New & Newish Model Makers.

[Guest]

Having started about 18 months ago in this business I read & read about techniques & was inundated by mostly old techniques.

Mostly I tried each one with an open mind & determination to find if these were any good & if so could I improve on them ? Would they suit my style of creating models.

Some I found bizarre some you could not fault. Some were OK but left behind by technology. Some where experienced modellers had continued without interest in changing their technique. You cannot fault that if you are turning out what you want to the standard you want.

But stagnation is not my forte. As a younger person I always thought it weakness in my character to change tack to try something else. Later I found that this was an advantage. To learn from others not to be frightened to “pinch” others ideas & adapt them to your own. But at the same time not to dismiss established ideas but to test them & accept or discard. Those kept to enhance.

So where is this leading. To ask those who are new or newish to this model thing to share openly their experiences & new ideas & innovations. A fresh insight a new voice ! Essential as as a new model maker you are approaching the matter with a clear fresh mind. Never mind those who are the sceptics. Never mind if your ideas are out shone by others as in showing your idea it will have created or resulted in perhaps a better or alternative way. Some ideas I have put forward I now see as not very good lacking in experience. But so what I have learnt.

I never state mine is the best solution. Best to say I have found this best for me & the most important explain why as it stimulates activity.

Evolution is the norm in humans but revolution is always an exotic stimulation.

What do you think ?

Laurie

[Guest]

I suppose as i`m new to model making,the ideas put to you from experienced modellers is the best foundation to build upon,so from my stand point starting point,this benefits me,however if they hit you with a new way which is easier,like the mig stuff for rusting and grime effects,instead of making all the thinned paints yourself,then i am grateful,to the modellers who put me on that path.

mobear

[Guest]

I crave what people can teach me. Just makes modeling that much more fun!

[colin m]

I find modelers and gardeners very much the same. Both will happily exchange ideas and tips as much as they can. But I do think gardening skills really do improve with age !

[stona]

I find modelers and gardeners very much the same. Both will happily exchange ideas and tips as much as they can. But I do think gardening skills really do improve with age !

Age and experience,someone may explain a neat way of doing something but you are the one whose going to have to do it. Like everything else we improve with practice.For example,I'll put a shim of plastic card in a gap without thinking twice about it but I still remember the trepidation with which I first attempted the task. It's actually very easy!

Cheers

Steve

[spanner570]

Interesting stuff this.....

Having not touched a plastic kit for something like 35 yrs, and never built a diorama until I joined here some 3yrs ago, I could, I suppose, class myself as 'Newish'.

I have, to a major extent been "Left behind by technology." in most modern stuff, as well as modelling.......but this is my choice and is that such a bad thing?

I have also "Continued without interest in changing their technique"....... Why change if you are happy with it?

I don't see that just because some modellers choose to be "Left behind" they might stagnate.

I ain't kicking off Laurie, you raise some good points for discussion, just waving the flag for us 'wot don't want modern'! lol

Cheers,

Ron

[Guest]

I'd be the first to say I've learned a lot here. I've also learned some of the things employed by others are not for me. I dont think there is a right or a wrong, just what works best for you. Different strokes, as they say.

Keith

[Guest]

I have been modelling since i was 8 years old so have been modelling for over 33 years and still consider myself as a new modeller, i love trying out new stuff that i have either read on here or in mags or what my friends have suggested.

in my view it does not matter if you are not open or open to new things as long as you enjoy modelling, as i have mentioned before else where i used to run a big modelling club that had people from a very young age to retired, have seen retired people build and paint a model like a 4 year old would make it but they where so proud of what they had made it was heart warming and i have also see the other side where a girl of 6 make models like a pro, she was just a natural at it and stopped coming, found out that she did not enjoy making them so gave up (such talent lost)

what i am trying to say is it does not matter how you make it as long as in the end you enjoy it and have fun, if that make sense

[Guest]

Interesting stuff this.....Having not touched a plastic kit for something like 35 yrs, and never built a diorama until I joined here some 3yrs ago, I could, I suppose, class myself as 'Newish'.

I have, to a major extent been "Left behind by technology." in most modern stuff, as well as modelling.......but this is my choice and is that such a bad thing?

I have also "Continued without interest in changing their technique"....... Why change if you are happy with it?

I don't see that just because some modellers choose to be "Left behind" they might stagnate.

I ain't kicking off Laurie, you raise some good points for discussion, just waving the flag for us 'wot don't want modern'! lol

Cheers,

Ron

Think if you re-read my original article Ron you will see that I have covered all the points you have raised. Not kicking any one there one little bit.

There is not disrespect in stagnation. It is to stop where you are or make progress slowly. As said many times & I have reiterated here if it works for you then do not change.

I still shave, after the fluffy bit started, after 60 years with shaving soap a brush & a hand razor. Admittedly the razors are throw away & less likely to bite my skin. Does the job the way I want.

Actually to state that I was interested in getting newish modellers to give their experience. When I started 18 months ago I suddenly to my surprise found I did not know a thing about model making. That floored me. But I delved like a mad rabbit to get info. Many innovations were suddenly thrown at me with older techniques mixed in. It is a great period to develop your own techniques rather than just humbly follow others.

Any way Ron from what I have seen you certainly have not gone into "stagnation" and you certainly have gone modern. I saw all that modern stuff, Dow Corning, you were using for water !

Laurie

[Ian M]

I'm still a soap and razor guy as well and one of the many returning to the hobby.

I was amazed by how things have changed. Not alone in the quality of kits, but also the plethora of accessories. PE, Resin, metal barrels etc. Things that when I first started, you would have to make your self.

This is one of the changes I have greeted with open arms. "In the old days" you where a nerd, these days its just another part of the game.

Paint and paint technique has also changed. I miss the Humbrol Authentic colours though even though there are loads of other products that hit the right colour, what ever that might of been.

One of the areas that in my little world has changed the face of modelling for ever, it the one we are looking at right now. The Internet and more specific fora.

Never before has help been so close at hand 24/7/365. Three in the morning and need a tip or help with what something looked like is no longer a problem.

My model building has not changed much, a few tips and tricks have made it through the filter. CA glue as a filler. Brilliant. Liquid paper as a crack filler, who thinks of these things!

Klear..... only use it for canopies. I tried it a few times and came to the conclusion that it does nowt that clear acrylic can do. Klear does make a nice finish on the stone floor in the bathroom though!

Ian M

[Guest]

Liquid paper as a crack filler, who thinks of these things!

Ian M

This I am interested in Ian.

As Grease "tell me more tell me more".

Laurie

[Guest]

Tippex / liquid paper ... the stuff you used to use to correct your written work (before the "delete" key was used as much as it is now)

I use it primarily for very fine cracks (i use it mainly in figure preparation for paint) as it's a very fine powder in an evaporate that dries perfectly smooth if applied neatly.

Sanding and rescribing detail is no problem when it's dry and you can paint directly over it.

Works on, plastic, PE, metal figures, and resin.

[Guest]

that sounds like a great idea will have to try that