"Ever Taken Vacation Time to Paint Your Minis?" Topic

Have you ever requested vacation time from work, with the primary intention of using the time to paint your minis?

No, but I must admit that I've thought about it more than a few times (to paint/work on gaming related stuff).

I would – but my wife insists on taking rotten old trips!

Not yet, but I have been giving more thought to doing it lately.

EDIT: But I've only considered taking a single day, maybe a Friday here or there.

Yes, I have taken a day here and there to do so.

Nope.

I once took a large scale figure when I went on temporary duty for a month – I only managed a little bit of painting on it. I ended up watching TV and drinking wine most of my free time. Dean

I have a couple of days off this week that I am going to use to paint stuff; I have hit the 'use it or lose it' time of year, and since my wife has to take school holidays, we can't use it to go away anywhere…

Yes, I'm away on holidays now and have taken a few units with me. If the weather's bad, no time wasted………. there's only been a few bad days though :-(

Yes, just had 5 weeks off, back to Uni on Monday. Not too much painting done, though, to be honest, mainly making movement trays and rebasing, organising for this year's big Borodino game, all the ancillary stuff that can so easily distract one from the painting bench.

Played a couple of stonking big multiplayer games too, which is what its all about….

And of course the Long Haired Brigadier always manages to spot something around the property that is soooo much more important than painting toy soldiers…..

No but I usually take some plastic minis to assemble on my vacation trips. Not a bad idea however.

Now and again, but just the odd half day. Usually in summer when I fit in some gardening jobs as well.

Yes… Sometimes when works getting me down I'll book a monday or friday off. Pack the kids off to school and just de-stress in the man cave with a bit of painting helps to get stuff finished and does wonders for my stress levels.

Yes – I took a few extra days leave at the start of this year to get some painting done. I didn't get as much done as I'd hoped due to other things cropping up, but it was still more than I'd have achieved while at work.

The advantages of being single……

@Sparker….."and rebasing"
Not my most favourite thing Sparks, has to be done though sometimes.

Yes, as have most people I know …

Phil

I tried it a few times, first day in something always happens. Last time I broke my wrist, before that I fractured my elbow and before that I caught bronchitis. Now I just try for an hour or two on a weekend or night!

Kind of. Took minis to paint on a camping vacation this past September.

Read about a guy once who took a "staycation" for a week. Stocked up on groceries. Bought a naval officer's uniform with a submarine service pin. Locked the doors and shuttered the windows. Then set his submarine simulation PC game to real time and patrolled the Pacific Ocean hunting for Japanese ships. Had the sim running 24 hours a day.

Sort of, took time off to build terrain, with figure painting during down time on the terrain.

no ….

Nope

have painted on bank holidays and in odd days during christmas hol's but not planned "painting leave".

Yes. Last October.

No, but I have taken a couple of mental health days and painted some figures.

Yes. I am in the category of taking a day or two to extend a weekend. The most decadent one was a stay out of town at an Embassy Suites. got in some shopping at the local hobby store, free beer in the evening and a free cook to order breakfast in the morning. Painting and hobby stuff the rest of the time. Luxury!

Yes

Yes I'm going to Mike Island for a week in just a bit. Only myself and the dog allowed. Lots of Strange Aeons figs to paint. Looking forward to it.
Mike D

Yep.

I did take a Friday last fall as a "me" day, which included setting up and playing a game at a FLHS.

But generally, no, painting is something I would not take a vacation day for exclusively.

Yes and no. I need to burn some hours before yearend (or lose them) so i wrapped them around a couple of holidays.

I got up normal time (5:10 AM), did some extra reading before my shower, and was down paintinh by 6 AM. The family was up and around by 9:30 so I would stop and begin the day with them.

Yes. A day to finish figs for a Historicon game.

Yup. Usually near Kubla Con to get the last bits done…

dedicated a whole vacation to miniature work . Had the house to myself , fridge loaded with frozen fried chicken , steaks , beer and wine . Lounged around painted grilled watched movies . One of the best stayvacations ever .

Yes.

Yep

Guilty as charged…but I needed to complete figures for a convention game.

most definitely!

best one was when the wife and kiddo went on a trip,
and then I got an unexpected day off…

Chris

I have taken off the day AFTER HMGS Cons in order to paint what ever treasures I knew I would find at the vendors. It allowed me to take advantage of that Post Con "High" and paint while the urge was strongest.

It also allowed me to transition back to work mode.

yes, especially if I need to finish an army for an up coming tourney

A long time ago. I wouldn't get away with it now.

Yes, yes indeed.

Do sickies count ?

Cough-cough.

Yes… A day here, a half day there… Never a week.

Haven't requested any days specifically to paint, but I have used holidays and sick days. This past winter break, for example, I had 2 weeks off and painted on most of those days.

I don't think I've ever taken vacation with the sole intent of painting miniatures, but I do like to get some brushwork in whenever I have time off.

Sort of. I've taken a "sick day", when I wasn't exactly ill, or maybe tacked an extra "recovery" day on after being sick, to goof off when work was really slow.

Normally, I'll take a few minis and my paint box when I go on a course or seminar where I'll be overnight.

Eric

I only paint in work. Taking days off means that I can't paint figures!

What is this concept you speak of which you call "vacation time"?

No, but I have taken things to paint with me on holiday.

Sometimes I just need a break. Painting minis can be part of that, but not the "reason" for the break.

Last summer, I finished a big exhausting work-related project that had been going on for a year and a half. Upon completion, I decided to take a month off and focus on painting up a large pile of AWI 25mm miniatures. A very refreshing and much-needed break, I must say. I'm all better now.