"You have to choose between another hour on the couch or another model painted". This is a great statement and can be applied to so many things. Thanks for another great video!
I have some niche advice for professional creatives - Often when you turn your creative hobby, into a career it can lose it's fun. I work as a Graphic designer, and while in college I was super passionate about design. Creating cool design projects filled me with energy and inspiration. Now that I've been working as a designer for 9 years... It isn't so much fun anymore, its a job, and sometimes it feels like a chore. Being creative 5-6 days a week for money can be mentally taxing. Design still pays my bills, and I still love it, but it doesn't fill me with joy like it used to. What I, and I think a lot of other creatives do when faced with this situation is to get a hobby that gives you that energy back. For me that is mini painting and terrain crafting - I just do this for fun, and because its not paying my bills it stays that way. My advice for anyone who has made their creative hobby into their job... is ironically to find another hobby that has nothing to do with making money, and when you are feeling burned out, to do that hobby for a little bit, I think you will find it recharges your batteries.
This is why pro basketball players etc enjoy golf or alternative sports as recreation. They start off with love for their chosen sport but it becomes associated with stress/anxiety/pressure and other work related emotions instead of pure fun. Something done for fun you can stop when bored and pick it up again. Work you must do no mater how you feel. It’s Pavlovian conditioning.
There is actually an official term for this, the overjustification effect. Just if anyone wonders if it is only them, there is actual scientific evidence that external incentives like money will slowly decrease intrinsic motivation.
Ever since I started producing movies I've gone from watching 1-3 a week in my free time to like, 1-3 a year. Those are also mostly on airplanes... Sitting down to one just ends up feeling like work, and I can't help but think that there are multiple other things I could be doing with my time, like painting miniatures. Your advice is good! I'd also add that it's important not to feel ashamed when you burn out on a passion, or it becomes routine. You can't force it, and guilt will only make you resent it more. All the fresh-eyed film school kids act like it's some blasphemy or weakness not to watch everything that comes out and hone your craft, but after a few years on the job we're all in the same boat.
ninjon your channel makes me wish you had a mini series where you take a person whom has either 0 or very little painting experience and just sorta lead them through the steps until their final test where you just give em a model and we see truly how well your techniques/teaching ability comes in
My trick is having what I call "Dopamine Models" for that quick hit of completion. For example I recently finished my LotR Army of the Dead models, took like two washes and was done and look great. Even something like a bunch of scatter terrain just to shake of those cobwebs and get that feeling of "I've accomplished something today, tomorrow I'll do more".
This!!! I do this too! Since i often play a druid in D&D, i have tons of animal minis printed for my wildshapes, so I'll usually use one of those for a quick pick me up!
Legit comment though, this video is the perfect topic for me right now, I'm a store owner and I get burned out on painting when it's a big part of my job. So I imagine this'll help! Thanks legend!
Same here, Alex!! It’s hard sometimes when you live and breathe minis. I tend to find that the more I commission the more burnt out I get because I don’t get to flex my personal creativity!
There's so many aspects to the hobby that spending time planning out the next diorama or crafting some terrain or even just basing and getting a break from painting helps me to want to paint again.
I recommend that when you are in a slump you try switching your focus almost entirely to the storytelling aspect of painting. I always have a small box of cool looking, but not too detail laden, minis that can be painted easily for this purpose (skullpass goblins I think are a good example). Then when I'm in a slump, I pick up one of these simple minis and paint some simple basic color blocks on it before jumping VERY early into the task of painting the face. I find it very helpful to get the eyes done early. This is because, for me, there is sea change in the painting experience that comes the moment you dot the pupils and complete those eyes. Its like the mini goes from being a 'model' to a 'character' the minute there are eyes looking back up at you. I can then daydream about WHO the miniature is, and as I come up with answers I'll give it a name, a personnality and just 'futz' about with the paintjob while while daydreaming. I find that once I have a face and a story going, I want to keep painting in order to bring that new character fully to life, and because its a simple sculpt this can usually be done in one sitting (which I agree is a VERY important part of a recharge-mini)! So yeah, in short paint the steps are 1 paint the eyes, 2. name it, 3) paint its personality and story.
Great video! What works for me is to make the barrier of entry as low as possible. I have a desk where everything is laid out so that it's easy to start. Then I make myself do at least 5 minutes of painting every day. I find that when it's easy to start, it's easy to keep going.
I clean my workbench. That clear space...SO ignites the creativity and potential. Also, if I'm in the middle of a long, multi-step project and I burn out or lose steam, I get rid of the detritus and put tools back, clean brushes, etc. to "reset" the space. I may even lay out the specific tool or paint for the very next step and tell myself I don't have to do it right now. Most often I end up doing that step. Kinda psyching myself out, but it works.
I know that feeling. Then I learned about a new way of painting and it totally restarted me. Also see8ng yhe model to inspire you helps For me it was comic book style. It was so striking and differant it totally changed everything. Epic duck studios basically saved my hobby
Love this. It sort of includes my own method, which is to finish something I left half-painted, but ultimately I think finishing the model is of utmost importance. It is much more motivating during a slump to have something completed, rather than spend a few hours just to get it into the ugly phase and possibly just burn out on it.
My trick, especially when it comes to having a ton of Minis to paint, like whole units of troops for Warhammer is to do it in stages. Like today, I'm going to paint all the skin of my Orruks. And when that's done, I walk away for half an hour to an hour and get some sunshine. After that it's back at it with all the brown, or red scareshields, etc. I also don't paint at night. I find that if I'm even remotely fatigued or lacking caffeine I'm not going to be able to focus for a long painting session. So having a certain time of day for painting kind of trains my brain to be ready for painting minis.
I’ve just rewatched this for maybe the third time. It made me realise that out of the many mini related creators that I’ve subscribed to, Ninjon is the only one I consistently come back to. His videos never sit forever in my watch later, and I often rewatch them. Thank you Jon for excellent content that is engaging, supports my learning, and helps me to slay the grey.
I used to love painting minis, but I fell out of it hard. A few years later I happened to show my girlfriend the models I painted and she wanted to learn how. I was rusty but I showed her some basics and then we went through the channels I followed to learn the more advanced techniques. Over those years I only consistently watched Ninjon for fun, listened to TuP to get through the workday, and Dr. Faust because his mellow energy could help manage nerves studying for exams. Ofc. there were a few videos here and there from other great creators but Jon's the one I always came back too. On the 0% chance you see this, Thanks Jon :)
That second point, I'm so glad you said what you did, and that I'm not the only one. I always start off so strong, but by the end I really want to have it done. It's one of the reasons I drybrush for my highlights, using layer paints for specific cases. This tip was very helpful.
I've never had this problem because I love painting miniatures and I've never had to force myself to paint anything because I've never been in a situation where I HAVE to have a playable army ready for an event or something. The biggest reason why I never get burnt out is 3d printing. I never run out of models that I'd really like to print and paint and since I have zero interest in attending GW events I can use any of them for gaming as well. Also playing videogames just inspires me to paint more models like Elden Ring basically taught me how to paint worn armour very effectively by stippling black and brown dots where rust would be. It actually looks better than any rust effects I've used previously,though rust effects are absolutely fantastic on anything that's larger scale.
