Stopping at a Table Top standard.

[DownsideUp]

Hi guys.

Ive been painting (2nd time round, 10 year gap) for about 3 months, and Im finding it hard to find a table top standard that Im happy with. Im by no means a good painter, and im continually trying to practice new techniques, and just trying to improve in general. However I still want to have a useable 40K army.

Problem is I cant seem to leave the minis alone, I get them to a table top (one wash, 2/3 highlights) standard, then I usually end up trying something else (blend, highlight, layer etc) make a hash of them, stripping them, and starting again!

Ive not much time to paint these days, and usually do half an hour here and there so im finding it hard to get practice done.

So do you guys reckon im better leaving the army idea for a few months, and just concentrate on technique, or end up with an army thats at a standard Im not really happy with?

ARGH!!! Advice please guys, im loosing it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[jahminis]

i would say scrap the army idea for now, and just paint a metal mini that you can practice your techniques on...
if you're just playing with friends, they shouldn't mind playing against an unpainted army...

if you use a metal mini for practice, you can strip it as much as you want...
if you don't get much painting time in, just concentrate on a certain part, or aspect, of painting...
work on a sword to improve your metals, a robe to improve your blending on cloth, a shield to try some freehand, or whatever...

this is a hobby, for fun and relaxation, so don't let the little army men get you down...

cheers
jah

 

[DownsideUp]

I was thinkin about gettin some of the Mantic Games minatures to practice with, as they're quite cheap, but still nice to paint.

I think you may be right about forgetting the army for a while, I havent even played since Ive been back into the hobby, maybe get myself into a bit of RPGing for a while, that way I can spend more time on the minis as theres alot less needed!

Thanks man !

 

[PegaZus]

Hell, do both. When you get the urge to, expand?, just grab up the practice mini. That way, you've got progress on the army but still delve into your whims.

 

[Einion]

Problem is I cant seem to leave the minis alone, I get them to a table top (one wash, 2/3 highlights) standard, then I usually end up trying something else (blend, highlight, layer etc) make a hash of them, stripping them, and starting again!

Are you doing them singly or doing multiples in a production-line manner? If you're not doing the second then I'd suggest trying it.

Bottom line though is you have to discipline yourself to just leave things alone - nobody else can do this for you. Another tip that might help is you could keep a non-army figure or two off to one side, so if you get temped to try something more involved do it on one of those and not on the army pieces.

Einion