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Who/What provides you with inspiration?

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  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: Denton, TX
Who/What provides you with inspiration?
Posted by gnsnow on Wednesday, March 2, 2005 12:28 AM
I was just curious what tickles everyones creative bones. For me - books like, (anything by) Chris Foss, The Art of Special Effects, (most stuff by) H.R. Giger - and ofcourse much of the work I see here!

"Artists who seek perfection in everything are those who can attain it in nothing."
   - Eugène Delacroix

  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: México
Posted by SteelSnail on Wednesday, March 2, 2005 1:09 AM
After building some models as a kid I came back to modeling by another hobbie: PC gaming.
I was sucked by the IL-2 sturmovick game, and then by Battlefield 1942.
There is nothing like watching A bridge too far, playing the mission in battlefield (in wich a tiger tank is featured) and then going to the workbench and building a tiger.
After that, I was doomed, modeling got to my heart.
Now I get inspiration from many places, movies, magazines, tv shows (history channel specially), pc games and sometimes the boxart will do.
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, March 2, 2005 6:29 AM
Interesting topic. I'd have to say my Wife gives me a ton of inspiration whenever she pipes up with "What about this?" or "Have you tried this before?" Very cool, and she wants to start building as well, but she hasn't found a subject to build quite yet (aside from the expensive as heck Babylon 5 Starfuries, I'll get her one if I can find one for just under "an arm and a leg") I may pick up a RX-78-2 Gundam for her that she saw over at Walmart the other day, she put it back down, that irritated me... Big Smile [:D]

Outside of the Mrs, I would say that any interesting design gets me thinking about if I could modify it, make it better.
  • Member since
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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, March 2, 2005 7:17 AM
Aspirin bottles. :)
http://lyzrdstomp.com/lyzrdforum/index.php?topic=62.0
John
  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: Denton, TX
Posted by gnsnow on Wednesday, March 2, 2005 11:03 AM
LOL!!! I thought that was great also!

"Artists who seek perfection in everything are those who can attain it in nothing."
   - Eugène Delacroix

  • Member since
    November 2004
  • From: USA, North America, Earth Milky Way
Posted by thunderbearr on Wednesday, March 2, 2005 4:54 PM
My wife, my cat, and Gino Dykstra, wherever he is...
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Where the coyote howl, NH
Posted by djrost_2000 on Wednesday, March 2, 2005 7:19 PM
As far as sci-fi models go, it's usually television and movies that get me started. But I also model all subjects, so what makes me tick is the idea of replicating something in miniature and doing it well. There have also been some cases where I built a model for someone who had some attachment to the subject.
Military subjects interest me. Sometimes a dio idea will develop in my head, and sometimes I'm building on what I see in reference books.

-Dave
  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: México
Posted by SteelSnail on Thursday, March 3, 2005 12:45 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by thunderbearr

My wife, my cat, and Gino Dykstra, wherever he is...


Your cat? That's scary...
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, March 3, 2005 9:10 AM
Actually, sci-fi blueprints inspire me a lot! (yeah, I was like one of those guys in Galaxy Quest when I was in high school).

I used to collect anything that looked like a blueprint and was sci-fi. For fun, I recently recreated Michael McMasters' Klingon blueprints in Adobe Illustrator when I had a lull in my other hobbies-all 8 sheets, every table and chair. If you've seen these, there's a LOT of detail to reproduce.

I'm such a geek!

Also, that scratchbuilding article by Clyde Jones and Verne Anderson in the August 1978 issue of Fantastic Films was probably the most inspiring thing in my modeling life (well, that and Star Wars).



I still have that issue (it's sitting next to me now) and still read it from time to time. I even recently contacted one of the authors of the article to let him know what an influence those 3 pages had on me. :)
John
  • Member since
    November 2004
  • From: Nashville, TN
Posted by Cudamav on Thursday, March 3, 2005 9:45 AM
the statement: "WOW! that is cool... where did you buy that?" when someone looks at my work. Makes me feel good when I put so much time into something and someone really appreciates it. I would still build just for my own satisfaction, but when I get noticed like that, it makes the pride swell. :)

The wife tries to support me, but she doesnt really get why I will spend hours fiddling with electronics and blades just to get the eyes of an Episode 1 droid starfighter to light up or why I would spend half an hour staring at a cup in Walmart trying to decide if it is the right opacity/ color to make the engines glow in a Shuttle Tydirium.

I just basically get inspired from everything around me. I want to build everything I see lol
~Jason "Not all who wander are lost"
  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: Denton, TX
Posted by gnsnow on Thursday, March 3, 2005 10:27 PM
I know I'm replying to my own topic, but I was really inspired today. I've been carving wax all day to create a Giger-inspired creature mask in bronze - and I feel like I can't stop working (just taking a break now). I don't know why I was so inspired this time, but occasionally I have spurts of unexplained creativity.

I'll post pics of my wax master when I finish (hopefully before Tuesday).

And BTW - thanks for the tip johnselvia, I went to ebay and lo-and-behold - August 1978 Fanstastic Films for a buy-it-now price of only $3.

