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I feel I also fit into a few categories. I'll always be a collector as I enjoy buying new sets. My painting has improved and I paint more often and enjoy it, so I am a painter. I've made a few dioramas and now my painting is better, I plan on doing more dioramas. If I knew people local to me then I would start war gaming!
Hi Rich
you sound very similar to me especially with regard to wargames, lack of opponents being the main problem.
As I said in the Age thread I did try a local group but they seemed to have no time for or interest in new members. They ware just their own little clique and even at Skirmish shows they seem oblivious to onlookers, being wrapped up in their own games!
I'm thinking about dioramas, but it's always a question of finding space, I've filled up our box room, I have a cupboard in our spare front bedroom with aircraft, and an old wall unit holding the stash - it's all got out of control over the years!
If ever I stop work and retire, health permitting I can get on with more things......
Again, with a few tips other people, I'm trying to improve my painting but as I've said it's just a hobby.
Best regards to all and stay safe
Richard
Richard, if I could offer you two tips that I was given that have helped me with my painting:
Go to Acrylics and ditch the Humbrol.I use Vallejo Model Colour range.
Secondly, if you're not invested in lots of shading/dry brushing layering techniques etc, get Army Painter Quick Shade bottles. They act as a really simple wash and will improve any bit of basic painting. Finish your painting and then just brush the wash all over. Go on Army Painter website and they will show you a comparison of before and after.
I am an unintentional collector. During my working life, I collected sets with the intention of painting them " when I have time". Of course, when I retired I still didn't have time, and in fact the idea of trying to paint them all makes me stressed. So I paint a very small few from time to time and otherwise just admire what I have, occasionally setting the unpainted masses up for fun. If I could afford it, I would have someone paint them all, so I buy a lottery ticket occasionally. It's not like I don't have a plan.
I am a bit of a Hybrid - Collector, Painter and very occasional Diorama builder. Collector first - as I seem to spend so little time actually modelling or achieving anything of note and I keep amassing my figure sets and kits without much output. Painter/modeller next, as when I do get to paint or convert something I get real joy from what I have achieved and finally Diorama next.
Although the concept of a large scale scene of the "Charge of the Light Brigade" has always appealed, it is in fact(for me) impractical, better to stick to small vignettes with a handful of painted and based figures. Same with "Rorkes Drift" - great idea to make the entire buildings and surrounds , but more manageable to produce a small element or set-piece of the conflict.
I am not a wargamer so that does not feature at all with myself … although I do joke with some wargamer friends that it is the "dark side of the hobby"! :wink: