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Hello everyone!

After i´ve been painting a couple of ork nobz (in batches) a thing that struck me is that not every batch keep the same quality.
In other words, i feel more happy with one batch, while i´m less pleased with the second and so on.
The things i´m displeased with can range from the skin color to the overall look of the finished model.
Personally i´ve repainted other models when i just wasn't pleased with them.
When i had my space wolf army back in the old days i repainted the whole army (around 3000 points, 4th edition) 4 times just because i wasn't pleased with the overall look when the army was completed.
Otherwise the models looked quite good.

I wonder, does this happen to you, and how do you deal with the situation? Do you just accept how the models came out or do you start the tedious task to strip and repaint the models?
So now i´m here with a dilemma, do i repaint or just accept the way they look? I mean they´re are orks, they will die in droves anyway...

Feel free to share your thoughts!

In my experience I am almost always happiest with the first model(s) in a scheme that I paint, its when I try to replicate that scheme onto the next batches that I get frustrated, not because it looks bad but because it isnt identical.

But overtime I adjusted to lining the models up next to each other when done and appreciating its a cohesive scheme, not an exact clone.

Well first off, remember that practice and patience are the keys to success in anything...but a hobby like wargame modeling REALLY rewards those virtues. Duplicating your results between batches is never an easy thing, but you'll ALWAYS be your own worst critic.

Personally I've stripped, reconverted, and repainted my current project 3 times over the last few years. Only now at are the figures at a level I was aiming for with the original vision.. Each model is a representation of the amount of energy and love that you put into it. Then again, I don't actually play any of the games. I just like to build monsters.

Does my painting ability leave me disappointed because my skill cannot produce the effects I want? Yes. How do I deal with this problem? I don't paint!!!

Seriously, I have just completed my first painted model in two years. I enjoyed painting him and I am relatively pleased with how he looks and it's given me the bug to finish the rest of the squad which is nice.

It wasn't always this way for me; back when I was just a boy and played the game I used to knock out whole squads and vehicles in just a few hours and even though the paintjobs were basic to pitiful I remember being pleased with my efforts.

I think the change came when I became quite pleased with my ability to convert and later to scratch build components and even whole models whilst my painting remained merely okay and taking a model that, for me, looked pretty damn good and then ruining it with a basic level paintjob put me off painting altogether especially since by that point I was no longer gaming and didn't need to have full squads of painted models anymore.

Having stripped the paint from all my old lead/pewter models my plan is to paint them up and then strip them and then re-paint again so that I actually get practice painting to hopefully get to a point where I can paint the models and be pleased with my efforts.

The ONLY time I am not unhappy with the models I paint is when I am painting them for someone else!

I have never painted a model that looks like I wanted it to in my mind's eye, so I always feel disappointed that my execution did not match my intention. If I could forget what I was trying to do when I painted them and just look at them like painted models, I would probably be happy, but I always see how I imagined they would look, and it seems so far away from what I've got. It really dampens my enthusiasm for painting, as I know I'm going to be disappointed.

Sometimes, I decide after I get halfway through painting a model that I don't even like the model. I usually abandon those, and use them just to test new/other techniques.

Of course, sometimes I'm unhappy with a paint job, maybe because what I visualized doesn't look actually look good. If I like the model, I might plow through it and try to make it work. If I love the model, though, I'll usually strip it right down to the plastic/metal and start over -- especially if it's part of a set.

I have gotten pretty good at just stripping a little area if I mess up something (like a face, a metallic or NMM area, or a bad wet blend), repriming it with gesso, and just redoing that section.

In my opinion, it is part of being an artist.

There are very few things I've painted that I have 100% happy about about. The last thing that came close was this TIE fighter, and I'm not even completely happy about it (there are two panels I didn't paint dark grey and I'm missing two small decals on it because I dropped one after I cut it out of the sheet and couldn't find it). Does anyone notice it? Maybe the rivet counters, but most people wouldn't notice unless I told them. In fact, I posted pictures of it on at least four different forums (including an all Star Wars modeling forum) and not a single person pointed it out.

Like another poster, I too am also not often satisfied when painting for someone else. Though I think that comes more from constraints that are put on me as opposed to how well of a job I think I did. For instance, I just completed a couple of Stormtalons for a client and while they are exactly what he was looking for, I was unsatisfied with the end result because there are thing that I would have done differently (color scheme-wise), but that didn't change the fact that I felt like I did a really good job on it.

of course OP, i reckon everyone does. only psychopaths and narcissists are always happy with their work!

Sometimes. But, with few exceptions, I've got far too many projects to go back and repaint them. I'll typically try and add another highlight or wash, and if that doesn't make it better than I'll just move on.

Yeah, we all feel this way at some point in our hobby experience. I find the key is to know your limits and don't be as adventurous as you may want to be. Some useful tips I've picked up over the years:
- Keep a Paint Note Book where you write down all the steps you use in any given model. Also good for taking notes on other peoples work that inspires you.
- Test your paint scheme before you commit to it. We all have extra models and bits lying around, anyway, so test it out first.

We are our own worse critics, though. Personally, I'm never happy with my final outcome; I always see areas I can improve the overall model. I had to tell myself to stop giving up on a piece and stripping it down... I have tons of miniatures and barely anything painted!?

Yeah, you're definitely not alone. Practice practice practice. Don't hold yourself to ridiculous standards either. We aren't all Golden Daemon painters, after all. Know your limits and make them work to your advantage.