I'm amazed how you always get relevant topics and great tips! I realized I did that before with a few models, quick one session paint jobs to feel like I accomplished something. Problem is it made me feel kinda bad not giving it all my best. But in the end, I was happy I had painted something. Thanks for helping us making feel better about it
I typically just jump around and paint what I want to. When doing a commission I don't worry about batch painting in a certain order. As long as models are being painted then progress is being made. And if I don't feel like painting my own models I don't, I enjoy painting so if I wait I know I'll get excited to paint again
Awesome video man this was just what i needed to see today to help me get out of my painting slump. You've quickly become my favourite painting channel out there. Sorry Scott
I’ve found my biggest issue is that whenever I think about sitting down and painting I always imagine the final product first. At first it’s fun to brainstorm creative ideas but then I get discouraged when I realize that either 1) I have no idea how to accomplish whatever my goal is, or 2) I count myself out, knowing I don’t have the skills and/or patience to do whatever it is I want. So far, my best solution is to think about the simple steps first. But this usually leaves me with a head full of fantasies of cool paint jobs, and a bunch of minis, sitting with only base coats and little to no detail
Throw some washes on your started minis. Often times one starts with blocking in some basecoats and realizing it looks like dog shit although you spent so much time blocking in those colors. But when you throw some washes on to them you begin to see the magic and they dont look as bad anymore. You kind of want to start highlight because you already see where its going.
This might be the most important painting video I've ever watched; my previous attempts have always fallen short of at least one of those 3 rules, and that's why they failed. Thank you for this!
Watching your videos has definitely Inspired me to paint more. I think what I struggle with is I get discouraged to start painting minis when I have a group that I want to all look the same.
i do my own goobertown roulette. a nice break for me, and i put challenges in to make me try new things. i mostly paint wh40k armies with common and reliable methods, so doing a once off with unfamiliar techniques is what gets me back into a hobby mindset.
The thing I do to convince myself to paint is set up a game or something that those modles can be shown off. It kickstarts my brain into this I want everything to look nice mode and it makes me want to paint them again.
Perfect advice for me. Looking to get back into the hobby and burnout from stressing about everything took its toll towards the end. Thanks for making this vid dude! And the model looks awesome too.
Great video John. It's a wake up call. I often fall into the trap of feeling like I have to produce my best work and just get overwhelmed. Sometimes 'good enough' is better if you are getting enjoyment out of it.
I like the tips man! I've been in a slump lately and while i have monster pile of new minis from Adepticon, it's been a week and I haven't painted a single one.. although I did manage to build most of them. I will pick something that isn't as important and just slap some paint on, kind of cleanse the pallet and start fresh. I have to say though man, I kept a look out for you and Scott and never did cross paths with either of you, which was a bummer. I've watched and followed you guys for a long time and would have really enjoyed meeting you and at least saying hey and telling you how much I appreciate all you do for the community!! There is always next year, so it's all good. Thanks for sharing!
I do pretty much all the things you do at times like that, Jon. I simply find a miniature that sparks my mind and take it from there. Now if I could get better at the "finishing in one session" aspect you mention here...and in the end? I sold all my consoles a year ago because (again) I reminded myself once and for all that I get more and better results from sitting at the painting table for a few hours. Not to mention concrete results as opposed to sitting in front of my TV and racking up whatever goals on any given game or racking up 80 million points on a game. I'm far more satisfied with painting, even if I leave something sitting for a day or two because of work and being weary from it. Works for me.
Thanks for the video! I've been sitting staring at my pile of shame. All built but only a handful painted. Saturday I watched this video and painted all weekend. Got eight models knocked and ready to paint more. Thanks again!
I think that in all my years of painting minis I’ve never painted one with “just fun, no stress” approach 😅 I guess it’s time to change that! Thanks for the awesome video Ninjon!
Hi Jon, I have to thank you, your video, helped me to find the way to relax as I paint something between two difficult dioramas, I bought some 3d printed minis for my D&D games, and I'm using them to have relaxing painting sessions
I started hobbying the same year that warhammer fantasy got its 8th ed. I've had a 6 year and a 3 year pauses, and multiple month long pauses. Now 1,5 months ago i took and continued my Skrag which i had completely basecoated maybe 6 months earlier. Didnt take too long to finish it, and the good feeling i got from finally completing was so amazing, i immediatly started painting my yhetee trio, and finished them in 2 weeks. Now i am painting a new ironblaster, and only the cannon barrel and the ogre is unpainted. Jon has been a big inspiration for me. Thanks for all the great content.
Thanks for the video Jon. I'm just getting over two weeks of downtime, being sick has drained my motivation. Looking forward to getting back to the painting table!
i think watching others like yourself paint in videos while your painting is not only helpful, but boosts your energy to do it. you hear techniques, you see productivity so you feel compelled to throw down and join in. listen to your favourite music, band, or podcast/movie in the background helps. basically background energy and having something there helps i find. and drinks! snacks! you're painting but you can do it in your own leisure and have a beer or two, or spirits, a wine and just relax and do it. helps to have obsessive-compulsive disorder, and to not get too drunk you drink paint or thinner or something. otherwise it's actually a really chill cool experience. and always looking after and admiring your work at the end as an achievement always helps. you did that! yes you painted that. good job you. why don't you have another beer since you're done, and spend sometime with your family, games or movie eeeeezzzeeeee
just come across your channel,and i think you are my new favourite youtuber.this video has given me some kind of kick up the @@@@ (my hiatus has lasted 12 years so far)!
There's nothing quite like the feeling of having completely finished painting a miniature, doing its' base and finishing any subassemblies. That moment when you put it next to your other finished projects is so satisfying and gives you the boost you need to embark on the next one!
I learned early on the old saying "if your going to do somthing do it right" applies. I take long amounts of time painting each mini trying to hone my skills and improve with each one. And it brings me joy being able to look at a mini and even from years back being able to appreciate it because that was the best I could do at that time.
I haven't painted anything in like a year, but I still watch multiple painting videos every day. I dunno why I just can't get going, and I have a ton of new paint I bought just before I took my break that I want to try out.
I like to listen to music while painting. It helps me to subconsciously keep time with the rhythm of the songs, I tend not to focus too much on the time on the clock once I'm into the music.
I love the idea of the one session power move. When I was on the Independent Characters, I used to recommend (this would go prior to Ninjon's proces) that people "clean the paint desk". Take the partially complete "should do" projects and the random mess of stuff off your paint desk, so you can focus on the one-shot model you're going to burn through. Justin later called this "clear the mechanism". Great stuff.
I had to say about Twitch. I start in August stream live painting session and I become better like nothing before that. Its great to sit and talk to community and the streamer while you paint. But its was really good for me to has a painter.
When i don't which miniature to paint next, i usually start with things i wanna paint. For example a couple days ago i wanted to paint red hair, so i picked a miniature where red hair is fitting and started painting the hair. Since the hair was the majority of that miniature, everything else felt pretty easy to paint too.
