Stuck in a rut and losing all hope...

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Captain Blut

New member
I am in a dire situation.

Since January I have not enjoyed painting minis at all. I told a friend that I would paint his elf army as part of his Christmas present (I bought it for him). Now FIVE MONTHS later I still haven\'t finished. The thing is this is a Warlord army! It\'s only 8 figures big! I am just not inspired to work on them at all! They just seem so boring. To make matters worse I\'ve stopped painting entirely out of a feeling of ineptness and inadaquacy. I\'ve been painting for three years and my work has never improved beyond game-playable quality! I know I need to practice more but I don\'t because I feel extremely guilty about the unfinished elves but I really don\'t want to work on them! So in the end I\'m stuck here and so far haven\'t found a solution to my problem. Yay.
 
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solaria2k

New member
Welcome to the forums Captain Blut!
I know exactly what your going through, and I usually find the only way out of it is to paint a mini I\'d enjoy painting.
It gets my creative juices flowing again, and inspires me when I attack the more \'boring\' stuff.

You might want to try posting pictures of the army here and asking for ideas, this can be a great help and support you through the painting process.

Fact is, your friend thinks you are good enough to paint his army, and I\'m sure he would not mind waiting for you to find the right inspiration and motivation.

Dont lose hope, let us help. :D
 
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supervike

Super Moderator
I\'ve been in those ruts myself.

When painting becomes a chore, you definately don\'t want to do it anymore.

I\'d just tell your friend that you just can\'t get motivated to paint them. Get that burden off, and hopefully, you\'ll become interested in it again. Your skill will probably not increase if your heart isn\'t into it.

For a large majority of people, it really is a relaxing hobby. There are some that make a living at it, and I\'m sure they feel the pressure to paint very intensely.
 
Shawn R. L.

Shawn R. L.

New member
Sometiimes what I do is choose something simple (eg. color the hair), something I can do in 5 minuets. I wouldnt even take it to completion. Just put some color on. Put it down for a day. Put the color on the shoes. Put it down for another day. Sometimes I will begin to get inspired again if I dont push too hard and take it in small steps. It\'s a tough problem and ALL of us go through it.
 
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Sturmhalo

Guest
Originally posted by vincegamer
I think you\'ve hit the common problem of:
Now that I have to do it, it\'s not fun; it\'s a job.
:(
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8 figures is hardly a \'job\'!

And not wanting to paint anything is hardly the end of the world! Don\'t take a hobby so damn seriously. Do something else. Screw miniatures and painting! Leave it all behind and come back to it when you want to, not coz you feel you have to!
 
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marineboy

New member
Hi, Cap, and welcome aboard!

Do some fingerpainting and mix some odd colors together...while you\'re at it, fingerpaint your girlfriend! That should help you find your inspiration!;):D:D

Welcome to the monkey house....:)
 
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vincegamer

Active member
Originally posted by Shawn R. L.
Sometiimes what I do is choose something simple (eg. color the hair), something I can do in 5 minuets. I wouldnt even take it to completion. Just put some color on. Put it down for a day. Put the color on the shoes. Put it down for another day.
Click to expand...

Well I guess I should never get painter\'s block since this is the way I always paint.

p.s. I\'m serious. I paint after breakfast before I leave for work. It\'s the only quiet time I have.
 
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Galante

New member
Originally posted by vincegamer
p.s. I\'m serious. I paint after breakfast before I leave for work. It\'s the only quiet time I have.
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lollol
I\'m sorry, but I bursted out laughing after reading this!

But you\'re right, when you really enjoy something you always find the time.
 
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Avicenna

New member
And while Sturmhalo isnt the most tactful person in the world, he has a point to some extent.

Take it slow and gradually get the minis ready. Take your time and take a break if need be - painting isnt an exact science and you have to be in the mood. If your mate is into toy soldiers then he will understand.

And Sturm, while 8 minis might not be an issue to you, it can seem like a daunting task for those of us who have to do real work for a living.
 
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supervike

Super Moderator
zing........

Originally posted by Avicenna

And Sturm, while 8 minis might not be an issue to you, it can seem like a daunting task for those of us who have to do real work for a living.
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Don\'t you want a winking smiley there or something.....lollol

@marineboy, did you just tell him to fingerpaint his girlfriend?:cool:
 
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Captain Blut

New member
I was probably being too negative. While I may have been lax in painting minis, I\'ve made more terrain this year than in the past three combined! Can you post terrain on CMON?
 
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shinjikun1

New member
Originally posted by marineboy
Hi, Cap, and welcome aboard!

Do some fingerpainting and mix some odd colors together...while you\'re at it, fingerpaint your girlfriend! That should help you find your inspiration!;):D:D
Welcome to the monkey house....:)
Click to expand...
are you suggesting using her as a subject or a canvas?
 
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Equus

New member
I would agree with most of what has been said. Do either other miniatures or take a short break from painting. If you\'re feeling guilty about not doing the elves, just remember that you\'re doing it to help improve your skills so that your friend\'s minis look that much better.

I think everyone has hit an artistic rut sometime, whether it\'s minis or not. Just remember to keep having fun, which is, of course, harder when you view it as a chore or a job.

Fingerpainting is fun. Fingerpainting girlfriends can be fun and could either get you some physical injuries or a very interesting evening. :D
 
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Sturmhalo

Guest
Originally posted by Avicenna
And while Sturmhalo isnt the most tactful person in the world, he has a point to some extent.

And Sturm, while 8 minis might not be an issue to you, it can seem like a daunting task for those of us who have to do real work for a living.
Click to expand...

OOOOOOOOOOOoooooooohhhhhhhh...!

Get her! lol

Nice to know I don\'t do a proper job! Pays my damn bills though!
 
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