Painting OCD

[ten ball]

Ive joked before about having painting Obsessive compulsive disorder with my minis but recently I think I really might have a problem.
I seem to keep second guessing what im doing, being well to harsh on my abilities, rushing things for no reason and basically not enjoying painting. But I still want to paint more than ever??

Its seems to have got worse over the last 3-4 months and im not like it in any other aspect of my life - certainly not work lol.

Any of you gone through this & any tips apart from stopping painting?:mad-tongue:

 

[wargamesculptor]

we all suffer with this in some degree. my wife tells me i'm my worst critic, where other people think a piece looks cool i'm always picking holes in it. i think it's our obsession to improve and drive to achieve it. the only thing i can suggest is to keep posting up pictures to hear what other people think

 

[Zab]

Try a new medium where you have no experience. Try painting scenics with oils or water colour, or try making terrain for no particular goal, then give it to a local shop or sell it online. You would be surprised at how well things can turn out AND it forces you to not be so OCD since you don't really know what you are doing. I did that with 2 models so far and they are my highest rated and favourite minis. My Alpha Legionaire which was glazes over metallics and Vandella from SDE which was my first time using the AB for blends and not using pre-made washes, but mixing my own. Maybe even just change scale - drastically and see what happens. I have a friend who picks a model he HATES every now when he get frustrated and then and just tries to make it look cool with paint (Centurions are on his list I am sure) and new techniques like trying to make it look like a sepia photo or a scene in night vision. Hope that helps.


***EDIT***
OR Reno your basement after flood. I am dying to get back to minis after painting nothing but walls and baseboards. :at-wits-end:

 

[me_in_japan]

In all seriousness, play some video games. I find that, like yourself, the muse sometimes just goes on a wee holiday, and leaves her evil, pesky sister in her place, the one that won't ever give you any peace but neither does she inspire you. When that happens I find it useful to just walk away for a week or so and do something completely different. Alternatively, if such a cold-turkey approach doesn't appeal, as others have suggested you could try painting something completely different to usual. New techniques, or maybe a speed-painting blitz or something. Any kind of paint session where the quality of the final product isn't important.

Incidentally, from what I've read actual OCD is way, way worse than that. It seems to be one of those phrases that has been picked up by the world at large and abused until the original meaning (the medical one) has kinda faded into the distance. Proper OCD is stuff like putting your shoes on and off 27 times each then untying and relying the laces until your fingers bleed (my mum had a patient who did this), so worrying about your painting quality kinda pales in comparison. I spose putting the painting in context might even help. When you get right down to it, we paint for fun, so if it ain't fun, stop for a bit. Ain't nothin' terrible gonna happen to you if you do. Then wait until you feel ready again. That's the thing about paint, plastic models and brushes. They ain't going anywhere anytime soon.

 

[cassar]

Sounds like the hobbies becoming a chore, a change is as good as a rest, try something different for a while and forget the painting completely, it worked for me I was constantly going over ideas in my head for sculpts and planning out ways to do it and then re planning, drove me nutts. If you find you cant give up the brush try painting canvas a complete change from mini's but you still get to lick the brush.

 

[ten ball]

Thanks all, some great advice.

cassar - did you get that lie down?

 

[Dragonsreach]

Lee sounds like you're stressing about a mini more than obsessing about them.

Stop and do something else.
Like lie on the floor and let the dog play with you.
Anything stupid and fun, if you're not married find someone stupid and fun, lie on the floor and let them play with you.
If you are married, farm off the kids for the weekend and follow the above advice.

 

[cassar]

Thanks all, some great advice.

cassar - did you get that lie down?

no not yet but i'm considering combining it with DR's advice lol, now if I can only talk the ball n chain around, shuffles off in search of brownie points

 

[Zab]

Brownie points!? You mean doing the dishes and complaining about work doesn't count as foreplay? What kind of cold hearted monster are you married too?!

 

[ischa]

watch a movie, eat some fruit, grab a book, fall in love with rachel riley. then give it another try=)
mini painting is supposed to be fun. if it isnt, take a break.

mini painting is also alot like drugs or studying, it´s really addictive!
sometimes we get sick of it, but the urge will hit you again like a truck in a matter of days!

 

[Willdorling]

Hi lee, you paint a lot dude so taking a break is my suggestion. I've had a forced lay-off due to house move and have not missed painting until now and am really starting to get the itch back. Cannot wait to set up my desk in the man cave and start throwing paint again. Paint happy brother!

 

[AndyG]

Oh shut up you t*rt and get on with it! As I told skellettets your not here to enjoy yourself; your here to produce beautiful pieces of work for our edification!Stop being all me me me think of your audience :snicker: Now 10 laps around the field and a full diorama with tmm and nmm produced by 5 o'clock!!! God im good at this inspirational stuff

 

[Dragonsreach]

Oh shut up you t*rt and get on with it! As I told skellettets your not here to enjoy yourself; your here to produce beautiful pieces of work for our edification!
Stop being all me me me think of your audience :snicker:
Now 10 laps around the field and a full diorama with tmm and nmm produced by 5 o'clock!!!
God im good at this inspirational stuff

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