Your. Enthusiasm is catching, in fact contagious. I paint historical miniatures in 18mm. (1745 Austrians) so the infantry officers white coat, so primer mid to light grey, then light grey, then off white, then a pale straw yellow. Final edging in white. A bit much for an 18mm figure, but there’s only one per company. I’ll paint the mounted Colonel when I’ve got my hand in. Just have to put all the colours in a tray. More than I’d thought for foot sloggers..
When I get tired of painting minis, I'll often shift to something else that is mini-related: model building, terrain painting, model assembly, or playing with my toys (solo games can be good for this when opponents are thin on the ground.)
I am in a slump at the moment, but I powered thru it with two simple steps. First, I just varnished all the minis I've done with matt varnish, which makes me go thru the motions of painting without the slightest risk of making any mistakes and second, I did the bases which is really relaxing and creative as you are making impact on the mini without the pressure of being precise.
Inspiration can be a great motivator. If you're in a creative block, try browsing some source material (books, artwork, etc.) and get inspired! Using the source material to make a painting plan can help get you through the process too. I recently painted a whole squad at once and many times along the way I thought they really looked terrible, but I stuck to my plan and now they look great - I'm really happy with the results and glad I trusted the process :)
I have two ways. First is the same as you had. I look at my assembled models (I really like assembling x)) and pick ones that inspire. Another one is I think about a little story on my mind, or at least give a squad or character a name.
Great stuff. I have a huge pile of Kickstarter Reaper Bones, they're cheap and great for just painting one mini for fun, or to try out a new paint, or to get motivated with.
Another great video, this is something I have trouble with getting creative block while painting Can not wait for your next video thanks for all your hard work.
been painting on and off for years, but recently been getting more into it. Found your videos super helpful and my painting is improving leaps and bounds. May sound daft but wet pallets are so important taken me 20 years to find this out :P! New subscriber
Hey Jon! Stopped mid way through the video to comment, as I am reminded I haven't done so in a while (lack of algorithmic contribution). I don't know how you consistently manage to put helpful and friendly tips into virtually every video. You're still producing excellent, informative, entertaining and maybe most importantly approachable content. I cannot fathom why more people aren't subscribed. Seriously! This content could easily be a value behind a paywall. I wouldn't be able to afford it and would miss out. But seriously, to anyone else reading this, and hasn't bothered to subscribe... it is literally one of two things that at no cost to you, to help a recently full time (long time committed, talented and passionate) content creator is subscribing and hitting "like". Jon, I appreciate you and hope you and your loved ones are well. Thank you for all your hard work, you're a credit to the hobbying community. Take care, and on with the video.
Great video - this feeling is quite familiar. Trying something new but still simple is a good way for me to find motivated again. For example looking for a somewhat quick and easy tutorial to follow so I can just paint while exploring and learning something new but I don't have to think about colors, composition etc. - and I know I'll very likely get something cool in the end. Also choosing a small project (a base or just painting a face) that doesn't take long and allows me to try new things without risking to be frustrated when it doesn't work out, works well.
I've been using pink on red for a highlight for a while with certain things. One of the greatest that I've found is for a glowing eye effect...using Reapers Gore Red to paint the eye, then highlight with their BCA Pink
I love this method. I’m going to try it next time I’m in a funk. One thing I like to do is focus on a project that I’ve been neglecting that will give me the the most use. Recently I took a break from my Underworlds warbands to paint up a few of those GW terrain kits that have been sitting primed for over a year or more. It took me a weekend, but I finished the Catacombs and Stormvault terrain. Now I never have to worry about painting them again AND I have a sick Warcry board. Next up it will be a weekend of painting Sigmarite Musoleums.
I'm currently psyching myself up to start a big project. My dad's birthday is in about a month and a half and I want to paint a pirate bust for him, but man, all I see are the hours I'm signing on for. I work in the school system and happen to have next week off, so my plan is to go crazy, paint way more than I've ever painted in a week, and then use the weeks after to refine and finish. I just gotta sit and do it!
Nice vid! I tend to listen to audio books, and I also make lists of every audio book ive listened to each year, and every model ive painted. For me this gives me a (possibly pathetic!) sense of accomplishment, since a few years ago I felt bad about getting through so many books. Now I get stuff painted AND read. "read". :)
I re-use colors on my palette all the time, and for the exact same reasons you do. I feel validated every time you mention it. I usually paint a handful of models at the same time. If I get in a slump I'll have a session where I line up the 3 or 4 that are almost done and focus on them. It's like building up to the payoff of multiple tetrises.
Binging TUP while i hobby has honestly become my happiest of happy places. Im not very good, but man its fun, and such an enjoyable release from the workday and bs in life. So thank you duders
I've just come out of a year and a half hobby slump. Sure I was painting intermittently, but even compared to my usual slow process, this was bad. What's got me back to painting, is finding a problem, and solving it. I decided ages ago I wanted green NMM and I didn't want it to take forever, on my stormcast and with dominion sitting half painted, I needed a solution. After much trial and error, I came across a method (oil paints ftw), and proving to myself that I could fix this thing that wasn't working, unlocked something in me that pointed me at the next problem in a manageable way.
Thanks for this video Jon... Have been building a bunch of models recently, and I haven't painted too much due to lack of motivation. This video, along with getting a few games with my unpainted models in with friends, has really inspired me to hunker down and paint up my army. Cheers
To me it's not about 'not finding the fun' but more like having a mental block. Thinking I am not good enough to paint the models. Or having a fear of "the details are way too small", even though I have successfully painted a lot of models already. Looking at already painted models I have done before helps, but I also think your method of picking a one-and-done model to do is good. Just to see again that it is indeed doable.
Thanks for this. I've been in a slump/distracted by other stuff *cough*elden ring*cough* and just haven't been in the mood to paint when I have a table full of stuff.
Even if I have a squad to do, even if I'm trying to push out an army, I will pick certain models that I like within said squad and army and really give it some love. It's still in the time frame of finishing out the model in the afternoon. I do this particularly for sergeants or grunts that I've build up a story around. I just give them the love that they deserve and when I'm done and they look good, it motivates me to make the other stuff that I paint look good too. It is important to not pick out too many paints or create too complex a scheme. I recently subconsciously did this technique for some Gloom Haven models that I painted for my friend and have found that it reignited my passion to paint more.
Awesome video as always Jon! I use the concept/hashtag I created for my Thursday night paint stream. I call it #1mad or 1 model a day! The goal isn’t quite to paint a whole model in one day but to try to work at least one model each day. Paint on brush is always the goal! Shameless self promo: if you ever want a stream to hang out in, you’re always welcome in mine 😊
My "hobby lull" has lasted a bit more than 20 years....trying to get back into it. Thankfully people like you and Squidmar are getting me going again. Have the 3D printer working overtime, planning a trip to the Games Workshop store, bought a whole new set of paints because my old stuff was dried up, and even bought an airbrush and built a spray booth. Here's hoping I enjoy it again. LOL
Yo! I just wanted to circle back and say that I wanted to paint something today but didn't feel like any of my projects, so I tried this - just on a mini that I had laying around but thought was fun and silly. Thanks for the advice.
