Motivation and you - How do you keep going?

[RandomX]

Recently I have noticed that I have no real drive to paint, or build models. I really have been in a slump for the last few years.

I love the game. And I love the background for it. During the entire time that I could not be bothered to sit at my painting table or go to the shop to play, I still read BL books, armybooks, and was an active member of about a half dozen forums and such.

Anyone else having problems with trying to keep the drive alive, so to speak, for their hobby related activities? How did you break the funk?

Its strange how when I am not right in front of them I want nothing else then to sit down and sling some paint onto a mini. When I sit down to do so though I usually just end up pushing around the models, making the occasional "pewpew!" noise, and organizing my paints just right. >.>

One thing I am doing is working on getting a Mordheim campaign started up with a few guys over here with me (in Iraq at the minute, had the wife send models and hobby stuff), and am also trying to fire up some Kill Team and Bloodbowl. Small scale games that are quick and fun.

Anyone else have the modeling blues? And how did you snap out of it? I gotta get some painting done.

-Eric

[bob]

I look at awesome models and think damn i want an army/warband/gang as good as that.

I also look back at the stuff that got me into the hobby , thats why i keep old white dwarf's

[Brambleten]

motivation to paint is a problem for me, but entering things on websites which gives a team points for painting helps. even if i'm not painting what i set out to paint, i am still getting something done, which i suppose is a benefit of having 6 different armies and therefore 6 different schemes to paint

[Mortagon]

I have had the painting blues myself on several occassions, it usually happens right before summer and during the summer I take a break from the hobby, but I always return sooner or later.

As for motivation, I tend to frequent the internet looking through modeling forums and blogs for inspiration and ideas. Having some friends to paint with is also a great kicker for me. But the best motivation is to play some games with unpainted armies, I hate playing with unpainted models and I have even refused to play because my army wasn't finished yet.

[Orlock]

The bottom line - you have to sit at your painting table and work through the block - look for inspiration around you, on the web etc, but really you need to force yourself into a regular system. Eventually things will start to click and before you know it you will be producing some fantastic pieces of work.

[Lerra]

The best way for me to get out of a slump and start to enjoy painting again is to sit down and have a beer or three, listen to some good music, turn off the cell phone and just sit down and paint. The beer makes it more fun, especially when all you need is that little push in the right direction to get started. Just pick a simpler model for that night lol.

Although personally, my best work has been done with a light buzz going

[MrGiggles]

The bottom line - you have to sit at your painting table and work through the block - look for inspiration around you, on the web etc, but really you need to force yourself into a regular system. Eventually things will start to click and before you know it you will be producing some fantastic pieces of work.

Bydand. Nice and simple.

[Agramar]

I look at awesome models and think damn i want an army/warband/gang as good as that.

I also look back at the stuff that got me into the hobby , thats why i keep old white dwarf's

I do the same ,but most of the timer i have motivation but no time..or i have time but no motivation...Damn!!

[AsgeirArnald]

My motivation is that I really want to get better at painting, since I'm not the best at it right now. So I just have to keep doing it. Like they say, practice makes perfect.

[chachi]

Playing a game gives me the boost to keep painting, especially when that unpainted unit or model helps me win the game!