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So Currently I've got 3 armies that are in various stages of painting, and a back log of about 50 various character models that I'd like to paint for the hell of it.

How do you all stay focused on a project, and how do you stay motivated to just sit down and get it done? I don't believe in playing with bare plastic(no point in having actual models if they are all blanks).

Staring down my SM list I've got a lot of work to do still:
20 marines need armor layered and highlighted, guns and backpacks painted
Storm talon only has a basecoat
Land Raider is bare
Drop Pod is bare
5 sternguard are bare
2 Rhinos are basecoated
Thunderfire cannon is bare
5 Snipers are basecoated

It seems overwhelming. Especially when I need to add 2 tanks and 3 drop pods to my collection.

Help!

I find that when I have a theme I get things done, and when I don't... I don't.

So my Badgerwing Fifth Company Dark Angels (Demolition, Engineering, and Vehicle Recovery) army got finished, while my 'Hey look, we're elves!' high elf army didn't.

*Shrug* Could also be that I don't like elves much - my Dwarfs armies (one for me, one for my girlfriend) are getting finished - but my theme there is 'Girlfriend who games!'

The Auld Grump, she is about 4'6"... and plays dwarfs, go figure....

Start a Thread in the PM blog forum and share your WIP with people... Getting stuff done to share with others can help motivate as well as improve skills when getting feedback.

Also, looking for larger events which set deadlines for stuff can help too. Nothing like a tourney in 2 months to get your stuff finished!

Nkelsch has it. Put a link to said topic in your sig. Pop finished models also into a P&M showcase topic to drum up extra feedback for your blog.

I've been filling out a Todo list on my own blog:


My blog doesn't see a lot of (outspoken, at least) traffic, but then I may not be doing something that begs questions or interests everyone. Just having a place ready and waiting to dump pictures motivates me to get through that next step. As far as one thing at a time... I think the todo list is helping me the most there. I've got a lot of minis coming in from a kickstarter campaign, and that's my deadline. Its fairly relaxed, 50ish models in 6 months, but it has kept me moving forward.

Hope that was of some use

nkelsch wrote:
Start a Thread in the PM blog forum and share your WIP with people... Getting stuff done to share with others can help motivate as well as improve skills when getting feedback.

I'd agree with this point of nkelsch's, though I'd add that I find if I'm getting a lot of views and no comments it can get a bit frustrating.

You could try running a painting challenge, similar to the A Tale of WMH I've been running on PP's forums since the start of 2012 - having a structure and loose long term goal can help not only yourself, but others as well.

To adapt the model for GW's core two systems, I'd suggest a goal of 2,000 points over a year, at 200 per month as an aim, allowing for two months off. P&M Blog for the WIP stuff, Showcase for the completed stuff.

Hmm - if I was actually playing either of their core games at the minute, I might consider running that next year...

Stay motivated by not trying to do too much at once! take breaks and you'll be fine ^_^

I firmly second (or third) the run a painting and modelling blog, it can be frustrating if you don't get a lot of comments, but just keep an eye on the number of views grow and that shows you people keep dropping by.

As was previously said as well a theme really can help (me at least) to keep things going, maybe assemble the models with a little theme going on in the squad so its no longer squad X that is sitting there not getting painted but instead its Sergeant Riordan and his Screaming Devils that just need a little R&R on the painting table before leaping out of the back of a Valkyrie to lay some hurt on any Xenos they can find.

Finally in my rant (gee I do like a rant) if you have friends that are into painting as well run a little competition of either a squad a month (or week if you are ambitious) or what I have always liked is a mad cap 24 hour painting challenge!

I'd also agree with a blog/ project log.

Also I set myself deadlines like tournaments and campaigns which helps

Also develop an OVD about not using unpainted models

Yeah i'll second a PM blog as long as computer time isn't eating into hobby time.
Also sign up for a tournament and enter a list that forces you to paint a new squad/vehicle or both within the month.
Nothing quite like a bit of pressure!
Game regularly, the more value you get from your models the more time you'll be willing to put into them. Try and bring something freshly painted to the table each time you play,
Do a little bit every day, just 20 minutes daily (and more when you can) really starts to add up over the months/years.