I had kinda strange relations with mini painting. Getting in painting for few months and dropping this hobby again. But whole this time I have been watching inspiring guides. Like few weeks ago a decided what a want to paint again? I grabbed new Krieg veterans because they were the object of my daydreaming for so long. Funny enough but complicated technics like NMM and OSL reignited my passion for this hobby, I just tried them and all that collected experience busted through me on this mini. Now I am looking at my amazing killteam and sometimes doubting myself that I could paint them so well. But first of all, Ninjon thanks you for guides which lead to me now enjoying this hobby in most pleasant way in years.
I haven't painted since before Christmas and I only got into the hobby last summer. I think for me it's a combination of just not wanting to make the move over to my desk and the Ripperdactyl wings I have to fix. I even got a model for Christmas that I haven't opened because I just haven't felt the hobby for some reason.
I know that feeling. Usually painting 20th infantry minature for a single unit gets me burned out fast. Unrelated, single mini project, for which I can use colors my army doesn't use is the best way to get my mojo back. I was stuck for too long forcing myself to paint minis for one of my armies, but that was just exchanging one army painting for another... Not the best idea. Also, like you mentioned, that project can't be 'balls to the walls'. We often hear about getting better, but it's sometimes about getting that dopamine hit from finished mini. Even if not painted to the best of standards. Great video!
This topic hits home for me really hard. For a while fairly recently I was entered into a competition and was super invested in my entries. I ended up putting in so much time and effort in that I ended up burning out and spent the last month or so just staring at my W.I.P. box and going "hmmm.... No. Not now. Not yet" I've only just gotten back into painting again, but yeah. Burnout is a thing. Try to have fun with your hobbies guys!
I loved this one. I burned myself painting for a golden demon (got gold) a long time ago (2004 Best vehicle) and it took me years to want to paint again. I kept thinking all of the things that you talked about in the video. I wish I’d seen this back then!
I tend to do a unit one week and the week after a single character or two so I dont burn myself out doing large amount of minis. The characters will allow me to stretch different painting methods if I want to use compared to working on a unit over and over with the same colors.
I wholeheartedly agree on the 3 steps, that roughly what I do when I get my mediocre-miniature-painter block... also grim dark boiler room ad is how every ad should be.
I go through this on near enough a weekly basis at the moment, mainly due to exhaustion from uni. Nice to hear someone talk about it. As for what I do I either paint something from an army or game I've never painted before or paint something really boring that I don't really have to pay attention to while watching tv or listening to an audiobook. An example of the latter is this week I listened to eye of night and hand of darkness while painting the browns, reds and parchment on about 30 ultramarines.
For me who has recently-ish gotten into the hobby, a year ago, and have yet to paint I think for me it's due to the not wanting to mess up these expensive minis. I find that assembling is really fun and laid back, but every time I try to get up and start painting them I come up with an excuse. I have models that have a primer and base coat, and those where done at my buddies house because an airbrush in my mind seems more forgiving with thickness of applying paint. I can't speak for everyone, but I feel like it isn't always boredom, as sometimes you don't want to mess up that expensive HQ you bought or you don't want to mess up your favorite character from the fluff. I digress, but now that I got a plan and don't care about messing up I plan on laying on those layers with my plain old brush when my last piece of paint comes in the mail.
Just been going back through some of your older videos and just wanted to say how brilliant your painting of Gorzag Gritstompa is using the limited paints. I've never really liked Orks because of the cartoon green skin but I think your colour scheme makes him look so good and I'll go as far as to say I think it's my favorite model you have painted. Thanks for keep making great videos. 👍
Like many others here, when I start getting that feeling I will put down what I am working on and pick a new model that excites me. I have also picked a model at random and using a modified Goobertown roulette limit myself to 3 or 4 colors and try to be creative.
I need so much motivation to get back into painting. Also airbrushing scares the crap out of me but my gosh it brings another level to a mini. Thank you for this video
Dont be scared of the airbrush, if anything its easier. The only way to really go wrong is not thinning the paint properly or cleaning it out and if you are worried about that just buy paints designed specifically for the airbrush.
Firstly you don't have to paint all the time or daily or even weekly. As long as you use the time you set aside to paint, to paint. It is when you start avoiding your painting time that strategies to get back into the grove are handy. (Now I paint most nights for an hour or two, often scattered through the night along with other fun activities.) I also get "project burn out" a lot or some new project that I'm more excited about comes along and gets my attention. This means I have a lot of stuff in various stages of completion. (Immediately in front of me I have models from 4 projects... and by projects I mean armies) What this means is that if I find myself avoiding painting for a week or more I can turn around and pick a model from one of those projects and "Finish Him!". Getting a model that has been sitting there, nearly done, finished kickstarts the juices again and often leads to the whole unit getting finished in short order. Then I'm back into the routine and painting every night again. Another simpler strategy is to play games with the models. Using them gives incentive to paint them - especially if the people around you are playing cool painted models. Nothing wrong with - this week its all primed, next week you have all of a base colour on for 1 colour. Repeat until all the base colours are on the whole army. Then come back and shade. If you want you can highlight. But by the time you have all the base colours on, the army is starting to look good and that can be incentive to push it across the line to fully finished.
Funny you mention this dont paint the boots mantra. About 3 or 4 minis ago i realized this through my own process and hey it works, like you said just keep the colors a bit darker and in line with whatever the basing is and it works great!
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"You have to choose between another hour on the couch or another model painted". This is a great statement and can be applied to so many things. Thanks for another great video!
I paint sitting on the couch. Noone can stop me!
@@timofaust1315 back pain will eventually xP
@@SergioJimenez7493 Your comment is as scary as it is true ^^
One of the best pieces of advice that someone gave me was, "If it takes 5 minutes, do it now". Sort of a similar mentality.
I have some niche advice for professional creatives - Often when you turn your creative hobby, into a career it can lose it's fun. I work as a Graphic designer, and while in college I was super passionate about design. Creating cool design projects filled me with energy and inspiration. Now that I've been working as a designer for 9 years... It isn't so much fun anymore, its a job, and sometimes it feels like a chore. Being creative 5-6 days a week for money can be mentally taxing.
Design still pays my bills, and I still love it, but it doesn't fill me with joy like it used to. What I, and I think a lot of other creatives do when faced with this situation is to get a hobby that gives you that energy back. For me that is mini painting and terrain crafting - I just do this for fun, and because its not paying my bills it stays that way.
My advice for anyone who has made their creative hobby into their job... is ironically to find another hobby that has nothing to do with making money, and when you are feeling burned out, to do that hobby for a little bit, I think you will find it recharges your batteries.
This is why pro basketball players etc enjoy golf or alternative sports as recreation. They start off with love for their chosen sport but it becomes associated with stress/anxiety/pressure and other work related emotions instead of pure fun. Something done for fun you can stop when bored and pick it up again. Work you must do no mater how you feel. It’s Pavlovian conditioning.
