The Angry Lurker posted on his blog the question about whether painting miniatures gets better or easier with time, or do the ravages of age cause a general decline. The answer is a mixed bag of shells.
I'm proficiently better, know when to take time, know how to work paint, etc. That I know how to doesn't mean that I do.
When I started painting, it was directed by the teaching in the old 'Eavy Metal Painting Guide which was a base coat then a shade and highlight coat. Still not a bad method, but a tad labor-intensive. Eventually I discovered the idea of painting the darkest shade first and highlighting up. After that I learned about ink washes and using wood finish as a wash. That made painting the sizable number of rank-and-file troops a more likely prospect. There is no way I could have painted an army using the original technique. Believe me, I tried.
So now I paint very well for single pieces like RPG minis or characters for an army, and paint in a pretty lackadaisical manner for the bulk units.
I guess you could say that I am painting smarter, not harder.
So now I paint very well for single pieces like RPG minis or characters for an army, and paint in a pretty lackadaisical manner for the bulk units.
I guess you could say that I am painting smarter, not harder.
Hi!
ReplyDeleteIn my case I moved to 15mm scale and now cant seem to paint anything bigger as it requires a different technique.
I think its just a case of the more practice you get, the better you will get at it though. Saying that I know many folks who love wargaming but still hate painting!
All the best
From my own view, I am probably not a better painter than I was in the past. I can't pinpoint the exact date of my decline, but probably happened about five years ago when I finally realized that my close up vision was going down hill, gave in, and got reading glasses. This also coincided with the birth of my daughter
ReplyDeleteOn top of poor vision, my priorities are now elsewhere and I just don't have the time anymore. More "hands-on"time not only improves the skills you already have, but also allows you to experiment with new techniques.
Chris