"Never feel inspired" Topic

So After Napoleonics and AWI, ACW was my main instrest when I started wargaming some years back.

But I never make any headway when painting figures.

I've tried 40mm, 28mm, 15mm, 10mm and 6mm.

Never get far into any project. Normaly I don't even finish a unit(mabye not even a base) I normaly love perry figures, But i've treid the rebel infantry, the artillery and ofcourse the first ACW box. I've painted their metal too.

I'm never satesfied with the look of the figures. I never find a grey or butternut I like. I simply don't feel inspired.

Maybe its time to visit a battlefield or a museum?

I try to have little one off stuff around – a stray wizard, a zombie, a gun fighter, some fantasy miscellanea. Then I always have something just a few colors within finishing. This way I don't just have a mass of primed figures staring at me.

It's would be expenive to just visit a battlefield or museum, unles you know of any good ACW museums in Norway ;)

My problem isn't the hordes of grey and blue. But I don't feel inspired, I never get them to look the way I want.

I like the look of 15(they are slimmer and so looks more right) While 28mm often end up looking boxy.

But I don't like to paint 15mm. I like 28mm but I don't like the look of 28mm acw troops. The formations are too deep, No thin lines. the formations look to Napoleoinc…

Dosen't help I don't like any of the greay and butternut colors I have either.

The foundry Rebel grey was great, but two of three in the triad is now dead. And I never liked the foundry butternut triad.

If you recognise that it's the look of the results you don't like then you are some way down the road to resolving that.

If you think 28mm figures give you formations that are too deep change the way you base them so they do look right to match your vision.

Are you saying you like painting Perry but don't think their 28mm ACW look as good as 15mm figures? If that's the case you either have to try another 28mm maker, go back to 15mm or accept the compromise of what you like to paint doesn't give you the result you really want. (I had to accept this with my own Sudan collection.)

Buy some other grey paints or mix up a grey you do like and then find a paint that matches your own mix or just keep on mixing the colour you do like each time you paint. Some variation will look realistic.

When I worked out my Napoleonic forces I had 100 painted figures and just kept rearranging them until I got the look I wanted. Then I rationalised this within the structure of the rules I wanted to use – much easier than it may sound. I couldn't find a dark blue paint I liked so I mix my own.

The only way to make 28mm acw look propper is to have 40+ units, and that's not going to happen

If you can afford it, try buying some pre-owned or prepainted 15mm from GAJO or other provider. You can always go in and add more detail. Once you have a critical mass of figures and have played a game or two, hopefully your enthusiasm will come back. Also, go out an play some ACW games at your local club or convention. After playing Fire&Fury once when it first came out I was inspired to collect enough pre-painted units so I could play my own games.

It may be that although you like the period you just are not that interested in painting the figures for it. That has happened to me. Perhaps just quit now before you put more money and time into as a project that just isn't going anywhere.

The only way to make 28mm acw look propper is to have 40+ units, and that's not going to happen

I tend to agree with you but then something has to give. Either you use 15mm that you don't like to paint but I see that as being pointless as it will only lead to more dissatisfaction or you accept that you just can't have the look you want with 28mm figures.

Alternatively you give up on ACW and do something else instead and count yourself lucky you escaped another money pit. I've done this myself as I can't yet get the quality of figures I want in the size I want.

As far as finding a uniform color for Confederates, take a look at the research on this site: link by clicking on the "new research" drop-down button. There was a "rainbow" of grays, tans, and browns used by the Confederate Army.

Jim

Maybe for inspiration you need to immerse yourself in the Civil War.

Try dressing in wool and sleeping outside in all kinds of weather. Make sure to wear ill-fitting shoes and eat meals devoid of any nutritional value (but with plenty of fat). Convince some of your friends to die of preventable diseases.

Hmmm…sounds like reenacting to me. Except for the dead friends part – no one will cooperate with me in that.

ColCampell that's a great link but the problem is the paints. I haven't found any good butter nuts.

Foundry's butter nut looks odd (the 3 shades are to close)

I think most folks are misreading your post/topic. I don't think it's really about getting inspired about a period in order to paint up your armies.

I'm picking up that your frustrated with the subpar look of your painted miniatures, therefore you wind up losing "inspiration" to continue with any project? Is that right?

I don't mean to come off at elitist or anything, but some people just are not that good at painting miniatures. I've seen many horribly painted AWI and 7YW miniatures at conventions and have played with them just the same, having a blast. The guys who painted them were pleased with their look, so that's all that mattered to me. I lose games no matter how fancy the miniatures are painted. LOL.

So maybe the painting style you want to achieve just is not practical with available talents/time? Is that it?

