* Firstly, I really enjoyed the focus but it was hard!
* My focus also spilled over into my internet trawling, reading, and movies. The Lad was similarly infatuated. Random Viking "High-5s" around the house are cool (the girls will never understand)
* Having buddies to play our big Age of Blood games was pivotal as it gave a specific gaming outcome during the month rather than just modelling.
* In doing research into a new genre, I came across the net lots of great new blogs, rules and manufacturers. I really enjoyed that aspect of the month.
* I achieved lots of terrain modelling - all of it from scratch - but not much in the way of figures. In retrospect I guess it was really a Dark Ages terrain focused month. That said, I built my A-Frame house, two hovels, finished off the Great Hall, painted and based the menhirs, painted up the well, spit roast and the wood pile. At the end of the month I then had some trees and figures delivered. So overall I'm happy with the what I got done.
*Actually, now it comes to the end of the month, I'm on a roll and don't want to move on at all...so I won't!
Lessons:
- Have all the materials ready for the start of the focus month, particularly as shipping from UK/US to Oz takes 2-3 weeks in general. That means its really a two month process - one for online shopping & shipping, one for doing. That will help extend the newly implemented (by SWMBO) gaming budget which was rather taxed this month!
- Try and do something every night, even if its just a wash, a drybrush or a bit of gluing. Avoiding the siren's call of the www to do this can be a challenge, especially after a gruelling day at work. To do this I need a better setup in the house which minimises mess and storage, but is easy to get to and pack away quickly.
- Having a gaming on-topic gaming event adds great focus and, a deadline to work to, and the satisfaction of putting the fruits one's labour directly onto the table.
Just a few thoughts form the Man Cave, whats your take on 'focus months': fantastic or fad?
Well I for one have enjoyed your Dark Age/Viking posts, cheers!!!
ReplyDeleteTotally agree on your "Try and do something every night" lesson. Lot's of little steps add up over time.
ReplyDeleteCheers
Derek
Hi Man Cave,
ReplyDeleteAll in all a superb effort - not just for what you have achieved personally but also in spreading the enthusiasm!
You are so right about the little steps every night as even 5 minutes devoted to anything hobby like has a benefit out of all proportion to the time expended.
I have really enjoyed reading the saga (no pun intended!)of the figures, scenery and games and how it has all come together and as for rolling it onwards I say why not? Milk it for all its worth!
Well done sir!
DC
Every night I do a little bit on some models or scenery and actually will get annoyed with myself if I don't, next moth will be focusing on one period and have been trawling books, the net and forums for information.
ReplyDeleteHi
ReplyDeleteGreat idea which i hope to nick off you for April,
The question is what to concentrate on?
It really helps to do a little bit each night, but is very difficult sometimes with family and www to get on to the painting desk.
If i havnt done anything hobby related all day then i make sure i do a little bit when i get home from work around 0230, that way there is no distractions apart from sleep calling me
cheers
Steve
Yeah nice one, I also have enjoyed a bit of Dark age love, will keep me eye on this space.
ReplyDeleteI tend to go thru a phase of concentrating on one period (ususally about 1 to 2 months) - with Dark Ages recently.
ReplyDeleteI keep a supply of items (terrain or figs) to work on for all my periods to maintain interest.
I try to get in at least 1hr at the modelling desk each day.
-- Allan