I consider myself a fair to good modeler. I could be better if I took more time to weather with washes etc. Basically I’ve taken small steps with each new model and tried something new or different with each one. Accuracy remains important, but I’m not going to take the fun out of building for the sake of overkill. What do you feel could make you a better modeler? P.S. I do greatly admire the superdetailer.
This is the line that more of us should take. I’d like to think I’m in this category too. Sometimes I’ll super-detail, sometimes I’ll build right out of the box. But each time I try to improve my skills a little bit.
Well said Robert. In general I’d say my skills are intermediate at best. I’m certainly still learning the ropes in many cases. I’m into ‘autos’ lately and that seems to be the area that I’m best at. Aircraft I’d say I’m still a beginner struggling to move into the intermediate category. Armour is a definite no-show since I’ve only built one item and it was in 1/72 scale.
I like to ‘improve’, but I have no exectation of it happening over night. Besides, learning is half of the fun. What would you do if you weren’t learning anymore?
Murray
Skills are a bit subjective, depending on the medium. For myself, I feel I’m pretty good at aircraft, especially cockpits. I may be considered good at armor by some standards, but compared to shermanfreak, I’m a rank novice. I’m absolutely terrible at airbrushing. Overall, I’d say that i was a pretty good modeler, but only compared to some.
As they always say:
“How do you get to Carnegie Hall?”
“Practice, practice, practice.”
I have to agree about not being one to go over the edge with superdetailing. I will always use some sort of brass and extra detail, but I don’t kill myself with aspects of the hobby that make me pull my hair out. I consider myself in the middle when it comes to building and detailing a kit, whereas I might consider myself a step above the middle with painting and wetahering. Painting and weathering is the most enjoyable for me. It is when you paint and weather that you see your model come to life. I see myself improve with every model, and with every piece of advice I get from these and other forums.
Rob
Yes, it’s all subjective. After several years of working designing masters (patterns) for a handful of companies, I’m not afraid of anything when it comes to sculpting or scatchbuilding. I do enjoy superdetailling, from scratch rather than using bits available on the market, but I know I’m not the best modeler around. My painting of figures could do with some more practice! My airbrushing skills are not very good either, though I’m working on it. I’m pretty good at using spray cans, and I think excell in painting small freehand stuff. Tanks and civil aircrafts are the subjects I model best overal. I have little experience with ships (sigh!). So the road is still pretty long for me!
I’m an intermediate modeler at best. I like to accurize vehicles I am passionate about, but I will spit out a WW2 German vehicle straight out of box with only a glance at some references for color schemes.
I did win an award for a 1/72 scale Abrams my first time I entered a contest. I didn’t think the kit was that great and thought others’ kits were better.
Neophyte. I can stick models together and paint them in the right colours.
I admire and aspire to much of what people here can do.
I’m on model #6 or #7 after returning to the hobby with the mature mind of an adult, so much of what I learn here and in mags is being applied with each new model I start! I have a few boxed kits with aftermarket parts, but I am brushing up [intended pun!] on cheaper 1/72 planes and 1/35 armour before trying something mental like scratchbuilt interiors [;)]
Well, I used to think of myself as a pretty good modeller…until I see the works that some of you post here. I would say that I’m at the intermediate stage. Now, on every new kit that I start, I always try to implement a technique that someone here has shared (or one from FSM Mag)
I would say that, before visiting these forums, 98% of my projects were box-stock. Seeing how much difference just a few aftermarket parts make, I am now trying to be more detail oriented. A good example is with my M1A1 project. I am going to try, for the first time, a wash with artist’s oils.
The best part is…seeing all the great works that have been shared here, makes me want to put that much more into my own models. AND I’M HAVING FUN!
I would say I’m still learning , but my skills are rolling along at a moderate pace?
I guess I’ll find out after I complete my DIO?
I didn’t really get into modeling for approval of others but to manage my stress from military life. So far it’s a GO and I liove working on my projects when I have time , my wife leaves me alone, or when I’m gonna blow up!
Redleg, we are all learning. The perfect modeler does not exist. If it did, with no challenge and no one to look up to, scale modeling would be very boring…
I’ve done some reveiws and had articles published by Finescale, but I still don’t think I’m as good as I could be in all areas. Still working on that, which is why I like reading about what others do in the magazine!
I like to think i’m okay, but my weathring skills pretty much consist of a dust covered lower chassis and some light overspray.
Thanks for all the input guys. It seems that it really doesn’t matter how good we are, but rather that “Fun” is the bottom line and isn’t that why we took up this hobby in the first place? Erock68 let me know how the wash went, because my Abrams just came into my local hobby shop and I will pick it up tomorrow. I too, want to try a wash on it. Happy modelling!
tigerman,
I have the road wheels painted, gloss coated and ready to go. Wiil be doing them this eve. I will keep you updated.
I thought i was average to good then i saw some of the work posted on this site now i am poor to HO MY GOD---- YYYYEEEEUUUUCCCCKKKK but i keep bashing those kits, am happy at what i am doing and at the end of the day thats all that counts for me…Gregers p,s hopefully i will be able to post some pics soon for you all to laugh at …oops i mean to judge my work CHEERS… Greg
No Gregers, I am probably downgrading myself. It really doesn’t matter how good I am as long as I am more or less satisfied with the completion of my latest plastic shelf decoration. You’ve got it right when you say it makes you happy at the end of the day.
Sorry Erock68 , forgot to acknowledge you. Good luck and keep me posted on your progress.
I’m with gregers but I still gonna post pics of my BMP-2 in a couple days. I figure you guys need a laugh anyway. [:D]
Hummmmm.
This sounds like a trap.
Your honer I would like to claim my fifth ammendment right on this one!