Music listening while painting

boubi

New member
Many people, including myself, listen music while painting. I am curious to know what other painters are listening while painting and why?

I like to listen 2 music style during painting, either Metal (black, death and doom metal) because it fits quite well the fantasy and dark fantasy of many minis or classical music which gives a good rythm and calm you down if you missed your brush stroke... ;)

And you, any preferences?
 

DannyVasquez

New member
I tend watch movies rather than listen to music. Depending on what im painting, I can use the imagery to inspire the look of what im doing. although i never watch anything brand new because it distracts from the painting. One of my most inspirational movies is Conan the Barbarian (the original) and Dawn of the Dead (the original).

Musically, I do listen to anything from Lonely Planet, Pantera, Metric, RATM and many others. But Music is to eliminate silence rather than inspire...
 

boubi

New member
I tend watch movies rather than listen to music. Depending on what im painting, I can use the imagery to inspire the look of what im doing. although i never watch anything brand new because it distracts from the painting. One of my most inspirational movies is Conan the Barbarian (the original) and Dawn of the Dead (the original).

So you watch the movie over and over again?
I never thought about it because it might be a big cause of distraction for me but it make sense as a source of inspiration, color schemes, hightlight, shadows, skin tones...
 

freakinacage

Well-known member
I never thought about it because it might be a big cause of distraction for me but it make sense as a source of inspiration, color schemes, hightlight, shadows, skin tones...
You are quite right it is AWESOME inspiration, but so good, you often forget to paint. That's my problem anyway!

On the rare occasions when I do listen to just music, I find film scores work well as they evoke the same emotions but with less of a distraction
 

Spoontoes

New member
Same - I watch movies I've already seen or TV series that aren't my favourites but ones I like to watch :)
 
I either put the TV on History or Discovery channel.... something to listen to that I don't necessarily have to watch. If the TV annoys me then I will find an audiobook to keep me sitting still while I paint. Usually fantasy or historical novels.
 

Kara Jane

New member
Discworld Audio stories are quite entertaining to listen to while painting. Music is usually some metal or hard rock, but I tend to block out things if I'm busy and focused.
 

Wicksy

New member
Yeah, when i had a tv that worked i watched CSI.....man, i painted a lot to those series. Now i'll slap on spotify or my housemate will whack on his stuff. Pretty cool with the LOTR or gladiator sound tracks going on while we both paint.
 

BPI

New member
Lately I've been working through the Collings & Herrin podcast as well as Richard Herrings AIOTM (AIOTM!) http://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/collingsherrin/

Have been through The Shield DVD box set, particularly good as pretty much every episode has a commentary. I also picked up the Band Of Brothers and The Pacific sets for WWWII inspiration :)

Music is just my 3-5 star tracks playing on random, mostly Blues and Dub, though this year I binged on a chunk of pre-war Gospel for a few months.

BBC Radio 4 comedy on Iplayer is the emergency backup source when my collection feels moribund.

Cheers, B.
 

me_in_japan

New member
I cant do movies as background - I just end up watching them. I do almost always listen to music, though. The actual music varies depending on my mood - I had a long phase of DragonForce when I was doing my eldar, then Jeanne Michel Jarre, Muse and My Chemical Romance when I was doing my dark eldar, and my standard "cant think what to put on, lets try this" music tends to be metallica, pantera, or RATM, cos thats what I listened to when I was 12 and just starting in the hobby :) I do occasionally use audiobooks, though. If I'm painting something with a black library book that matches it, I'll sometimes put that on for inspiration.
 

DannyVasquez

New member
Audiobooks seem like the most popular choice really. But I guess everyone has their own way. I should give them a try, I have a couple of Terry Pratchett audiobooks that are quite good...
 

boubi

New member
I am really amazed by the number of people listening (watching) TV, I thought that most people are listening music (radio or any MP3) while painting, now I know I am wrong... audiobook is a good idea, you paint and kind of read at the same time... I always listen music, I even didn't think about something else... I will give a try to TV and/or audiobook!
 

DannyVasquez

New member
You shouldnt really change to follow a trend. Stick to what works for you. There is no such thing as wrong when it comes to painting.
 

In Chigh P.I.

New member
Yes, i have a little Mp3 player which has practically become a part of my hobby kit since i never use it other than when i 'hobby'. Currently on it; the first 2 Misfits albums, 'Double Nickels on the Dime' by The Minutemen, 'Sound Affects' and 'The Gift' by The Jam, The Inspiral Carpets Peel session and also some audio books; HP Lovecraft and Edgar Allan Poe.
 

Dragonsreach

Super Moderator
Staff member
Yep my preference is for audiobooks as well.
Listened to a lot this year, best of the bunch are the Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearne. If you liked the Dresen Files odds are you'll like these.
Struggled through Shadow of the Torturer, man that was a slow dreary book.
Currently working through Murder of Angels, not an easy book and needs perseverance.
 

Avelorn

Sven Jonsson
Audiobooks for me to! :) I can really recommend Roy Dotrice reading George R.R. Martins A Song of Ice and Fire.
 

moetle

New member
WOOT for unsun! Been a fan since their debut.
Was hoping someone would post a thread like this. i love music and i listen to stuff from all genres when im painting. Only thing i cant listen to are the guys that sound like they just gargled 1000 razor blades before they start singing....cept the guy from killswitch engage he is uber. I also read alot of books. Oddly i have never thought about doing the audio books while i painted. Is there a good place(cheap with good selection) that one could go to find some good audio books?
 
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