Also set smaller goals for yourself during painting sessions.
When I batch paint, the thought of painting a whole tactical squad, combat squad or even space marine can seem daunting and like a chore sometimes.
I tend to try set shorter goals and paint all of the left shin pads on a group of 5 models,
YAY target aqquired and sense of achivement,
then all of the right shin pads
YAY target aqquired and sense of achivement,
then the left knee pads
YAY target aqquired and sense of achivement,
then the right knee pads
etc etc
I find that painting like this really speeds up my painting. You only have to find that model/ brush position (and even brush size) once for a whole batch of guys rather than having to figure it out each time on each model.
If nothing else by the time you've tried this technique and decided it isn't for you and it slowed your painting down you'll have completed a combat squad.

The way I did it when I had a backlog once (I don't anymore due to different purchasing habits) was to divide models into two uneven groups.

Let's say I had 20 models. I'd divide them into a group of 5 and 15 models. The 5 I'd choose based on no particular merit.

Then, I'd pick a model from the 15 group at random (It helped I had them all in those little string bags).

And here;s the procedure - after picking the random model I'd have to decide if I liked the random model or one of the 5 chosen ones better. Then I'd paint whichever from that small group I liked the most. If it wasn't the string bag model, I'd put it back with the lot.

It works on a basic level similar to a coin toss. You limit your choice to a very narrow spectrum and it makes it easier to manage your priorities. Before throwing the coin you may not know which result you like better. But when it is in the air, you know which result you're hoping for.

When I started with that system I had Haqqislam, Harlequins, Rangers, Marines, Raging Heroes wyches, a rat ogre for grotesque conversion and naked Hasslefree ladies as markers. Managed to get them all done in a month or two.

I find it helps to set a goal. I aim for 4 minis a week, or one vehicle. You could also set a time (like an hour a day)

Checklists are also nice. They help you focus on the ones clicked off, rather then the pile of grey plastic. I like GrimDork's photo-checklist, that's a nice touch. Having the completed stuff on a shelf you can look at and admire is good.

Interspersing "reward" minis can help keep you going. I needed to do this when I was painting fantasy. Burning through all the rank and file was painful. So I did 5 troops, then the champion; 5 more, then a wizard.

The fact that you refuse to play with bare plastic should help. Go re-read the rules for the TFC. Imagine what it will do to your opponent. Picture the shells blowing irritating xenos troops to bloody chunks. Then push to get paint on it so you can field it to realize those dreams. Let your army list help push you. If you have a scheduled game, write and army list that requires one or two things from your paint pile. Make sure they are done by game day.

Everyone works differently. Hopefully some of these ideas will work for you.

Progress bars (in Word or Excel) are good, gives you a clear visual representation of how your gak is getting done that might not be so apparent if you just look at how many models you still have unpainted.

I'm surprised cvtuttle hasn't posted what he uses for staying motivated.

Carl has setup a Kanban board on his computer that outlines all he has to paint and all that he has painted. Seems to keep him pretty motivated. I'm also assuming being a bit in the 'public' light helps too

Edit: I figured I'd put in what motivates me while we're at it.

Events and tournaments are my 'motivation' for completing projects. My entire Trollbloods army has been painted in the span of a month combined simply because I painted them for events that had painting as part of its soft score (i.e. you get 1 point for having a painted and based army, no matter the quality). So I'll sit and paint them up in a week and put them down on the table. I'm not a fantastic painter, so the quality I put down could be better, but not by much, and at the end of the day they're a cohesive bunch on the board that no one has said they wouldn't play against.

I'm going to second Nevelon. I always schedule myself. Having weekly or even daily goals keeps you going and keeps the overall project on schedule. I just started a new army project that will probably take me at least 2 years to complete. It's ambitious...even more ambitious than my Genestealer Cult. And I don't know how I'd ever complete it just by working on stuff as I think of it and when I'm most motivated. Note that I'm not obsessive about organization...I'm naturally quite the opposite, but I've trained myself to be very organized in my work/life/hobbies so that my scatterbrains don't take over.

