Shep Paine Passed - What does it mean ?

CheesyMeatBurrito

I didn't disparage anyone or dismiss their work. But whatever. At least now I know celebrity worship extends to the modeling community.

I didn't say his work wasn't great, original, masterful, or anything of the sort. I do think it's laughable to suggest there is no equally impressive work in the hobby today. That's just absolutely ridiculous. I know it may be hard to believe if this forum is the only place you see modeling. But come on there is all kind of great stuff out there.

And the passive agressive remarks about people who don't scratchbuild and use aftermarket are insulting. Perhaps people find enjoyment in other areas of the hobby. Maybe I want more detail but dont like cutting and stretching srpue and cutting up coke cans and unspooling speaker wire. Does that make those who do better or more legitimate? Heck no.

 

So what if I use aftermarket? It isn't about the materials used. It's about the finished product and if you're scratchbuilding entire sections of a subject but your paint is uneven and chunky, or you have seam lines unfilled then it's not automatically "better" because you didn't buy your detail.

If you don't like aftermarket don't buy it. I imagine if there had been the expansive presence of aftermarket in his day he would have used some. Clearly if he's been working today with better models, better tools and supplies and better access to aftermarket materials his work would be even better. Because he did have great artistic vision and skill but like it or not was limited by what he had. Thinking that he would have avoided aftermarket is naive. I really think he would have taken every opprotunity to improve his vision even more.

His great works are 30 plus years old. They are still great too. But there is equally great and yes even better stuff out there. I know that may be difficult to understand when you've built a cult of the individual shrine around someone though.

 

 

You dont understand just about anything that what has been said about Shep's work and more importantly the time frame where he comes from.

If yoy come from a school of thought who believes buying every aftermarket ite for your model is good be it.  When someone actually involves in making it for themselves that involves a higher ability as a model maker and that CANNOT be argued.  Model making is MUCH more than buying parts and slapping them together....is about problem solving, creativeness and TALENT.  That was what Shep had.  Go try and attempt to scratchbuild a figure (like he did times over) and expect to reach his accuracy and detail level...godd luck.

CheesyMeatBurrito

 I do think it's laughable to suggest there is no equally impressive work in the hobby today. That's just absolutely ridiculous. I know it may be hard to believe if this forum is the only place you see modeling.

Damning with faint praise?   Everytime I'm just blown away by a model, airplane, armor, ship, whatever genre, thinking that this is other-worldly skill, the pinnacle of scale modeling prowess, well, just give it a little time and along comes a model that impresses even more.  It is true that there are many extremely talented builders in the scale modeling community; I'd go so far as to say that "good" builders today turn out art that would've been considered "great" 25-30 years ago.

Mr. Burrito, I think the point that's being made here by many members is that Mr. Paine created, if you will, the "path" to modeling heights that are so frequently seen around the world.  He was a ground-breaker, and his art showed what was possible within the medium.  His work inspired and challenged many, and many owe him much.

Gary

Texgunner

Mr. Burrito, I think the point that's being made here by many members is that Mr. Paine created, if you will, the "path" to modeling heights that are so frequently seen around the world.  He was a ground-breaker, and his art showed what was possible within the medium.  His work inspired and challenged many, and many owe him much.

Gary

 

I agree with that entirely.

CheesyMeatBurrito

I didn't disparage anyone or dismiss their work. But whatever. At least now I know celebrity worship extends to the modeling community.

Of course it does... We are human and when we see something lifted to a higher point, some try to follow... We all have our own role models in this hobby. Is it celebrity worship? Well that depends on how far the individual takes it.

CheesyMeatBurrito

 

I didn't say his work wasn't great, original, masterful, or anything of the sort. I do think it's laughable to suggest there is no equally impressive work in the hobby today. That's just absolutely ridiculous. I know it may be hard to believe if this forum is the only place you see modeling. But come on there is all kind of great stuff out there.

Nobody is saying there is not such work out there today. But somebody blazed that trail. I bet there were other modelers out there with such skill or more when Mr Paine was in his heyday. But they did not have his exposure. Perhaps they did not want to share because that would mean the competition at contests would be learnign their secrets? Who knows? And yes there is superb work out there now that really makes you say wow, how did they do that? But then as you have mentioned, new tools. techniques, and technologies have come along to keep raising the bar higher and higher.

