I have been building models for a very long time, since I was about four I think, but inevitably, no matter how much care i take in building, or how many new tecniques I employ, I am never satisfied with the results. I always see the things that I messed up. Do you other modelers get this way also? Does there come a point when you can do everything just about perfect and feel satisfied? Or will you always see the mistakes?
I always see the mistakes even though others may not
Yeah, sometimes knowing too much takes away the chance of being satisfied. But I guess that inorder for us to enjoy our works, we should try to view them through the eyes of others.
We always seem to be our own harshest critics. [banghead][banghead]
Knowing the weak points of a model are more apparent to te one who built the kit. There will probably always be things that didn’t go as planned. And that’s alright. The experience that you have allows you to minimize their impact on the viewer. “Perfection” is an ideal. It really doesn’t exist. Coming as close as you can is what motivates us to build another one. If I ever produce a model that is faultless, it will be time to find a new hobby. If you see a model that looks perfect, you just can’t see the flaws. And if a modeler tells you that their models are perfect, run. Run very fast.
Best wishes on your next build !
We tend to want to dwell on the shortcoming of our finished kit. As often as there is a flaw, there is something else that turned out exceptionally well. I like to look for that part of the model that turned out great and enjoy it.
Seek excellence…not perfection! Stay away from the ‘perfection’ trap! I know I’ll never build a ‘perfect’ model. What I try an do is build an excellent one though. We all know the little, or big, imperfections in our models. I guess I try and eliminate as many as I can, always trying to do a little better on each kit I build.
My two cents!
Glenn
I don’t think any one has ever built the perfect model. There is always the thought that you should have done this or that to make it better. You have to reach a point in building when you say, enough is enough, and be satisified with what you have, flaws and all. If we were all obsessed with perfection, we would never complete a model.
I don’t think I have ever built one that I was totally satisfied with even though everyone else says it’s great. I just try and find the point where if I try anything else it starts to take away from alot of the other good points and then put it on the shelf and start the next.
I’ve gotten to where I just look at it from about 18" to 2’ and see how it looks at a glance. Since that’s how most people will view it, the minor flaws don’t tend to jump out at you. It’s only when I pick it up and get in good and close that I become my worse critic.
Don[alien]
Kurt,
I’ve been building for over 35 years - I’ve never made a perfect model yet. I do try, but haven’t gotten there.
There have been many models I’ve built that I was happy with, but that’s making allowances for the bits I wasn’t satisfied with - Robert said we’re our own harshest critics. It’s very true.
My clients are always extremely happy with the models I make for them. They don’t build models and they don’t know what to look for. They see my models with a layman’s eye and think they’re fantastic. I get lucky in that respect.
To me, a perfect model looks and functions exactly like the full size item. I guess this is where the engineer in me takes over. I’ve built tiny steam traction engines (1/4inch bore by 1/4inch stroke) out of steel and they work. That’s real scale modelling.
Cheers
LeeTree
Don, I agree 100%. there is a correct viewing distance for a painting, a photograph, why not a model. I have also found that if I get disgusted with the way a model or other project is turning out, I put it away for a few months and when I come back to it, its not as bad as I thought.
Perfect Models no such think.
One interesting tip I learned when I got into resin figure Kits is to check the Kits reflection in the mirror to look for obvious flaws, etc.
Sounds weird, but it does work and gives you a new angle to appreciate your Kit.
[:D]
It really helped me to read that NO ONE (and there are some great model builders in this site, I’m sure!) has built a “perfect” Model yet…Being a perfectionist is one of my defects. If I see something I did wrong in a model I made (or are making) I think that EVERYONE can see it. Not true. Those who eventually get to see some…like my big Tamiya Dragonwagon tank transporter (I loved making that one!) or the USS Missouri 350 scale battleship…think they are great and are lavish in their praise despite the fact that I KNOW I should have done a better job to make the figures more lifelike or done a better job on the ship railings… Grrr!..but thanks for telling me that I’m no different from the rest of you guys in my impossible expectations…I’ll take your advice and view them from a small distance and just try to build the best model I can…
Critical skills develop faster than dexterity :-(. One thing I do is put the model away after finishing and get a fresh look at it after a week. And no fair using a magnifying glass!
I am building my first ever kit, the Bell X-1. I think it looks crappy esp since I have demono69’s models sitting right next to mine. On the other hand he says that it looks good esp since it is my first time. I know that I see all the flaws esp all the extra superglue residue. I guess all these years of listening to Scott ramble on about modeling techniques has kinda paid off. Who knows. I do know that no matter what you do you see all the faults but others don’t even know to look for.
Demankat
Well I for one have built perfect models. LOL! You all know I’m only kidding!!! Anywho, I couldn’t agree more with what everyone has to say. We are our own worst critics. One of my most favorite models which I built was the the AM B-25 “Dirty Dora”. Man I love that model and I think it’s the best one I’ve ever built. My wife thinks they are amazing. But I’ll tell you one little secret though. I mistakenly placed the mission markings oh so slightly off from where they should be. Nobody else knows this (eg. friends and family who see the model) but it really REALLY bothers me! Isn’t that ridiculous!!! But then I tell myself something that always makes me happier than a pig iin you-know-what: Didn’t like something I did on the kit? Buy another one!!! That part makes me so happy!
Eric
Definitely, I always seem to find something after I’m finished. Whether it’s forgetting to touch up the paint in certain spots or finally thinking of a way to add the one little detail I never thought I could do. It’s like " Oh s**t, I forgot to…" or " I could have used this to make that". But, alas it’s too late. But I always keep a notebook handy to jot down these things as a reminder.
Ken
I wish modeling directions gave two pictures one of a well done model, and one one not so.
I hate seeing the displayed pictures on the back or sides and seeing how “perfect” they are.
I always want my models to look like the ones on the cover, but have never achieved that. I guess I am never satisfied. I always see something that could have been done better; maybe with some other technique.
In photography, I see all the imperfections of my photos like dust spots or something that is out of focus when it shouldn’t be.
Perfection can’t be achieved, but I sure wish I could get close!
Since alot of my work goes into trying to hide my mistakes(I can’t afford “test models”, so whatever model I’m working on at current becomes a test-bed for all of my experiments and ideas…), I am actually always very proud of my accomplishments, as I am always thinking about how hard it was to repair the area where a hole formed from caustic vapors from whatever paint or adhesive or thinner I’ve just experimented with! Or, how to fix a panel line that was scribed over raised deatil, when the panel line has half of a make-shift scriber snapped off and embedded in it!
Nope, my models are always made with pride and accomplisment, and, maybe someday, I’ll figure out everything, and not need to test on my models any more!!
As for perfection, Like I always say:
“There was only one perfect man, and look at what we did to him!”