How do you become a good modeller?

Just build, build, build. A little reading from decent reference soucres, basic tools, and tons of patience. If you want to detail, try A M or replicate the parts for yourself. One of the best modellers I ever had the pleasure of knowing died two years ago, but I was able learn much from him. He did'nt bother too much with the AM stuff, he produced it by hand. To say he was a Master Modeller sounds anemic compared to his amazing skills.

I agree with the others that reading is your best friend. I found a paper-back book from the 70s in our library that described how to build scale airplanes and it made a huge difference in my abilities. The book breaks the process down into a list of sub-tasks, each of which makes sense, can be completed fairly easily, and really contributes to the overall quality. Don't remember the book name, but it really doesn't matter as I'm sure there are newer "Introduction to Scale Models" books available from Kalmbach and others.

I am also a beliver that in almost all "gadget hobbies" (e.g. photography, model railroading, etc.) you want to start off with the best equipment you can afford. Once you're an expert you should be able to build a great looking model from two lumps of plastic and some wire, but for now get a recent Tamiya, Hasegawa, etc. kit that has no fit problems. That way you can focus on developing skills such as using glue, masking and painting, etc. without having to first figure out how to fill in that 1/16th" gap between the two halves of the fuselage.

Everything I know, I learned from other modellers, on the web, at shows and in magazines. I've found in this hobby that a little research and a lot of practice can go a long way.

There is no "magic" bullet to transform you. Experience, practice and learning from others is the key. Just keep swinging, don't quit and learn from your mistakes.

Steve

I am by no means as skilled as many of the modelers on here. I have built a fair number of models, but they tend to be in the box stock category. Jeff Herne Kind of hinted at something that I have always found important and useful to know. Never be afraid to walk away from a model. Learn to realize when you are getting frustrated and need a break. Some may call that patience, but I consider it to be a bit different. At any rate, it has been what has kept me from taking a hammer to a few models, or ruining them by attempting to force pieces to fit instead of taking the time to make sure they fit correctly. Thus, it has made me a better modeler.

So much good advice here.

1. FSM is a treasure trove of helpful hints. I have used many myself. Read as much literature as you can.
2. Internet. Many helpful sites and of course this forum has been invaluable to me and the many other active participants.
3. Experimentation. Never be afraid to practice new techniques, but always do so on an old kit or a sheet of styrene first. If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.
4. Bottom line is have fun and try not to take it to the point of extreme. My feelings are my next build will be better than my last and that helps to inspire me.

I can't think of a single thing besides practice that would make you a better modeler. Patience, care, better tools, blah blah, all that is important, but practicing, trying different things, and developing your own techniques and styles is what will get you to better models.

PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE. My skills took a quantum leap once I got my airbrush. And they improve much faster now that I am ammber of this wonderful forum.

Well for me it took quite a few practice models before I finally started to get the hang of it. I'm still learning a little bit. But what I did practice models, If I had a question about something, I came here, to the FSM forum. I ALWAYS got an answer and I would thus gain some more modeling knowledge. Just be patient and it will start to come to you.

If you have a local IPMS (international Plastic Modelers society) group check in with them, I am sure they would be more than happy to give tips and lessons and such
www.ipmsusa.org

QUOTE: Ok... How do you not use too much glue?

Many of your questions seem to focus on glue, and it's most likely because you are using the tube stuff. In my opinion that glue is not worth the tube it is held in. In my opinion, again, there are four types of glue to use on models:

Super Glues or cyanoacrylates are great and in many cases the best way to glue parts. It's all that some modelers use. I don't like the Super Glue brand and prefer Zap.

Welding glues. Tamiya Extra Thin, Tenax 7R, or Ambroid ProWeld are great but they have to be used properly or they won't work. The melt the plastic and "Weld" the joint together.

2-Part Epoxy. For things that neither of the above two choices will hold, when you need a bit more drying time, or just some extra strength.

Clear Part Cement or Elmers White Glue. Most glues will cause problems on clear plastic, but these two won't.

Lose the tube and you'll be better off I think.

As to your original question of "How Do You Become A Good Modeler" my answer is to build, make mistakes, and learn from them. You can get an enormous amount of information from books, magazines, and forums but you'll never find a modeler who hasn't made their share of mistakes.

QUOTE: Originally posted by Vilkata Also, I've noticed that everyone completes the model, then paints it. With sand brown tank, covered in little black antennaes and stuff, how would you do that??? ---

I agree with everything said above...

I am still in the learning stage, but us modelers tend to put all the of the tank together, but leave off the antennas, shovel, cables etc... so that they will be easier to paint without touching the model, then attach the finished part.

