You either have it or you don't!

A couple of thoughts.

First, I read quite a few modeling mags, look at other forums etc. I find that the level of skill shown in the FSM pages is very unusual.  I would expect that's because Kalmbach is a giant magazine empire and they get huge amounts of submissions from which to select from. For whatever reason they seem to select  models to publish with very high levels of skill apparent.

Look at other smaller magazines and sites. In particular look at the british magazines, where many if not most of the modelers brush paint. Not better, maybe not so realistic, but certainly a skill and a different way of judging things.

My point is that IMO (in my opinion) reading FSM and feeling "I can't do that" is on a par with reading Sports Illustrated and having the same self doubts.

I'm a mediocre modeler but I'm perfectly happy with the results I get.

Also, don't sell your wife short on her patience with you. You could be spending the money in bars, without her on the golf course, or on guns (expensive hobby).

I don't enter contests because a) I don't really care to be judged by other people, get enough of that 9-5, and b) it'd be futile. But that's ok, you just have to do your thing.

Keep up the good work, no matter the skill.

One thing that I would like to do differently this time (as opposed to when I was making models in high school) is to do more research about what I will model.  When I was in school,  all I knew about the models was what was on the package and that they looked "cool".  So, now, while I am waiting for my first model to arrive from Revel/Monogram  (an F-80 Shooting Star),  I am studying all I can about it. Particularly the reconnaissance versions that flew in Korea. My dad was a radio repair technician there so I hope to model it after one of the planes he would have worked on.  I think regardless of my skills, the joy of the process (learning and building) will be enough for me.

Of course building it well enough to be highlighted in FSM is a goal but...someday.  You all are a grand inspiration to me keep up the good work. No matter what skill level.

Peace,

Mark

I too, "Don't Have It!" I'm in the group "Do one really nice, Then the next one is F*** up."  I'm doing a P 38 Lightning for "My First Time" GB. My opinion on it, is It looks like the first on I did. So, now I'm at the point where I don't want to pick it back up. I was going to make it a crashed P 38 on a diorama, but I don't even feel like doing that.

I think I'll just chalk it up to experience and move on to the P 47. I will however do another P 38 though.

I'm also too critical on alot of things i do. I try not to be.

I too are not perfect. But who cares. You say that you enjoy the hobby, and in the end that is all that matters. I think we all have left permanent scars on projects that we are not proud of. Keep at it, learning from life and good luck.

As you can see most of us don't HAVE IT as you put it.  But that is not what it is about, it is the enjoyment you get from completing the model or diorama.  I have friends and family who say I build great models and dios but in my eye they don't muster.  Does this mean i don't have it.  No, it means that I have way to high of standards of trying to compete against true masters.

I have been lucky that I have had met a couple of people I consider masters in our art albeit online only as they live across the pond, but they have helped me through out the years and have made me challenge myself in my building.

So after all this long wind the end comes to this.   1. do you enjoy building?  2.  Are you willing to take constructive criticism to help you grow as a modeller?  3.  Finally are you doing this for you or for acclaim?

Not many of us are up to par with the masters never compare your work with theirs, only compare your work against the last one you built,  Use the books, websites, forums to your advantage, I don't post a lot but I read a lot,  I have never entered a contest but have a few dioramas on display outside of my house.  I build for me and sometimes for family or friends.

Lastly if you are going to give up modelling can I have your stuff?  J/K  start another thread or threads addressing your issues and I can bet that you will get the help you are looking for on each and every topic.

geez doog. maybe you should just do warwheels. certainly enough of them out there. i'm getting ready to do a couple of 1/350 ships w/ PE. will be amusing if nothing else.

I think modeling is about the journey, not the destination.  Above all, you must get enjoyment from building stuff.  If you get too worked up about not measuring up to others' work, you will never enjoy the hobby.  I have noticed that the happiest, most productive modelers I know just crank out models without caring if they came out perfect.  The ones who obsess on every little detail are the ones who are the least happy and finish the fewest models.  I am sad to admit I lean towards this second group.  And you know what?  It sucks.

Research is good, but when all the "fatal flaws" start to come out, the fun factor begins to diminish.  When I was a kid, it was great tearing into a new kit and slapping it together without worrying if a nose was misshaped, or if a panel line was in the wrong place.  Knowledge is a two sided sword; it can be used to enhance a model, or it can bog down the build.

So long story short, don't worry, be happy.  Build for yourself and for your own enjoyment.  If you want to improve, then challenge yourself to make one improvement on your next model over the last one.  I think that is the way to better models.

Well said Real G

I have found that I am my own worst enemy on this subject. I do not see my self as good as other people say I am. I build everything but to this day and no matter what I do pulling off a really good modern jet is almost imposable, but I can make a awesome gloss paint job on a car. I need to work on my airbrushing and on the over all construction of the aircraft because I hate sanding on an airframe because you loose surface detail and thin that to find away to scribe it back it that looks good. With all that said I always will try again.

LedFut390, how about a skill trade?  I can't do a gloss job to save my life, but I am good at tricky filling/sanding (and pre-empting the need for such).

Where is that knowlege transfer machine from "Star Trek" when you need it?  "Brain?  What is brain?!" 

Man G, That is a good trade! when works for you?

LedFut390, we can begin the skills tranfer as soon as we find that planet of women with the brain machine.  Oh, and a starship.

In the mean time, the foum will have to do!  Share ideas.  Teach.  Learn.

IMHO, even the best modelers probably think their stuff isn't perfect.  The better you get, the more critical you become.  So again, the point is not the destination, but the trip.  Except when the trip involves dropping a model!  I had a couple of those.  Sucked.

HAHA, good to know! yeah dropping the model is never good.... unless you are lowering suspensions.

Honestly, I suck at this hobby.

But I enjoy it and it's cheap so I keep doing it. Some of my models turn out better than others. If I am unhappy with a kit, I use it as an excuse to try it again later.

Some days you win, some days you lose, some days it rains.

I have to put in my two cents here .

    Most folks I know that do crafts and models , woodcarving etc. complain ,thet it isn't good enough .Know what , to us it will NEVER be .  We are our worst enemy in that sense. I still look at photos of my builds and think ," I could've done that better , I know " .  See ? So build to the best level you can and love the building , painting and completing the model you worked on .   There will always be those who CAN'T do what we do . Hang in there ! !    Tanker-builder