I'm guessing you are doing the whole thing on your own.
What you need is a partner (which may not be easy in Norway). You each do one side of the conflict. And then get a little competitive. "Look what I just painted up." "Nice, but check these out." That sort of thing.

On your own, I think you get too much into your head on this and only see problems. With two (or more) people, you can let their opinion(s) trump yours. And of course it's less work to get something on the table and you can bounce ideas off one another.

Your only problem is you haven't tried 1/72 – 22mm yet.

Maybe you should try skirmish gaming with the troops you have. And if the fire reignites paint some more.
I have never found a satisfactory butternut, I just use various shades of browns, some have darker undertones and some have lighter ones.

So l;et me get this straight, you like the look of 15mm but don't like to paint them, but you like to paint 28mm. However, you don't like the way that 28's look as well as the cost to get them to look "right" in formation. If those are the big ones, I'd advise go with the 15's and find a way to "accept" painting them, if not like painting them. As to colors, that is always a problem and issue for ALL of us.

One thing you may want to do at this point for colors is to download photos of reenactors or uniform plates to find a "close approach" color that works. It will take a bit of time for you to get the "right" color, but if you can come "close" and experiment, then you'll be all right in the end. One thing to remember is that "color fast" was a concept that only happened to become true in the last few years and even now it really isn't perfect. Color stable might be a better description for the effect today.

The point of the diversion is don't sweat it if the colors aren't "just right". Get them close enough, and work from there. Good luck good sir, and good painting!

Get yourself a copy of DON TROIANI'S CIVIL WAR. His paintings are VERY inspirational.

Simple, don't game ACW.

Set a date to run a game at a convention or for a group. That gives you a deadline to work toward. Even if it is to just have the forces for a specific scenario, use the anniversary date as your target

Gunfreak, can you buy inexpensive acrylic hobby paints where you live in Norway? Here in the U.S., they can be bought at places like Michael's, Hobby Lobby, and even Walmart (if I'm not mistaken.) The brands have names like Folk Art, Delta Ceramcoat, and Americana.

These paints are fairly inexpensive, and sometimes, a real winner can be found. For instance, Folk Art's "Acorn Brown" is a great color for Confederate butternut.

In all truthfulness, I use these kind of paints sparingly, and usually prefer better hobby paint like Reaper and Vallejo. The craft colors are inexpensive and have great variety. But sometimes their coverage leaves a lot to be desired, especially with lighter colors.

I have become very fond of Reaper paints, which are easy to buy at my friendly local game store. "Aged Bone" and "Polished Bone" make great Confederate gray colors, at least for troops who generally wore warmer gray colors, like the ones in the West.

I don't know what your options are, but if you live in a place where you have to buy paint by mail-order, I can feel your pain. When my family lived in West Virginia, there weren't any art supply stores or good hobby shops in our area. So getting painting supplies back then was a real problem, back in the early 80s.

Jeff

Instead of paining up units for major battles in the east, you could try painting up some skirmish sized units for guerrilla actions on the frontier -- Arkansas, Missouri, or even Indian country (Oklahoma). This would give you a chance at painting up some more exotic troops like Bushwhackers or Native American Mounted Riflemen. This way, if nothing else, it would give you a chance to paint up some of my ancestors.

Kevin

Read a good ACW book: Bruce Catton, Stephen Sears, Peter Cozzens, Shelby Foote…just to name a few.

You need to listen to some banjo and fiddle music, Gunny. I like to sing along:

YouTube link

Gunfreak I can get where you're coming from. I'm working on two Union 1-1 Regiments, the 20th ME in 28mm and 14th CT in 15mm. I've also done some Confederates in 15mm. I think that you really have to custom mix your colors. I've seen some "butternut" colors that range from a very light grey to a pecan to a greenish khaki. I would just play around until I got something that I liked. And a little variety is good, most dyes used in the Civil War were inconsistent and tended to fade quickly.

Yes, I believe the nearest ACW battle for you would be 5-6 km from Cherbourg, France. Even that is a ways from Norway. It was also a naval battle.

Do you have any better luck with the boys in blue? If so, perhaps you should paint them and let a local adherent of the lost cause paint Confederates. That, or invade Mexico later in 1865 and fight the French, whose uniforms may be more to your liking.

There is some scope for all or almost all cavalry battles, which would mean you didn't have to worry about infantry lines. Mine Run, Kansas is not only all cavalry, but has a young Frederick Benteen as one of the Union brigade commanders.

The war destabilized the western frontier, so you have fights with Indians all over the West. The mines of Nevada and Colorado helped fund the Union war effort, but the precious ore had to be transported back East, and was subject to attack.

