I say it the way I see it. Some times that might not sit right with people but I am always honest.
Your work is really outstanding.
The art of modeling is to do what you are doing, making it real. There is a certain amount of artistic license with any art form but very little leeway when modeling actual weapons and vehicles used in specific war down to the unit and time frame. Something I am trying very hard to accomplish myself. I am really happy I found the unit of that dual 50 cal Sheridan…I can’t wait to do that one.
Bring to life a piece of plastic, that is the art. That’s what I am studying now, how to bring to life a piece of plastic, brass and whatnot stuff you have laying around and making it life like. When you have achieved that you are then a true artist to me. My uncle after WWII moved to France to paint even though he lost an eye in the war, many others from my fathers side were/are artistic. So I have a good family DNA strain for art.
It does mean taking chances some times and not playing it safe. Am I adding to much of this or not enough of that. I have noticed that many of the so called professional modelers leave me cold some times because they tend to play it safe, I GUESS they have to. Museum quality probably has very high standards. And some not so professional modelers tend to over do it or are afraid to go to the next level. The way you build seems to have found that happy medium, like the Goldilocks of modeling for lack of a better analogy.
One issue I do have with many professionals is their models lack figures. I am ignorant to the actual guidelines as to what constitutes a professional museum quality model. I just know what I like as a person who loves art and has always been an artist in some way, I was a professional musician.
To me a tank without it’s TC is just a vehicle in the motorpool…LOL. I think if many modelers realized just how much of an art form what they are doing is they might consider taking it to another level of perfection. Look at the great painters of history, Da Vinci (who loved drawing tanks…LOL), Rembrandt, Rubens, Van Gogh, Picasso, Cezanne they all took it to another level that distinguished their work. All different styles from the most lifelike to the least lifelike, apply that to your modeling and make a work of art. That is my philosophical approach to this who some would consider even childish. No art is childish, not even finger painting.
I’ll add that Doog also inspired me greatly too. The kid did a great job on that M48A3. Having never served nor ever been on the vehicle it was an amazing piece of work. A tribute to knowing good technique, doing research and not being egotistical as to not listen to constructive criticism. Also having the guts to take a dremel to the hull and turret…[:)]
I am doing only Vietnam era US vehicles and weapons. There’s enough of them to keep me busy for a long time. I am going to do a report very soon on some Models from that era and conversion kits I was able to find. I hope that helps those interested in that era.
flawless…
