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  • 23/08/2023 at 14:57 #189915
    Avatar photoNorm S
    Participant

    My first Prussian 2 base unit has taken almost 6 hours, clearly, I need a change of technique.

    I have put up a blog post that shows my timings and discusses the issues, any suggestions from anyone doing these faster would be appreciated. thanks.

    https://battlefieldswarriors.blogspot.com/2023/08/epic-project-part-ii-painting-figures.html

    23/08/2023 at 16:11 #189916
    Avatar photoDarkest Star Games
    Participant

    They look lovely, Norm.  Don’t be hard on yourself just because of the time it took.

    For me, speed painting is a stop-gap measure for just getting figures with color on them out onto the table for a game, usually at short notice.  My intent is always to go back and spruce up the quick job to a standard I am happy with.  This doesn’t always happen as some projects just don’t keep traction, and I am usually not happy with the speed painting results anyways.

    Even though I am not as good of a painter as I once was, it is a part of the hobby that I personally still enjoy so the time it takes to get a unit done that I can be satisfied with is not a concern (though it can be a frustration, as you know!).  I know you were trying to get your unit done faster, but in the end you need to be happy with what you produce.

    That all said, I really do like your idea to paint well only what is truly visible, and basic paint the areas that are not, like the fronts and backs of the interior troops.  I’ve done the same with 6mm and it really does work and still gives an excellent impression without each figure having to be an individual work of art.

    YMMV, of course.

    "I saw this in a cartoon once, but I'm pretty sure I can do it..."

    23/08/2023 at 16:37 #189917
    Avatar photoMike
    Keymaster

    “I find the prospect of 6 hours a little disheartening and I know other painters are coming in well under this figure. ”

    My last unit of 10/12mm WFB Halberdiers took around 40 to 50 hours to paint.
    It was a looooong time, but I am happy with the result.
    I think if I had been quicker it would have been rushed and I would not be happy with the end result, and that I think is key. If you take a long time but like the result, it was worth it.

    23/08/2023 at 17:31 #189921
    Avatar photoAndrew Beasley
    Participant

    I can understand why you feel that way but compared to 28s or even 15s this is a great improvement.

    Have you considered using the contrast style paints? Miniature Realms on YouTube (https://youtube.com/@MiniatureRealms) has had some very good results with these (though he is a professional painter).

    24/08/2023 at 07:19 #189929
    Avatar photowillz
    Participant

    The units are excellent Norm, 2 hours work a day 3 days a week gives you 1600 figures if you allow a 40 week painting in a year and 3200 figures if you paint 6 days a week.  That’s a good number for a year’s work, as Andrew points out maybe contrast paints could speed things up.  Don’t be too hard on yourself, you will speed up and probably drop it down to four hours as your technique improves.

    24/08/2023 at 07:58 #189930
    Avatar photoNorm S
    Participant

    Thanks all. I must admit, since posting and seeing the comments here, on the blog and at LAF, I am more at peace with the painting outcome and have appreciated the suggestions and tips to get a tighter technique.

    In some respects, in going for an initial starter set of six units per side, plus skirmishers and commanders, it still remains a very do-able project.

    I have just put the 2nd battalion to painting blocks and the start of ‘that churn’ does spur me on.

    24/08/2023 at 17:45 #189949
    Avatar photoian pillay
    Participant

    Speedpaints for the win! For me at least. I wouldn’t say my paint is better using them, but the result is very consistent. Which makes everything look better once finished.
    They look smashing though.

    Tally-Ho! Check out my blog at…..
    http://steelcitywargaming.wordpress.com/

    27/08/2023 at 14:17 #190048
    Avatar photoPatrice
    Participant

    Some of mine took me 6 years.

    http://www.argad-bzh.fr/argad/en.html
    https://www.anargader.net/

    27/08/2023 at 16:50 #190050
    Avatar photoJim Webster
    Participant
    Patrice wrote:

    Some of mine took me 6 years.

    Ha
    I had a unit of Indian elephants on my painting table for over twenty years 🙂

    https://jimssfnovelsandwargamerules.wordpress.com/

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