There is actually an official term for this, the overjustification effect. Just if anyone wonders if it is only them, there is actual scientific evidence that external incentives like money will slowly decrease intrinsic motivation.
@@christiank7428 ahh so that's why I don't enjoy spreadsheets anymore, this makes sense 😂
Ever since I started producing movies I've gone from watching 1-3 a week in my free time to like, 1-3 a year. Those are also mostly on airplanes...
Sitting down to one just ends up feeling like work, and I can't help but think that there are multiple other things I could be doing with my time, like painting miniatures.
Your advice is good! I'd also add that it's important not to feel ashamed when you burn out on a passion, or it becomes routine. You can't force it, and guilt will only make you resent it more. All the fresh-eyed film school kids act like it's some blasphemy or weakness not to watch everything that comes out and hone your craft, but after a few years on the job we're all in the same boat.
@@rustyrocks69 Don't know if I would traditionally think of spreadsheets as a creative hobby, but you do you Rusty xD
ninjon your channel makes me wish you had a mini series where you take a person whom has either 0 or very little painting experience and just sorta lead them through the steps until their final test where you just give em a model and we see truly how well your techniques/teaching ability comes in
I’d love that too!
@@Ninjon use me, Sensei
@@Ninjon I volunteer as tribute.
My trick is having what I call "Dopamine Models" for that quick hit of completion. For example I recently finished my LotR Army of the Dead models, took like two washes and was done and look great. Even something like a bunch of scatter terrain just to shake of those cobwebs and get that feeling of "I've accomplished something today, tomorrow I'll do more".
Finishing Kill Teams has been great for me. I’ve started adding single minis as well.
This!!! I do this too! Since i often play a druid in D&D, i have tons of animal minis printed for my wildshapes, so I'll usually use one of those for a quick pick me up!
Legit comment though, this video is the perfect topic for me right now, I'm a store owner and I get burned out on painting when it's a big part of my job. So I imagine this'll help! Thanks legend!
Same here, Alex!! It’s hard sometimes when you live and breathe minis. I tend to find that the more I commission the more burnt out I get because I don’t get to flex my personal creativity!
There's so many aspects to the hobby that spending time planning out the next diorama or crafting some terrain or even just basing and getting a break from painting helps me to want to paint again.
I recommend that when you are in a slump you try switching your focus almost entirely to the storytelling aspect of painting. I always have a small box of cool looking, but not too detail laden, minis that can be painted easily for this purpose (skullpass goblins I think are a good example). Then when I'm in a slump, I pick up one of these simple minis and paint some simple basic color blocks on it before jumping VERY early into the task of painting the face. I find it very helpful to get the eyes done early. This is because, for me, there is sea change in the painting experience that comes the moment you dot the pupils and complete those eyes. Its like the mini goes from being a 'model' to a 'character' the minute there are eyes looking back up at you. I can then daydream about WHO the miniature is, and as I come up with answers I'll give it a name, a personnality and just 'futz' about with the paintjob while while daydreaming. I find that once I have a face and a story going, I want to keep painting in order to bring that new character fully to life, and because its a simple sculpt this can usually be done in one sitting (which I agree is a VERY important part of a recharge-mini)!
So yeah, in short paint the steps are 1 paint the eyes, 2. name it, 3) paint its personality and story.
Great video! What works for me is to make the barrier of entry as low as possible. I have a desk where everything is laid out so that it's easy to start. Then I make myself do at least 5 minutes of painting every day. I find that when it's easy to start, it's easy to keep going.
thats a great tip!
I clean my workbench. That clear space...SO ignites the creativity and potential.
Also, if I'm in the middle of a long, multi-step project and I burn out or lose steam, I get rid of the detritus and put tools back, clean brushes, etc. to "reset" the space. I may even lay out the specific tool or paint for the very next step and tell myself I don't have to do it right now. Most often I end up doing that step. Kinda psyching myself out, but it works.
I know that feeling. Then I learned about a new way of painting and it totally restarted me. Also see8ng yhe model to inspire you helps
For me it was comic book style. It was so striking and differant it totally changed everything. Epic duck studios basically saved my hobby
Love this. It sort of includes my own method, which is to finish something I left half-painted, but ultimately I think finishing the model is of utmost importance. It is much more motivating during a slump to have something completed, rather than spend a few hours just to get it into the ugly phase and possibly just burn out on it.
My trick, especially when it comes to having a ton of Minis to paint, like whole units of troops for Warhammer is to do it in stages. Like today, I'm going to paint all the skin of my Orruks. And when that's done, I walk away for half an hour to an hour and get some sunshine. After that it's back at it with all the brown, or red scareshields, etc. I also don't paint at night. I find that if I'm even remotely fatigued or lacking caffeine I'm not going to be able to focus for a long painting session. So having a certain time of day for painting kind of trains my brain to be ready for painting minis.
I’ve just rewatched this for maybe the third time. It made me realise that out of the many mini related creators that I’ve subscribed to, Ninjon is the only one I consistently come back to. His videos never sit forever in my watch later, and I often rewatch them. Thank you Jon for excellent content that is engaging, supports my learning, and helps me to slay the grey.
I used to love painting minis, but I fell out of it hard. A few years later I happened to show my girlfriend the models I painted and she wanted to learn how. I was rusty but I showed her some basics and then we went through the channels I followed to learn the more advanced techniques. Over those years I only consistently watched Ninjon for fun, listened to TuP to get through the workday, and Dr. Faust because his mellow energy could help manage nerves studying for exams. Ofc. there were a few videos here and there from other great creators but Jon's the one I always came back too. On the 0% chance you see this, Thanks Jon :)
That second point, I'm so glad you said what you did, and that I'm not the only one. I always start off so strong, but by the end I really want to have it done. It's one of the reasons I drybrush for my highlights, using layer paints for specific cases. This tip was very helpful.
I've never had this problem because I love painting miniatures and I've never had to force myself to paint anything because I've never been in a situation where I HAVE to have a playable army ready for an event or something.
The biggest reason why I never get burnt out is 3d printing. I never run out of models that I'd really like to print and paint and since I have zero interest in attending GW events I can use any of them for gaming as well.
Also playing videogames just inspires me to paint more models like Elden Ring basically taught me how to paint worn armour very effectively by stippling black and brown dots where rust would be. It actually looks better than any rust effects I've used previously,though rust effects are absolutely fantastic on anything that's larger scale.