CheesyMeatBurrito

And the passive agressive remarks about people who don't scratchbuild and use aftermarket are insulting. Perhaps people find enjoyment in other areas of the hobby. Maybe I want more detail but dont like cutting and stretching srpue and cutting up coke cans and unspooling speaker wire. Does that make those who do better or more legitimate? Heck no.

 

So what if I use aftermarket? It isn't about the materials used. It's about the finished product and if you're scratchbuilding entire sections of a subject but your paint is uneven and chunky, or you have seam lines unfilled then it's not automatically "better" because you didn't buy your detail.

If you don't like aftermarket don't buy it. I imagine if there had been the expansive presence of aftermarket in his day he would have used some. Clearly if he's been working today with better models, better tools and supplies and better access to aftermarket materials his work would be even better. Because he did have great artistic vision and skill but like it or not was limited by what he had. Thinking that he would have avoided aftermarket is naive. I really think he would have taken every opprotunity to improve his vision even more.

Scratchbuilding vs Aftermarket. A whole huge seperate area to compare. But seriously, what takes more talent and skill? To create on your own or to buy someone else creation and adapt it to your own project. AM is obviously a huge time saver. Soembody else did the research, made the masters, and then marketed and sold it off. We buy them and add tehm to our projects. Sometimes adding that AM item or set can be a serious exercise of modeling skill of its' own. They often do not fit as advertised, or some AM stuff require the skill levels of a micro surgeon to use. To those who can pull it off, "Salud!"

Scratchbuilding, it can be simple or intricate as well. But the creativity and ingenuity of modelers who create using traditional or non traditional  materials is limited only by the builders imagination. Thinking outside the box to come up with that last little detail that makes your latest project better than your last.

And yes, basic modeling skills matter most no matter how much aftermarket or scratchbuilding you add to any project. Master the basics first, then work on the pizzaz of AM or Scratchwork. Combine them all and build those prizewinners.

CheesyMeatBurrito

His great works are 30 plus years old. They are still great too. But there is equally great and yes even better stuff out there. I know that may be difficult to understand when you've built a cult of the individual shrine around someone though.

 

Why do I get the feeling it's Digital Cowboy all over again? You're posting stuff exactly what DG would do. 

BlackSheepTwoOneFour

Why do I get the feeling it's Digital Cowboy all over again? You're posting stuff exactly what DG would do. 

 

 

No idea what youre talking about. I thought I was on a discussion forum so I shared my opinion. Is that frowned upon if it doesnt fit with the hive-minds opinion?

panzerpilot

 Incidentally, was he the one who did that famous B-17 diorama in the mid-1970's? The one that was crash landed?

 

 

Cheesey, it's not so much your disagreement with the "hive mentality" as you call it, but more I would say as a manner of your delivery. The Digital Cowboy fellow referred to earlier was somebody who did the same sort of thing.

Everybody is free to express their opinions here for the most part (there are limits on this site- no religion, politics, etc.), but we all have to mind our manners while doing so.

Mr. Sheperd Paine was/is a legend. I've never met him or seen his work live. I've only bought and read his books long ago; How to build Dioramas (1 & 2) which I copy-built the diorama on pg 77 with those Germans jumping out of the halftrack, and Modeling Tanks and Military Vehicles. I built the flak onto the back of the Opel maultier conversion described within.  

I remember asking my parents to buy cigarettes for me so I can create dust/smoke effects. They totally flipped out and I think my older brothers got in trouble for it because they thought they had something to do with it.

Borrowing from what others have already said here like 'he created the Path'. This is true. Model building today is the path he started. Like all popular gaming today is RPG which Gary Gygax and his D&D realm gave birth to. And like someone else mentioned 'Shep was one of a kind, like Jordan to basketball, Bruce Lee to martial arts cinema etc' Yes, like *** Dale to the surf guitar and Ennio Marricone to western movie audio. 

 

 edit: lol, the auto censor/edit blocked Dale's first name  

stikpusher

 

panzerpilot

 Incidentally, was he the one who did that famous B-17 diorama in the mid-1970's? The one that was crash landed?

