How 'systematic' are you in your painting?

[ranulf the revenant]

Hello there!

I was thinking about the relation of 'painting discipline' and long term motivation and would like to know about your thoughts and experiences: how useful is it to approach painting 'systematically', as for example in batch painting? Is there a certain ratio of effectiveness vs ... "things getting boring". The question is not so much about specific painting techniques, and more about the mental approach to painting. Do you like to establish a strict painting plan for effectiveness or do you paint more intuitively? Have you had experiences with both approaches and maybe found the method which works best for you?

I personally seem to struggle with sticking to a plan a bit, and I also like to try out new stuff a lot. There are also certain details - for example metallics - which I like to work on more than others, especially when my motivation is rather low. So it seems like I have to give myself some instant gratification to get motivated. What are your thoughts on this :)?
 

[Bung]

Look if you can get the book Armies & Legions & Hordes by Dave Taylor a known painter for army commisions.

It should answer alot of your questions.

https://ironheartartisans.com/shop/armies-legions-hordes-by-dave-taylor-hardback/

[thewarriorhunter]

I'm systematic in how I execute the painting of a model (follow recipes, certain steps in certain order) but I'm less so when it comes to what I actually paint. I tend to have a few projects going at once so I can float around to what I want to do. I've also recently decided to focus more on skirmish games which affords me the ability to paint a more diverse range of models.

[sarabando]

i stick to a plan for my two current armies mainly because they are identical process Prime > Base > Zenithal highlights > Decals > Sponging > oil wash > touch ups. and i do it that way every single mini in two armies, including vehicles.

 

is it boring sure, but ive started trying to paint some no PA minis with only a brush and i hated it and went right back to finishing the minis, i think its something to do with finally being able to finish armies.

[Rik Lightstar]

It really does depend what I'm painting.

 

For Marines I think it helps them to keep that cohesive look, they all use the same leather for pouches, their armour is all the same shade, the honour badges and chest eagles are all identical. It suits their feel.

 

For a Necromunda Gang or Bloodbowl Team, I'll use the same colours for the bulk of each model, but paint each individually, so some may have colours placed differently, I might make one colour darker or lighter on each one just so they're not so "cookie cutter".

 

Then you have things like Warhammer Underworlds warbands, which are 3-9 models, so each one is a character in their own right and I paint them as such.

 

The first approach likely works best for Craftworld Eldar, T'au and Imperial Guard too. The second I'd use for Dark Eldar, Chaos, Orks and Genestealer Cult so they're going to looking that bit more worn or individual.

 

Rik

[Warhead01]

I paint every day.  Most of the time I have no issues with painting at all. When I do commission painting I go through a process, assemble, prime, base coat then divide everything into lots and get to it. For example, I can paint about 45 Ork boys in 4 or 5 days and repeat this till mission complete with a 10 color pallet. It does get tedious but it can be done. Commission work is treated like a job and I work from Nineish till noon take a lunch and work until five. I try to take weekends off but have usually kept working. I think when you take a job it is important to treat it like a job. I've had 2 massive commissions and was taking 2 other small ones as well. I think I did 4 in one year that year. 
But before that and after that I just paint a lot. I enjoy it more than playing now days. My most recent project is a Blood Angels Primaris army, repainting an army I did almost 2 years ago. I'm finding it to be quite a struggle. One of my usual methods is just to set a goal of X number of models a week. How I paint changes my work rate as well. One project may be grubby and dirty so the steps are a few base coats, layers and washes. Or I may be doing something more simple like a 3 color airbrushing and washes. Hand painting and trying to have a vey clean end result really slows me down and it can be a struggle because it takes so long to get the final results. 
I am used to assembly line painting and set out all the colors I will need for any given task and push through everything and then move on to the next set of colors and start again with a few exceptions, Characters or Heroes will probably get painted all the ay through in one or two sittings where as infantry units just have more area to cover and take longer. 
I like my methods because I can get consistent results, which is important. 

