The key is to enjoy or try to reach the best you could?

[vancouver71]

Hi guys,

I left modeling about 6 month ago because of my frustation of trying things that never worked.

after 6 month, I am back on the workbench but not in the same way...

Now all I want is to have fun when I build even dough the resultats are not as good as I want.

What about you?How do you react when you give your best and at the end it doesnt look good?

[Snake45]

This is a HOBBY. It is supposed to be FUN. If you are having FUN, you are doing it right. If you are not having FUN, you are doing it wrong.

Each of us will have his own idea of what FUN is. Your concept of FUN is as valid as anybody else's.

Model on and have FUN.

[DavidChampagne]

Enjoying the experience is what it is all about to me.

I find building box stock more successful for me, and less stressful.

I think my greatest joy is a good paint job, followed by putting it in my display case.

[High octane]

I ENJOY building in my own "comfort level" and a lot of times if ne makes a mistake and doesn't tell others, they'll never notice it. I build for myself, and I also enjoy showing my models at club meetings and NNL's.

[Jantrix]

I ENJOY building in my own "comfort level"

That's the key right there. Also, plan a build to your "skill level". If you're fairly new to the hobby then trying to do advanced techniques will be difficult.

Master the basics of clean model building first. I wrote a thread about this a while ago. A link is in my signature line, called Walk then Run. It's been around the block a few times and there is a lot of great advice from a lot of great builders on this very topic. I invite you to check it out.

Edited June 23, 2015 by Jantrix

[Jon Haigwood]

I find always find something on every model I build that didn't go well. For me I enjoy challenging myself to improve on my builds and to try something I haven't attempted before. Occasionally I build a simple out of the box kit just to break things up some.

I find this enjoyable. If I don't think up a solution to a problem while I'm trying to get to sleep then I need a bigger challenge. (That's where I figure out how to over come a problem most of the time)

[JTalmage]

When I start to make my builds way too detailed then I start to loose interest in them because it becomes a chore. I find it hard to see the worth of the outcome. like my '55 chevy truck thats probably buried in the on the bench truck section... I will finish it... just when I feel like it. I know the more experienced I get at weathering/BMF/scratchbuilding then the better/quicker I will get and then the faster the kit will be built... but currently its frustrating.

So lately I'll do a semi-detailed build that is mostly out of the box with a good paint job and just moderate detailing after a build that takes forever and has lots of detail.. Makes things go quick and keeps me satisfied.

[thatz4u]

I build what I like to suit me, & if it takes a year or two, so what?

[Krazy Rick]

Don't put pressure on yourself, learn at your own pace & try to not get caught up in too many distractions. Do each step as a model, within a model , like others have said, start off easy & work up, unless you prefer to keep it on a comfortable level...... there's no sense taking on so much, that it becomes like work & frustrating. I've been building a really long time, I build for myself, period. Never been in a club, have no desire to enter any contests, etc. I like to have 2 or 3 on the go at the same time, so while something is drying, I can go work on another, other guys prefer to take on one at a time; there are no rules. If what you were doing before didn't seem to work for you, no probs, just switch a few things around, how long were you plugging away at the models a day, or per week ? ...... maybe too long ? , try doing a couple steps, take a break & come back to it with a fresh look. Set aside time for only you, that is your modelling time, not shopping, not answering phones, feeding dogs, etc....YOUR TIME. If at any time you feel frustration & stress coming , walk away for awhile & forget it until you feel up to dealing with it once more. Paint is the main thing for me, I enjoy that the most, but honestly; even if I walk away for a month, ( because every average guy does tend to have other obligations, etc. ) ...... I really, really look forward to getting back to them & having fun & for me, it's a magical thing, that transports me back to simpler, more innocent, happy times, watching cartoons, eating a peanut butter sandwich & messing around with models .... and that's what I still do ( I'II be watching the Flintstones very shortly ) - Now go have fun

Edited June 23, 2015 by Krazy Rick

[Miatatom]

Lots of good advice here. I doubt I'll ever build a model that satisfies me. I'm learning to accept that. Make yourself happy, Mickael, don't worry about some arbitrary standard of perfection. There will always be something wrong when you're done. It's no big deal. Do like me and display them with the best side out.

[Chuck Most]

This is a HOBBY. It is supposed to be FUN. If you are having FUN, you are doing it right. If you are not having FUN, you are doing it wrong.

Each of us will have his own idea of what FUN is. Your concept of FUN is as valid as anybody else's.

Model on and have FUN.

Bingo.

[vancouver71]

Hi guys, thank you everyone for your support.

You all give me the courage to continue what I like.

When I was building earlier today, I had fun.

I have to accept that perfection is not reachable, and that mistakes will happen.

Anyway, i am back to business now, and thanks to you guys

Mickael

[Tom Geiger]

The best modelers on the board are not remembered for their mistakes, but what they learned from them and how they moved forward. The best aren't ashamed to say that they're on the third paint job, or second scratch built something. Nobody gets everything right the first time. Nobody. Great models exist because the builder did not give up!

[10thumbs]

Hi Mickael,

About the only time I get frustrated is when it comes down to final assembly and I goof up with silly glue application mistakes. This happens often too, but I don't let it bother me. It's just the way it is. I have far too much pleasure with the rest to let small flaws stop me from continuing. The things still make me happy when on the shelf. Maybe the next one will be better. Who cares? It's fun, pretty cheap, and doesn't take up much room.

