Diary of an Average Painter 2026

Are they perfect? No. I'm a working dad, not a Youtuber. But my paint total is now 180 minis in a month or so, and I've made 3 tables of terrain - without any dedicated 'hobby day' or 'hobby time.' 

This isn't to teach anyone any hobby techniques, but to encourage you to get out there and slap some paint on some models! When you lower the bar = you run faster in hurdles!

 

These Sentinels were just basecoated and drybrushed, and since they had already been undercoated/based, merely took me an hour while helping my daughter with her homework. I tend to use simple, bland bases as (a) they are fast and (b) I can mix-and-match minis from a variety of genres/games

1) ADHD is fine. If you are bored, swap projects! Why grind away painting minis you are tired of, when there is a new shiny, 'funner' thing you can do. The key is continuous progress. Stalled in your hobbying? Go rummage in your man cave and see what random item you feel like painting, basing, or maybe find an old model to add more detail/touch up.

Small projects of ~12 or less models offer a good ratio of "production line" speed as well as variety. You can always stop when you're bored!

2) Perfect is the enemy of good.  Is it a gaming toy, or a display model? Given lots of folks field half painted or just primered armies, a quick basecoat + wash + highlight is, technically, above average. Eschew perfection, embrace progress!

3) You can always come back later. Often I'll grab out some minis and go "these guys need a touch up!" - and it is usually a quick job I am then motivated to do. Not every model needs to be a Golden Demon nominee. Does it look good enough to middle aged eyes at table distance? That's more pertinent.

A vehicle or large hero or monster can be a quick fun "break" from painting rank and file.

Did I edge highlight SM armour like the usually accepted practice? Nope. I was bored with them (and the colour purple) by then and they looked fine from a distance so I just.... didn't? They are absolutely fine as a tabletop toy, and are a hundred times better than unpainted/primer.

4) All progress is good. I'm not in the mood to paint any more Space Marines, so I'll undercoat and base my Tyrannids. Sprinkling sand and PVA is not very exciting, but it's progress. Less glamorous jobs can be done while watching TV.  Assembly, priming and preparing bases in advance means I always have several painting jobs 'ready to go' so there is less chance of killing momentum.

5) Production Lines vs Small Batches. They both have their place. Painting in stages in quantity, i.e doing all the purples, then all the metallic, then all the black etc - on 30 models at a time is time efficient. But it also can be too dull and leave a day or so where the models seem dispiritingly unfinished. Break up these bigger tasks with fun small jobs where you completely finish only a handful of models.

6) Low hanging fruit is fine. Start small. Build momentum! Often knocking over a bunch of easy jobs will motivate you for bigger and tougher tasks. Space Marines  Mechanicus  Tau  Eldar Dwarves  Vostroyans OK - now I'm ready to tackle 100 Tyrannids!

 7) Track Progress. I award myself 0.5 for a 15mm, 1pt for a 28mm, 2pt for a 40mm base, and 3pts for a 50mm+ base. I also stay aware of what I have accomplished this week, and what I'd like to accomplish. But it's aspirational. It's not a job!

8) Do you have a space to work and a time to work (routine). I have no large blocks of time or 'hobby afternoons' or special weekend time. I usually can rely on some "dad time" after kids are in bed. It's surprising what you can do in an hour. I try to get the minis out a few times a week. How much time do you spend on screens in a day? Could some of that time be repurposed to wargaming?

Having a range of models with the same colour scheme allowed me to work in small batches AND use a production line method.

9) Media. If you're playing Dawn of War (the O.G. of course!) it tends to energize your 40K painting. A recent diet of Alien and Predator movies got my Kroot and Tyrannids assembled and out of the box they've languished in for years. I watched Elysium and have assembled some cool humanoid robots. Cleaning out my old 40K Kill Team rulebook inspired my current painting project. I've got The Last Samurai standing by to assist my samurai project (it's such a long movie I could probably paint them all during it!)

10) It's a hobby, not a job. If it ain't fun - or at least satisfying - why are you doing it? Don't forget to play with all those cool toys! As a bonus: you can make terrain - even your own rules! 

Anyway, why are you sitting around looking at this blog? Go slap some paint on some models! 

.....Also, share any motivational ideas/tips in the comments