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Whats your motivation?

1K views 23 replies 22 participants last post by  Pickle 
#1 ·
So I have a lot of models on my table at the moment and quite frankly....I lack all motivation to paint them. I want to, and I sit down and try to do it, but my attention is not kept long. I can only think of one reason for this (excluding ADD cause my girlfriend already suggestted that lol) and that is I am not playing the game as much as I used to.

I think for me my motivation to paint came from playing the game. Being around other people and seeing what they had painted, and getting first hand feed back on what i had done myself. Without all that interaction I feel as though a peice of my puzzle is missing. It really does sadden me *sigh* because I do have a love for the game and modeling/painting.

Well I will stop there so as not to sound like i am keeping an online diary. I really just wanted to know where you guys, and girls, draw your motivation from.....and maybe throw in some inspiring words lol
 
#3 ·
Sometimes you've just got to look around for some sort of inspiration. My Baneblade sat around waiting for paint for months before I remembered a cool WWII camouflage scheme from an old tank model I built years ago, and realised it fit the Baneblade perfectly! Two long evenings of airbrushing and weathering later and it's done.

Sometimes you just need a break, too... If the motivation isn't there, beating your head against that particular wall isn't likely to give you anything but headaches. Take some time off, walk away for a little while (maybe spend some time simply checking out the local wargaming action) - it may be just what you need.
 
#6 ·
Well I'm going to a tournament at the start of March and that prospect has me working like a dog to get a painted army together! Proper deadlining helps I find; set a date and stick by it although it helps if the date means somthing rather than being arbitrary.
 
#7 ·
I find the ideas of having weekly deadlines and not fielding unpainted models helps to a degree. I also have some personal motivation methods that I use:

1. Having models in various degrees of paint coverage. Some people may not agree with this though. Basically I have some models in my base Ultramarine colour, some in primer black color and others in various degrees of completion. This way, depending on my mood, I could do touch-ups on tabletop ready models, or do base colours or even just paint some black.

2. I set up a painting schedule. For about 3-4 nights a week, I set it as painting night and spend about 2-3 hours painting. Coupled with point number 1 above, I am never rushed into doing something as there's always something to paint.

3. Oddly enough your environment plays a factor. I play some music while I paint so it drowns out distractions when I paint. Having a comfortable area to paint (not necessarily neat, mine is messy as hell) also helps in motivating you to paint. I'm sure no one does stretching poses while painting hehe :D

4. Last but not least, it's good to be proud of your painting. When you take pride in something, no matter how crappy it is, you will feel great satisfaction in accomplishing it. Whether it be work or hobby, ask someone to explain something they are proud of and you'll get a 2 hour lecture free of charge. Once you are proud of your models on the tabletop, you'll definitely feel it was worth your time.
 
#8 ·
To me it is really only about the painting. I have only played the game a few times (and have really enjoyed it) but I find the painting to be the most relaxing part about it.

At any rate if you have too many models and the overwhelming mound of figures is keeping you from painting them - I suggest hiding the majority of them and only painting a small chunk at a time.

Depending on what you want to achieve with your painting here are a few thoughts on how to make it more manageable:

1)First and foremost sit down and strategize your color scheme. Plan everything out in advance so you don't have as many unexpected things come up while painting. Think about ways to cut corners without sacrificing too much detail. The more you plan the easier the painting will be.

2)Paint in an assembly line style - meaning line up a about 5-10 figures and paint the same color on each figure until they are finished. It can be boring but really does get things done faster.

3)On the topic of cutting corners - I usually paint on the largest block of color first using a sizeable brush (maybe even a good tank sized brush). The key is to keep the paint thin so it doesn't block out details. Remember neatness only matters in the end. If you planned your colors well a bit of spillover will be nothing once you get a little further in your painting.

4)Usually I will paint the figures separate from the base - but I will build as much as I can of both the base and the figure to the point of it being easy to access all areas of the figure. What I mean is - for a space marine I will assemble as much of him as possible to get to the areas and then glue him together when I am finished. I pre-fit him on the base - then separate to paint each indivually.

I am sure there are many more things I can add - but I will stop boring you... :z:z:z

Cheers,

-Mike
 
#12 ·
Put them away

Buy a case.

Put most of your models in the case.

Put the codex or army book in the case too.

Keep five models out.

You cheat! Put those extras away. Only keep five models out.

Paint one colour at a time.

Basecoat.

Simple shade and highlight.

Base the model.

DO NOT READ ABOUT OTHER TROOPS!

DO NOT READ ABOUT OTHER ARMIES.

If you are painting a unit of guardsmen only read about that unit. If you are painting high elf spearmen. Only read about them. Do not read or talk about other models as the grass is always greener principle will find you getting them out of the box.

An example from my own life?

I bought a marine company box. This is a serious self-gift. I then promised myself that I would not even take the mould lines of a single model until I had painted ALL of my renegade imperial guard.

I have already been tempted.

Highlight colours as you paint them. Painting five models one layer at a time is incredibly efficient and after only a single evenings effort you will have models that you can show off to your friends in the store.