I'm amazed how you always get relevant topics and great tips! I realized I did that before with a few models, quick one session paint jobs to feel like I accomplished something. Problem is it made me feel kinda bad not giving it all my best. But in the end, I was happy I had painted something. Thanks for helping us making feel better about it
I typically just jump around and paint what I want to. When doing a commission I don't worry about batch painting in a certain order. As long as models are being painted then progress is being made. And if I don't feel like painting my own models I don't, I enjoy painting so if I wait I know I'll get excited to paint again
Awesome video man this was just what i needed to see today to help me get out of my painting slump. You've quickly become my favourite painting channel out there. Sorry Scott
I’ve found my biggest issue is that whenever I think about sitting down and painting I always imagine the final product first. At first it’s fun to brainstorm creative ideas but then I get discouraged when I realize that either 1) I have no idea how to accomplish whatever my goal is, or 2) I count myself out, knowing I don’t have the skills and/or patience to do whatever it is I want. So far, my best solution is to think about the simple steps first. But this usually leaves me with a head full of fantasies of cool paint jobs, and a bunch of minis, sitting with only base coats and little to no detail
Throw some washes on your started minis.
Often times one starts with blocking in some basecoats and realizing it looks like dog shit although you spent so much time blocking in those colors.
But when you throw some washes on to them you begin to see the magic and they dont look as bad anymore.
You kind of want to start highlight because you already see where its going.
This might be the most important painting video I've ever watched; my previous attempts have always fallen short of at least one of those 3 rules, and that's why they failed. Thank you for this!
Watching your videos has definitely Inspired me to paint more. I think what I struggle with is I get discouraged to start painting minis when I have a group that I want to all look the same.
i do my own goobertown roulette. a nice break for me, and i put challenges in to make me try new things. i mostly paint wh40k armies with common and reliable methods, so doing a once off with unfamiliar techniques is what gets me back into a hobby mindset.
The thing I do to convince myself to paint is set up a game or something that those modles can be shown off. It kickstarts my brain into this I want everything to look nice mode and it makes me want to paint them again.
Perfect advice for me. Looking to get back into the hobby and burnout from stressing about everything took its toll towards the end. Thanks for making this vid dude! And the model looks awesome too.
Great video John. It's a wake up call. I often fall into the trap of feeling like I have to produce my best work and just get overwhelmed. Sometimes 'good enough' is better if you are getting enjoyment out of it.
I like the tips man! I've been in a slump lately and while i have monster pile of new minis from Adepticon, it's been a week and I haven't painted a single one.. although I did manage to build most of them. I will pick something that isn't as important and just slap some paint on, kind of cleanse the pallet and start fresh. I have to say though man, I kept a look out for you and Scott and never did cross paths with either of you, which was a bummer. I've watched and followed you guys for a long time and would have really enjoyed meeting you and at least saying hey and telling you how much I appreciate all you do for the community!! There is always next year, so it's all good. Thanks for sharing!
I do pretty much all the things you do at times like that, Jon. I simply find a miniature that sparks my mind and take it from there. Now if I could get better at the "finishing in one session" aspect you mention here...and in the end? I sold all my consoles a year ago because (again) I reminded myself once and for all that I get more and better results from sitting at the painting table for a few hours. Not to mention concrete results as opposed to sitting in front of my TV and racking up whatever goals on any given game or racking up 80 million points on a game. I'm far more satisfied with painting, even if I leave something sitting for a day or two because of work and being weary from it. Works for me.
Thanks for the video! I've been sitting staring at my pile of shame. All built but only a handful painted. Saturday I watched this video and painted all weekend. Got eight models knocked and ready to paint more. Thanks again!
I think that in all my years of painting minis I’ve never painted one with “just fun, no stress” approach 😅 I guess it’s time to change that! Thanks for the awesome video Ninjon!
Hi Jon, I have to thank you, your video, helped me to find the way to relax as I paint something between two difficult dioramas, I bought some 3d printed minis for my D&D games, and I'm using them to have relaxing painting sessions
Love a great podcast or audiobook while I’m painting. I can get through a couple of hours of listening to great stuff while I paint.
I started hobbying the same year that warhammer fantasy got its 8th ed. I've had a 6 year and a 3 year pauses, and multiple month long pauses. Now 1,5 months ago i took and continued my Skrag which i had completely basecoated maybe 6 months earlier. Didnt take too long to finish it, and the good feeling i got from finally completing was so amazing, i immediatly started painting my yhetee trio, and finished them in 2 weeks. Now i am painting a new ironblaster, and only the cannon barrel and the ogre is unpainted. Jon has been a big inspiration for me. Thanks for all the great content.
Thanks for the video Jon. I'm just getting over two weeks of downtime, being sick has drained my motivation. Looking forward to getting back to the painting table!
i think watching others like yourself paint in videos while your painting is not only helpful, but boosts your energy to do it. you hear techniques, you see productivity so you feel compelled to throw down and join in. listen to your favourite music, band, or podcast/movie in the background helps. basically background energy and having something there helps i find. and drinks! snacks! you're painting but you can do it in your own leisure and have a beer or two, or spirits, a wine and just relax and do it. helps to have obsessive-compulsive disorder, and to not get too drunk you drink paint or thinner or something. otherwise it's actually a really chill cool experience.
and always looking after and admiring your work at the end as an achievement always helps. you did that! yes you painted that. good job you. why don't you have another beer since you're done, and spend sometime with your family, games or movie eeeeezzzeeeee
just come across your channel,and i think you are my new favourite youtuber.this video has given me some kind of kick up the @@@@ (my hiatus has lasted 12 years so far)!
My routine is waiting for you to put a vid out, watching you get stuck into a model restarts my motivation like nothing else!
There's nothing quite like the feeling of having completely finished painting a miniature, doing its' base and finishing any subassemblies. That moment when you put it next to your other finished projects is so satisfying and gives you the boost you need to embark on the next one!
I learned early on the old saying "if your going to do somthing do it right" applies. I take long amounts of time painting each mini trying to hone my skills and improve with each one. And it brings me joy being able to look at a mini and even from years back being able to appreciate it because that was the best I could do at that time.
I haven't painted anything in like a year, but I still watch multiple painting videos every day. I dunno why I just can't get going, and I have a ton of new paint I bought just before I took my break that I want to try out.
I like to listen to music while painting. It helps me to subconsciously keep time with the rhythm of the songs, I tend not to focus too much on the time on the clock once I'm into the music.
I love the idea of the one session power move. When I was on the Independent Characters, I used to recommend (this would go prior to Ninjon's proces) that people "clean the paint desk". Take the partially complete "should do" projects and the random mess of stuff off your paint desk, so you can focus on the one-shot model you're going to burn through. Justin later called this "clear the mechanism". Great stuff.
I had to say about Twitch. I start in August stream live painting session and I become better like nothing before that. Its great to sit and talk to community and the streamer while you paint. But its was really good for me to has a painter.
Just got over a bunch of house work/ other stuff. This is the perfect video to kickstart my weekend.
When i don't which miniature to paint next, i usually start with things i wanna paint. For example a couple days ago i wanted to paint red hair, so i picked a miniature where red hair is fitting and started painting the hair. Since the hair was the majority of that miniature, everything else felt pretty easy to paint too.
Your. Enthusiasm is catching, in fact contagious. I paint historical miniatures in 18mm. (1745 Austrians) so the infantry officers white coat, so primer mid to light grey, then light grey, then off white, then a pale straw yellow. Final edging in white. A bit much for an 18mm figure, but there’s only one per company. I’ll paint the mounted Colonel when I’ve got my hand in.
