Springtime is proving to pose a number of challenges to focused work at the painting desk. April saw only 54 painted figures muster out from the painting desk. Even though May has only just begun, my schedule suggests that this month may see a similar fate. That is unless my efforts at the painting desk are kicked into a higher gear.
To console my drop in production, I brought up a seasonal painting tendency I last updated more than four years ago. Fours years ago? Time certainly is flying by.
Looking at this graphic ought to provide a bit of solace to my current state. Over the years, painting productivity typically takes a dip in spring with May signaling the bottoming out of production for the year before activity increases. Perhaps May will once again pinpoint the low point for the year, and I will shift painting production to a higher level as the summer builds? I can hope.
Since the productivity analysis has not been updated in years, time to give this study a re-examination. Perhaps this pattern has evolved from the last iteration? A future study to move up in the analysis queue.
Anyway, out from the table today is a twelve-figure regiment of Spanish cavalry for the 18mm SYW/WAS project. The troopers march out as the Principe Cavalry Regiment. Figures are from Eureka Miniatures.
50 comments:
Beautiful work Jonathan!
Very nice work Jon and I wouldn't worry too much about productivity...I guess the better weather means you are out on your bike, getting exercise and fresh air, which is probably a better use of your time! Plenty of winter days to sit at the painting desk and make up the backlog!
Lovely work Jonathan. I think we all go through dips in productivity throughout the year
A beautiful unit Jonathan, and 54 figures is still a very creditable result. Lovely stuff.
Great looking cavalry, Jonathan. 54 figures a month isn't something to be ashamed of either!
I'd be happy with 54 figures! Just spent four days and produced nothing! ☺
Neil
A proud looking regiment of horse! A down month for me is painting zero figures (and those are not all that uncommon), so bravo on your productivity!
Thank you!
Thanks, Keith! Better weather means more outdoor time, for sure. Cycling and yardwork are priorities for now.
Much appreciated, Neil! Your recent painting output has definitely not seen any lull.
Thank you, Lawrence!
Thanks, Dean! I see the way in which you paint. You would be tackling 54 figures all in one go!
Yeah, I should look on the glass half full side! 54 is better than none.
Glad you like them, Ed, and thank you!
I wish my down months were only 54 figures! That said it's normal to have production ups and downs. The regiment looks great btw Jonathan!
Christopher
Thanks, Christopher! I really enjoyed your Harlem Heights battle.
You are making hay while the sun shines. Being blessed with a locale that has four seasons in a year I understand your predicament. Not being as analytical as you, I can offer the similar experience in painting being pushed off in the spring. Even retirement sees the drop off. But hey, your quality does not suffer. Nice looking unit, get them in a battle soon?
Great looking unit Jon and nice to see some Spanish, not seen overly much. I know the feeling about productivity, all my spare time is spent in the garden at the moment, all I am doing wargaming wise i plotting and planning, which is fun in itself!!
Thanks, Joe! As I lined them up for photos, I was thinking the same. That is, about time to bring this collection back out onto the table for a game. Which battle, though, is the big question. Checking posts, the SYW/WAS armies last saw action in June 2024 at Bassignana. Hard to believe almost a year has passed.
Thank you, Donnie! Yes, there is always springtime work in the garden and yard. Getting everything back in shape after a hard winter takes time. Lilacs are in bloom and the flowering crab apples are only a day or two away from bursting out in bloom.
I wholeheartedly agree that plotting and planning provide great enjoyment.
Another fine addition to the ranks, I find output dwindles this time of year. The garden draws one away from the desk and the more pleasant weather encourages more days out or away.
'Only' 54 figures painted, still puts me to shame! I can understand Spring is not the time to spend too long at a desk.. The Spanish look great, of course.
If I painted 54 figures in one month, I'd be over the moon.
The unit looks great.
When the sun comes out, I want to be out. That's why I sometimes bless rainy days.
Don't be hard on yourself Jon. I don't think I've painted 54 figures all year. If I manage to paint some figures every month, I'm having a good year. You just have very high standards, both quantitatively and qualitatively.
Thanks, Phil! Good to see that I am not alone in suffering from springtime distractions.
Glad you approve of the latest Spanish!
Thanks, Richard! I sometimes look forward to a cold, rainy day too but not too often.
Thanks, Anthony. There are 18 Foundry Swiss handgunners in work on which I just cannot make much progress.
Nicely done Jon….i would worry if you’ve only managed 54 in April ! 😂
Thanks! Not worried but annoyed.
Doesn't look like you are getting much sympathy Jonathan! 😂 Only 54 very nice figures painted for April.
Very nice unit of cavalry too and I am sure you will get through those Swiss hand gunners in no time - and if not, blame the yard work.
No, not much sympathy, at all!
And very nice they look too! Great work Jon!
Thank you, Ray!
pfffft. ONLY 54 miniatures. are you even trying??!!
😆😁
but glad the see that the slump isn't just me. I've barely done anything this last month. The whole of my hobby activity is making 5 trees. slowly. and I took several weeks off to focus on other stuff. It was just last night that I put paint to brush for the first time. Only to have the wife give me a project....
😁
As others have said, don’t worry about the quantity. It’s good by most standards and the quality is high.
Chris/Nundanket
I reckon that I need to kick up my effort.
Thanks, Chris! The only standards to hit are set by me and I hover at a lull.
“Break on through”, Jon 🙂😯. We all get lulls in production … possibly a result of the advent of decent weather = outdoors stuff needs doing (and going out n about is good for the soul, too). As others have intimated, I would also be VERY pleased to have produced that unit in the timespan you did it in. Prolific, for sure, and great quality too!
Not always easy to summon the enthusiasm for painting when there’s so much work to be done in the garden. Same for me too. Are you sure that a relentless focus on the amount of painting done is helping? Knowing I’ve real or imagined targets to reach would put me off big time. Good job we’re not all the same! lol.
Thanks, Martin!
Thanks, Mark. I always have a painting goal in mind to focus and direct my efforts at the workbench. Besides, there are lots of figures to slap some paint on. Too many, really. Without this goal, I may never pick up a brush again.
Nice unit Jonathan. I hope your painting funk passes soon.
Thanks, Mark! I hope so too.
Lovely Spanish cavalry. Especially I loved to paint the dragoons. Looking forward to your first games with these troops.
Thanks! Do you have a battle to recommend?
I hate painting cavalry but by the end, even with my basic approach, they do look good when on the table. Thankfully in 10mm you can get away with a lot! So another fine unit there awaiting their 'day in the sun' so to speak.
As for seasonal funk, I'm certainly in a trough for sure, as we have had loads of very dry and sunny weather and no rain, so like a moth to a flame, I'm drawn outside each day, as it's hard to stay indoors! Also with our daughter and her partner here whilst they try and sort out visa issues (thanks Brexit, NOT!), I have no games room as that has become an office for the duration.
Even the forthcoming Partizan show is no getting me even vaguely interested in attending, due to the above:(.
Steve, your cavalry always look great! There are many factors that can potentially upend our hobby productivity and you are experiencing many of them. Hard to resist outdoor activities when the weather is perfect.
Lovely looking cavalry! You're always productive compared to the rest of us!
Best Iain
Thanks, Iain!
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