When the models are done. Trade them in for 5 more in the box. You will be amazed how quickly the models in the case get magically painted while the ones on your desk remain creepily spray-paint black...
 
#13 ·
I have none ;_;

Sadly mine comes from being able to game... and show off my new minis every week in new games, but at the minute I have no one to play, therefore no will to paint or model.

I also paint better with one or two friends around, chilling with some good music and beer. But again, all my pals who wargame live other places that involve trains, buses and cars in order to get to them :(
 
#14 ·
I paint because it's relaxing, although I find the best part to be actually putting the models together out of the box. I love that, for some reason.

I also paint so that I'll have a good looking army on the table. I do play unpainted miniatures if I have to (and I do have to many times). I find the rule that you won't play unpainted models leads to both good looking paint jobs (Dr. Paris) and rushed, bad jobs.

I also draw a lot of inspiration to get things done and to do a better job from here. Watching other people's superior work, and participating in things like Tale of Painters and the Contests keeps me refreshed and gives me a reason to keep going some days.

Tekore
 
#15 ·
I have the same problem. I recently finished painting a squad of SOB's that I purchased over two years a go. It took me forever to paint them because I kept putting them off until I had the right units to make a complete army. Then I decided that the money I had paid for them was wasted since I wasn't going to play them until they were done. Being poor I didn't want to waste money, so I made myself paint at least 2 or 3 nights a week. I might only get 2 of them done, but at least I did something.

I also broke it up as far as what I was painting, so I wouldn't get tired of painting the same thing each time. I would do one Sister and maybe a Servoskull or Gun Servitor. Try to mix things up.
 
#16 ·
Motivation comes from other users, significant other and time pressure...

For my part the third, time pressure, works just fine along with the motivation from other users! ;Y
 
#17 ·
I find the best motivational tool I have is my girlfriend.
I have her stand behind me whilst I paint and if i even take my eyes off the
model for a second she hits the back of my head with her wooden poking stick.
She hits me so hard she hurts her hands, bless her.
I often have strange migraines and nose bleeds but atleast I’ve painted my whole
(2200pts) Tyranid army and I am starting a second nid army.
 
#18 ·
My motivation is the work other people have done, i seems to make me feel competitive, and theres nothing like the good feeling when you feild a well painted 1500pt army :).

Also, some music seems to motivate me (Strange Huh). And theres the fact that my girl freind seems to like my paintng.

I Think you need to sit down and listen to some music, that seems to motavte me enough to get atleast 1 sqaud at a time done. :)
 
#19 ·
Not sure if this was suggested before but I have been where you are.

I had over 5000 pts in space marines..all unpainted. I sat in front of the table in the garage where they were displayed and sighed..thinking about how hard it is going to be to paint them all.

Know what I did? I put them away.

Put them all away except one unit. 5-10 men..that's it.
paint those men..let them dry. finish them.. then put them away (all but 1 for refrence), pulling out another 5-10 men,

rinse and repeat.

I have 3 squads left to paint and i'm done.

Also, check out the painting of the day thread, it'll definitely give you inspiration to try new techniques.
the LO forum has got me motivated, but removing the unpainted models from my face helped tons!
 
#20 ·
I have a few different motivational tools/options

1. competitive nature, I like being able to show off my guys to my friends and whoever else will look at them.

2. Feeling of accomplishment, finishing something is gratifying emotionally for me as well motivates me to continue working harder in other areas of my life

3. Relaxation

4. Girlfriend who plays volleyball...oddly enough my head is shaped just like a volleyball and she is quite capable of hitting my head like a volleyball if i should lose focus

5 there have been a number of great suggestions but i suppose the bottom line is you have to do it for yourself. If you don't paint it for you then there is no competitiveness, there is no gratification you are mearly doing something to be at end with it and that imo is not what the hobby is all about

good luck geting your boys finished

Skid
 
#21 ·
Ah the common problems of no motivation to paint... Doesn't everyone have these?
For me, I need to be in the right mood to do it, or I just can't concentrate. Also seeing some of the stuff up here on LO makes me want to paint sometimes, some of it is amazing 8X.
 
#22 ·
I'm generally motivated by other people saying:
"Haven't you finished that XXXX yet? You've been painting it for weeks!"

Alternatively, semi-sleep deprived bets with dwarfs, the desire to have something aproaching a 50% nicely painted army (my marines are closest so far, with almost 20% painted to a standard I'm happy with, and 95% painted), and the desperate need to paint a small percent of the metal and plastic drowning me in my tiny room.

-t.

PS. Slorak's post on page 1 ftw.
 
#23 ·
Great responses guys. I agree with everyone and have taken it all to heart. In the end I have decided of a way to motivate myself and that is through all of you. I think that I have decided to that i will start a thread in the near future in the Project area of the Painting forum. The way I see after I post the first pics somone on here will start doing what minus-t said and start asking for an update lol. I will get everything set up and ready in the next few days and you all can keep an eye out for it: Kendo's Deathwing Terminators

Thanks for the replies again they really did help :)
 
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