There's a video series you might look for called the 7 day army. I think it may be on youtube still. Some of the early parts talk about setting up your work space in a way that lets you work more efficiently. There's actually a good bit of information in that video.  
I've been painting for more than 20 years now and you just kinda build habits and know what you need and about how long things take. These blood Angels have 5 reds to build the color because I thought it was a good idea...not because it actual is. I have been wondering if I could have gotten the same results with 3 colors and that would have takes hours off my work time. Taking the time to work with all of these paints really drags everything out. I've stuck with it aiming for 10 models a week and rewarded myself with a vehicle or character every so often. It's taken a while but will have been worth it. I used to play with unfinished models in my armies but in the last 3 or 4 years have made it a point to only play with painted models. Getting them done and taking them out for a game is another carrot on a stick I guess. 
If your wondering...I am on track to paint 300 models this year, I think I have passed 250 already a month or two ago. I just came off time away from painting in mid April. No idea if I'll make it to 300 or not, we'll see. 
I paint a lot. 

Sorry if that missed the point of the question.


 

[ranulf the revenant]

Thanks a lot for the detailed responses everybody already! I'll come back to you later today :)

[apologist]

Really interesting question, ranulf the revenant. My gaming group used to do a lot of painting together (still do, when occasion allows), and we always found it really interesting how different our approaches to painting are. Some of us prefer very organised batch painting, with carefully planned stages and specific paint mixes and consistencies; while others prefer a more organic, intuitive approach.

 

[...]I was thinking about the relation of 'painting discipline' and long term motivation and would like to know about your thoughts and experiences: how useful is it to approach painting 'systematically', as for example in batch painting? Is there a certain ratio of effectiveness vs ... "things getting boring". The question is not so much about specific painting techniques, and more about the mental approach to painting. Do you like to establish a strict painting plan for effectiveness or do you paint more intuitively? Have you had experiences with both approaches and maybe found the method which works best for you?

I personally seem to struggle with sticking to a plan a bit, and I also like to try out new stuff a lot. There are also certain details - for example metallics - which I like to work on more than others, especially when my motivation is rather low. So it seems like I have to give myself some instant gratification to get motivated. What are your thoughts on this ?

 

Personally, I like variety. I work on a projects as the enthusiasm takes me – long experience has taught me that the second I try to force myself to work on something, I lose all motivation (must be my inner contrarian). However, I also like seeing big, cohesive groups of models. To balance these contrary impulses, I've landed on the method of limiting myself to two or three projects at a time. 

 

Currently, I'm working on my Nova Terra Interregnum project (retro-inspired Blood Angels and various aliens) and my Endworlds project (a narratively-led space marine force called the Gatebreakers). Switching between the two keeps the enthusiasm up, and that in turn keeps the quality at a level at which I'm satisfied, which is what I take the 'effectiveness' in your question to be concerned with.

 

On having certain things that you enjoy (metallics, in your example), I do find it's much easier to do certain parts in batches. If I just want to switch off to wind down, having some rote, second-nature work like this is a godemperorsend.

[Magos Takatus]

After painting a large mob of Orks I find batch painting to be a rather painful affair, since it never feels like you are making much progress. I find I am a lot more inclined to paint the basics in batches and then finish the individuals one by one. I get more satisfaction out of a squad when I can treat each one like a project rather than saving the completion of the whole squad in one go. 

[MaliGn]

I'm reasonably systematic on that I have worked out a scheme that has a reasonably natural step by step process to get from one end to the other. I tend to try and work in small batches these days, I'd so three models from a squad and do each to the same level in batches, so all the armour plates, all the trim all the horns/fabric for example. On a project requiring more sub-assembly I will gauge how many parts I paint at a time based in overall size. Eg the main body of the heldrake I'm painting was done and now I'm working on a wing still in about 4 pieces all together.

[ranulf the revenant]

Look if you can get the book Armies & Legions & Hordes by Dave Taylor a known painter for army commisions.

It should answer alot of your questions.

https://ironheartartisans.com/shop/armies-legions-hordes-by-dave-taylor-hardback/

Thanks for the tip. 50 $ seems a bit steep for now, but if I'll face more problems like that in the future, I'll look into it ^^.

 

I'm systematic in how I execute the painting of a model (follow recipes, certain steps in certain order) but I'm less so when it comes to what I actually paint. I tend to have a few projects going at once so I can float around to what I want to do. I've also recently decided to focus more on skirmish games which affords me the ability to paint a more diverse range of models.