Having said all of that, definitely take a break if you need one. You never want to turn a project into something you hate. So either shift to a different project, or just take a short break if you need to recharge. Sometimes I even find that just shifting to a vehicle or monster after you've done a bunch of infantry, for instance, can help overcome burnout. In fact, usually I build some of this into my schedule because I know some burnout will happen.

Personally, the blog thing isn't motivating at all to me. I have a blog here that I haven't updated in about a year. When I do update it, it's in spurts. Work and family suck up most of my free time, so if I have an extra half-hour, I'd rather spend it painting than posting about painting.

Also, to help with your focus, stop messing around on Dakka so much!!! there's way too much tempting stuff on here.
4 posts a day might not seem like a lot but by the time you've read and digested the posts (and it looks to me that you post in most of the forums) then replied to them you've got to be spending a fair bit of time sat infront of your computer.
Now, if this is during work hours then all is forgiven. If it's during your free time then try cutting down a little and put the time into painting.

Also regarding focus i tend to only keep one paint on my desk at a time, it stops me fiddling around doing fun stuff until i've done the boring bits, sometimes when I feel i've achieved alot i'll treat myself with some wires, flesh or lenses/gems as I actually enjoy painting those bits.

I have a really simple solution to getting stuff done - I give myself an hour a night to sit and paint every night whilst the missus watches "soaps" which I can't stand. There are some days where you seem to have done nothing (20 bolt guns!) but once it all starts adding up your army starts to come together - plus cheat a bit and use Army painter shades or sparays to help get you going / finished. That hour a night (which you can spare if you get a routine) helps me chill out after work and helps me get through lots of stuff. 2 Weeks to do 80 Sisters of Battle and 6 tanks! They aren't Golden Demon by any means but they are neat, highlighted and shaded - and they look good on the board. - Plus they are done

The way I paint my armies is by breaking it down into manageable chunks and then apply a process to the chunks.

For my recent farsight enclave (WIP) I've done the following:

- Broke up the 1500 pts into three 500 pt segments.
- I then primed each 500 pt segment individually (1 per day)
- Dry brushed the base coat (500 pts per day)
- Applying the red layers onto specific parts of each model took the most time so I would do the following each day, either: 8 drones, 4 fire warriors, 1-2 crisis suits, or 1 broadside. (I'm currently half way through this phase since I had 14 crisis suit, 12 FW, 36 drones, 2 broadsides total)
- my next major colours are greys/white so I will apply those at double the rate of the red so 16 drones, 8 FWs, etc per day
- At this point they are at a decent table top quality so I'm very inconsistent with my efforts. I'll be doing some basic highlighting/washing followed by: decals, metallic chipping, weathering powders and basing. All this could easily last a year depending on how distracted i get

 Alex Kolodotschko wrote:
Yeah i'll second a PM blog as long as computer time isn't eating into hobby time.
Also sign up for a tournament and enter a list that forces you to paint a new squad/vehicle or both within the month.
Nothing quite like a bit of pressure!
Game regularly, the more value you get from your models the more time you'll be willing to put into them. Try and bring something freshly painted to the table each time you play,
Do a little bit every day, just 20 minutes daily (and more when you can) really starts to add up over the months/years.

Also set smaller goals for yourself during painting sessions.
When I batch paint, the thought of painting a whole tactical squad, combat squad or even space marine can seem daunting and like a chore sometimes.
I tend to try set shorter goals and paint all of the left shin pads on a group of 5 models,
YAY target aqquired and sense of achivement,
then all of the right shin pads
YAY target aqquired and sense of achivement,
then the left knee pads
YAY target aqquired and sense of achivement,
then the right knee pads
etc etc
I find that painting like this really speeds up my painting. You only have to find that model/ brush position (and even brush size) once for a whole batch of guys rather than having to figure it out each time on each model.
If nothing else by the time you've tried this technique and decided it isn't for you and it slowed your painting down you'll have completed a combat squad.

Thats the way I work too, I find it really helps cause youll get what you planned done, and still have some motivation, which I kinda lose after painting a mini top to bottom done.

