Processing Line Painting

[Wedge]

While I am no fan of painting multiple models of the same type at the same time, it is obviously necessary to do since you have to fill in all your grunt and elite squads.  Since I am following a very rigid color scheme for my Semai army I am finding this process very tedious.  *sigh*

The last models I have to paint to complete my army is a squad of Heretic Legionnaires.  Eight guys plus the Dissident leader.

This process line style of painting is killing me.  I find myself involuntarily stooping over the table as I go and it is killing my back (yes... old man here).  Any tips for breaking the monotony?  I have found that the only way for me to get through it is to take a break every 45 minutes or so.  The progress is noticable but seems so slow.

Any tips?

[Dr. Nick]

if your back makes problem beause bad position and immobility you have no choise: move

perhaps even more often than 1/45min. stand up walk some meters and move your spine, than continue every 15 minutes.

you donīt even have to put brush and fig down..

also, strech your torso and arms.


cuīs

p.s.
have fun with the dissidents, i am forced something far less nice -> writing a long text about something i think a shorter text would be complete enough......

[Dragon62]

This is the way I've always painted. Whole squads at a time.

[Veez]

Odd, I had a huge diatribe here that never made it.


Here goes again.

Paint more than one type of squad at a time; it allows you some variety, and you also allow for time for paint to dry as you are working on the other squad.  Throw in a character or two as well.  It also helps to be motivated about the units you are painting; the Illian army I did was a skull dragger because I had not motivation.  The took the usual amount of time but felt a lot longer and I couple nights I decided to do other stuff because I didn't want to do them.  Also have something going in the background to distract you.  Music is good but TV or more interactive radio is better because it allows you to let your mind wander.  And finally yes, get up and move very 45 minutes to give your body a break.  This is how I churn out an insane amount of table quality figs.

[Wedge]

I'll try inserting a couple of individuals (or some Chronopia minis).  With 9 miniatures they usually do dry by the time I get back to the first one.  All good suggestions, thanks all!

For those of you coming to Talamania I, you'll see the fruit of my labor when you see my Warzone army.

[Sylvas]

some tips I've found useful...

1.) block in your minis...just get a base coat for all of the main areas of the mini before going in and adding detail...this gives you the ability to field the mini in a pinch, even though the paint job may not be up to snuff with the rest of your force...

2.) as the Veezer said, have 2 or more types of squads/individuals on your table to paint...breaks the monotony...

3.) a nice comfy seat...ergonomics are important, just to save your back (I'm there with the getting old)...

I usually try to make sure I get one specific thing done per session, and if I get that done, then I move onto something else...makes it look like you're making progress...

B...

[dmcgee1]

if your back makes problem beause bad position and immobility you have no choise: move

perhaps even more often than 1/45min. stand up walk some meters and move your spine, than continue every 15 minutes.

you donīt even have to put brush and fig down..

also, strech your torso and arms.


cuīs

p.s.
have fun with the dissidents, i am forced something far less nice -> writing a long text about something i think a shorter text would be complete enough......

Wht he said - I concur - remain mobile.  Being sedate is hoffible for circulation and for skin and muscle under duress of gravity.  I used the opposite when I used to work retail - I would take frequent breaks to sit and stretch.

[Dr. Nick]

once i wanted to go to a whfb tournament and play a cheasy high elve army...

2 (totally free) weeks i painted ~23 gw platic HE + 8! chariots+2 monster riding chars.  that is monotony...  (but they turned out well)

*** edit: that was 23 cavalry-silver helms

unfortunately, this much energy for the hobby is rare..

[Veez]

Monotony will be when I tackled those 40+ Imperial Regulars.

Sylvas reminded me of another thing-when doing ginormous amounts of figs, have a plan of what you want to get accomplished so you can cross them off as they are being completed

[masherking]

For me  I play with the army it motivates me paint it more.
I find simiple color scheme helps with mass troops. Break it up once in a while with a big model are character
helps. Oddly the Flip side works too. When I painted my growlers I was so into the color scheme that even though it took more work to paint the whole army, the time seemed to fly by as really dug the look. 
 
This days I have hard time finding time to paint whole armys.
got about 6 armies slated for painting and man its been slow going.

[Wedge]

Well, all 8 of the Heretic Legionnaires are halfway finished.  The flesh, pants, gun, and tabards are base coated and/or dry brushed.  I just have to do the boots now, add the fine details and do some cool tattoos on their bare flesh and bingo!

[Topkick]

Well, all 8 of the Heretic Legionnaires are halfway finished.  The flesh, pants, gun, and tabards are base coated and/or dry brushed.  I just have to do the boots now, add the fine details and do some cool tattoos on their bare flesh and bingo!

So much for bringing my Semai army now. I refuse to give my figs an inferiority complex by having them compared to Wedge's magnifient painting skills. I may have to use tiddly winks or scraps of paper to play as I will be embarrassed to show my minis in the presence of all the fantastically painted minis that I know will be there.

[Wedge]

Well, all 8 of the Heretic Legionnaires are halfway finished.  The flesh, pants, gun, and tabards are base coated and/or dry brushed.  I just have to do the boots now, add the fine details and do some cool tattoos on their bare flesh and bingo!

So much for bringing my Semai army now. I refuse to give my figs an inferiority complex by having them compared to Wedge's magnifient painting skills. I may have to use tiddly winks or scraps of paper to play as I will be embarrassed to show my minis in the presence of all the fantastically painted minis that I know will be there.

  Awww.... you flatter me sir... 

There is no shame in fielding your Semai army regardless of the painting quality.  I have seen your work and it is nothing to turn a nose up at!  I think you have excellent painting skills!  Besides... Semai is the best DL army out there... I would feel emboldened if you joined me in the cause of the great Deceiver!

[Topkick]

Actually you have seen my wallet's work - I haven't painted in years...no time or talent. I dcould get better but when I get the occassional day off the last thing I want to do is force my busted up hands and aged eyes to try and do justice to my figs. I work 60 hours a week usually so I can spare a bit of coin more than the time and body aches. Sorry if that lowers me in anyone's eyes but my talent's lie more to organizing events and writing scenarios.

[Veez]

Well, you can always go with method two:

Spray paint them black and call them ninja heretics.