Yeah, I do realise that certain recipes make sense, and I try to keep to them, but a problem is that I constantly think about how I can improve these recipes, because I'm not 100% happy with the results. So I slightly alter them, which does improve the results - but that kind of experimentation needs time as well. Maybe it's still a lack of experience...

 

i stick to a plan for my two current armies mainly because they are identical process Prime > Base > Zenithal highlights > Decals > Sponging > oil wash > touch ups. and i do it that way every single mini in two armies, including vehicles.

 

is it boring sure, but ive started trying to paint some no PA minis with only a brush and i hated it and went right back to finishing the minis, i think its something to do with finally being able to finish armies.

Yeah multiple projects could probably help to keep things fresh...

 

It really does depend what I'm painting.

 

For Marines I think it helps them to keep that cohesive look, they all use the same leather for pouches, their armour is all the same shade, the honour badges and chest eagles are all identical. It suits their feel.

 

For a Necromunda Gang or Bloodbowl Team, I'll use the same colours for the bulk of each model, but paint each individually, so some may have colours placed differently, I might make one colour darker or lighter on each one just so they're not so "cookie cutter".

 

Then you have things like Warhammer Underworlds warbands, which are 3-9 models, so each one is a character in their own right and I paint them as such.

 

The first approach likely works best for Craftworld Eldar, T'au and Imperial Guard too. The second I'd use for Dark Eldar, Chaos, Orks and Genestealer Cult so they're going to looking that bit more worn or individual.

 

Rik

I see what you mean with "uniform armies" vs. "rag tag individualists". Thanks for your input :)

 

I paint every day.  Most of the time I have no issues with painting at all. When I do commission painting I go through a process, assemble, prime, base coat then divide everything into lots and get to it. For example, I can paint about 45 Ork boys in 4 or 5 days and repeat this till mission complete with a 10 color pallet. It does get tedious but it can be done. Commission work is treated like a job and I work from Nineish till noon take a lunch and work until five. I try to take weekends off but have usually kept working. I think when you take a job it is important to treat it like a job. I've had 2 massive commissions and was taking 2 other small ones as well. I think I did 4 in one year that year. 

But before that and after that I just paint a lot. I enjoy it more than playing now days. My most recent project is a Blood Angels Primaris army, repainting an army I did almost 2 years ago. I'm finding it to be quite a struggle. One of my usual methods is just to set a goal of X number of models a week. How I paint changes my work rate as well. One project may be grubby and dirty so the steps are a few base coats, layers and washes. Or I may be doing something more simple like a 3 color airbrushing and washes. Hand painting and trying to have a vey clean end result really slows me down and it can be a struggle because it takes so long to get the final results. 

I am used to assembly line painting and set out all the colors I will need for any given task and push through everything and then move on to the next set of colors and start again with a few exceptions, Characters or Heroes will probably get painted all the ay through in one or two sittings where as infantry units just have more area to cover and take longer. 

I like my methods because I can get consistent results, which is important. 

 

There's a video series you might look for called the 7 day army. I think it may be on youtube still. Some of the early parts talk about setting up your work space in a way that lets you work more efficiently. There's actually a good bit of information in that video.  

I've been painting for more than 20 years now and you just kinda build habits and know what you need and about how long things take. These blood Angels have 5 reds to build the color because I thought it was a good idea...not because it actual is. I have been wondering if I could have gotten the same results with 3 colors and that would have takes hours off my work time. Taking the time to work with all of these paints really drags everything out. I've stuck with it aiming for 10 models a week and rewarded myself with a vehicle or character every so often. It's taken a while but will have been worth it. I used to play with unfinished models in my armies but in the last 3 or 4 years have made it a point to only play with painted models. Getting them done and taking them out for a game is another carrot on a stick I guess. 

If your wondering...I am on track to paint 300 models this year, I think I have passed 250 already a month or two ago. I just came off time away from painting in mid April. No idea if I'll make it to 300 or not, we'll see. 

I paint a lot. 

Sorry if that missed the point of the question.

