Is there a secret?

[BloodFather of Kharnath]

Yu are absolutely right: taking a tour of Skel's or Sprocket's or Andy's or Tenball's or BloodFather's () can be very inspirational and just what one needs to set off a good weekend of painting.

Something more; Often times in the middle of a project I find myself stumped on color theory. What should I paint his skirt or shield, etc....I found a good answer. Take a look at Automaton's gallery at Guild of Harmony. Mr Archer is a master of the color wheel, and he goes into great depth describing how he makes his decisions. He often uses a triad of evenly spaced colors on the wheel and the results are effortlessly contagious. Take my word for it and check him out next time you're stumped.

 

[Zab]

Start a WIP thread and every once in while go back to page one to see how you have progressed. You'll shock yourself. I think we are our own toughest critics and it is hard to see your own progress clearly sometimes.

 

[oistene]

I suggest also looking at the WIPs of people that are about your level or slightly over it. First, it is easier to stretch when the goal isn't so far away, and they might struggle with some of the same things you struggle with. Sooner or later, they might get it and explain in a way you understand, or get some really good advice useful to you as well.

 

[MrJim]

I have found that having several projects going at the same time (in various stages) helps with the urge to "rush to finish". Many projects can have final detailing stages that are very tedious, and this gives me breaks but keeps me painting. There is nothing worse than ruining countless hours of work by rushing the last few steps.

 

[mjs101]

To original poster -



I've found note-taking useful, especially for army figures. When I add new models to an existing army, I know how paint them to match. I won't remember. But with notes written my log book or my computer, I don't have to. But it is helpful to have written plan for one-off figures as well.


Recently, I've tried the following planning steps on page in a note book.

The Model - Quick notes about the model itself, what is really important about the model that I need to emphasize? the face? The bare chest? the big gun? The silly hat? Will I have to paint the eyes, or are they shaded?

Ideas - Fill out a few variations on what to paint, Should the cloak be desaturated green or bright red. What complementary colors should I use? Where should the contrast be?

Plan - What paints in what order using what technique for each major component. If this is the first in a long line of identical army men, be very detailed. I tend to find color mixes I like and and reuse them, so those get noted in short hand, such as:

PANTS 921 English Uniform, hightlight 921/914 Green Ochre - which means a base coat of VMC 921 with highlights of mixed 921 and 914.





Results - What worked, what didn't. "Next time, do this instead" or "That worked great, I'll need to remember this."








Realistically, you'll should be thinking about "the model" section before purchase to clean-up. Just jot a few notes. Why did you buy this figure? Also choose the quality of the model early on.

Ideas and planning are pretty closely related, the What and How of the plan, and shouldn't take more than a handful of minutes.

The Results, two minutes, tops. I spend more time photographing than this.

What will it save you in time? First, in six months or six years, you'll be able to duplicate your work when you added a member to the platoon without revert-engineering what you'd done before. But also, half way through a one-off mini, you know what to paint next. When I do this, I am less likely to stare blankly at a half-painted mini wondering what to do next, and then putting on the back shelf for weeks or months. (I have a baneblade commander on by bench for close to two years now...)