 

 

 

 

 

I vividly remember seeing that diorama back in the 70s and 80s. I tried to mimic the exact dio but failed. LOL! In fact, if my memory is right, wasn't it featured in a flyer of the Monogram B-17 kit?

Thanks, stikpusher! That's the one. I must've been 6 years old, or so, and got a magazine back then from ( I believe) revell or airfix? They had a modelling club you could subscribe too. That diorama was in it. I'd just stare at it. Fascinating, and still is, four decades on. 

BlackSheepTwoOneFour

I tried to mimic the exact dio but failed. LOL!

I think a lot of us tried that diorama and failed. 

modelcrazy

 

BlackSheepTwoOneFour

I tried to mimic the exact dio but failed. LOL!

 

 

I think a lot of us tried that diorama and failed. 

 

 

Count me in on that!  I had that flier with my B-17 kit.

When I saw that B-17 diorama, I knew I could not replicate it, but until then I never imagined such a thing could be done. That is what Shep Paine was about - getting modelers to think beyond the box, to use one's imagination, perchance to dream.  At least that is the effect it had on one 4th grader.

My all time favorite was the P-61 diorama, and it prompted me to build the engine hoist crane, my first scratchbuilt project!

Real G

When I saw that B-17 diorama, I knew I could not replicate it, but until then I never imagined such a thing could be done. That is what Shep Paine was about - getting modelers to think beyond the box, to use one's imagination, perchance to dream.  At least that is the effect it had on one 4th grader.

My all time favorite was the P-61 diorama, and it prompted me to build the engine hoist crane, my first scratchbuilt project!

 

 

I remember that one too! I even had that same kit as well.

BlackSheepTwoOneFour

 

 

Real G

When I saw that B-17 diorama, I knew I could not replicate it, but until then I never imagined such a thing could be done. That is what Shep Paine was about - getting modelers to think beyond the box, to use one's imagination, perchance to dream.  At least that is the effect it had on one 4th grader.

My all time favorite was the P-61 diorama, and it prompted me to build the engine hoist crane, my first scratchbuilt project!

 

 

 

 

 

I remember that one too! I even had that same kit as well.

 

I recently downloaded a scan of that sheet, with the dream of trying to recreate it.  And I wouldn't be ashamed to enlist the help of the aftermarket to reach that goal.  But the Monogram kit HAS to be used, for nostalgia's sake.  I got two in the stash.

stikpusher

 

 

BlackSheepTwoOneFour

 

 

Real G

When I saw that B-17 diorama, I knew I could not replicate it, but until then I never imagined such a thing could be done. That is what Shep Paine was about - getting modelers to think beyond the box, to use one's imagination, perchance to dream.  At least that is the effect it had on one 4th grader.

My all time favorite was the P-61 diorama, and it prompted me to build the engine hoist crane, my first scratchbuilt project!

 

 

 

 

 

I remember that one too! I even had that same kit as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oh yeah... That's the one stik! Fond memories indeed...

Aha !

    You see where this has gone , don't you Mr. Cheesy !

 Now here's one for you  Shep and his dioramas got me interested enough that I tried and did fairly well on my first Ship Dio . Yes , It did win awards ,Yes it placed in a few contests .Why ? Well I figured if he could do that to planes and armor , I could do it to a ship .

      Now he was never worshiped by anybody .He was respected for his talents .I have many ship models all over the country and have done one Museum grade resto .Does that make me the likes of Mr.Paine ? With ships maybe . I never published anything or worked with any Model company . But as a youngster I saw what was possible because of folks like him .
 When I pass , I am 72 now , very few folks will remember me and that's the way I like it .But , if someone looks at one of my ships and says " I wish I could do it like he did " That's a very fine eulogy for me .

    I have taught classes and garnered gold at the National Veterans Creative Arts contest .Because I wanted to ?  Heck no , My students pressured my supervisor to enter a Bare metal F-100 I built for class , without me knowing it . I had built it to show them ( my students ) what they could achieve out of the box . Mr .Paine lit that match and I applied it to my torch .Which , by the way I would pass to anyone who rated it even if they used A.M. to achieve it .            Tanker -Builder

I'm fairly new to modeling and had never heard his name before and didn't know what he achieved but I do know one thing...that B-17 dio is one of the coolest things I have ever seen! Now I want to get out there and do a dio myself. I will definitely being researching more of his work! Thanks for showing me another side of this great hobby guys!

