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I spend a lot of time reading the new threads on this forum, and I used to spend a lot of time painting. But now I find myself in a slump. I come here and just read aimlessly. And I haven't picked up a brush in about 2 weeks. What is going on and what can I do to fix it?

New Army.

It's simply burnout.

The best way to get out of it is do something else completely new for a while, even out of the hobby. Pick up some video games, read a few books, do some excersise. Just get out of the hobby for a little while until it pulls you back.

 -Loki- wrote:
It's simply burnout.

The best way to get out of it is do something else completely new for a while, even out of the hobby. Pick up some video games, read a few books, do some excersise. Just get out of the hobby for a little while until it pulls you back.

This probably sounds like the best choice.

It's probably no big deal, we all need breaks once in a while, even from things we enjoy. I just came off of not painting anything in almost a month than in one week painted 18 warbikes on an urge and looking foward to what is next on my painting list.

As Loki said go do something else for a while and don't think about painting at all, it's not like those models are going anywhere.

 Nafarious wrote:
I spend a lot of time reading the new threads on this forum, and I used to spend a lot of time painting. But now I find myself in a slump. I come here and just read aimlessly. And I haven't picked up a brush in about 2 weeks. What is going on and what can I do to fix it?

Turn off Dakka for a while. As much as we all love it here, and there some real gems of threads to be found. Every now and then this place gets it self in a rut of being unbelievably negative about this hobby, and it rubs off on you. Whether or not you buy into what people say.

And get out of the hobby for a week or two, this is a hobby, and should never become a chore nor should it ever feel like one. Keep that in mind whenever you are doing anything to do with this hobby. Are you having fun?

Eldercaveman wrote:

Keep that in mind whenever you are doing anything to do with this hobby. Are you having fun?

^ Quoted for truth, x1000. True of 40K, true of online gaming, etc., etc., etc...

Rather than reiterating what everyone else just said...I would recommend painting with some buddies if you currently painting by yourself. In addition, try listening to a podcast (not necessarily 40k related) while painting...it works for me.

I force myslef to stay involved. I have a card table in the middle of my bedroom that takes up all the free space.

All them projects are lying around with paint pots everywhere. My cats love it.

If I don't paint something everyday I'll start to not paint at all... for weeks... even years in some cases.

Basically I wake up and say to myself "these things won't ever get painted... unless I pain them". So I sit down, crack open some Mtn Dew and slap some paint on a few things.

Even if it's just a few gems on a Wave Serpent or a highlight on a Baal Pred or even just a few quick snips and filings of a project.

You don't have to finish a unit every week to stay involved. Just try to do a few things here and there.

 -Loki- wrote:
It's simply burnout.

The best way to get out of it is do something else completely new for a while, even out of the hobby. Pick up some video games, read a few books, do some excersise. Just get out of the hobby for a little while until it pulls you back.

I agree with this, it happens all the time. You get wrapped up in painting to the point where it stops becoming fun and it just seems like a chore, especially if you have tons to do. Taking a break for a few days/weeks helps to lift that. It also gives you a chance to think about other methods you could take towards it as well.

 Verthane wrote:

Eldercaveman wrote:

Keep that in mind whenever you are doing anything to do with this hobby. Are you having fun?

^ Quoted for truth, x1000. True of 40K, true of online gaming, etc., etc., etc...

True of life.

 Nafarious wrote:
I spend a lot of time reading the new threads on this forum, and I used to spend a lot of time painting. But now I find myself in a slump. I come here and just read aimlessly. And I haven't picked up a brush in about 2 weeks. What is going on and what can I do to fix it?

Go for a new game out there. It'll freshen things up and give you something new instead of the same old same old grimdark.

Nafarious, just follow these steps:

Decide if you want to fix it. Also, why do you paint? Are you goal oriented?

1) Clean your workstation.
2)Get an audiobook and only listen to it when painting.
3) Only browse the P and M forum. 10 minutes there and you head straight to the paint.
4) Keep your eye on the prize!

I think I have gotten super overwhelmed with just painting. My local store is closing, all my friends who used to enjoy the hobby now hate it. I think I just need to play a game or two this weekend and clear my mind about things. And talk to the local group about where they are going to be playing from now on.