2011, 10:32:48 AM
Great ideas everyone. I also use the music and take time off if not in the mood. The key factor seems to be stick to one army at a time - that's how I completed my Austrian SYW.
Thanks for everyone's input.
DP
I enjoy SYW (Prussians and Austrians were among the 10% of my armies that survived the Great Purge when I realised that I had far mor armies than I needed or wanted), but Austrians are no great tests of patience, really; after a thorough white undercoat they're half painted already!
more
Re. SYW, call me daft but I undercoat them black!
DP
Motivation, I could do with some of that, going to take my Samurai apes on the boat with me to see if I can get anything done on them when we head south...you never know :)
Quote from: ianrs54 on 29 July 2011, 11:18:24 AM
Money - DP, as not doubt Nic will tell you.
IanS
Huh? :-/
Yep - I'm definately in two motivation camps now:
Bit of back story (warning, back history of a wargamer includeds)
1) 10mm AWI = It's the holidays, I can devote time to it, militia are half done and looking good all because AndyMac (all hail) has provided a seriously nice painting guide for them.
2) Then this week I had a game of 15mm and in two weeks (after a break), I'm digging out my old 6mm = where my 20 year old forces needed a serious revamp before games; however, a part of me is saying 'Don't repaint, this was you 20 years ago, your first armies' O:-) another part is saying '20 years ago, you couldn't paint for sh*t. Get that ink was on them NOW!' :d
Which do I follow?
Lemmey mate - you're on a 10mm forum...and wondering whether to paint 10mm or 6mm..?!
I could be wrong - but I think that everyone's going to go for option 1) :)
No they aint - doing a 6mm USMC btn at the moment, just finished £140 worth of Battlefront stuff, hence comment on money Nic.
IanS
Quote from: nikharwood on 29 July 2011, 11:38:12 PM
Lemmey mate - you're on a 10mm forum...and wondering whether to paint 10mm or 6mm..?!
I could be wrong - but I think that everyone's going to go for option 1) :)
Of course option 1 is getting done fiirst. The AWI are nearly done (plus I put an oder in for more this week :D ), but it's what to do with the 6mms...
Quote from: ianrs54 on 30 July 2011, 08:11:20 AM
No they aint - doing a 6mm USMC btn at the moment, just finished £140 worth of Battlefront stuff, hence comment on money Nic.
Ah - gotcha :)
Quote from: mad lemmey on 30 July 2011, 08:51:11 AM
but it's what to do with the 6mms...
Easy - sell 'em to fund more 10mm 8)
Re-painting your old armies would be like recolouring your old family photos in Photoshop. Don't do it. Touch 'em up and straighten them out, but don't sever the tangible link to your wargames past. These little heroes will always bring back memories of glorious tabletop victories as well as embarrassing defeats and tactical folly, but ultimately they will always rekindle memories of past opponents and old friends.