For glue I use Testors liquid cement, you just have to be careful on how big you cut the end. You may also want to try Testors model cement pen.(can get them at Wal-Mart)

Hope this helps, good luck to you.

For applying super-glue I use anything from pointed tooth-picks to some dental tools I got from my dentist. He has a whole drawer full of used dental picks that are worn down too much for his use, but for me they work just great!

Glenn

Mate super glue can be a good thing, i use it on most of my models and for the tiny handles you mentioned i would use super glue applied with a tooth pic to minimise mess.......
And i Agree witjh the other fellas Patience and Practise are the key thing, you may also want to join a group build that are hosted on this site it's another great way to interact with modelers of all skills and you can learn a heap of new things just by asking questions

Thank you very much you guys! Ok. One of you said 'dont be afraid to ask stupid questions'...

Ok... How do you not use too much glue?

Too little, the bloody part will never stick. You can hold it there for an hour and it wont ever stick.

Too much, and you end up smudging the clear parts, getting 'glue hairs' everywhere, getting annoying drops of glue verywhere... I have NO IDEA how to use /exactly the right ammount of glue/. I've tried the glue out of the metal squish-tubes, the needle ended liquid dispenser ones, all of that.

Also, is it bad to use superglue? I mean, say a particular part just does NOT want to stay on... Can I just use super glue, and get the little jerk to stay there? or will the chemical acting glue eat through the plastic or something?

Also, I've noticed that everyone completes the model, then paints it. With sand brown tank, covered in little black antennaes and stuff, how would you do that???

Say, your trying to glue tiny handles onto the side of a tank. I've seen proffesional modelers do it, and theres no ugly lump of glue around the base of the handles. And of course, the handles are attached firmly to the base of the tank. Glue is sticky, messy, and takes like 20 minutes to even get close to setting!! how do you hold the handle there to let it stick, while using as little glue as possible, to get it to look good? I simply cannot do it.

---

Patience and Practice and your two biggest allies. There's some great advice above. I would add the following.

Read, read, read...everything you can find on the Internet and every book you can find on modeling. There are GREAT reference sites out there that cover everything from the basics to intermediate and advanced techniques. A good place to start would be http://www.scalemodelindex.com/ and just start surfing. There are literally thousands of personal modeling sites, reference sites, and links to modeling clubs and organizations. Many of them will have tidbits of information you can use. Read every modeling forum you can find...not to participate, but just to read. I've probably spent hundreds of hours reading one, two, and three year-old archived forum pages from nearly every armor related web site. You'd be amazed how much information is out there for the taking.

Second, don't be afraid to experiment - and EXPECT to fail. I say that because if you happen do create something good, you'll be pleasantly surprised and happy. If you don't, you won't be disappointed. I've been working on armor weathering techniques for over two years and suspect that it will be another two years before I'm even moderately confident that I can produce consistent results every time. I may never get to the point I want, but I'll take my time and try to improve a little bit with every model I build.

But above all else, patience and practice are really the only ways to improve your skills.

The biggest thing is patience...excellent models can be built with basic tools if you have the patience.

Skills can be learned, and you can find alot of that right here, and of course, in FSM. I would make several recommendations if you want to get better.

As Glenn mentioned, join a model club. You can learn alot from just being there.
Take your time and build your model slowly. Treat each component as an individual kit.
Don't over-do it...working for 12 hours straight just so can get it finished will only frustrate you.

Don't build over your skill level. While we all want award winning models, sometimes we have to start out basic and work our way up.

Don't be afraid to ask questions...even those you may think are stupid. You would be surprised how many different ways there are to do things. We all have different methods, and one of them might work better for you.

Perhaps the biggest obstacle I had to overcome when I started building was the urge to finish the model in record time so I could move on to the next one...now, if it takes me six months to build a model, that's what it takes...

PS: I'm moving this to general discussion...this way, you can get advice from all sorts of modelers...not just armor guys.

Jeff

Like you,Im not very good at modeling either...Ive taken a hammer to three of my models I just keep trying and sometimes it works!~

My skills took a real jump ahead when I started attending a local model club. I was able to talk with fellow modelers about all the 'how did you do that?' that I wanted. I was very fortunate to be able to talk with several master modelers that attended the local club I joined. They're willingness to share and motivate me was just what I needed at a time when I was wondering how do I make that next jump in my own skill level. I'd recommend you do the same. I also started attending local model contests and entering my models. If I saw a great model I'd try an find out who built and ask them questions about it. I've found just about every modeler I've ever talked to was willing to share their knowledge, because that's how they learned! Enter a model, go thru the process. While you may not take any ribbons home, the potential knowledge you can absorb is more that worth the entry fee!

My two cents!

Glenn