 

 

 

 

Thank you for your perspective, which is obviously a professional one - very interesting. I guess in the foreseeable future, I can only afford to paint as  a relaxation activity in the evenings except for weekends, which probably hinders my painting discipline a bit I guess... On the other hand, you're an example for the possibility of painting discipline :D.

 

Really interesting question, ranulf the revenant. My gaming group used to do a lot of painting together (still do, when occasion allows), and we always found it really interesting how different our approaches to painting are. Some of us prefer very organised batch painting, with carefully planned stages and specific paint mixes and consistencies; while others prefer a more organic, intuitive approach.

 

Personally, I like variety. I work on a projects as the enthusiasm takes me – long experience has taught me that the second I try to force myself to work on something, I lose all motivation (must be my inner contrarian). However, I also like seeing big, cohesive groups of models. To balance these contrary impulses, I've landed on the method of limiting myself to two or three projects at a time. 

 

Currently, I'm working on my Nova Terra Interregnum project (retro-inspired Blood Angels and various aliens) and my Endworlds project (a narratively-led space marine force called the Gatebreakers). Switching between the two keeps the enthusiasm up, and that in turn keeps the quality at a level at which I'm satisfied, which is what I take the 'effectiveness' in your question to be concerned with.

 

On having certain things that you enjoy (metallics, in your example), I do find it's much easier to do certain parts in batches. If I just want to switch off to wind down, having some rote, second-nature work like this is a godemperorsend.

As I really like your work, I find it to be a bit of relief to hear that you seem to be somewhat similiar in your conflicting impulses :). Yeah I kind of paint in batches- Sometimes thata leads to me wanting to apply the same step to all my models though :D

 

After painting a large mob of Orks I find batch painting to be a rather painful affair, since it never feels like you are making much progress. I find I am a lot more inclined to paint the basics in batches and then finish the individuals one by one. I get more satisfaction out of a squad when I can treat each one like a project rather than saving the completion of the whole squad in one go. 

Hmmm. Yes, treating a squad as a project seems to be a reasonable approach :).

 

I'm reasonably systematic on that I have worked out a scheme that has a reasonably natural step by step process to get from one end to the other. I tend to try and work in small batches these days, I'd so three models from a squad and do each to the same level in batches, so all the armour plates, all the trim all the horns/fabric for example. On a project requiring more sub-assembly I will gauge how many parts I paint at a time based in overall size. Eg the main body of the heldrake I'm painting was done and now I'm working on a wing still in about 4 pieces all together.

Thanks again for your answer :). I didn't even really do large-scale models until now except for a rhino, so that will be another challenge...

 

Thanks to everyone for your insight!

[Sandalphon]

Hey Ranulf, I've recently returned to the hobby (one I have been involved with for 25+ years) and have already found myself torn between batch and individual and my approach to both..

 

The 4 projects I have worked on since April have all been quite different and mentally challenging for different reasons.

 

1. 30+ RTB01 DA beakies: (7/10 experience)

This was a passion project I thought lockdown would give me time to complete, I knew what I wanted from them so organised my setup that was essentially limited to the paints I knew I'd need (I was short on space and using the dining table)

 

I methodically hand primed them assembly line style, followed by the bases, built up to more detail through metallics, eye-lenses, helmet stripes etc. Typically 5 at a time. Then got into the details. I got them to about 80-90% but stopped for a few reasons, one of which was running out of steam, the other was the daunting prospect of freehanding 30+ DA icons..

 

I found that I needed something else to keep me occupied throughout the mass assembly so watch all of the expanse while doing so..

 

Jumping back on the B&C and sharing my progress through the PCA forum also really helped keep motivation up.

 

I will get back to them but found the assembly line style gave me a very consistent output and therefore a great looking en-masse force, however it was somewhat disengaging and mechanical for something I wanted to be more passionate about.

 

2: inquisitorial kill team: (5/10 experience)

This was a mix of old and already painted minis that needed a rescue, some stripped minis and some raw, a few conversions etc. The idea was that having a variety of essentially 10 characters would be more fun and diverse and therefore more enjoyable than the mass production of the beakies.

 

What I found was that I didn't really go in with a plan, and this meant I was very inefficient because each model required some thought as to how it would both be individual but tie into the team. I had to experiment with a few of them before committing and i ended up splitting the team down into smaller groups of similar types to get through them.

