Okay, so I’ve been away from modelling for a long time.
YouTube has been my main source for re-learning old skills and discovering new ones.
One thing I’ve noticed in the videos is that people seem to spend an inordinate amount of time detailing parts of models that will be either mostly or entirely hidden from view once the model is complete. Like, say, drilling perforations in foot pedals. There is no way that will ever be seen without a flashlight and a magnifying glass, or maybe one of those pokey look-through devices that doctors use to check inside your ears.
Am I wrong? Isn’t this wasted energy that could be spent on the (visible parts of the) next model?
That all depends what you’re building for. If you’re building for contest competitions, yes, it’s a good idea to go the extra mile in the detailing. That sort of work is what makes the difference in winning, placing, or no awards. If not, and you’re building for no one other than yourself and that model is just going to your own personal display area, go ahead and put that effort elsewhere.
I can’t speak for anybody else, but I like doing these kinds of things just for the challenge of doing them. I have actually found that pushing myself and expanding my skill set on models has a positive impact on other things that I do in daily life, especially the highly-technical work that I do for a living. That’s me though. What’s important with modeling, as with most things we do for recreation, is that you do whatever is fulfilling to you. If its not enjoyable to you, then its no longer recreation.
Well,I have my limits about detailing stuff that’s not going to be seen,but there is that self satisfaction of getting stuff done and of you knowing it’s there.
Nothing stupid about that question. Actually it is very intuative and the replies you have received so far are spot on. Better to know what level of detail may be required depending on your goal for the finished product. As said if your building for yourself…do what you feel right about. If going to compete swing for the fences, again however do not loose sight of the ultimate goal…fun and relaxation.
[dto:] to all the posts above! Whatever your likes or dislikes, if you do the best you can with what you’ve got, you’re the one you have to please. If you succeed, you can’t ask for more than that.
Great posts from everyone. I had three types of builds that dictated my level of detailng.
Models donated to aviation museums, out of the reach of viwers and behind glass cases, finishing and detailing of the exterior only. Cockpit walls and seats were just painted.
Models gifted to friends or folks that flew or worked on them, about the same as above, but with more detailng of interior.
Gifts for kids, just good basic building and finishing, they couldn’t care less if it was a 747 with Spirit of St Louis wings, they’re always happy to get it. Number of rivets doesn’t matter, the younger ones can’t even count.
This was probably a question back when you were modeling the first time; it’s as old as building models is itself.
Purely personal choice. If you don’t want to expend the effort for things that won’t be seen, no one can tell you you’re wrong. By the same token, someone who does want to add those details is welcome to do so. It’s the modeler’s choice.
When I was a kid, and Monogram brought out its B-17G kit, my parents gave me the kit for Christmas. My best friend, who lived next door, also got the kit. We both started building it the day after Christmas. He finished in two days, skipping all the interior work. It took me over a week, since I included all that stuff. I asked him why he didn’t include the interior, and he said, “No one will see it.” Then he asked me why I added it when no one will see it. I said, “Because I know it’s there.”
No right or wrong, only what you prefer to do.
I will say that building models back then, I learned a lot about the subject from building those details, and also, from the content of the instructions. But it’s pure enjoyment.
It’s like the question of whether to compete or not. There’s no right or wrong, it’s whatever makes the hobby more enjoyable for you.
I don’t detail that much for just that reason, It or they won’t be seen when it’s all finished/together. Plus age makes a difference, I’m know mid 70’s so eyesight athough very good the hands shake too much!
I thought it was interesting listening to a recent interview with Spencer Pollard. Spencer makes a living from building models. I could have this wrong but I believe he’s an editor for a magazine and often builds models with tight deadlines. If he knows only one side of the aircraft will be photographed and published he won’t even bother painting or detailing the opposite side.
On a personal note I like detailing parts. Most of the time I’ll detail those rudder pedals. Give it a wash, maybe some light chipping, and add straps. Yes, it will be buried and out of sight forever but it looks really bad ass until then.
I take the view that, especially with larger scale models, whilst you may not necessarily see all the detail, it really shows if it’s not there, and it’s often not until you have actually assembled the whole thing that you discover what you can or can’t see. But, of course, that’s my personal choice. Someone else will have a completely different opinion. And that’s the whole point. Modelmaking, unless it is your profession building to order, is an entirely personal hobby, and you have to be happy and satisfied with what you build for yourself.
Haha - thanks for the insights everyone! Good thoughts.
I guess I was wondering if there was something I was missing, but it doesn’t seem so. “Personal satisfaction” seems to be the main driver - which is cool.
Myself, I will be detailing only the visible bits. One of the reasons I stopped modelling all those years ago was I set unnecessarily ambitious standards which resulted in frustration and paralysis. I think modelling plays on the OCD disposition (if you let it). My models would get 50% done and then set aside because of some mistake. This time around I just want to have fun - and keep moving forward. I’m not going to stress over my screw-ups or minor historical innaccuracies. I’d rather have a built model that’s 90% great than a flawless model that never gets finished and makes me miserable.
I think that is a great attitude. I’m guilty of striving for unrealistic goals. I heard someone say once that every kit is a pursuit of perfection that along the way falls short.
My criteria is if it‘s visible it get detailed, not so if it will be 100% hidden in the model. I rather spend the time, effort and material on things out in the open or even partially visible that details that will never be seen.
I realized last night that I had reached that point of OCD paralysis on the Porsche Carrera GT project I’m in the middle of. Trying to do carbon fiber decals on the whole chassis of the thing when just a dusting of Titanium Silver over a gloss black base coat would get it close enough…especially since most of those areas won’t even be visible. Heh…there’s also finally a point where we all have to know our limitations. I’m skipping the carbon fiber decals and moving on with the project. [cwby]
Detailing is in the eye of the beholder. I often find the challenge of extreme detailing to be the most fun in a build. I especially enjoy making variants of aircraft which do not exist in any manufactured kit. I also enjoy a scratch build of an aircraft not manufactured in my preferred scale (1/72). But I often get frustrated. The result is a project that may take years to complete due to frequent “time off”. But occasionally, I just build “straight from the box”. Not extras, just a quick and satisfying build.
Mate…there’s no such thing as a stupid question.
As far as creating details you won’t be able to see…that’s your call.
Nobody else’s opintion matters. If it floats your boat, great!
If you KNOW it won’t be seen and choose not to waste the time on it…perfect.
I once did a contract build of a 1/72 scale Australian DC-3. Full interior, seats, seat belts, overhead luggage racks, galley, toilet cubicle, radio racks…etc.
98% was hidden…but the client was over the moon.
It’s your choice, mate. You do what makes you happy, and we’re good with that.
At this point, whether to include detail that probably won’t be seen or not isn’t as important to me as just finishing a build that I start! [:D] My Shelf of Doom has over a dozen builds on it, some older than 12 years. I start some builds, and just lose interest after a while. Or I hit some technical snag that I don’t want to deal with at the time.