The_Terrible_Angel Posted April 26, 2014 Share Posted April 26, 2014 Heya all, In the first order of business I've built the legs and torso's of my new fledgling Imperial Fist 7th company tactical squad, managed to find some scouts in an old bitz box and do the same. Having base coated, first layered, second layered and inked the tactical squad I know feel like I've hit a wall. The doubts are creeping in, they won't be any good, people will laugh, they won't look how I want them to in my mind etc etc. So I have come on here to ask a question how do you guys get around it, over come it or just simply stop yourself buying more and making the situation worse. All answers and comments greatly appreciated. Thanks The_Terrible_Angel Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/290200-hitting-the-painting-wall/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
mactire Posted April 26, 2014 Share Posted April 26, 2014 Hold tough, wait until the 30th and pledge yourself to the ETLlll. You'll get all the encouragement and motivation you need from that, also don't worry about the quality everyone here has a different standard, it's your army go for it and just try to improve a little at a time. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/290200-hitting-the-painting-wall/#findComment-3665208 Share on other sites More sharing options...
NovemberIX Posted April 26, 2014 Share Posted April 26, 2014 I just take a break, maybe go play some games, then come back to the table and see if I feel like screwing around with the models some more. I doubt any one but your closest friends would laugh, and let's be honest, close friends tend to play right into insecurities anyway, so worry not just do your best. Even if they're not great the first time round you'll always get a little better each time you paint a model, and, you know, you can strip em and repaint once you get to a comfortable skill level. That's my plan for my horribly painted models from when I first started. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/290200-hitting-the-painting-wall/#findComment-3665211 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Honda Posted April 26, 2014 Share Posted April 26, 2014 First of all, welcome aboard, you are in the best place ever to work through something like painters block. This forum (BnC) is very supportive and believe me, we've all experienced challenges from time to time. Now as far as critiquing your figs, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at how helpful people are when you post stuff. I've been on this forum for almost ten years and seen people start here who didn't know which end of a brush to hold, start painting, work to get better, and then start competing in painting contests. Painting is a skill that you learn. Anyone can learn it if they want to. None of us were born Michelangelo, so if you see someone who paints really well, then it's most likely because they've been doing it a while. Now, there are people that are naturally gifted at this and we hate them for how easy they make it look...just kidding. There are gifted people wherever you are doing stuff. That's just the way it is, but I think you will find the vast majority of people start painting, read threads, ask questions, try new stuff and keep at it. If it were me, I'd start a thread in the Works in Progress forum, introduce yourself, tell everyone that these are the first things you've ever painted and then relax, because you are among friends. The other thing to do if you're feeling like you're beating your head up against a wall, is just put down your brushes for awhile and enjoy the forums. They're entertaining and instructional. I'm pretty sure you will eventually find something that impress/inspires you and that is what will get you going again. So don't worry about hiccups, they happen. This hobby is supposed to be fun and relaxing. You're supposed to enjoy it. So relax, sit back and have a good time. Also, check out the Wobbly Model Syndrome comic. It'll get you to giggle. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/290200-hitting-the-painting-wall/#findComment-3665219 Share on other sites More sharing options...
A Son of Sanguinius Posted April 27, 2014 Share Posted April 27, 2014 I agree with Honda, you may want to start a thread in the WIP section. The help you would get from the better painters on this site is invaluable. Just remember to post a pic of what you have and maybe a general idea of what you would like to have your model end up as. People here like to help, as long as they know the type of help you are looking for. Painting can be a daunting task, you may want to take smaller steps, instead of painting a TAC squad and a Scout squad at the same time, concentrate on one and then when it is finished, move on to the second one. As for people laughing - don't sweat it, no matter how your models currently look, they look better than ones that have no paint on them at all. One last thing you may want to consider is stopping with the first squad for a bit. Only paint one model to completion, that way you can experiment with it as much as you like and if you don't like it, you only have to strip one single model. It may be easier to use one for a test subject until you finalize what you want your army to look like. Oh, by the way, welcome to the Bolter and Chainsword! Have a look around, there is some great information here. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/290200-hitting-the-painting-wall/#findComment-3665433 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grotsmasha Posted April 27, 2014 Share Posted April 27, 2014 Hey Terrible Angel, welcome to the B&C!!! Back when I started 20 odd years ago, we didn't have the excellent resources beginners have today, things like GW's painting guides and youtube, make use of them. I see beginners these days who's first model looks like my 100th. As previously stated, painting is a skill that needs to be developed, grab some cheap push-fit models from ebay and experiment, try a new technique on each one. Experiment and see what works for you. The single most important piece of advice I wish someone had told me from the get-go is this. Thin your paints. Seriously. Sure, it may take a little longer, but the finished quality is totally worth it. As to how I deal with the painting wall, sometimes I don't, I'll take a break, play some xbox. What I do find that brings me back, is reading a good story, be it Black Library of Fan-fic here on the B&C. Something I've found that keeps me at the table longer is Black Library's audio books, it creates a fantastic hobby environment, keeps me motivated. Another trick I use is to keep completed models from the army on a tray that I bring out when I paint,,seeing the tray fill up, knowing it's almost time to buy a new tray is a great motivator, it stirs the emotions of accomplishment. And last, but not least, reward. It requires a little will power, but leave a reward for yourself by painting Character/Tank/Elite