"painter's block" Topic

Hey Gang,

Like many, I develop painter's block…look at figures I have started and….just simply lose interest. Many reasons, lack of time, energy and interest…to many things pulling me in to many directions….so…

How do you get re-motivated?

Playing one or two great games, in the same period for a stalled project, can get me going on my workbench again. RE-watching any of the classic movies like Waterloo or Zulu also helps.

Rick

Movies, books, or just take some time off to play a game.

I've also just moved on to a totally different project.

Most of my painting is in batches that fit in a beer flat and sometimes that is just too much. I had one 28mm Orc project that had been sitting for years partially completed. A little over 100 figures. I finally decided to move them to the top of the list and started with single 23 figure units. I found my interest growing as the project progressed to final completion.

This might help Razuse.
1) If you don't have the time…you don't have the time.
Don't own that one, nobody's fault.

2) If you have several unfinished projects and don't know where to start,try this…pick one (don't over think this) put it on your desk and pack up the others and get them out of your sight. Important "Get them out of your site".

3) If your painting area is a mess "Clean it up"…Clean it up and get it spotless and reorganized.

4) Set a day and time and get your models out and do something to push your project forward for at least 15-30 minutes. Clean the flash up…prime them…mount them on your bases ready to paint. If you need more paint "order the paint" etc. If your paint needs mixing then mix it.

5) Try step #4 for 3 days a week.

I've found (and a lot of research as well) that it takes about 30 days to create or break a habit.

This same process is something I've had to do over and over with respect to this very issue.

One other thing…if your a member of a gaming group set a date to host a game/scenario and design the scenario around the models you need to paint. Make a sensible time table to complete the models needed for the scenario. This helps with the motivation.

Hope this helps. Let me know how your doing.

My trick is schedule a game at an upcoming con. Nothing like a deadline to get the paint flowing again lol.

Deadline is best. But failing that, rotate scales and periods on the painting table.

Take a break – nobody's keeping score but you.

Your hobby is supposed to be fun and enjoyable – there's just no room for regret.

Agree on deadline because of a game – but also have found I have too many periods waiting for more painting – I have to box the others away of I go from one to the next – not really finishing anything

Going ahead and finishing something helps me.

andy

Usually gaming helps, barring that, after taking a break I just get back at it.

Watch a good period-related movie or read a good period-related book.
I sometimes pretend that I am running a game and need the figures finished on a certain date a month or two away and try to motivate myself that way.

Great tips gentlemen! I believe I will start with a massive clean up…my paint area is a disaster….I like the idea of putting everything away except for 1 unit or project…makes a lot of sense to me.

I try to paint each day, it may only be 5 min, priming 1 figure etc but it seems to help get me through the dry periods.

I try to paint each day, it may only be 5 min, priming 1 figure etc but it seems to help get me through the dry periods.

This is the classic approach for writers block – do something each day even if minimal

Good luck
John

Get yourself an eye exam… could be the strain of painting makes it less enjoyable after a short while without you realizing it. I also recommend the clean the whole table off and only put one project in it

Sometimes hobbies can feel like a chore. I get like that often. When I do I try to put it in perspective. Do I really want to paint this or would I rather paint something else?
Or do I hate painting. Consider how it will fix into your army or project or how badly you want to see it painted.

If you don't already you may try some of the new wash techniques. I have seen some that are very easy and produce excellent results. Something new and effective can be really fun.

Flashman14 is absolutely correct, if it stops being fun it isn't fun anymore which is why you do it…ooorrr maybe its beating the crap out of your opponent with a lovely army :)

It is still very fun for me. I am a painter first, gamer second. Over the years I have assembled quite a collection and I thoroughly love. There is nothing more that I enjoy than building something and then putting it on the table. I consider myself a good painter and always look to improve. Having said all that…painter's block sets in. Cleaning the paint area, putting away everything but 1 unit at a time and getting in a game I think will be very important steps to shake this.