I have a question for all you painters out there.

I'm currently in a painting slump, not having had time to paint for a while, and now daunted by the task of my rather large (model count wise) army that is still unpainted. I'm having a hard time finding the motivation to get back into painting, and yet I really really want to have a finished army for once (I've been fiddling around with this one longer then I care to admit).

So my question is, what do you all do to get yourselves out of a slump when it hits?

For me - painting is my hobby. I enjoy painting. So my recommendations are based around that. Hopefully you will find something useful in these thoughts...

When I am painting a large group of something - I like to break it down and paint in groups. Usually 5 - 10 figures at one time. I paint them assembly line style. Once you are done they should all look about the same and hopefully you will have saved time from painting them individually. If I get tired of the models I will usually paint either a character model (work on converting him and making an interesting base) and then go back and do another 10 figures, etc.

You could always take a break and paint something completely random just for fun.

cheers,

-Mike

Personally, I've never really had too much trouble with the desire to paint. I love it. But, generally I find doing something like limiting my time to paint something (like my Scions of Ra blog) or as an alternative option is to paint just random miniatures. To do them quickly, I paint in production line with everything but character models. This is my way, it might alter with others.

KU

http://www.warhammer-empire.com/content/view/37/46/

That should help.

listen to music as you paint. Keeps you entertained. take little breaks inbetween when you are tired... I'm taking a break from painting my traitor marines as we speak... just got to get my LO fix in.:x

Movies or TV can help too.

well, for starters i've gotten myself a spot to leave my WIP standing so that i can stop and go at it at anytime.

i kinda have the same problem as you and dont like painting all to much.. i do like it, thats not the problem but all those simple troop choices getting boring after a while ;) i prefer to make some models really nice looking.... (not that im that good though)

- What you could do is invite a couple of friends for some talking//painting. On the down side though..(when looking at painting) most of the time it just ends in talking and i finished 1 model of the 12 i wanted to do ;)

- Some music always helps... i dont reccomend the tv though.. cause its kinda like the same as inviting some friends but instead of talking you just keep watching the telly ^^ (but each it's own ofc!)

- oh and try to buy // convert some nice models every now and then.. the fact they look cool seemed to help me going on and on and on.. its sad to have a couple of really nice models finished but you cant use them :( My fabius bile is standing still for around 5 years now :( i finaly got 2 squads ready .. and i switched marks (A).. oh well thats just life i guess..
anyway, back to topic..

just dont look at the models with a deep puff (dont know the english word for it, oh well.. ;) ) and put them aside, or keep playing with unpainted ones.. i dont know which army you play .. but if its large sized there should be an easy way to paint them ^^ just dont highlight them and put the small details aside in the beginning.. and do a squad of 10 in the way slorak explained.. part for part, even after a couple of layers (just the basic layers) your army should be looking a lot better.. and that gives a drive to keep painting them.. (atleast for me)
you'll see that your going to enjoy painting when you have an army which has a good basic look aleady.

i hope this helps you in any way mate
Cheers,
Jeff

I often find myself in a painting slump when focusing on my tyranid gaunts. Doing 16 identical models at a time can take days and get very tedious! My method for battling through each batch is to have the tv on and listen to that. An old movie youve seen before is great as you can hear whats going on and not really have to watch it to know whats happening.

I also paint in stages, so first ill paint all the skin on my models, then leave them for the day, come back the next day and paint the armour etc.

Most importantly you have to reward yourself somehow. I do this buy buying a different model to paint after ive finished. This can be a leader or tank as suggested earlier, or it could be somthing totally different, like a necron immortal or something else thats not for your army. This gives you a totally different colour palette to use and makes the break more satisfying.

I enjoy painting, so I don't really suffer from a lack of motivation. I usually put some music on (heavy metal of course :D) while I paint, which helps because it enhances my enjoyment of painting, but I don't feel the need to look up every 2 seconds like I would if the TV was on.

If you get fed up of painting for a particular army, then have a break from them, and either paint figures for another of your armies or even a random model that you like from an army you don't play. That helps to break it up a bit. When I got a bit fed up of painting my High Elf colour scheme, I painted some Skull Pass Night Goblins. Then I returned to my HE 'refreshed' and raring to go.

listen to music as you paint.:x

Yes music is good. I generally find that something fairly mild is best, or whatever makes you relax. Death metal I may like sometimes but it doesn't relax me. To much lively music will make you lively and wear you out quicker.

Also as Macey said, reward yourself. This can be another model, painting something new is good in giving you new experience too. Other rewards can be whatever you want. It is best to avoid a situation where you are desperate to finish so you can get the reward. I that case you really will find the painting will become linked to stress in your mind and much harder.

Do also take breaks in painting too. This will give you a little rest and is a convienient way of allowing things to dry. Also it is good for your eyes. A few years ago my vision started to become blurry now and again. I went to an eye doctor who told me my eyes were fine I was just looking at small objects too much.

It is best to give your self a break so your eyes don't get stressed. Look at other things but avoid small things, books and the TV. Just look around the room for ten or so minutes.