 

With none of them really being similar (other than some arbites who were already painted) I had them all on the table but was only really painting one at a time, or one colour at a time across multiple models.

 

It was the opposite of the bulk painting but I was frustrated by being constantly spoiled for choice from not having a clear direction. They were completed to a point, some more than others, but I'm still not happy with them and again will need to return.. I also had an impending house move on the cards so felt rushed to complete and ultimately didn't.

 

It was part of a special project here that also fizzled out a bit with the arrival of 9th so I never really shared it and perhaps that would have helped with motivation.. I foolishly posted one on CMON for my own records and was getting sub 5 scores which also seriously demotivated me.

 

Having to pack and unpack them because I was painting in a shared space was also frustrating and not conducive to consistent work.

 

3. RT Farseer (9/10)

Having moved house this was the first mini to be painted in my new setup. Thanks to the B&C's aeldari event I had an excuse to bust out a classic and was excited to do so.

 

Focusing on one strong character I found to be really helpful. I spent some time planning what I wanted from it, and organising my setup to accommodate (I like to arrange the specific colours I'm planning on using in front of me with their associated highlights/ shades etc behind them)

 

The overall scheme was tied to my 2nd ed. Army so I knew the palette and I was able to push it further since my skills had improved from way back when. I got it to a point I was happy with but found myself enjoying it so much I kept going and started playing with decals and varnishes and some of the texture paints. I also had new brushes I had asked for as a birthday present and wore my recently required reading glasses the whole time (turns out I should have done this with the previous 2!)

 

The only frustration I had with this one was the time it took between layers setting and the flimsy 90's decals that crumbled under my brush on multiple occasions - all in all very happy.

 

4. (Current) striking scorpions + exarch (8/10 so far)

This one is currently.hitting the sweet spot between mass painting and detail. I knew I wanted them to be different from my other traditional scorpions so did a few test palettes, settled on one and went for it.

 

I began assembly line style, always using the first of the squad to test the extent of each block colour and then if I was happy rolled it out across the others or revised them and then updated the first to follow suit. I kept the exarch in the mix but always last in line once I had confirmed my direction.

 

The start was challenging because it was a scheme I had in my head but no real reference other than a photo of an Indian red scorpion (not the marines! Although it turns out they have the same palette too) once that was locked in it's been a case of applying the similar details in a batch without it getting tiresome.

 

I have experimented here as well, getting them to a point I'm happy with and learning from the farseer that it's always worth pushing further. I tried to do something new again and I think that really helps with motivation rather than going through the motions.

 

In summary, each experience has reminded/taught me something that has forced me to change tack slightly the next time. Mostly that it's worth pre-planning somewhat but don't let that stop you from taking it further and going off script.

 

Having a variety of options is great but I found too much variety distracting and overwhelming when not planned for. Being able to focus on a somewhat known outcome really helped.

 

A consistent setup and dedicated workspace has also really helped, as has time management/ allocating time for painting. Having a young family i paint at night when everyone's alseep and try to get an occasional hour here or there when I can use daylight (so much better). When I'm on a roll night can become the morning but it usually means time we'll spent!

 

I also found that working the bases hard is a great option while waiting for batches on the mini proper to dry, I had previously kept them basic to give the mini prominence but as good base makes a big difference. Each of the above projects had a very different base treatment (mars style, hive/hulk industrial style, arid wasteland and snowy rubble)

 

Ok sorry for the massive rant but hopefully someone finds this interesting/ useful :)

Edited October 17, 2020 by Sandalphon

[thewarriorhunter]

I don't want to quote and trim out everything but to address this comment from the OP:

 

 

Yeah, I do realise that certain recipes make sense, and I try to keep to them, but a problem is that I constantly think about how I can improve these recipes, because I'm not 100% happy with the results. So I slightly alter them, which does improve the results - but that kind of experimentation needs time as well. Maybe it's still a lack of experience...

