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modeler's satisfaction....or lack thereof

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  • Member since
    November 2005
modeler's satisfaction....or lack thereof
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, November 27, 2003 8:48 PM
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?

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, November 27, 2003 9:21 PM
I always see the mistakes even though others may not
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Philippines
Posted by Dwight Ta-ala on Thursday, November 27, 2003 9:34 PM
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.

  • Member since
    January 2003
Posted by shermanfreak on Thursday, November 27, 2003 10:38 PM
We always seem to be our own harshest critics. Banged Head [banghead]Banged Head [banghead]
Happy Modelling and God Bless Robert
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, November 27, 2003 10:41 PM
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 !
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Third rock from the sun.
Posted by Woody on Thursday, November 27, 2003 10:42 PM
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.

" I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast; for I intend to go in harm's way." --John Paul Jones
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 28, 2003 10:51 PM
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
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Panama City, Florida, Hurricane Alley
Posted by berny13 on Saturday, November 29, 2003 12:17 PM
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.

Berny

 Phormer Phantom Phixer

On the bench

TF-102A Delta Dagger, 32nd FIS, 54-1370, 1/48 scale. Monogram Pro Modeler with C&H conversion.  

Revell F-4E Phantom II 33rd TFW, 58th TFS, 69-260, 1/32 scale. 

Tamiya F-4D Phantom II, 13th TFS, 66-8711, 1/32 scale.  F-4 Phantom Group Build. 

 

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Dahlonega, Georgia
Posted by lizardqing on Saturday, November 29, 2003 10:00 PM
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.
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, November 30, 2003 4:15 AM
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.

DonAlien [alien]
  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: Washington State
Posted by leemitcheltree on Sunday, November 30, 2003 9:01 AM
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

Cheers, LeeTree
Remember, Safety Fast!!!

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, November 30, 2003 6:26 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by paraclete1

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.

DonAlien [alien]

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.
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, November 30, 2003 8:34 PM
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.
Big Smile [:D]
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, December 1, 2003 6:42 PM
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....
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 2, 2003 9:22 AM
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!
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 2, 2003 9:50 AM
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
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Green Bay, WI USA
Posted by echolmberg on Tuesday, December 2, 2003 12:50 PM
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

  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: polystyreneville
Posted by racingmaniac on Friday, December 12, 2003 9:39 PM
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
that which doesn't make us irate or irritated, has probably been thrown against the wall.
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 16, 2003 2:13 PM
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!
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 16, 2003 2:27 PM
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!"
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 16, 2003 8:08 PM
I always try and remember why I got into this in the first place, because it was fun. I enjoy the challenge of building the models and when I take something to a show weather or not it does well or not, I am proud of my efforts. Never build the perfect model, but it sure is fun trying and lets face it, you ever see a perfect tank, plane, car ect?
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Racing capital of the world- Indy
Posted by kaleu on Wednesday, December 17, 2003 5:14 PM
I look at what I have done wrong or what could have been done better and try to work on those errors on subsequent models. It has helped me to build better kits. I don't think I will ever be 100% satisfied, but I do enjoy trying.
Erik "Don't fruit the beer." Newest model buys: More than I care to think about. It's time for a support group.
  • Member since
    June 2003
Posted by M1abramsRules on Wednesday, December 17, 2003 5:32 PM
I don't look to what I want to create, I think of what I am going to do to the kit, and then see what comes out as the finished product.
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, December 21, 2003 3:40 PM
Eric,
I am building that same model right now. Absolutely agree with you on the quality of the AM B25.....I had to cut off like ten of the bomb hash marks on the decal because I put it on wrong!! haha! great model though. Thanks for the advice all.
  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: AandF in the Badger State
Posted by checkmateking02 on Monday, December 22, 2003 5:20 PM
I used to look at my just-finished models with a pretty critical eye: this or that didn't come out the way I wanted it to. And then it occured to me one day that no matter how good it could have looked or turned out, it was still a model after all. Now I just do the best I can at the moment, enjoy the building, and let it go at that.

 

 

 

 

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