I seem to have lost motivation to build. Started a Mig 15. It is at the painting stge and I don't feel like going out to get the paint color I need. Then worked on a german Halftrack with a real cool 37mm cannon on back. Got as far as spraying on the Dunklegelb, but haven't gotten around to putting on the camo pattern in brown. Next there is an M1a1 Abrams I'm doing for the M-1 campaign. It is well on it's way construction wise, but it feels like a chore. Plan to build a 350 scale KG V for one of the ship campaigns. waiting on the PE kit for it so I haven't started it yet. Now we've all hit brick walls before, but usually by changng model formats for a bit rekindles the spirit. All this started when I got a new job after being laid off for a year and a half. Not being overworked and my stress levels have gone way down. At least I am buying some kits and that is enjoyable...the anticipation. Well , it is just weird coming out of e. I worked my ass off when I was unemployed and now I don't have any zest for it. So inspire me my friends!!!

Howdy Blaster ! Here is somthing I have found that helps stimulate the modeling bug. Try reorganizing your work bench area. Maybe even adding a new fixture for paints, parts, tools ext. Amazing how a different look or more organized work area gets you back in the modeling mood! Heck if I would just clean my area, I would feel more like being there! So give it a try mate, nothing to loose and plenty to gain.

Cheers,

Garry

HI

I never seem to get too much done on my figures/armor in progress these days! I've found that doing some small thing helps get things going. I have a big dio and a small vignette that are stalled out. I am working on a single figure right now, and that is going well. Perhaps you need a small 'finishable' project to do.

Of course you could leave your halftrack without camo and just get to the weathering! It sounds like painting may be the block! Sometimes I feel more like building, so I build. Other times, I just want to paint, so I paint.

Reading some good reference books can be fun too!

Good luck!
Remember it's a hobby! You don't HAVE to do it all the time...

Cheers
Andy

You're not alone Blaster. I think we all go through phases of building. Some more than others.
One thing I just finished doing tonight to keep me inspired was to redo my work area(s). I used to have my work bench on the other side of the room from my PC desk. I decided to merge the two stations together (for better or worse ) into one desk where everything is easily within reach.

I can build while surfing the big "A" now! Dangerous I know.

Old "messy" workbench:


The all new and improved "area".

It is possible that you may just have to wait until your body and mind adjust to working again. I had to wait until I was in the rythm of a daily work cycle for the stress levels of a new job lowered enough to actually do more than stare at my models. Just let it come on its own. Hope it helps
capnjock

Hey Blaster

First of all, there is nothing wrong with you. All of us have hit the "wall" before. Its just a little burn out. Everything the other folks said is great advise. It should help. When in dought just take a step back and relax. Get settled in on the new job. Let life get back into some sort of normal pattern. Trust me, the bug to build will come back.

Wolfsix

I agree with all the guys before. I have hitted the wall sometimes especially with painting procedure . I like building , like scratchin , weathering but apinting is paining in the p****asss for me . So some times i just leave over and crack new box. Yesterday evening for example i cracked the Trumpeter M1A1HA with somany problems the kit has willing to correct build and all these. On the other side of the bench i have my Churchill Crocodile , ready finished primed and i am bored to paint it . We are crazy guys but we are artists so everything is excused !!!!!

Cheers get a portion of junk food and a coke and it will come back to you

Don't worry Steve...
it happens to us all.
I have also hit the slow "can't be bothered" mode too.
I tend to go through regular craze phases....modelling, watercolour landscapes, GT 3 on PSX 2 or reading....and recently doing IBR's for site.
But the painting and decalling is what I like best...it's when the model starts to come to life.

The Zen moment...
"Modelling life is like travelling by bus or train....you've missed a connection and are stuck on a station out in the sticks and the bar is closed....just wait for the next train to pull in and you'll be on your way."

But re-organising the work bench is a good idea...you'll blow away the mental cobwebs with all the styrene shavings and dust. It just might work.

Hope you soon find your cure...you will!
After a lay off from work for 1 1/2 years, it is bound to have an effect, even a delayed action one....a shock to the system. But once you are used to your new routine, you'll pick it up again.
Cheers and best wishes.
We're rooting for you.
Peter

Yep blaster happens to all of us Still have a Tiger 1 waiting on 9 clamp ends two tow cable hold downs plus two tow hook holddowns to finish it and a little chipping still waits in it' s covered container plus a Maus that needs a little chipping to be done it still waits also.
Another Panzer III that needs 8 tool clamps applied and it is done,so you see it is the same for all of us one day we just have to sit down and have a Campiagn to finish Campaign models!!!
LOL

I know the feeling...

since picking up my new study, enjoying it, and having succes, I hardly have any time left to do modelling, and quite often do not feel up to it, at least not if I have done other things that day...Usually it is a combination of just wanting to do nothing and not being able to bring up the concentration needed..

