Although we don't always like to admit it, I am fairly certain that all of us are aware of certain little "rituals" that we perform when on a painting binge. Gamers tend to be supersticious and very set in their ways in general (lucky dice, anyone?), but this is really brought to the fore when dealing with such a rigorous undertake such a rigorous endeavor as "polishing up" a couple of regiments before a Rogue Trader tournament.

I, for one, can rarely focus on painting if it is light outside. I probably will get more work done between the hours of 10 pm and 5 am the night before a tournament than in the two weeks prior. Some say this is because I procrastinate, but they are lying wretches who don't know anything, aren't they? This unnatural productivity, of course, leads to increased caffeine intake, preferably Mountain Dew or Wild Cherry Pepsi.

I also require noise. I know some people that prefer to work on projects in deafening silence, but I am more likely to plop down on the couch with a cafeteria tray full of minis and paints while a movie I have seen at least a dozen times before plays on TV. This might be an old but favorite anime, like Project A-Ko or Princess Mononoke. In the case of all nighters, Star Wars episodes IV-VI or the Lord of the Rings movies might be selected. This is even better when other people are there to talk to or friends who are themselves painting.

I know that all of you out there probably have your favored surroundings when you are working on converting a new squad of Space Marines, so let's have it! What's your routine?

By the way... you can check out a very funny site detailing the various symtoms of war-gamers that paint too much at:

miniature-painting.net...index.html

caffine i have no need for such things i am in the 8th grade i am made of caffine and i usialy sit at my desk my mp3 player blasting in my rigged sterio and i just paint and paint then i make some conversions and paint then drill random holes then see if those litte toy knifes can cut skin

hmmm... been there done that on both counts. I find the best is a super well lit desk with a (small) glass of rum, tons of water, and either music or tv in the next room.

btw- best not to play with knives (learned that the hard way). although i once carved the japanese word for evil into my arm with a pencil (bored, not insane) and it didn't hurt too badly, so blunt objects are okay.

Insanity is total freedom and you get free cookies