Our "childish" hobby
- Thread starter yxalitis
- Start date
Good Man, Proper attitude!
ozymandias
New member
I'm with this line of thinking. I'm a simple creature. I enjoy painting. Whether others understand or not is their problem not mine.
That being said, most people who find out tend to be intruiged rather than outright dismissive. I usually get asked "why" rather than told it is childish.
Routaporsas
New member
One could answer; I see that your inner child died a long time ago. What a shame.
I have met alot of people who can be really childish no matter what hobbies (if any) they have. I don't think that someones hobby can completely dictate what kind of a person someone is.
It is actually funny that my parents have never been that "dour" what comes to hobbies like miniature painting or roleplaying. I know that some parents are actually shamed of their childrens "weird" hobbies and some even think that for example roleplaying games and such are dangerous. I guess I got lucky with this one.
I usually don't mention my hobby to other people unless some genuinely ask what I like to do. I usually explain that I make model kits and paint them, because it is just easier to explain it like that. As usually don't care what other people think about that. Though I have to admit that as a single guy, I'm sometimes wondering what that potential date would think about my hobby. Would it be like big turn off. Then again, would I like to date and live with a woman who likes to dictate what I can do and what I can't do, as this is just a rather harmless hobby.
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Ebonbuddha
Active member
First, I want to say it's good to see Chrispy and Dragonsreach still posting. I think I saw Supervike in another thread. Seeing your names brought a smile to my face.
Now to the topic...
Years ago I posted about people mocking me about my hobby. Sorry, let's jut say co-workers and "friends" of my wife did. It got pretty bad too. One incident I almost came to blows with a loud mouth from her office. I am not a violent person, but I was relishing giving this guy a pounding. I think some one warned him because he never mentioned the hobby again. Yes, it affected my marriage. If any of her new friends come over, my stuff has to go into hiding. She hid a case of Rogue Trader era Eldar a couple of months ago and I still haven't found them and she doesn't know where they are.
I say just keep painting and ignore the jack*sses. You are doing something a lot of the critics could never do.
Now to the topic...
Years ago I posted about people mocking me about my hobby. Sorry, let's jut say co-workers and "friends" of my wife did. It got pretty bad too. One incident I almost came to blows with a loud mouth from her office. I am not a violent person, but I was relishing giving this guy a pounding. I think some one warned him because he never mentioned the hobby again. Yes, it affected my marriage. If any of her new friends come over, my stuff has to go into hiding. She hid a case of Rogue Trader era Eldar a couple of months ago and I still haven't found them and she doesn't know where they are.
I say just keep painting and ignore the jack*sses. You are doing something a lot of the critics could never do.
Funnily enough, I can best explain it to women, because they have an analogy available:
When I say: "I paint minis it because it's work on a physical thing, not just bits and bytes like on my job. And it forces you to sit still and occupy your brain on a not-very-intense level, which allows you to really immerse yourself into music or an audiobook", I get blank looks.
When I add "I guess it's a bit like knitting or crochet, really", they go [click].
When I say: "I paint minis it because it's work on a physical thing, not just bits and bytes like on my job. And it forces you to sit still and occupy your brain on a not-very-intense level, which allows you to really immerse yourself into music or an audiobook", I get blank looks.
When I add "I guess it's a bit like knitting or crochet, really", they go [click].
airhead
Coffin Dodger / Keymaster
Funnily enough, I can best explain it to women, because they have an analogy available:
When I say: "I paint minis it because it's work on a physical thing, not just bits and bytes like on my job. And it forces you to sit still and occupy your brain on a not-very-intense level, which allows you to really immerse yourself into music or an audiobook", I get blank looks.
When I add "I guess it's a bit like knitting or crochet, really", they go [click].
Best analagy I've heard in a while.
(Says the man with too many hobbies - according to his wife...)
StillLifeMiniatures
New member
For me, it was the way I answered the questions. I would answer in almost a shameful way, and that would produce a similar response.
After painting for this long, I tell people I'm an artist. If they ask what I do, then I tell them I paint miniatures and models for collectors, gamers, and sculptors.
If it that point, they ask further, I show them pictures that are stored on my phone or direct them to my website.
I tend to take it in steps so they know exactly what they ask for.
If they get to the picture part it's 50/50: either they don't know what to make of it or they're impressed by the size of the minis.
My boss was the last to make fun of me for painting little mens but I pointed out that I'm getting more steady work with my customers than he is with his own business... which is why I've been building the painting side of my life in the first place.
My writing comes off as egotistical and I don't mean it that way... I just try and keep the explanation simple and clear.
Confidence goes a long way.
After painting for this long, I tell people I'm an artist. If they ask what I do, then I tell them I paint miniatures and models for collectors, gamers, and sculptors.
If it that point, they ask further, I show them pictures that are stored on my phone or direct them to my website.
I tend to take it in steps so they know exactly what they ask for.
If they get to the picture part it's 50/50: either they don't know what to make of it or they're impressed by the size of the minis.
My boss was the last to make fun of me for painting little mens but I pointed out that I'm getting more steady work with my customers than he is with his own business... which is why I've been building the painting side of my life in the first place.
My writing comes off as egotistical and I don't mean it that way... I just try and keep the explanation simple and clear.
Confidence goes a long way.