units after completing a regular unit. Cheers, Jono Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/290200-hitting-the-painting-wall/#findComment-3665511 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urael Posted April 27, 2014 Share Posted April 27, 2014 I recommend vodka. Seriously, never be afraid to step back and relax. If I had a nickel for every mini I repainted, I'd buy out GW. Very few things are truly permanent, so try it out... if it works, great! If not, pour a glass and relax. :) Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/290200-hitting-the-painting-wall/#findComment-3665518 Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Terrible_Angel Posted April 27, 2014 Author Share Posted April 27, 2014 Thanks guys, I've been playing and collecting on and off for 15 years but have only fully painted one army that was then sold. I'll start a WIP blog later tonight. Thanks again Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/290200-hitting-the-painting-wall/#findComment-3665567 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plague Angel Posted April 27, 2014 Share Posted April 27, 2014 At least you know you aren't alone. I get super enthusiastic about building the guys, come up with great poses and kitbashes that I love, prime them, and then immediately feel like I'd ruin my most beloved models if I painted them further. So what do I do? I build more guys! This admittedly isn't helpful, since now I have a dozen unpainted models instead of just one, but hey, they needed to be built anyways, right? It sure does feel good, focusing on the part of the hobby you are confident in. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/290200-hitting-the-painting-wall/#findComment-3665575 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Interrogator Stobz Posted April 27, 2014 Share Posted April 27, 2014 Hi, One thing I found when I started and still find after many many minis and vehicles, is exactly like what you mentioned...I get depressed and anxious about the final look of the model when it is 3/4 finished; usually at that stage it does look terrible and needs touch ups, corrections, extra layers, highlights, shading, detailing put on and it seems daunting. Three words of advice: DO. NOT. STOP!!! it is truly at this stage that you MUST just buckle down and push through, then and only then will you get the rush and satisfaction of completing a job. That rush should help you move even more confidently into the next project where things can only get better.... NEVER fret that the model is sub-standard (what the hell does sub-standard mean anyway?); there is always a better, faster, more creative person than us out there. Just be happy it is YOUR best today and that YOU finished it. Tomorrow aim to do an even better job on the next project. TL/DR: Finish the project before you start another, there is nothing worse than a painting que of half done jobs on the sub-concious. That is all Stobz EDIT: Another problem I have is starting at all at the moment... damned real life Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/290200-hitting-the-painting-wall/#findComment-3665632 Share on other sites More sharing options...
sockwithaticket Posted April 27, 2014 Share Posted April 27, 2014 What helps me is my word document. At the top of the document is a table outlining what I want to get painted over the next couple of months in the left column and the points cost in the right. I will not allow more than five models to take up a slot, combat squads are manageable. Below this table is my army list.Taking a unit out of the WIP table and writing it into the army list is immensely satisfying.All the above advice is great and plays a part, too. You just need to find what works for you, we're all different. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/290200-hitting-the-painting-wall/#findComment-3665766 Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Terrible_Angel Posted April 30, 2014 Author Share Posted April 30, 2014 Cheers guys, I took the advice and started a WIP post here : http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/topic/290342-the-seventh-company-of-the-seventh-legion/#entry3668508http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/topic/290342-the-seventh-company-of-the-seventh-legion/#entry3668508 Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/290200-hitting-the-painting-wall/#findComment-3668995 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forté Posted May 2, 2014 Share Posted May 2, 2014 Cheers guys, I took the advice and started a WIP post here : http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/topic/290342-the-seventh-company-of-the-seventh-legion/#entry3668508http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/topic/290342-the-seventh-company-of-the-seventh-legion/#entry3668508 Good to hear and don't ever worry about posting models on B&C. It's rare to find anyone who will post negative comments and it gets stamped out quickly too. All about encouragement and passing on techniques. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/290200-hitting-the-painting-wall/#findComment-3671961 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brother Casman Posted May 2, 2014 Share Posted May 2, 2014 Well, rather than repeat everything everyone else said, I just wanted to add one thing. When you hit that wall, remember this: walls fail, Fists do not. Welcome to the B&C, brother! Seriously, how did no-one use that before now? Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/290200-hitting-the-painting-wall/#findComment-3672064 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garath Posted May 3, 2014 Share Posted May 3, 2014 Don't know what to do next? Congrats!!! - You just finished your first squad. It's a big step . Don't feel bad about it! You should be feeling kinda proud. Proud of the fact that you , unlike a lot of people in this hobby ,want to have a nicely painted army. It can get hard, when you don't know what to do - and it happens to everyone. Even people that compete on Golden Deamon. The positive side is - you have done your first unit and things WILL only get better from now on. Most people never make that step. Now what the doctors orders :D would now be is: 1. Leave your squad on a shelve 2. Browse the net for tips - hint - a certain channel with clips on it 3. Look,read,learn as much as you can 4. Try copying the techinques of people's work that you like. Good reporters read more then they write, good musicians listen to a lot more music then they play. Finding good tips saves a lot more time then trying to re-invent them yourself 5. Get another squad to paint! Seriously ,before you even learn all these different new tricks- you will have a whole force to apply them to. Welcome to the board ! Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/290200-hitting-the-painting-wall/#findComment-3673159 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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