Sunday, January 5, 2020

Happy New Year?


British Grenadiers based for skirmish gaming.
Fife and Drum Miniatures


This morning I was scrolling through all of the twitter updates and it seems like everyone is starting the new year in a painting frenzy because the output of freshly painted figues is amazing. I tip my tricorn to all of you painters.

On the otherhand, I seem to be descending into the depths of a painting funk and I couldn't be bothered to pick up any paint brushes and start thinning down the queue of projects. 

I normally get my greatest painting production done in the early Winter. Painting usually keeps the winter blues at bay because I plan things on a month by month basis. For example, I might plan on painting two 32-figure battalions of Minden Miniatures SYW figures and so by the time that these figures are finished, so to is the month of January and we are that much closer to the arrival of the SYW Association Convention (in April this year) and Spring. Then I do the same thing in February; and the month of March keeps me busy getting ready for the convention.

Fife and Drum Miniatures AWI Highlander light company based for skirmish gaming.


I find that one good way to power through the painting funk is to listen to one of Henry Hyde's podcasts on Patreon

These run for two to three hours which matches perfectly with the amount of painting time that I spend on a regular painting session. I usually paint this amount of time and then give it a break for the rest of the day, sometimes adding a second session in the evening.

By the way, I would encourage my readers to click on the link (above) and visit Henry's Patreon site. For a meer $2.50 per month, you can sign up and become one of Henry's patrons. Think about it, many of you probably spend $2.50 per day on a cup of Starbuck's coffee. So one could simply divert the amount of one cup of coffee per month into a Patreon sponsorship. In exchange, you will have access to lots of good audio and visual content about the hobby. In a way, it is sort of like having Battlegames magazine back in an e-version, rather than in print.

This stream of consciousness posting might have the key to my exit from Painting Funkdom in it. Now if I can just get myself to my painting table something could happen.

All isn't just funk and blues in my world though. 

The past several days found me sitting at the computer keyboard working on a set of rules for SYW-era skirmish wargaming. I have been using my own "Croat Terror" skirmish rules for many years and now I think that it is time to get them published. I will change the name of the rules though, as anything with the word "terror" in it does not seem appropriate in this day and age.

I have done countless games with the rules so they are well-play tested. However, I am changing the melee system from a card-based system to a dice-based system, thus the new melee system needs some play testing before the rules can go to the printer. I am feeling quite positive about getting the rules manuscript completed soon and getting the rules published.


Sigh.

Things will eventually get better.






8 comments:

  1. I, too get the winter blues, and find my painting drops off. Good luck with the skirmish rules, I am so glad someone is leaving card driven for dice!- I find it far more fun!.
    As to a new name? - perhaps 'Frederick's Bane'? or Croat swarm? - i am sure you will think of something!!!

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  2. You could also try your hand at some terrain/BUA construction. That might be just the thing.

    Best Regards,

    Stokes

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  3. Some of the swarm of newly painted figures could be due to the start of the annual Analog Hobbies Painting Challenge. Hope you lick the winter doldrums soon.

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  4. We all have down time on the painting front when the Muse is simply not upon us. At times like thses I do other things, such as terrain building or coming up with scenarios, campaigns etc.

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  5. I actually prefer to paint in Winter as I can get solid blocks in as we are not dealing with to many customers and renovations are at a snails pace.
    Although we are not as cold as you where we live in France, I also try to get out and about very day, walk to the bakery, or to the coffee shop, so I can socialise, that helps me.

    Great work on the figs and look forward to your rules.

    Cheers
    Matt
    French Wargame Holidays

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  6. Best of luck with the rules Jim and a Happy New Year.

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  7. I like skirmish-rules very much and yours sound very good.
    I hope that you will enjoy painting soon again. Maybe sometimes there are too many other obligations or something is in my head which stops my plans. We are not alway creative and painting figures is a hobby and should be fun.
    Happy New year!

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  8. I have to take my painting area down for the holidays because the tree goes there. From Thanksgiving to Epiphany I am out of service every year. Should be back in the groove soon.

    Big battles are my thing but skirmish makes a nice change of pace.

    I especially enjoy all of your postings and photos!

    John

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