"Do you keep a "Painting Journal" or notebook?" Topic

Since I now need a computer program to keep track of what minis I own, my confidence in recalling what paints/colors/washes I used is – to put it mildly – suspect.

Do you keep any form of journal to record this info for your minis? If so, is it helpful when adding to the collection, or touching up later damage?

Regards.

No but I often wish I did.

Dear Fred,
I write painting guides for others to use, so I can refer back to them.
Mick

I keep two books with my painting supplies. One is a painting journal. I like to write when I start things and make notes for colours. With it I've finally managed to consistently paint skin tones I like.

I've recently started a second notebook where I write down paints I wish I had or paints I need to replace. I like getting to the bottom of one of my favorite colours and having a replacement at hand.

Tyler "Coyote" Provick
tyler.provick.ca – The General's Tent

I write down my notes on paper then write them down on notepad. I've made many triad lists using craft paints and have put them on my blog for me and other folks to use.
ordinarygaming.blogspot.com
I need to be more organized.

Lots of notebooks!
A journal where I total my painting month by month, setting targets this way has increased my output by at least 50%

Another book for painting details and lots of books full of ideas, plans and "shopping lists".

I usually have a small notebook secreted somewhere on my person at all times, you never know when inspiration will strike.

Graham

I did use small note paper sheets that fitted into a compartment in my tool box but a leaking pot stopped that.

I'm now moving over to OneNote so I can put pictures and notes against each model type

Andrew
blog.kings-sleep.me.uk

Yes. I keep notes on all kinds of things like color schemes and new project ideas, as well as resources for hard to find items.

Yes, for my WWII 15s. Not as important for ancients.

I have some 4x6" index cards. When I do a major project, I jot down what the colors and sequences are so I can keep them straight. Helps later if I add more lead or if it gets pushed to the back of the table for a year or two.

Yes I do! I've kept a journal and have been a pretty keen diarist for years and years so keeping a painting journal is something I've kind of fallen into doing. I never complete armies in one big push, I'll paint a few units here and there and then paint something else! Having a painting journal makes my life so much easier!

I note down the colours and techniques I'm using as I go along, and then type them into the computer once I've finished. Then I print out a fair copy and file that, so it's to hand if/when I paint another similar unit.

I keep one of painting forulas and what they were used for . also what brands abnd colors were used on a group. ( ie pulp figures zepplin troopen used Vallejo luftwaffe uniform blue) .

No.

No

Yes, I note what brand of paint, color and product number. I also note the miniature and the maker. It helps with the feeble mind.

Mike

Yes, I use index cards and keep them in an old metal recipe box on my painting table.

Yes. Brand and color of paint for various units.

Yes, for some items, especially if I am only doing part of a collection, or experimenting with painting schemes, so might want to replicate them in the future.

Works well, assuming you don't misplace the listings.

I suggest a three-ringed binder, or other large notebook, suitably labeled with a large font, and placed in an obvious place, where you keep your most favored or constantly referred to books.

Note – DO NOT put in a "safe place" for safe keeping, since invariably you will forget where that is, and spend hours or days searching for it, assuming you can ever find it again.

I use a Moleskine sketchbook (which has a very heavyweight paper strong enough to paint on) to record what I've painted and what colors that I've used. Invaluable as a reference, particularly because I write down formulas and also include a color swatch.

Ron

I'm with slagneb! I wish I did.

Ron, what an awesome idea! I do a lot of mixing these days as I use Triart water colours for air brushing. Is "Moleskine" a brand name? When I first read that, I saw "moleskin" which is what my soldiers used to sometimes wrap their feet in for long marches… Do you think I'd be able to get it at Michaels? (I'm in NA as well – Please feel free to nominate me for champion of stupid and obvious questons)…

Fredjg, have you discovered a piece of softeware for tracking stuff? I've mentioned it before and I keep thinking I need to write an Access app for this for myself that will keep track of conversions – I somtimes use a hull and create a superstructure for it so the hull can be used for two tanks/assault guns.
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Tim

Yes, I started keeping one this summer. Most of the time it's a while between painting sessions and I hate finding I can't remember a mix or color used without having to trial and error to match.

Mark

Not really…I use The Pledge.

For instance, this year:

bought Stompa
bought Battlewaggon
bought Baccus ACW starter

painted Stompa
painted Batlewagon
painted Baccus ACW starter

It's all on the interwebs now…no need for me to keep track of it. As for color mixes and stuff, well, I WISH I did!!!

Big Joe Duke

Ditt0 Bird -

Nothing specific for minis, I am using a "Car" Collectors Software package that I picked up for about $10.00.

Seems to be MS Access based, allows multiple picture uploads, date of purchase, price.. the normal parameters, about 20 in all.

For tracking, for gaming purposes, I use an oversized EXCEL file – a summary page up front – columns are sizes, rows are period and nationality/theater – the contents of the matrix are quantities.

The summary is fed from individual sheets that are based on period. Columns denote raw lead, painted, based and completed. Rows identify specifics – nationality/theater/quantities/type (infantry regiments.., armor types…) and most importantly – location.

Sounds insane, but I can locate particular items in just a few seconds.

Yep I keep a notebook because I have a tendency with my ADD to start one project then go, "oh shinny!" and start on something else. After a few times of coming back to a project and having to relearn how I had painted the figures I had already worked on I started keeping a journal. Now I do not waste time with quess work and I can start right back where I left off.

I never did in the past, but when I started painting the current army I'm working on I decided to start one. I'm so glad I did as it is helping me stick a more limited palate and keep consistent colors across the different units. I also starting keeping a time log just to see how much time my newer techniques are saving me, if at all.

I keep a couple notebooks with random tidbits and then transfer as much of the data to a wiki I made

link

Used to, haven't found it since the last move. I've found happiness without it.

I've gotten my Moleskines online from Amazon and in person at Barnes & Noble stores. Michaels probably won't have them.

Moleskine does have a website:
moleskine.com

The specific one that I use for my painting journal is the Moleskine Large Sketchbook. The Large Sketchbook has very heavyweight pages that can be painted upon and is 5" by 8 1/4".
link

Ron