Stik's comments about, "Nobody is saying there is not such work out there today. But somebody blazed that trail. I bet there were other modelers out there with such skill or more when Mr Paine was in his heyday. But they did not have his exposure," are right on. If you want to call modelling an art, as I think it is, then we can compare it to music. For example, playing in Hollywood bands in the hair metal heydays of the '80s, I saw many, MANY, guitarists that were phenomenal players. These guys were technically better than Hendrix, who did his thing in the late 60's. Paige in the 70's, Van Halen in the late 70's and 80's. There were better players but a lot of these guys went unsigned and unknown. But, as Stik says, "They blazed that trail." And yes, everyone has "idols" or people that inspire them. And those that blaze trails make it easier for the people behind them, in my opinion. It takes away the mental barrier of thinking something just isn't possible. People's work on this site inspires me, and because I see them making great models it gives me confidence that I can do it too. There's no shame in looking up to a person's abilities and wanting to emulate them. That, to me, is not idolizing someone. It's just that someone set a standard and you strive to exceed it. I also would bet that if Shepard had access to all the stuff we do now that he'd have used it too. Just like musicians today take advantage of all the technology available to them. Does it make us (or them) worse at their craft because of that? No. It's just that times change. Plus, if it weren't for Shep, I wouldn't have that awesome quote at the end of my posts. ;)

Well said...

For those unfamiliar with the Monogram sheets:

http://www.studium.com/interviews/painefotos.html

 

For thos who would like to see all of his work:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0764329294?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00&tag=viglink20318-20

While I have heard the name Shep Paine in passing before, and certainly have seen many of the Monogram dioramas, I never correlated the two until reading this thread. My favorite work of his is easily the derelict B-25H.

If you go to Chicago, where Mr. Paine was from, visit the Art Institute Of Chicago, and look for the Thome Miniature Rooms. One can surmise that the Thome Collection had a lot of influence on Mr. Paines advocation. Man kind has been making models since the Egyptions, and even as far back as 10,000 years ago! We have quite a long lineage!

Well said, Tanker Builder.

For me, Sheperd Paine exemplified the master modeler's craft.

To build, and do so in an age with no Internet, when research meant phone calls, trips to museums, libraries, military bases, and correspondence with archivists and historians. To create from scratch, when the kit component was inaccurate, or non-existent. To look at a household item, or broken appliance, and make history come alive using its innards. To bring color and action to life in three dimensions, with plastic, resin, paints, oils, washes, wood and scrap.

To tell a story, such as the last moments of the BonHomme Richard, fatally wounded in its battle with the Serapis, or the moment of discovery in a distant desert, of a long-lost Liberator, and the resolution of its crew's fate. Or taking us all back in history, to the gun deck of HMS Victory, at Trafalgar? Or to our own  ringside seat at the chart tables of the British Admiralty.

Whether a figure, a shadow box, or a super-diorama, Mr. Paine built with excellence, passion, and real fun. And couldn't have been a nicer guy about it.

And then to teach us how to do it. To do so with good humor, an eye for detail, and a willingness to share his experiences with us.

Baseball had Derek Jeter.  Hockey had Wayne Gretzky. Cooking had Julia Child. And we were fortunate enough-nay-blessed to have Sheperd Paine.

Thanks, good sir, for all the history you've shown us, the techniques you taught us, and the creative spark you inspired in us that make this hobby great.

 

Rest easy, Shep- and well done.

I myself have only built one diorama which of course turned out nowhere near as terrific as Shep Paine's. I recently re-read one of his books.

I always  encourage people who seem  so critical of others work to post some of their own.  So... Let's see it. 

Any one remember Eddie Waas!?

I was truly saddened to read of his passing. He was such an inspiration to this young boy all those years ago. My best friend and I couldn't afford to buy all of the kits with our allowance so he would buy one and I'd buy a different kit so we could get our hands on those tip sheets. Try as we might, we never could replicate what we saw in those sheets. But Shep showed us what was possible. He inspired us to keep trying and for that I will always be greatfull. RIP sir....