Michael

[Art Anderson]

Any artist knows where the flaws in the artwork really are. Anyone viewing it may well not see the same things.

Art

[Krazy Rick]

Any artist knows where the flaws in the artwork really are. Anyone viewing it may well not see the same things.

Art

True Art, but then there are the "so-called experts" ..... the guys who build like garbage, but always find it in themselves to give pointers & pick out "mistakes" , on others builds. I had a brilliant idea of getting in touch with a fella who had done a few hand made signboards, for my models, years ago; well he had won 1, ( One ) contest years ago; it seems that some of his cards weren't still in the deck when I recently saw him. After way too much partying, it seems he didn't know the difference in lettering sizes, he made a bunch which were all around 1/8 scale; none which I could use for 1/25. To top it off, he seemed to go out of his way to point out numerous flaws on all my models; & then I saw what he had been hacking on for the past 15 years; it was special; really "special" ( scary, horrible ) . Needless to say, that will be the last contact with him. ....... I make it a point to be my own judge .... and guess what ? .... I found that when I'm the judge of my own builds , I always win

Edited June 24, 2015 by Krazy Rick

[Art Anderson]

True Art, but then there are the "so-called experts" ..... the guys who build like garbage, but always find it in themselves to give pointers & pick out "mistakes" , on others builds. I had a brilliant idea of getting in touch with a fella who had done a few hand made signboards, for my models, years ago; well he had won 1, ( One ) contest years ago; it seems that some of his cards weren't still in the deck when I recently saw him. After way too much partying, it seems he didn't know the difference in lettering sizes, he made a bunch which were all around 1/8 scale; none which I could use for 1/25. To top it off, he seemed to go out of his way to point out numerous flaws on all my models; & then I saw what he had been hacking on for the past 15 years; it was special; really "special" ( scary, horrible ) . Needless to say, that will be the last contact with him. ....... I make it a point to be my own judge .... and guess what ? .... I found that when I'm the judge of my own builds , I always win

Rick,

I think we all know at least one critic who passes himself off as an expert, and sadly there are those "experts" who simply cannot achieve, but they want to be seen as highly knowledgeable--"An expert? An "Ex" is a has-been, a "spurt" is a drip under pressure" is an old cliche' I've heard more times than the almost 71 years I've been metabolizing food, water and air.

Art

[Krazy Rick]

Right on Art

[Tom Geiger]

I've heard more times than the almost 71 years I've been metabolizing food, water and air.

There are folks whose primary and only use is turning oxygen into carbon dioxide.

[Krazy Rick]

There are folks whose primary and only use is turning oxygen into carbon dioxide.

[DiscoRover007]

For me personally. The joy in building is trying to do the best I can. I don't go all out with aftermarket parts and photo-etch but I definitely use ignition wires, fabricate my own hoses and seatbelt catches.

I've been building model cars for a long time now. The one lesson that has made the biggest difference in my modelling is this. You have to treat the model like a work of art. Secondly you need to give yourself the leisure and time to do the best you can.

It's like anything else. You can't just magically rush it and expect it to look good. You don't hand paint an engine with silver because you know good and well it'll clog up detail, show brush strokes and look like a mess. No, what you do is research photos of this engine online. Then with your experience of paints determine what would best represent the texture of that block. Smooth engine surfaces are best replicated with MM aluminum metalizer. Rough texture= Tamiya XF-16.

You have to simply change the way you view the model. Expect more of yourself. If you make a mistake, do it over again. Even if you have to strip something in brake fluid. If you want perfection you have to strive for it.

Also another thing. There is no substitute for quality tools and supplys. If you want to get serious about modelling. Buy an airbrush and buy a good one that'll last a long time. Don't even waste your time with cheap plastic ones. Iwata is amazing here. This is the same for paints. I'll save a lot of people some trouble here. Paint your interiors with acrylic paints. Vallejo is the best by far for this. Their brush paints do not leave brush strokes and dry evenly. Their airbrush line is fantastic too. Their colors are very opaque as well.

For me its like this. Bodies=Tamiya/MM/Zero/Testors One coat. Engines=Tamiya acrylic/MM Metalizers/Vallejo. Interiors=Vallejo. Brush Paint details=Vallejo.

I also find that painting areas of the model that are hidden on final assembly helps reiterate to myself that this is a piece of art. Sure I might waste a little more paint. But I know that I painted those areas when it's all said in done. And I know that if I were to do a photo shoot with just chassis it would look extremely neat.

Lastly. As i said before do not rush anything. If you are not giving yourself the time to strategize, research, and do your best work you will simply not accomplish it. I may never enter a model competition because I know my best means going at my own pace.

Planning is key to this hobby as well and it all ties in with patience. If you have a curbside engine with molded in detail for example. The inexperienced modeller would try to brush paint those details. He may or may not do a fine job. But the expert will carefully mask those areas with tape. He'll airbrush parts he knows he can't paint with a brush. Then he'll mix a few acrylic colors to a shade he likes, dilute the mixture and begin shading highlighting areas of the engine bay with a brush.

In regards to how much detail I put on a model I judge by outside appearances. If the body does not match photos of the real car it must be modified and fixed. This is regards to panel lines mostly. Some kits are engineered to have separate body parts where on the actual car the panels are a whole piece. The tamiya XJ220 is a good example here.

I try to achieve details I can reasonably do and replicate to give the appearance of complete accuracy from an outside glance.

Edited June 30, 2015 by DiscoRover007