During a conversation yesterday my wife asked me how much longer I thought that it would take me to complete my current project of renovating, varnishing, and basing my collection of 25/28mm Napoleonic figures. When I replied that I expected to be finished in a couple of months, she commented that I seemed to have been working on it for ages, and wasn't I getting a bit bored. The truth of the matter is that she is right. I am getting a bit bored ... and probably do need to take a break in the near future.
Looking back at my blog entries, I found that the project had its beginnings back in February 2014 (over two and a half years ago!) but that I didn't begin doing any serious work on it until a year later. Since then I have renovated, varnished, and based over 700 figures ... and I probably have another 200 to do. I would like to finish the remaining French infantry before I take a break, and that is the goal I have now set myself.
Once I have done achieved that goal I would like to do switch my attention to my PORTABLE WARGAME book, a project that I seem to have been ignoring of late. I might also be able to spend some time thinking about the BARBAROSSA campaign I want to tackle once the Napoleonic project is finished, and about which I still have to make some crucial decisions. I can then return to my Napoleonic project with renewed vigour ... I hope!
That's my plan ... and it will be interesting to see if I can stick to it.
Looking back at my blog entries, I found that the project had its beginnings back in February 2014 (over two and a half years ago!) but that I didn't begin doing any serious work on it until a year later. Since then I have renovated, varnished, and based over 700 figures ... and I probably have another 200 to do. I would like to finish the remaining French infantry before I take a break, and that is the goal I have now set myself.
Once I have done achieved that goal I would like to do switch my attention to my PORTABLE WARGAME book, a project that I seem to have been ignoring of late. I might also be able to spend some time thinking about the BARBAROSSA campaign I want to tackle once the Napoleonic project is finished, and about which I still have to make some crucial decisions. I can then return to my Napoleonic project with renewed vigour ... I hope!
That's my plan ... and it will be interesting to see if I can stick to it.
That is certainly is a sustained effort to keep working away at 700 odd figures. A change in project seems almost mandatory. Regards, Peter
ReplyDeletePeter,
DeleteI do feel that I have achieved quite a lot ... but that a break might just be necessary at some point in the near future if I am to not lose interest in completing this project just when I am in sight of the finishing line.
All the best,
Bob
Bob,
ReplyDeleteYou have done well on the Napoleonic- it takes time for large projects to see them through- yes years in fact- so don't be discouraged by a long process. Yes, taking a break- into new direction can certainly help re-charge the batteries. I'll take this opportunity to thankyou for your writings over the last couple of years- I've enjoyed the conversations we've had. I'd give all the consideration to writing your Book on Grid-gaming as a 'break' - it seems to me that time does tend to get away while we defer that favoured Project. I've procrastinated and for various reasons it seems that 38 odd years have managed to slip by whilst I 'deferred' a favourite Project...time now is running out for me and I need to get started ( please see my LAST BLOG ENTRY- which may explain where I've arrived at)...I'll be closing down my Tinkerton Blog - shortly. Best wishes in all your endeavours into the Future Bob. Regards. KEV.
Kev,
DeleteThanks yet again for your comments and support. I have always appreciated and valued what you have written.
I have just read the latest entry on your TINKERTON blog, and wish you well with your change of direction. Completing a project that will give you a lifetime of enjoyment is a great achievement, and I hope that it will not take you too long to get things well underway.
I must admit to sharing your interest in model railways, and I have several items in storage just in case I ever get around to building one for myself.
All the best,
Bob
Bob,
DeleteThankyou once again for your positive comments and encouragement- yes, Model railways do have a certain appeal- having the necessary 'space' for a layout is one consideration that IS a major hurdle for most enthusiasts- having the room for tracks is great. Cheers. KEV.
Kev,
DeleteBecause I know that I will never have space for a full-size layout, I have bought HO9-scale narrow gauge model railway equipment. I have even used it in some of my wargames as it fits in well with my Colonial stuff.
Good luck with your new project,
All the best,
Bob
If it is any help Bob, I am looking forward to your book whereas I have my own lead pile to contemplate. :)
ReplyDeleteNobby,
DeleteCheers old chap! I hope to get the book written by early next year ... and with luck that might encourage you to paint some of your figures!
All the best,
Bob
Just looked it up - 2 years since I bought Harry Pearson's collection. Could take another 2 years to sort... but then, I keep buying more figures. Just finished 4 recently bought elephants - got another 2 coming. Painting up more Egyptian chariots (MORE? WHY?)and another 2 scythed chariots from 'scraps' - it's utter madness.
ReplyDeleteBut have to admit it's also fun... break idea good, spent the summer doing buildings, change as good as a rest?
Works for me!
Rob Young,
DeleteI thought it was just me that took a long time to get projects completed! It sounds as if you have quite a job ahead of you ... but it also sounds as if you are enjoying it.
I have a feeling that my Napoleonic project will never quite get finished ... but I'm going to try to reach a point where I am only adding the odd unit or two every so often.
Besides my PORTABLE WARGAME book, I want to begin preparing figures, vehicles etc., for a refight of OPERATION BARBAROSSA and to revive my interest in late nineteenth century Colonial wargaming.
All the best,
Bob
It is indeed good to ring the changes!
ReplyDeleteTradgardmastare,
DeleteThanks for those kind words of help and support.
I suspect that had not yet been retired, I would have lost impetus with this project a long time ago. I now know that I can take a break from a project and come back to it whenever I want to.
All the best,
Bob
I know exactly how you feel Bob. I have a number of big projects on the go and I spend a few weeks on one; then my interests move on, but I usually come back with renewed energy. Take a look at this one:
ReplyDeletehttp://bobthepainter.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/project-battle-cry-airfix-acw_11.html
Bob Kett,
DeleteI ought to do something similar in order to prevent my interest in a project from becoming stale.
I like your Airfix ACW armies. Which version of BATTLE CRY are you using? I have both, but still prefer the first edition.
All the best,
Bob
The battle Cry set I have is the 150th anniversary version - which I am guessing is a later edition?
ReplyDeleteBob
Bob Kett (Bob),
DeleteThat sounds like the second edition to me.
The two editions aren't that dissimilar (there are a number of minor differences in the rules), but the second has different figures and far more scenarios.
All the best,
Bob
I feel your pain. In 2015 I finished up rebasing my old Minifigs 15mm armies just in time to play Quatre Bras at the end of June. I had enough to do 2 units of Guards which would come in at the end of the game. Never finished them as they were more of an end game signal than much needed reinforcements. I did manage to get the red coats and gray trousers painted on before giving up. They sit in limbo to this day. :D
ReplyDeleteMy advice to you: Don't give up or your last troops will suffer the same fate!
John
John,
DeleteThanks for the advice.
I've had a few days away from my painting table doing other things (and feel greatly revived as a result), and this evening I decided to take a look at the remaining figures that I have to renovate, varnish, and base. There are still quite a few to do, and unless I do three or four hours a day, they will not get done by Christmas ... which was my original end date for the project.
Rather than trying to do as many as I can as quickly as I can, I've decided to do a few at a time and at a leisurely pace. By doing it this way, it will take a lot longer for me to complete the project, but if I don't do any work on them for a few days, so be it. Slow but sure seems to be the best way ahead, taking breaks as and when I feel like it.
All the best,
Bob