 

I wouldn't say it's a lack of experience but an increase in learning. I'm learning new things and changing how I paint all the time. My latest batch of Marines was a radical shift in painting style because of an airbrush and I got much better results. That becomes the new recipe going forward. It does take time to test those out and I don't consider that a waste of time. If we don't tinker and try out new things we'll never learn and improve as hobbyist.

[Bung]

I don't want to quote and trim out everything but to address this comment from the OP:

 

 

Yeah, I do realise that certain recipes make sense, and I try to keep to them, but a problem is that I constantly think about how I can improve these recipes, because I'm not 100% happy with the results. So I slightly alter them, which does improve the results - but that kind of experimentation needs time as well. Maybe it's still a lack of experience...

 

I wouldn't say it's a lack of experience but an increase in learning. I'm learning new things and changing how I paint all the time. My latest batch of Marines was a radical shift in painting style because of an airbrush and I got much better results. That becomes the new recipe going forward. It does take time to test those out and I don't consider that a waste of time. If we don't tinker and try out new things we'll never learn and improve as hobbyist.

 

 

To be honest i wouldnt try to much new with an army or you will lose coherency the more you alter your painting. 

I try to limit new stuff to a max of 2 recipes for an army. 

To try out more new stuff i just use something else like a bust or other single model not part of the army so i dont loose focus on finishing the army.

 

 

 

@ranulf the revenant

 

Reading all this made me think about my own process of army projects and how systematic i do something like that.

 

Before i met some guys i have always been suffering from the new army / game syndrom and bought alot of stuff that sits unpainted in boxes.

 

Now i found a new group which is a great motivation to get stuff done with the games i like, so i started a 30k Imperial Fists Force and bought stuff fr a 40k Minotaurs Crusade force based on primaris models which i will start assembling next week. 

I dont have a set a timeline as a) the 30k Fist force will be big with all the toys and with the current situation it will take some time until we met again for gameing.

 

My first step is to roughly plan a basic force of models for the start aká paint the troops first.

 

Then i go paint a few test models to find a good recipe to paint them.

 

As for the 30k Fist i didnt try out the best way to paint yellow, i just took the 30k yellow recipe with Tamiya colors thats floating around the web and B&C cause it works, the colors are still available and Tamiya colors are great for working with an airbrush,

 

For my 40k Minotaurs i looked up the FW Badab War books, but i wanted a more used look. Going through some pictures of ancient bronze and some other stuff i foiuund a way to paint them in a manner thats rather fast and looks good enough for me.

 

For painting an army i dial a bit back of what i can do with my painting skills, simply for getting stuff done.

The other thing is i tend to buy alot of models and upgrade parts in advance so i dont have to wait to do something.

 

 

Personly i do a part of batch painting 2 or 3 Squads and some other stuff al at once. 

Yes it can be boring painting 60 pairs of boots in the same color, but if its finished you dont need to start again.

 

On the other side i am an impulse builder / painter, after the basic squads are done i just build paint wathever i like and have in my stash. 

 

I all add some pictures.

 

The start of my 30k Fists.

I decided to do 2x 15 man Breacher Squads first, as i really dig the look with shields and needed them as compulsory troops choices. They took longer than planned over the summer for other stuff like gardening etc. came up.

 

 

Next batch in the works for the Fists:

 

Heavy Support Squad with Volkite Culverins

Tactical Support Squad with Volkite Calivers

Destroyer Squad

Apothecaries 

Preator in Cathaphracti Armour

Damocles Command Rhino

 

 

I havent planned much what to build next.

I probably wait to get more MK III Marines for some heavy / special weapon squads.

 

Thats been the test model for my Minotaurs.

I probably do the coils of the plasma canon again, as i am not happy with this.

Edited October 18, 2020 by Bung

[Klod]

You make a lot of progress when you paint systematically.

[Magos Takatus]

After saying I don't usually bother with batch painting anymore I've started working on a 25-strong Ork mob gathering up some random leftover Orks and I am finding the batch painting a bit more manageable this time. I have no idea why.

[MegaVolt87]

After saying I don't usually bother with batch painting anymore I've started working on a 25-strong Ork mob gathering up some random leftover Orks and I am finding the batch painting a bit more manageable this time. I have no idea why.