So now I have decided to try and do one small thing at a time, and have two or three models to work on... and not start another model untill I have finished (building) one... so now in production are the Sd.Kfz 7/1, Sd.Kfz 250/1 and a Pak40/L46. I try to stick to the building plans, and now slowly I do see things getting further every time... Though the hump I do face now is painting on a few kits, and fine PE work on a few others...

Advantage though is that it seems to have improved the quality (cleanliness) of my work. And it has slowed down the urgency to buy new kits which is a bonus for my wallet (though my wallet is itching to buy the Sd.Kfz 7 and the Tiger modelling book).

Anyway, next urgent mission is to clean up my room well enough for my parents to visit later this week...

it has happned to me also,
i just get so burned out i just stop for a while.
what i do is i just do a liltte work on my models during the week.
and if i dont feel like working on them then i dont,
i will go may be 3 days with out building.

Blaster - a radical suggestion to break the logjam...

Sometimes what helps me most is to get away from the modeling side. I get away from the Internet. Yes, Armorama and all the other Forums I frequent. I get away from some of the inane things I read about modelers slamming each other, or who thinks what is a "masterpiece", etc. We live in an "information overload" society - too much isn't always a good thing...

Usually, this breaks a dry spell in about a day or two. Go fishing (when it gets warmer). Hang outdoors somewhere. I even go bowling! Before you know it, you remember how much fun the modeling is again and you're back at the workbench happily ravaging plastic...

Gunnie

I agree with everybody here...what GunTruck mentioned as well. I find that I lack a balance with my hobbies, I get too centered on one thing, such as modeling over practicing guitar or studying my german...and get burned out on one and dive into the other only to "overload" on it. Having a busy work and/or school scheduel also drains any "creative juices". Everybody needs a break, and everybody hits slow points, but we all keep coming back to the work bench--and thats the important part.

Sean

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So much good advice. I am at the get home from work and don't want to do anything stage. Last weekend, I took Saturday and went to two movies and out to dinner. This weekend, it's supposed to be warm and no rain. I need to go out and buy a hedge trimmer. Maybe doing something "destructive" (hacking up the bushes) will get me back in the "constructive " mode. Mean while, I plan to just whittle away on that Abrams for the campaign. Maybe by the time I finish that I'll be primed and read to work that KG V for the ship campaign.

Well, whenever I hit a wall on something, I usually play (Brace yourself old guys!) VIDEOGAMES (Imagine an echo). If you don't have a videogame system (GASP!), go to www.miniclip.com and/or www.addictinggames.com. They're ALMOST as addicting as models! Thanks for your time.

Hiya Blaster,
I know the feeling, ...bought a Dragonwagon...Build the cabin,...and sold the kit today!!!
With a big profit, that's the sunny side of this story!
Remember, you're not alone on this topic!

Hang in there buddy, you'll find your way back, John.

I sometimes will go a whole week without even walking down to the basement to look at what I have on my workbench.

Hey, sometimes life gets in the way.

Like others have said though, eventually you will get bitten by the bug again, and find yourself doing amazing things. Sometimes after a long break I find that I do my most creative work!

Hope some of this helps...

Hi Steve,
just checking in to see how you are....
Hope you are on the mend....and your modelling juices are getting more liquid again.

Keep at it.

Cheers
Peter

I prevent burnout by changing the subject matter. If I've just finished a couple of dioramas, then I'll go to a standalone figure or vehicle, an aircraft or whatever. They say that a change is as good as a rest!

Balster -
Take two Tamiya kits and call me in the morning... Honestly, we all go through periods, slumps whatever you want to call it. I haven't had the desire for the past few months. After looking at sites like this and many magazines, the desire has come back. I am currently finishing an A7V for a customer and next come a BMP burned out with grafitti like the one seen on this site. So hang in there and the desire will come back.
GSP

Well, I've sort of come out of it. managed to get the M1 mostly built and even got the sand/dark tan color on her. need to put on the tracks (have a dragon kit) and the side-skirts. Then decals, weathering and machine guns and a few other bits and pieces. Probably have her done by the end of the weekend. My PE set is due tomorrow for my KG V so let's hope this surge of interest means I'm back to normal.

Glad to hear it...
...the next train DID come along...lol

Cheers
Peter
:-)

First of all, thanks to Matt for calling my attention to this thread Secondly, I have been going through exactly the same symptoms as everyone else....I want to get something done but just can't get motivated.... I haven't even posted here for a couple of weeks....dunno what's up at all. Too much time wasted playing Settlers 4 and Sim City 4 perhaps....Nice to be back....Jim

I only do one kit at a time. Thats my motto. I try to at the VERY LEAST one glueing/painting.. etc per day..even if its as small as painting the pitot tube on a airplane model' s sprue.. a little progress makes a long way in a short amount of time....

John