Why am i feeling guilty with just 1 pre-shade and not much else....?

There's nothing to feel guilty about - if you have achieved a look that you're happy with, there's no need to do any more than that.

Pastels, washes, mud, drybrushing etc etc. They are all valid techniques, but there's no rule that states that all of them must be used every time. 

I agree with Phil_H above. When building for a client it is of course their opinion that matters most but in my experience that is usually assured if you, the builder, is happy first. Sure other techniques all have their place and value and some of that depends on the depicted aging/wear and location of the AFV. But until such time that you or a client feels something is missing you don't need to feel guilty. It's always nice to have as many techniques at your disposal as possible but until you feel you aren't doing the subject "justice" why don't you choose to look at it as you are one very "efficient" builder.

Phil_H

There's nothing to feel guilty about - if you have achieved a look that you're happy with, there's no need to do any more than that.

Pastels, washes, mud, drybrushing etc etc. They are all valid techniques, but there's no rule that states that all of them must be used every time. 

 

Phil, you hit the nail right on the head. This is a matter of what you are happy with...not what the forum is happy with. Everybody here is different....thats what makes this forum the great place it is.

"Don't worry be happy"

Rounds Complete!!

My personal opinion is all of those great steps for weathering fit best in a diorama display even if it is a small pedestal or stand that shows the context.  When the model is in a display case or standing alone, I think it can look overdone to quickly since you have no context.

But like everyone said, if the client says it is good, then it is good. The repeat customer is all the justification you need.

Phil_H

...There's nothing to feel guilty about...

I agree.  No need to succomb to media hype about how to build.  Do what whorks for you.

I've been looking over alot of my old magazines the last few weeks and the one thing that really stands out is weathering and how its the current trend to go all out to weather the build, and I'm not sure its for the better. Don't get me wrong its fun and they can look good but if you look at your refrence pics how many subjects are that weathered really? So I say build and weather as far as you or the customer wants thats what right.

agreed with everybody on style.

I'll do one better (worse?), I don't preshade anything. LOL. I airbrush with oils and then pin wash/dry brush with oil after the base coat dries 100%. Then a wash with water base paints.

I like how the kit turns out.

Could you post some pictures of your finished models?

Personally I'm always looking for ways to achieve the look I want faster/more efficiently...it's the six sigma/process engineer in me that never stops. Fads in techniques/finishes come and go and it's always good to explore new things to see if it's right for you, but there's no hard and fast rule that says you must do X-Y-Z in order to be "correct" in your finish. There are techniques that I've had in my tool kit for a long time, others that I used for a while but then dropped or replaced with something else, etc. It's a continually evolving process.

In the end what matters most is that you, and your clients since you also build on commission, are happy with the results you achieve.

You do what you want to do, don't take any notice of what anyone else does! If they want to do what I call a 'belt and braces' job to get the finish they desire let them. I recently built a Russian Aerosledge, and someone criticised my paint finished saying that I've got to do it his way!! He called it overspray I called it camo finish( winter shading, snow & frost) ). I build my kits for one person and that's me. if I chose to share the build, fine, but after 40 years of building I don't need to be told by some snotty kid how to do things. That's why I haven't put anything else on here for 6 months or so. I have just finished an Airfix Walrus seaplane but will I put it on here I don't know as yet.

If you are truly and fully content with the look of your models with the steps you perform, then you shouldn't feel unaccomplished. If you do feel unaccomplished, then you might want to try slowly intoducing more techniques, so that you can gradually improve and add a more complex look to your models. Improvement is very important to me, and I'd recommend trying new things if you'd like to imrove your models. BUT if you're truly happy with what your models look like, and desire nothing more in their appearance, then keep doing exactly what you're doing.

Do you only feel unaccomplished because you don't feel that you're models have as complex a finish as some? If you still have fun building and are proud of your finished models, then don't do anything different.

PatW

I recently built a Russian Aerosledge, and someone criticised my paint finished saying that I've got to do it his way!! He called it overspray I called it camo finish( winter shading, snow & frost) ). I build my kits for one person and that's me. if I chose to share the build, fine, but after 40 years of building I don't need to be told by some snotty kid how to do things.

Please read this very carefully.

In the thread you are referring to, I was unsure if the white specks on the seat were snow (which would be a very cool effect), or unintentional white overspray. It could have easily been either. Specifically, I asked "The chipping looks good, and htere's definitely some depth to the white color, but inside the body, like on the seat, is that intentional white specks (like snow?) or is it overspray from your airbrush?"

You responded "The reasoning us that that's the way I like it! I don't waste money on airbrushes, I tried it once it didn't work so I threw it away!"

How did my legitimate question A) criticize your paint job or B) suggest that you should do it any other way? You avoided my question altogether, and are now being belligerent and childish by calling me a "snotty kid", not to mention the fact that you just made up an entire fictional situation that is wholly false. I never said you should do it any other way than you did, nor did I say anything that suggested your techniques looked poor. If it was indeed intentional snow effects, then you did a very good job of adding them, but I wouldn't know, becuase you snapped and said "The reasoning us that that's the way I like it!" instead of answering my question.

Here's the origianl thread, for reference.

/forums/t/130278.aspx

Phil_H

There's nothing to feel guilty about - if you have achieved a look that you're happy with, there's no need to do any more than that.

Pastels, washes, mud, drybrushing etc etc. They are all valid techniques, but there's no rule that states that all of them must be used every time. 

 

That's how I have to view it. I could never duplicate some of the more beat up vehicles unless I had the time, skill, and patience.

As one of the guys who uses a plethora of multiple steps and techniques , I can only say that my progression to this phase of modeling happened slowly over the course of many, many years. Basically, I have an entire two bookcases full of models--perhaps 100 or more?--that were basically just as you are doing now.

My progression into more "advanced" methods and techniques grew out of getting tired of seeing the same type of finish, and also of learning from others' models and techniques. I'd see something radical and think "How the heck did they get THAT?!" and want to emulate it. Once I started getting those really distressed, deep finishes, I really liked the realism and variety of tonal chromatic effects in the finish. Some of the techniques lend very slight, almost-imperceptible shifts in the finish, but they really do make the model "pop" and stand out from otherwise "flat" finishes. NO OFFENSE to anyone's models intended.

The bottom line is, don't push yourself if you're not ready for it. If it works for you, go with it. But when you get the itch to expand your horizons and results, go boldly and be prepared for some failures. That's the only way you learn and the only way you'll advance.