Just have to put all the colours in a tray. More than I’d thought for foot sloggers..
When I get tired of painting minis, I'll often shift to something else that is mini-related: model building, terrain painting, model assembly, or playing with my toys (solo games can be good for this when opponents are thin on the ground.)
watching videos of cool painters like you (sic!) made me back into painting. There is a ton of inspiration in YT and you are great part of it : )
I love dnd bones minis for this process. There cheap and easy to paint and they make good "palette cleanser" when you need a change of color.
"Don't paint the boots!"
Proceeds to paint the boots.
Some great tips in this for sure though.
I am in a slump at the moment, but I powered thru it with two simple steps. First, I just varnished all the minis I've done with matt varnish, which makes me go thru the motions of painting without the slightest risk of making any mistakes and second, I did the bases which is really relaxing and creative as you are making impact on the mini without the pressure of being precise.
Inspiration can be a great motivator. If you're in a creative block, try browsing some source material (books, artwork, etc.) and get inspired! Using the source material to make a painting plan can help get you through the process too. I recently painted a whole squad at once and many times along the way I thought they really looked terrible, but I stuck to my plan and now they look great - I'm really happy with the results and glad I trusted the process :)
I am really struggling to paint lately. It's been like 4 months. I will try to follow the guide and get back into it
I have two ways. First is the same as you had. I look at my assembled models (I really like assembling x)) and pick ones that inspire. Another one is I think about a little story on my mind, or at least give a squad or character a name.
Great stuff. I have a huge pile of Kickstarter Reaper Bones, they're cheap and great for just painting one mini for fun, or to try out a new paint, or to get motivated with.
Another great video, this is something I have trouble with getting creative block while painting
Can not wait for your next video thanks for all your hard work.
been painting on and off for years, but recently been getting more into it. Found your videos super helpful and my painting is improving leaps and bounds. May sound daft but wet pallets are so important taken me 20 years to find this out :P! New subscriber
Hey Jon!
Stopped mid way through the video to comment, as I am reminded I haven't done so in a while (lack of algorithmic contribution). I don't know how you consistently manage to put helpful and friendly tips into virtually every video. You're still producing excellent, informative, entertaining and maybe most importantly approachable content.
I cannot fathom why more people aren't subscribed.
Seriously! This content could easily be a value behind a paywall. I wouldn't be able to afford it and would miss out.
But seriously, to anyone else reading this, and hasn't bothered to subscribe... it is literally one of two things that at no cost to you, to help a recently full time (long time committed, talented and passionate) content creator is subscribing and hitting "like".
Jon, I appreciate you and hope you and your loved ones are well.
Thank you for all your hard work, you're a credit to the hobbying community. Take care, and on with the video.
Great video - this feeling is quite familiar. Trying something new but still simple is a good way for me to find motivated again. For example looking for a somewhat quick and easy tutorial to follow so I can just paint while exploring and learning something new but I don't have to think about colors, composition etc. - and I know I'll very likely get something cool in the end. Also choosing a small project (a base or just painting a face) that doesn't take long and allows me to try new things without risking to be frustrated when it doesn't work out, works well.
It's Christmas in space .. luggage. Funny time for this topic as I have been in a painting funk lately. Thanks Jon
I've been using pink on red for a highlight for a while with certain things.
One of the greatest that I've found is for a glowing eye effect...using Reapers Gore Red to paint the eye, then highlight with their BCA Pink
I love this method. I’m going to try it next time I’m in a funk. One thing I like to do is focus on a project that I’ve been neglecting that will give me the the most use. Recently I took a break from my Underworlds warbands to paint up a few of those GW terrain kits that have been sitting primed for over a year or more. It took me a weekend, but I finished the Catacombs and Stormvault terrain. Now I never have to worry about painting them again AND I have a sick Warcry board. Next up it will be a weekend of painting Sigmarite Musoleums.
I'm currently psyching myself up to start a big project. My dad's birthday is in about a month and a half and I want to paint a pirate bust for him, but man, all I see are the hours I'm signing on for. I work in the school system and happen to have next week off, so my plan is to go crazy, paint way more than I've ever painted in a week, and then use the weeks after to refine and finish. I just gotta sit and do it!
Nice vid!
I tend to listen to audio books, and I also make lists of every audio book ive listened to each year, and every model ive painted. For me this gives me a (possibly pathetic!) sense of accomplishment, since a few years ago I felt bad about getting through so many books. Now I get stuff painted AND read. "read". :)
I re-use colors on my palette all the time, and for the exact same reasons you do. I feel validated every time you mention it.
I usually paint a handful of models at the same time. If I get in a slump I'll have a session where I line up the 3 or 4 that are almost done and focus on them. It's like building up to the payoff of multiple tetrises.
I needed this video, I'm struggling super hard finishing my Octarius box.
Binging TUP while i hobby has honestly become my happiest of happy places. Im not very good, but man its fun, and such an enjoyable release from the workday and bs in life. So thank you duders
I've just come out of a year and a half hobby slump. Sure I was painting intermittently, but even compared to my usual slow process, this was bad.
What's got me back to painting, is finding a problem, and solving it. I decided ages ago I wanted green NMM and I didn't want it to take forever, on my stormcast and with dominion sitting half painted, I needed a solution. After much trial and error, I came across a method (oil paints ftw), and proving to myself that I could fix this thing that wasn't working, unlocked something in me that pointed me at the next problem in a manageable way.
Thanks for this video Jon... Have been building a bunch of models recently, and I haven't painted too much due to lack of motivation. This video, along with getting a few games with my unpainted models in with friends, has really inspired me to hunker down and paint up my army. Cheers
To me it's not about 'not finding the fun' but more like having a mental block. Thinking I am not good enough to paint the models. Or having a fear of "the details are way too small", even though I have successfully painted a lot of models already.
Looking at already painted models I have done before helps, but I also think your method of picking a one-and-done model to do is good. Just to see again that it is indeed doable.
Thanks for this. I've been in a slump/distracted by other stuff *cough*elden ring*cough* and just haven't been in the mood to paint when I have a table full of stuff.
Even if I have a squad to do, even if I'm trying to push out an army, I will pick certain models that I like within said squad and army and really give it some love. It's still in the time frame of finishing out the model in the afternoon. I do this particularly for sergeants or grunts that I've build up a story around. I just give them the love that they deserve and when I'm done and they look good, it motivates me to make the other stuff that I paint look good too. It is important to not pick out too many paints or create too complex a scheme. I recently subconsciously did this technique for some Gloom Haven models that I painted for my friend and have found that it reignited my passion to paint more.
Awesome video as always Jon! I use the concept/hashtag I created for my Thursday night paint stream. I call it #1mad or 1 model a day! The goal isn’t quite to paint a whole model in one day but to try to work at least one model each day. Paint on brush is always the goal!
Shameless self promo: if you ever want a stream to hang out in, you’re always welcome in mine 😊
This video really helped me look at my miniatures differently. Thanks a lot!! :D
My "hobby lull" has lasted a bit more than 20 years....trying to get back into it.