"Artists who seek perfection in everything are those who can attain it in nothing."
   - Eugène Delacroix

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, March 7, 2005 1:49 AM
i am in college and trying to learn as much as i can about graphics and movies and special effects so that way i can get a job in special effects industry if not working on minatures and props then in 3d at least
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, March 7, 2005 7:18 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Themage

i am in college and trying to learn as much as i can about graphics and movies and special effects so that way i can get a job in special effects industry if not working on minatures and props then in 3d at least


That's great, Themage. I hope you pursue your dream of special effects.

I've been doing computer animation for 8 years, sci-fi props, models and sculpting most of my adult life, and have studied special effects and compositing on my own all just for my own pleasure and love it. I used to entertain the idea of working for Hollywood, but am quite content doing what I do for myself.

Let us know if you make it and we'll look for your name in the movies!
John
  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: Denton, TX
Posted by gnsnow on Monday, March 7, 2005 9:54 AM
Hey Themage, that's what got me into art/models in the first place. I never did anything with it though, now I wish I had tried harder. Don't give up on that dream.

"Artists who seek perfection in everything are those who can attain it in nothing."
   - Eugène Delacroix

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, March 9, 2005 9:53 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by gnsnowAnd BTW - thanks for the tip johnselvia, I went to ebay and lo-and-behold - August 1978 Fanstastic Films for a buy-it-now price of only $3.

Hey! I actually heard from Clyde Jones today about my tutorial! He's one of the authors of the original article!

Very cool! It made me think of your post and that you bought the issue on ebay.

John
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, March 9, 2005 11:07 AM
Thanks johnselvia and gnsnow, I am actually pretty close i think. In college now i am taking multimedia ( 3d modeling and animation). I work as intern at tv station for a year now. I have done some props and effects for some shows. At the tv station i am videographer, editor, graphics. I have done over 75 credits so far :>. After i get out of college i am going to try to go to film school in CA. Figure i cant lose , most of the movies and video games and special effects companies are out there. My web site i have some pics of models such as starwars that i try to make them look like they are from the movies. I even put alot of them in widescreen.

www.nwnstudios.fcpages.com

Nate
  • Member since
    April 2011
Posted by gdykstra1 on Thursday, April 28, 2011 12:47 PM

Just thought I'd let you know that I'm still very much alive and living in Wisconsin.  Drop me a line some time.

 

Gino Dykstra

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 28, 2011 12:48 PM

I inspire myself...

  • Member since
    September 2005
  • From: Illinois: Hive of Scum and Villany
Posted by Sprue-ce Goose on Thursday, April 28, 2011 1:30 PM

The FMS Forum WIP posts.

Some may be inspired by Manny's promise of a new decoration, however.Whistling

  • Member since
    February 2011
  • From: San Antonio
Posted by MAJ Mike on Thursday, April 28, 2011 1:33 PM

My wife  (SheWhoMustBeObeyed) Bow Down

 

 

 "I'd "I'd rather be historically accurate than politically correct."

"Sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc!"

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Allentown, PA
Posted by BaBill212 on Thursday, April 28, 2011 1:41 PM

Typically I am inspired by a visit to my stash of kits.....  "I would like to build this one,, or that one". I narrow it down to a single (mostly) kit and then go from there.

Enjoy the ride!

 

  • Member since
    July 2010
  • From: Tornado Alley
Posted by Echo139er on Thursday, April 28, 2011 1:47 PM

Sprue-ce Goose

The FMS Forum WIP posts.

Ditto

There are a lot of incredible modelers here... something to work towards to.

  • Member since
    April 2010
  • From: San Diego, CA, USA
Posted by Gerry on Thursday, April 28, 2011 2:33 PM

Inspiration just pops up unexpected. Can't say exactly "what" inspires me.

But if you mean "theft" ... I get a lot of great ideas from FineScale Modeler mag. Like my Star Wars speeder bike. I saw a similar one in an issue a couple months back and just had to do one myself. Maybe mine wasn't as good as the one in the magazine, but I had a great time building it.

 

Gerry ...Young at Heart - Other parts slightly older.

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 28, 2011 2:48 PM

Prince William and Kate provide me with inspiration...

  • Member since
    September 2005
  • From: Illinois: Hive of Scum and Villany
Posted by Sprue-ce Goose on Thursday, April 28, 2011 2:53 PM

....for what..?

  • Member since
    August 2009
  • From: Central IL
Posted by SLW 45 on Thursday, April 28, 2011 5:57 PM

Grey Goose

Yes I will have another Toast

And just about anything that catches my eye

                 

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 28, 2011 9:59 PM

     As for me,  since i only build 1000 scale starships, i build what i want.  what i mean by that is, I get tired doing what other people want.  i have several kits, done by the book.  i get tired so i add a little here, a little there.  if it looks good, i'll finish it off.  If not, i throw it against a wall and look for somthing else

  • Member since
    October 2007
  • From: Scotland
Posted by Milairjunkie on Friday, April 29, 2011 4:52 AM

Manstein's revenge

Prince William and Kate provide me with inspiration...

Me too.............................. probably in the same was as you - you should get a taste of it in the UK!

 

Aircraft flying overhead at a few hundred feet with burners lit & going for it. Depending on training schedules it can be several times a day, resulting in many mad dashes to the nearest window & consequent strange looks from passers by;

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