Haha, thanks.
And thank you Shadespyre, who sent me the random elf. I really like the figure. It's one of those old figures that they converted and cast multiple versions -- so it's very similar to (but not identical to) the spear wielding character from the Elven Attack Chariot that I recently painted. This one has minor differences like an additional bit of fur below the collar, where the chariot crewman's cape is supposed to go (mine was lost) and an extra satchel over his shoulder.
It was good to get a bit of detail painting on. I usually end up blowing through figures, speed-painting just to get them done anymore. This was a nice change of pace. Doing stuff like this is a better form of relaxation & stress relief for me. In all seriousness, when I was younger I tried different meditation & relaxation techniques, but my head was always too jammed with noise. At some point, it dawned on me that when I can really get lost in painting, I literally get lost in it. Sometimes I don't even remember the hour or two I spent on a group of figures, and come out of it feeling really relaxed & calm. I find my
peace in painting toy
soldiers.
I've been wanting to take a break from the rank & file and take more time on some characters or monsters lately. But it's hard due to time constraints. That's why I've been sticking with the speed painted rank & file. I can pop down to the cellar for 10 minutes and slap a basecoat or a wash on a few figures. But it's not the same.
Yesterday was a shitty day, in what has already been a very stressful spring & summer (and now starting into autumn.) So for whatever reason, I (wisely) decided, "fuck it, I'm going to go paint that shield". And that was that.
I've had an idea of what I wanted to paint the next few months. This is my favorite "themed painting challenge" time of year -- Orctober (or half-Orctober, for me) and Deadcember are coming up. And I might just follow through with that. I was planning on painting the last half-orc regiment, plus a character or two, in my half orc faction. I've been avoiding painting a bunch of undead (mostly skeletal) stuff all year with the idea that, "oh, I'll get to that in Deadcember." But now I'm also thinking about how rewarding it was to paint a stupid little lobster, three coins, and a chekered band on a single elf shield. I've got a number of figures that are otherwise painted -- except for freehand designs I've been avoiding. A few more that are half painted pending decisions on freehand designs. Hell, I may get back to some 2d art. I've been thinking about painting some "tiny art" and have even bought a few very small frames recently, with that idea in mind.
Thank you for the kind words. And for anyone who made it through that wall of text above.