Thankfully people like you and Squidmar are getting me going again. Have the 3D printer working overtime, planning a trip to the Games Workshop store, bought a whole new set of paints because my old stuff was dried up, and even bought an airbrush and built a spray booth.
Here's hoping I enjoy it again. LOL
Yo! I just wanted to circle back and say that I wanted to paint something today but didn't feel like any of my projects, so I tried this - just on a mini that I had laying around but thought was fun and silly. Thanks for the advice.
Really love the messy (but clean... Hmmm) and quick paint job man. It's so effective and looks incredible. Bravo
I had kinda strange relations with mini painting. Getting in painting for few months and dropping this hobby again. But whole this time I have been watching inspiring guides. Like few weeks ago a decided what a want to paint again? I grabbed new Krieg veterans because they were the object of my daydreaming for so long. Funny enough but complicated technics like NMM and OSL reignited my passion for this hobby, I just tried them and all that collected experience busted through me on this mini. Now I am looking at my amazing killteam and sometimes doubting myself that I could paint them so well. But first of all, Ninjon thanks you for guides which lead to me now enjoying this hobby in most pleasant way in years.
I like it when you explain something i was already doing without thinking about it. It puts words on my process.
I haven't painted since before Christmas and I only got into the hobby last summer. I think for me it's a combination of just not wanting to make the move over to my desk and the Ripperdactyl wings I have to fix. I even got a model for Christmas that I haven't opened because I just haven't felt the hobby for some reason.
You crack me up. The entertainment factor gets me through or has me save my place in the video for later if I don't have time to watch the whole thing
Thank you Papa Jon. Just finished commission painting, and was like do I really wanna paint my own crap?
I know that feeling. Usually painting 20th infantry minature for a single unit gets me burned out fast.
Unrelated, single mini project, for which I can use colors my army doesn't use is the best way to get my mojo back. I was stuck for too long forcing myself to paint minis for one of my armies, but that was just exchanging one army painting for another... Not the best idea.
Also, like you mentioned, that project can't be 'balls to the walls'. We often hear about getting better, but it's sometimes about getting that dopamine hit from finished mini. Even if not painted to the best of standards.
Great video!
This topic hits home for me really hard. For a while fairly recently I was entered into a competition and was super invested in my entries. I ended up putting in so much time and effort in that I ended up burning out and spent the last month or so just staring at my W.I.P. box and going "hmmm.... No. Not now. Not yet" I've only just gotten back into painting again, but yeah. Burnout is a thing. Try to have fun with your hobbies guys!
I loved this one. I burned myself painting for a golden demon (got gold) a long time ago (2004 Best vehicle) and it took me years to want to paint again. I kept thinking all of the things that you talked about in the video. I wish I’d seen this back then!
Jon
You need to strike first, strike hard, and show no mercy to the minis.
Love the shirt.
Oh hell ya!
I tend to do a unit one week and the week after a single character or two so I dont burn myself out doing large amount of minis. The characters will allow me to stretch different painting methods if I want to use compared to working on a unit over and over with the same colors.
I wholeheartedly agree on the 3 steps, that roughly what I do when I get my mediocre-miniature-painter block... also grim dark boiler room ad is how every ad should be.
Ah, as someone starting commission work this is just what I needed
I go through this on near enough a weekly basis at the moment, mainly due to exhaustion from uni. Nice to hear someone talk about it. As for what I do I either paint something from an army or game I've never painted before or paint something really boring that I don't really have to pay attention to while watching tv or listening to an audiobook. An example of the latter is this week I listened to eye of night and hand of darkness while painting the browns, reds and parchment on about 30 ultramarines.
For me who has recently-ish gotten into the hobby, a year ago, and have yet to paint I think for me it's due to the not wanting to mess up these expensive minis. I find that assembling is really fun and laid back, but every time I try to get up and start painting them I come up with an excuse. I have models that have a primer and base coat, and those where done at my buddies house because an airbrush in my mind seems more forgiving with thickness of applying paint. I can't speak for everyone, but I feel like it isn't always boredom, as sometimes you don't want to mess up that expensive HQ you bought or you don't want to mess up your favorite character from the fluff. I digress, but now that I got a plan and don't care about messing up I plan on laying on those layers with my plain old brush when my last piece of paint comes in the mail.
Atomic Habits by James Clear. Using actionable strategies like habit stacking and an understanding of human psychology has helped me out a lot.
Just been going back through some of your older videos and just wanted to say how brilliant your painting of Gorzag Gritstompa is using the limited paints. I've never really liked Orks because of the cartoon green skin but I think your colour scheme makes him look so good and I'll go as far as to say I think it's my favorite model you have painted. Thanks for keep making great videos. 👍
Like many others here, when I start getting that feeling I will put down what I am working on and pick a new model that excites me. I have also picked a model at random and using a modified Goobertown roulette limit myself to 3 or 4 colors and try to be creative.
I need so much motivation to get back into painting. Also airbrushing scares the crap out of me but my gosh it brings another level to a mini. Thank you for this video
Dont be scared of the airbrush, if anything its easier. The only way to really go wrong is not thinning the paint properly or cleaning it out and if you are worried about that just buy paints designed specifically for the airbrush.
@@alexrobertson1472 I think I may pick up an airbrush as bday present to myself. I’ve got some older minis I don’t use to practice on
Firstly you don't have to paint all the time or daily or even weekly. As long as you use the time you set aside to paint, to paint. It is when you start avoiding your painting time that strategies to get back into the grove are handy. (Now I paint most nights for an hour or two, often scattered through the night along with other fun activities.)
I also get "project burn out" a lot or some new project that I'm more excited about comes along and gets my attention. This means I have a lot of stuff in various stages of completion. (Immediately in front of me I have models from 4 projects... and by projects I mean armies)
What this means is that if I find myself avoiding painting for a week or more I can turn around and pick a model from one of those projects and "Finish Him!". Getting a model that has been sitting there, nearly done, finished kickstarts the juices again and often leads to the whole unit getting finished in short order. Then I'm back into the routine and painting every night again.
Another simpler strategy is to play games with the models. Using them gives incentive to paint them - especially if the people around you are playing cool painted models. Nothing wrong with - this week its all primed, next week you have all of a base colour on for 1 colour. Repeat until all the base colours are on the whole army. Then come back and shade. If you want you can highlight. But by the time you have all the base colours on, the army is starting to look good and that can be incentive to push it across the line to fully finished.
What do I do when I feel I'm not having fun painting and I need some inspiration? I watch Ninjon!
I like to stop and do terrain. Similar to ninjons idea as I can just speed paint it and get a tonne of cool looking stuff for the table done quickly
i own 4 armies not one is fully painted, watching you and miniac helps alot lol
Funny you mention this dont paint the boots mantra. About 3 or 4 minis ago i realized this through my own process and hey it works, like you said just keep the colors a bit darker and in line with whatever the basing is and it works great!
Painting with friends or sharing with friends has been really helpful for keeping me inspired. Good stuff, Jon