My painting has stalled and now stopped. I ended 2020 with big plans and purchased for them as well as preparing old ones for them too. I was overwhelmed and put them away, horrified by the thought of it. Since Lockdown began and in the days leading up to it I made lesser plans and dabbled . I didn’t like anything I produced and the lid has been shut on the painting desk. Enthusiasm for a wee imagination project has waned, the spirit being willing but the flesh weak. My mojo has left the stage...
Last March I threw myself into gardening and my old toy soldier figure converting ( the physical process and research absorbed me ) now I can’t settle to any hobby stuff really . The hours seem long and I know in the scale of things this isn’t important but I miss the therapy lead brought.
My morale is good at the moment, but it probably won't last. Must clear as many projects as I can. To be honest, I sold some collections and used the proceeds to finance those that caught my imagination. I only work in two scales, 28mm, and now 54mm. I am happy using my 28mm terrain with my 54mm as its a toy soldier collection and scale does not need to be correct. My advice is to get rid of unused collections, spend time improving terrain items and boards, research and paint flags. Compile lists of the armies you have raised with breakdowns of the units or figures still to be finished, tick the latter as completed. Confirm your intensions as to whether a collection is for large games or skirmishes. Thats my advice, for what its worth. But I have a reputation for factory-line painting, I treat all my hobby-projects like a tactical game. Too many 'different' projects can confuse or undermine morale, look for some quick successes. Home decorating has also served as a welcome change. Cleaning your work table and the arrival of new brushes also helps. I suspect most of this is already known. But thats the way it is. Regards.
ReplyDeleteMichael
I've given up on wargaming and packed it all away.
ReplyDeleteInstead I have taken up OO9 railway modelling but changing hobbies every 6 to 8 years is normal for me. I have learnt to keep what I have because I usually return.
Hi Alan- sounds as though you've got a case of 'The Winter Blues'. I've had days of inactivity recently where motivation to make a start has disappeared. I've a Model Project to build in mind - though Domestic House Painting beckons and will be the first priority. It is a cool Summer we're experiencing at present - looks like we'll have some hotter days later. Chin up there Alan- your 'Mojo' will return. Cheers. KEV.
ReplyDeleteI know how you feel... find a good deep comfortable arm chair, climb in to it with your feet up and with a good book, and a beverage of your choice.. and read... the the mojo comes back...
ReplyDeleteI often 'stall' with long periods when I don't paint anything. At the moment I think it's more a games stall though - just haven't really thought of doing any for quite a while. Happily, got a few other things on in the hobby including painting and terrain so that's OK. Sure it will only be short term with you as well - and remember that model train terrain could form the basis of whole new wargaming experiences...
ReplyDeleteNot sure that I can add anything to the great advice already given above.
ReplyDeleteBut I'm completely certain that you will wake up one morning with the sole desire of getting to that painting table!
Ronnie
Must admit I haven't done much painting of late - but I'm playing a lot of Command & Colors - easy to set up , play and take down again - think it's the time of year maybe - Springs on its way ! , Tony
ReplyDeleteI think this latest lockdown, combined with a cold, damp January has really affected everyone and I can relate to the desertion of your painting mojo.
ReplyDeleteWhen I've had spells like this I tend to pack it all away and do something different for a while... battling against it doesn't seem to help. When I eventually get back into it I find working on just a few figures at time helps so I get a sense of achievement and managing to complete something.
Oddly I haven't started painting again this year or got properly back into things after stowing hobby stuff away for Christmas. I find after working from home online all day in Lockdown, along with the short dark days, the cold etc, all I want is to stay warm so curl up with my Elizabethan England Armada reading and catching up on viewing.
ReplyDeleteStill a little too excited by my new toys from Christmas to settle ...
Keeping the desk clear and ready and the paint cupboard restocked for the right quiet time and mood, which will come when it is ready.
I find distraction reading Tintin and Asterix books in such mode often helps ... ordered the missing Tintin ones from the Tintin shop in London (what a cool job!) for the risky day poorly sick cupboard.
DeleteEven considering heresies like playing games with unpainted plastic figures. No one need know.
Three hiber-ImagiNation viewing tips -
1. Two series of His Dark Materials on BBC Iplayer,
2. Netflix for three series of Stranger Things recreating those small town America kid character family movies of the USA Eighties with government conspiracy secret labs, Evil Russians and dark monsters from another dimension - overtaken my free reviewing of the first couple of series of Buffy The Vampire Slayer on Channel 4 Player. After two or three, the Buffy series lost my interest.
3. the Mandalorian Star Wars stand alone series on Disney Channel - who said they stopped making cowboy movies and spaghetti westerns? They have just moved to outer space.
Sorry that should read Rainy Day Poorly Sick cupboard, not Risky Day ...
DeleteI think most of us have periods where we stall like that. I also think many of us have a variety of interests and hobbies, so we can switch pursuits and projects when interest in one wanes. Sometimes a change is good. Another way to handle it is to try to set small goals to get you back into a project bit by bit. For example, making it a goal to paint each day even if for only a few minutes. Eventually progress will be made and you might even find interest in it has returned. On the other hand, these are hobbies, for fun, and it's okay to put something aside for a while, too, if it helps and increases your enjoyment.
ReplyDeleteI have nothing more constructive to add other than to say, hang in there. When spring....springs, I think you'll be right out there puttering away in the garden and your painting bug restored.
ReplyDeleteUntil then, plot, plan, connive, scheme, and above all else... canoodle.
Nothing beats a good canoodling, I say.
And a good hot cuppa. Milk, no sugar, please.
Eric
I find with all my hobbies I need a break every 10 months or so. Sometimes it's a forced break sometimes not. Think of it as a nap which will refresh you.
ReplyDelete