Planing a project´s tips.

[FifteensAway]

Just FYI, those 200+ figures progressing towards completion I mentioned above are part of a Much Larger total of figures for the AWI.  So this is just a 'small batch' of figures for me.  I realize for others that number is cardiac palpitation inducing to paint that many figures at one go.  Different brush strokes for different painting folk.   

[HerbertTarkel]

Just FYI, those 200+ figures progressing towards completion I mentioned above are part of a Much Larger total of figures for the AWI.  So this is just a 'small batch' of figures for me.  I realize for others that number is cardiac palpitation inducing to paint that many figures at one go.  Different brush strokes for different painting folk.   

200 figures? Those are rookie numbers, son! You gotta boost those numbers!

I’ve painted that many to date this year. 

[Elbows]

Also, 200 figures don't count if they're 15mm

[HerbertTarkel]

Also, 200 figures don't count if they're 15mm

Speak the truth 

[FifteensAway]

Mr. Terkel:

Knocking on 668 for the year mate.  And considering starting an 1,100 figures in six months painting challenge for myself to not only get to 7,000 figures over 62 months but above that to average 115 figures per month over that time span.

Mr. "Body Part":

And 15 mm count just fine in my world, I just paint more of them than most.  Like around 5,000 for the AWI alone - once finished.  Somewhere in the vicinity of one thousand already (not all this year) and at least another 500 or so by years end planned.

Gentlemen, put that 'in your pipe and smoke it'!   

[HerbertTarkel]

Mr. Terkel:

Knocking on 668 for the year mate.  And considering starting an 1,100 figures in six months painting challenge for myself to not only get to 7,000 figures over 62 months but above that to average 115 figures per month over that time span.

Mr. "Body Part":

And 15 mm count just fine in my world, I just paint more of them than most.  Like around 5,000 for the AWI alone - once finished.  Somewhere in the vicinity of one thousand already (not all this year) and at least another 500 or so by years end planned.

Gentlemen, put that 'in your pipe and smoke it'!   

Job well done! 

On the other hand, I’ve been paid for all my work this year: all commissions! So I can afford a fancier pipe, and some fancier smoke.. 

[PeteW]

just to add to the previous suggestions and specifically dealing with the painting.

Before I start the bulk of the figures I will paint 2-3 of each unit, taking my time to paint them and in doing so work out what colours I am going to use from my paint collection. I then put these in a small box which I keep on hand. Generally around a dozen different paints, which gives me base colours and colours to create highlights from.

During this "test" phase I work out how I'm going to paint each uniform, and in what order - generally from inside to out, and hope to establish any issues that my otherwise trip me up.

I paint these test figures to the best of my ability, as I find that helps motivate me to get on and paint the rest. Once this phase is complete I will then batch paint around a dozen figures, mounted in 3 or fours on lolly sticks. I arrange figures by pose, so I have matching poses next to each other where possible as this means I can place the same paint stroke on each figure in rapid succession.


For the final detail paint work I do each figure individually and removed from the lollystick for greater control and access.

Works for me, but YMMV

P

[Sakuragi Miniatures]

My method is to put together, at most, a squad at a time. Having a giant grey pile of men staring me down is depressing. I then paint them two at a time; this is to give a color time to dry on one while I do the other, then while that's drying I do the next color on the first one. Seeing them finished is pretty motivating to push on.

[Elbows]

Mr. Terkel:

Knocking on 668 for the year mate.  And considering starting an 1,100 figures in six months painting challenge for myself to not only get to 7,000 figures over 62 months but above that to average 115 figures per month over that time span.

Mr. "Body Part":

And 15 mm count just fine in my world, I just paint more of them than most.  Like around 5,000 for the AWI alone - once finished.  Somewhere in the vicinity of one thousand already (not all this year) and at least another 500 or so by years end planned.

Gentlemen, put that 'in your pipe and smoke it'!   

I only measure in 28EU (28mm Equivalent Units), so a 28mm figure or equivalent (i.e. a base of 15mm figures is one 28EU, a 15mm tank is one 28EU). Terrain and farm animals don't count!  Having said that, I did more than 500 28mm figures last year (and sadly chariots and cavalry only count as one model each!).

[HerbertTarkel]

I only measure in 28EU (28mm Equivalent Units), so a 28mm figure or equivalent (i.e. a base of 15mm figures is one 28EU, a 15mm tank is one 28EU). Terrain and farm animals don't count!  Having said that, I did more than 500 28mm figures last year (and sadly chariots and cavalry only count as one model each!).

Indeed… my count includes large vehicles, and multi-part large GW models: still only counts as one! (The Necrons commission has multiple examples of really big kit!).

Although I do have some 12mm in my count, too. Victrix WW2. But as they are being painted for their website, the effort is equitable to any 28mm

[Aethelflaeda was framed]

I find when i put fancier smoke in my pipe, creativity increases but technique goes to rubbish.

[Rick]

It's like watching a couple of local AmDram cast do Gimli and Legolas from the LotR films! 

With another as Meriadoc, popping up to offer them a pipe of 'Old Toby'!

[HerbertTarkel]

It's like watching a couple of local AmDram cast do Gimli and Legolas from the LotR films! 

With another as Meriadoc, popping up to offer them a pipe of 'Old Toby'!

 
 “You’ve been smoking too much of the halfling weed…” - Jean Luc Picard to Hagrid, Silence of the Lambs Pt2

[armchairgeneral]

Getting back on topic 

I suggest, from past experience, reading around a period as much as possible. I have found from leaping in to a period sometimes there is another army you find you are more drawn to.

As for rules, check out YouTube for “Let’s play…” whatever vids to see if you like how they work.

Then plan a minimum game entry level army and work towards that. It’s great if you are starting up with a mate for mutual encouragement but not always possible. It is also sobering if you are honest with yourself about your painted figure output, per say per month, how long it will take you to get to where you want to be with the project.

Not knocking the oo shiny, buy, go with your gut approach. I just find for me this enthusiasm can quickly fade and I am left with figures thinking “What was I thinking!” and then selling them off at quite a loss.

[AKULA]

Before you start painting miniatures or vehicles on a large scale (or at least at platoon level, in the 28 mm range, if you will), how do you plan and prepare for a project? Can you give me some tips?

RESEARCH - HOARD - PAINT ... apparently there is another stage ... GAME ... but i don't always get to that.

I've had projects that have been ongoing for years and years and now count in the thousands... (figures & cost), and other projects that frankly i'd lost interest in before the first figures even arrived through the letterbox.

Two tips for identifying the projects that you are more likely to stick with...

1) Are you GENUINELY INTERESTED IN IT? ... I know this seems a bit crazy, but we all make impulse purchases... "oh look shiney shiney..."

2) What will keep your motivation up?

Is it for a set deadline (eg big game at a Show where the fear of letting others down keeps you going)... or is it a group project where your mates can keep your motivation going (LAF is great for this...start a thread, and keep it going), or is there something else, that will keep you going... a set of movies/a TV programme/a book, or better yet... music/a soundtrack that gets you motivated for that particular genre?

Every now we can all lose our MO-JO ... don't be afraid to take a break from a project, and switch to something else (the more different the better) ... as you try to get back into it, try baby steps...you dont have to paint a whole unit on your first day back... just do something...anything...its progress.

For me, the rules are never the really important thing...maybe if they were, and i spent more time on them in the initial research phase, i'd get more games at the end, but honestly i'm happy with the end result.