Da Butcha wrote:The ONLY time I am not unhappy with the models I paint is when I am painting them for someone else!.

This is true for me as well! Of my favourite 5 paint jobs, at least 3 were done as favours/commissions for others. A few years back, almost everyone in my gaming group had a mini that, at one point or another, I painted!

As to the OPs question, I'm frequently unhappy with how my minis come out, and follow the same steps each time. First, leave it for a few hours. Sometimes a paintjob can look horrible having stared at it all day and obsessed over details, but you can come back after a few hours and think, 'actually, that looks OK!'

If I'm still not happy, I then get feedback, either from friends/family or online. Sometimes, what looks bad to you will look fine to everyone else, or they'll be able to point out the faults you can't see. The next step, obviously, is to act on the feedback, and this usually gets it looking better.

Only if all that fails, or if it's an old paintjob I know I can do better now, do I strip and repaint.

I’ve accepted the fact that I’m a mediocre painter. I do try to push myself to try new techniques, and there has been noticeable improvement in the decades I’ve been at the hobby. Not as much as there should be in that time, but some. I think I’m a better modeler then painter, so for me the act of painting removes the potential of a cool looking mini, replacing it with a playable table-top quality job. I am very rarely 100% happy when something leaves the paint bench.

But I’m OK with that. I still have fun when painting, I have fun playing with a fully painted army. I can see the (glacial) progress in my work. I’m not going to win any golden demons, or make my fortune commission painting. But that’s not my goal.

Sure, the face on that marine sarge turned out poorly, but it’s still serviceable (if a bit chalky) And when he’s grouped up with his squad somewhere in cover on a 4x6 table, I’m not going to notice. And neither is anyone else. And while my inner critic won’t let me forget, the more sane, rational part of my brain lets me know there are far more important things to worry about. Like killing that riptide...

Personally, I notice the quality of my work suffers the longer I work on similar models. The "just get it done" bug seems to take over. The only cure is to change things up.
For instance, I plan on painting about 60 ork boyz in the next few months. I plan on working the boyz in between other projects, such as some killa kans, deffkoptas, biker nobz, and a pair of blood bowl teams.
The other thing I'll mention (several have already mentioned it), but I don't consider models done... ever. I'm always learning new techniques and tricks that I can apply to my older armies when then need a touch-up.

When i paint my army, I originally like a color scheme. However halfway thru a squad or vehicle, I thinkt he color scheme is utter trash! It either go to stripping, or givent o some one at the FLGS. I am never happy with a color scheme, and technique I use. Although other think it loosk so awesome. I am ocd about it, and now I have model primed but no paint. I think I need to quit this hobby befor eit kills me lol.

I can understand your issue with how some squads can be "trash" to you.
I had set down some "rules" for myself to avoid these problems.

1) Think about "common" things across all armies that should be painted the same so they "match".
a) Bases: types of gravel, drybrush, shade, the sloped sides of the base, all the same paint.
b) Glow: Lascannon, power weapon, plasma, viewports, helmet lenses, control panels.
c) Weapons: I paint all shooting weapons red on the main body, black and yellow hazard stripe for melee as examples.
d) Harnesses, belts, ammo pounches: anything around the "snakebite leather" as an example.
e) Cloth: white/cream = shade with brown or blues?
f) Clean or dirty? Factory mint or battle damage?
g) Prime black, grey or white? Only specific parts or entire models?
h) Airbrush: What to airbrush in what order (i.e. body then base), what is brush only?
I) Determine and custom squad(ron) markings / decals / paint marks.

2) Thinking of above rules first, how will a basic trooper be painted (base, wash / shade, highlight). Then how will a vehicle be painted?

3) Assemble basic trooper and vehicle.
a) What would be allowable "basic" customization of trooper and vehicle?
b) Extra grenades, ammo pouches and hand weapons? Save for elite versions or for specific squads to differentiate?
c) Determine stages of assembly, (gun/body done separate, magnet joins, pinning)
d) Determine level of mold line removal (knife, file, sand) and gap filling.

4) Block paint a squad at a time, do a neat job of it (as many as you can stand).

5) Gloss clear coat.
a) At this point the models are "painted" and protected, clear coat allows washes / shades to flow better as well.

6) Continue in "stages" and at each logical point, clear coat to be able to play with the model and preserve your hard work.

7) You should be able to edge and touch-up as needed at any point to fix anything you become unhappy with.

I found I got drastically better from one squad to the next painting and after the 4th squad wanted to redo, the first, just touch them up with better details.

My only method for avoiding me getting grumpy over my work.

Hope something here helps!

I wouldnt worry. All my other hobbies are art based and im never happy with any of my work.. Ever. Yet my work consistently wins competitions at the local store and gets displayed in the windows. Its hard to deal with this, because you will constantly be your worst critic, its not just a saying. I just post my stuff online, and listen to the comments of my friends, other people and the general public. You'll find that you'll probably get positive feedback this way, because theyre not obsessing over the smallest flaws you think you see in your work.

Yes.

My poor WHFB army suffers from being the "middle child" of my painting hobby.

I started with 40k, and I was happy just to get paint onto the model. Plus, they're orks, so they're forgiving.

Now I paint WM and Infinity mostly, and the small model count gives me time to be a little fancier.

Fantasy I was trying to be fancier, but I wasn't very practiced, and I had a gajillion models to do.