Finally, if you get enough figures in civilian attire, you could field the Salt Lake Valley Mormon militia as they march to attack a break away sect at stone fort, south of Ogden. Civilians can also be used for John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry: do this historically with Lee, Stuart and the US Marines, then do it like the movie, with lots of cavalry!

Aside from that, there are a few OK movies to watch and a lot of great ACW music to listen to.

Grelber
Who painted a brigade of 15mm Union infantry 18 years ago, and hasn't done anything since, except buy figures.

I agree with Jowady. Try mixing your own colors. There was no "official" color of Confederate butternut, which was a homespun material. For that matter, the differences even in Union blues were considerable when different manufacturers, different dye lots, different periods of exposure in the field, etc, are taken into account.

B

There are some people who would be glad to do for you at a price.

Gunfreak: If it hasn't been suggested before, try watching the movie "Gettysburg", especially the Pickett's charge scenes. Pretty impressive, IMHO. Motivated me to rebase my friends Confederates, eleven brigades of them, regardless of the colors. Just a thought, John Miller

There are alternatives to painting:

link

I think that you should probably take up model railroading. Most of that is already painted.

Or ignore Otto and try another period.

I find I have to enjoy the period to paint so what excites you? Go do that and see what happens.

And yes, try 1/72. Anatomically correct figures, of a good size

You know maybe it's just me but I think that the various "give it up" or "get another hobby" responses are rude and really wrong. Gunfreak asked for help. He asked specifically about colors and basing as well as scale. Now perhaps his choice of the word "inspired" wasn't the best (but it's a lot better than I could have done had I tried to use a word in another language) but there you have it. He doesn't need to give up the hobby, he doesn't need to give up the period, he needs advice. I tried to help on painting but since I don't base stuff I didn't give an answer on that. Maybe instead of advising him to give it up some of you who know on the subject could give him some advice.

I have the same problem, except in 1/72 plastic. It's frustrating all round. Maybe find rules you like, grit your teeth, and paint enough for a battle. That might get you on your way.

Good luck!

Gunfreak,
I am right there with you. I've painted up some stuff but I never like how it looks.
I would definitely second ScottWashburn's suggestion if you just want to get stuff on the table.

As far as 28 vs 15mm, based on your comments, I would go with 15mm. the (comparative) displeasure of painting them only lasts as long as they are on the painting table, but they are (hopefully) on the gaming table much more.
this is the stuff I spray my confederates with for butternut, followed by a (kind of heavy) army painter soft wash. seems to work for me.
link
European website:
rust-oleum.eu/english
I can't read anything other than english, but it seems they at least sell it in Germany so you should be able to get your hands on some.

What I do is just "speed paint" them and forget about it.
I take a bag of miniatures, and split it roughly in half. 1 half gets grey primer, the other khaki. then i split the piles in half again, half of each color gets union pants color, the other half gets the converse color (khaki gets grey pants, grey gets khaki) then i just do the skin belts and rifles and hats (randomly applied as brown black or grey) and give them a wash. they don't look great but I painted about 100 of them in a long afternoon. If they have facial hair, i give it a very heavy darker wash, so the grey primer gets a really heavy black wash and khaki gets a really heavy darker brown wash then the uniform.

I also don't like the look when I just look at them, but having something to put on the table is nice in and of itself.

PS: try to get miniatures with a minimum of gear. "battle order" without packs and stuff. it looks cool but adds piles of time to painting, and gives you more stuff to agonize over. just belts, boxes and rifles is ideal for me.

Suffer through getting enough stuff for a small game in, then the games will inspire you to finish up. Having fun on the table is the best inspiration i find.

I think maybe the problem (or part of it) is that you are too critical of your own painting efforts. Don't focus on the individual figure; focus on how they look en mass.

Gunfreak: I have found the gallery portion of the ACW sight here on TMP to be extremely inspiring. Something for me to aspire to. Not sure of their availability in Norway, and its just an opinion of course, but in 15mm Stone Mountain makes ACW figures that are pretty easy to paint. John Miller

A long time ago I managed to get on the mailing list for military artists. Probably because I bought a print through Cranston Arts.

I started getting advertising from Military artist including Troian, Reeves, Kunstler, Stivers and others. They had watermarked full color examples of their work for sale.

As I received them I put them all in a notebook. They became my primary source for uniforms. Trying to replicate those uniforms motivated me to paint up a lot of ACW figures.

It also helps to have a friend who is painting figures too. We used to bring what you have painted to our games. Now that was a real motivator. After a while we had amassed quite a collection. All in 15mm. That was the perfect scale for us.

I think you can get certain pills to help this.