 

I find batching more effective if I am only working on 5-10 at a time. Also mindset is important as well. Its hard to get fired up committing to anything new when your army doesn't have its new codex yet. Adding something else to the painting line tends to speed it up for me, but a stagnant one bores me, in and out line thats refreshed keeps one motivated. The painting line and pile of shame are two completely separate concepts to me. 

[Bung]

After saying I don't usually bother with batch painting anymore I've started working on a 25-strong Ork mob gathering up some random leftover Orks and I am finding the batch painting a bit more manageable this time. I have no idea why.

 

 

 

After saying I don't usually bother with batch painting anymore I've started working on a 25-strong Ork mob gathering up some random leftover Orks and I am finding the batch painting a bit more manageable this time. I have no idea why.

 

I find batching more effective if I am only working on 5-10 at a time. Also mindset is important as well. Its hard to get fired up committing to anything new when your army doesn't have its new codex yet. Adding something else to the painting line tends to speed it up for me, but a stagnant one bores me, in and out line thats refreshed keeps one motivated. The painting line and pile of shame are two completely separate concepts to me. 

 

 

Well my mehtod above is get around 2-3 dozen models ready with primer, basecolor and decals, then paint single squads to stay motivated and add a bust or something else in between for some joy of painting.

[Magos Takatus]

 

After saying I don't usually bother with batch painting anymore I've started working on a 25-strong Ork mob gathering up some random leftover Orks and I am finding the batch painting a bit more manageable this time. I have no idea why.

 

 

 

After saying I don't usually bother with batch painting anymore I've started working on a 25-strong Ork mob gathering up some random leftover Orks and I am finding the batch painting a bit more manageable this time. I have no idea why.

 

I find batching more effective if I am only working on 5-10 at a time. Also mindset is important as well. Its hard to get fired up committing to anything new when your army doesn't have its new codex yet. Adding something else to the painting line tends to speed it up for me, but a stagnant one bores me, in and out line thats refreshed keeps one motivated. The painting line and pile of shame are two completely separate concepts to me. 

 

 

Well my mehtod above is get around 2-3 dozen models ready with primer, basecolor and decals, then paint single squads to stay motivated and add a bust or something else in between for some joy of painting.

 

That's more or less what I'm up to. I primed the shoota boyz and the sulgga and choppa versions together but I am working on one set at a time.

[ranulf the revenant]

Hey Ranulf, I've recently returned to the hobby (one I have been involved with for 25+ years) and have already found myself torn between batch and individual and my approach to both..

 

 [...]

 

Ok sorry for the massive rant but hopefully someone finds this interesting/ useful

I found your description of different projects quite interesting indeed

 

After saying I don't usually bother with batch painting anymore I've started working on a 25-strong Ork mob gathering up some random leftover Orks and I am finding the batch painting a bit more manageable this time. I have no idea why.

Hehe, so it seems suprising yourself is possible. Good to know :)!

 

I don't want to quote and trim out everything but to address this comment from the OP:

 

 

Yeah, I do realise that certain recipes make sense, and I try to keep to them, but a problem is that I constantly think about how I can improve these recipes, because I'm not 100% happy with the results. So I slightly alter them, which does improve the results - but that kind of experimentation needs time as well. Maybe it's still a lack of experience...

 

I wouldn't say it's a lack of experience but an increase in learning. I'm learning new things and changing how I paint all the time. My latest batch of Marines was a radical shift in painting style because of an airbrush and I got much better results. That becomes the new recipe going forward. It does take time to test those out and I don't consider that a waste of time. If we don't tinker and try out new things we'll never learn and improve as hobbyist.

That's the kind of well-meaning voice I wanted to hear, Haha :D!

 

Well my method above is get around 2-3 dozen models ready with primer, basecolor and decals, then paint single squads to stay motivated and add a bust or something else in between for some joy of painting.

Hmmm, yeah (zenithal) priming, and base coating is what I already did with the bulk of my miniatures... So I seem to be systematic there. You do decals before details though?

 

[Bung]

@ranulf the revenant

 

I do decals before the details cause its less work.

After decals i do a heavy sponge chipping for weathering. If i would do the decals last they would stand out as to clean and if i would do the details before the chipping i probably would need to paint them again or at least touch up the chipping i dont want.