Reply To: Is Anyone Happy With What They Paint?

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Good points @guillotine.  This is very much how I approach things now but this is a change from how I used to be some years ago.  I always wanted to do my best work and over time learned improved techniques to add better levels of detail, but I took longer and longer to paint each miniature.  Also beguiled by the delights of seeing professionally painted armies I thought that every miniature had to be the best paint job I was capable of.

Having decided to do something about this ever decreasing rate of painting, (and therefore ever increasing lead pile) and subsequently joining @lawnor ‘s pledge group, I found that the key was to be happy to get miniatures finished.  For me that means being satisfied with a paint job as soon as the miniature has reached an acceptable level, i.e. for me to be happy to game with it in the presence of other hobbyists.   Although they take less time I still get positive comments about the standard and a couple of key techniques learned here on OTT (e.g. zenith highlighting) have meant I had my most productive ever year for painting last year.  On top of that the joy of seeing and being able to play with so many painted minis is definitely taking the sting out of thinking that I might be capable of better.

Ultimately I’m accepting my level of painting ability.  I’m a hobbyist.  Angel Giraldez is an artist.  I can no more paint my entire collection with his standards and ability than I can decorate my front room like the Sistine Chapel.  I’ve come to terms with my level and focused on maximising what I want out of painting  – finished armies.