 Alex Kolodotschko wrote:
Yeah i'll second a PM blog as long as computer time isn't eating into hobby time.
Also sign up for a tournament and enter a list that forces you to paint a new squad/vehicle or both within the month.
Nothing quite like a bit of pressure!
Game regularly, the more value you get from your models the more time you'll be willing to put into them. Try and bring something freshly painted to the table each time you play,
Do a little bit every day, just 20 minutes daily (and more when you can) really starts to add up over the months/years.

Also set smaller goals for yourself during painting sessions.
When I batch paint, the thought of painting a whole tactical squad, combat squad or even space marine can seem daunting and like a chore sometimes.
I tend to try set shorter goals and paint all of the left shin pads on a group of 5 models,
YAY target aqquired and sense of achivement,
then all of the right shin pads
YAY target aqquired and sense of achivement,
then the left knee pads
YAY target aqquired and sense of achivement,
then the right knee pads
etc etc
I find that painting like this really speeds up my painting. You only have to find that model/ brush position (and even brush size) once for a whole batch of guys rather than having to figure it out each time on each model.
If nothing else by the time you've tried this technique and decided it isn't for you and it slowed your painting down you'll have completed a combat squad.

This certainly sounds like a method worth trying, since I prefer to batch paint to save on dried paint on the palette.

@ConsecratedIron -Good stuff, i'm glad i'm not the only one.
@OP- Give it a try and let us know how you got on with it. Good luck.

I'm horribly unmotivated typically, but once I start working on figures, I can readily keep going without it seeming like a chore.

So, in order to get started, I pick one thing: Prime a model, magnetize one weapon, assemble a figure or etc. Then once I'm done the 5 minute 'task', I'm in the groove for the rest of whatever needs doing. Usually.

I need variety to keep me motivated, which sucks when my 40k army is about having no variety in colours - Tyranids. All Tyranids are painted the same way, so I tend to burn out quickly on them.

So I insert Infinity models in between to break it up. Sometimes I'll stay motivated and get a bunch of Tyranids done, or sometimes like now I'll get one appendage of a MC done before I call it quits and paint some Infinity models.

Added to that Infinity models are so detailed I tend to burn out after one or two models, which in turn sends me back to paint a few Tyranids due to the simplicity.

Rewards are good too. Tying future purchases to finished units can help! Also, painting a 'fun' unit after you bang out 10 troopers can also be good.

Honestly the fluff keeps me motivated. When I'm reading a codex or a good BL book, I have this insane inferno within me to do my models this great justice in the form of a 20 hour paint job. Reading about that huge jerk Orikan the Diviner made me spend a ton of time on his model because he just deserves it. Same with other CMs.

Sometimes, just eke'ing out a little bit of time everyday helps immensely. I have a one year old munchkin who would destroy all my BAs without giving it a second thought, so I'm doing all my painting at the office on my lunch breaks. Just an hour or less a day, but I'm getting more than I ever thought done. A week of basecoats. A few days of blocking. A few days of detailing. A squad here and there, and then suddenly...an army!

In fact, weekends make me feels sad and unaccomplished as I often forget to take models home or cannot find the time to paint then. It's also made work something...I look forward to?!

 Kaiserbudheim wrote:
Sometimes, just eke'ing out a little bit of time everyday helps immensely.

This is alaso good advice. I used to do it but got out of the habit. Whether you sit down and paint for 30 minutes or 4 hours, try to do it every day. All you did was put a layer down? Good enough. Next day you had the time to finish half a dozen models? Awesome. Keeping it up every day, even little bits a day, helps you get through your backlog.

I'm finding this to be the case as well. I don't always manage to get down to the painting desk (work outside, sometimes I'm just too tired to want to do it), but it is a good habit.

I try to have things laying around that can use work as well. If I get a batch or squad of 5 done, but there's time and I have energy... its good to have something else nearby to work on. Same with extra paint, whether I got too much black out or my airbrush cup is half full of some useful color... its nice to have something around to use it up and get more painting done while I'm at it.

I'm gonna try to get a painting night going with the guys at my store: otherwise I'll get nothing done. My Mantic KoW order just came in, and I have about 180 Basileans that need to be built, painted and based, and it's daunting.