KruleBear
Active member
I love these types of threads. I've lots of hobbies and find it hard to watch something i could be doing. My wife doesn't mind my hobby, but does keep asking why i am buying more and not getting any painted...May have a problem there
My parents never understood my hobbies or interests in scifi/fantasy, but never actively discouraged my artistic interests. I actually fund it humourous that my 80 year old father told my wife awhile back that he had hoped i would grow out of playing with toys...this from a person that has 100 different fishing rods that he hardly uses. The few negative comments from others always seem to be from those few people that fail to have their own life in order...so in general, screw em. Everyone should do what they want as long as it is not harming someone else.
My parents never understood my hobbies or interests in scifi/fantasy, but never actively discouraged my artistic interests. I actually fund it humourous that my 80 year old father told my wife awhile back that he had hoped i would grow out of playing with toys...this from a person that has 100 different fishing rods that he hardly uses
. The few negative comments from others always seem to be from those few people that fail to have their own life in order...so in general, screw em. Everyone should do what they want as long as it is not harming someone else.
qwudd
New member
I try to look at it this way; A lot of people give me odd looks when i mention it or they come to my home and see it (the wife likes to show it to her friends, kudos to her). Most people are nice though even if they can't see the point.
To me, it's not me thats odd. Painting sculptures is an age-old human activity. It's not the painter thats odd for naturally being drawn to a recurring cultural activity (no matter what the current hierarchy of fine art says about its value).
It's people who have completely alienated themselves from any creative output thats odd (and sad).
http://io9.com/5616498/ultraviolet-light-reveals-how-ancient-greek-statues-really-looked
To me, it's not me thats odd. Painting sculptures is an age-old human activity. It's not the painter thats odd for naturally being drawn to a recurring cultural activity (no matter what the current hierarchy of fine art says about its value).
It's people who have completely alienated themselves from any creative output thats odd (and sad).
http://io9.com/5616498/ultraviolet-light-reveals-how-ancient-greek-statues-really-looked
qwudd
New member
Can't help myself here, maybe im hijacking the thread a little bit…
"A comment by Gregory Meeker at the end of the article reads:
“It’s reasonable to assume that the painting on the figures was at least as sophisticated as the figures themselves. By the time of the Alexander Sarcophagus the subtlety of the sculpture has far outstripped the colors identified and applied by Brinkmann. This does not mean that Brinkmann has left the path of accurate reconstruction; it may mean that his ultimate goal is impossibly distant. The colors he has identified on later pieces are clearly just underpainting for a far more realistic final finish. This was the process used in Renaissance oil paintings of equivalent visual sophistication. The assumption that the painting was as sophisticated as the figures is an extremely conservative one. The artistic and manual skills required for realistic sculpting are far greater than those required for life-like painting of a finished figure. And the painting task was a relaxed one, far more amenable to messing around until the artist got it right. So painting was easier, less risky and, because of weathering, constantly in demand. It is reasonable to conclude that until sculpting reached its zenith, painting of figures was substantially more sophisticated than the figures themselves. With luck, Brinkmann will eventually find a piece with all the layers intact."
http://100swallows.wordpress.com/2008/08/20/greek-statues-were-painted/
The anomaly clearly is that our social status would have been so much more in times past
"A comment by Gregory Meeker at the end of the article reads:
“It’s reasonable to assume that the painting on the figures was at least as sophisticated as the figures themselves. By the time of the Alexander Sarcophagus the subtlety of the sculpture has far outstripped the colors identified and applied by Brinkmann. This does not mean that Brinkmann has left the path of accurate reconstruction; it may mean that his ultimate goal is impossibly distant. The colors he has identified on later pieces are clearly just underpainting for a far more realistic final finish. This was the process used in Renaissance oil paintings of equivalent visual sophistication. The assumption that the painting was as sophisticated as the figures is an extremely conservative one. The artistic and manual skills required for realistic sculpting are far greater than those required for life-like painting of a finished figure. And the painting task was a relaxed one, far more amenable to messing around until the artist got it right. So painting was easier, less risky and, because of weathering, constantly in demand. It is reasonable to conclude that until sculpting reached its zenith, painting of figures was substantially more sophisticated than the figures themselves. With luck, Brinkmann will eventually find a piece with all the layers intact."
http://100swallows.wordpress.com/2008/08/20/greek-statues-were-painted/
The anomaly clearly is that our social status would have been so much more in times past
kendallyoon
New member
playing paper dolls
There's a basic truth there.
I've had the sarcastic comments made to me from a "Bar Stool Preacher" type telling me I should do something more "Manly", then I pointed out that I've climbed Helvellyn, via Striding Edge in Winter, Done a 30 miles point to point charity challenge through the Lake district fells and I absailed down Wallsall Art Gallery.
"Manly enough?"
AndyG
Active member
Well I've fine point crochet an Irish shawl, baked off the perfect Victoria sponge, changed a leaking nappy while on a crowded train and acted out the part of twighlite sparkle to amuse my young daughter. Is that manly enough? Er just realised my list is a bit different to yours Mike.:dont-know:
wargamesculptor
New member
wargaming and painting of models is one of the hobby activities that is readily available in the forces, I wouldn't imagine many people accusing them of not being manly !
KruleBear
Active member
Both very manly
. I played American football in Highschool and some college, so most people knew better than to mess with me...i am also the cook in the family and sew more often than my wife...but try to keep the diaper changing pawned off on the wife
Can't crochet, but as for the rest nowt wrong with them.
In fact the twighlite sparkle is the mist "manly" of them all..being a Father!
