How would you rate your skills

tigerman

Member since
March 2003
From: Rain USA, Vancouver WA

How would you rate your skills

Posted by tigerman on Thursday, June 12, 2003 9:31 PM

I consider myself a fair to good modeler. I could be better if I took more time to weather with washes etc. Basically I've taken small steps with each new model and tried something new or different with each one. Accuracy remains important, but I'm not going to take the fun out of building for the sake of overkill. What do you feel could make you a better modeler? P.S. I do greatly admire the superdetailer.

Eric

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shermanfreak

Member since
January 2003

Posted by shermanfreak on Thursday, June 12, 2003 9:50 PM

QUOTE: Accuracy remains important, but I'm not going to take the fun out of building for the sake of overkill

This is the line that more of us should take. I'd like to think I'm in this category too. Sometimes I'll super-detail, sometimes I'll build right out of the box. But each time I try to improve my skills a little bit.

Happy Modelling and God Bless Robert

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, June 12, 2003 10:37 PM

Well said Robert. In general I'd say my skills are intermediate at best. I'm certainly still learning the ropes in many cases. I'm into 'autos' lately and that seems to be the area that I'm best at. Aircraft I'd say I'm still a beginner struggling to move into the intermediate category. Armour is a definite no-show since I've only built one item and it was in 1/72 scale.

I like to 'improve', but I have no exectation of it happening over night. Besides, learning is half of the fun. What would you do if you weren't learning anymore?

Murray

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, June 12, 2003 10:41 PM

Skills are a bit subjective, depending on the medium. For myself, I feel I'm pretty good at aircraft, especially cockpits. I may be considered good at armor by some standards, but compared to shermanfreak, I'm a rank novice. I'm absolutely terrible at airbrushing. Overall, I'd say that i was a pretty good modeler, but only compared to some.

As they always say:
"How do you get to Carnegie Hall?"
"Practice, practice, practice."

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Moses

Member since
February 2003
From: Long Island

Posted by Moses on Thursday, June 12, 2003 11:07 PM

I have to agree about not being one to go over the edge with superdetailing. I will always use some sort of brass and extra detail, but I don't kill myself with aspects of the hobby that make me pull my hair out. I consider myself in the middle when it comes to building and detailing a kit, whereas I might consider myself a step above the middle with painting and wetahering. Painting and weathering is the most enjoyable for me. It is when you paint and weather that you see your model come to life. I see myself improve with every model, and with every piece of advice I get from these and other forums.

Rob

"ZIM FIRST, ASK QUESTIONS LATER!!"

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djmodels1999

Member since
December 2002
From: United Kingdom / Belgium

Posted by djmodels1999 on Friday, June 13, 2003 2:20 AM

Yes, it's all subjective. After several years of working designing masters (patterns) for a handful of companies, I'm not afraid of anything when it comes to sculpting or scatchbuilding. I do enjoy superdetailling, from scratch rather than using bits available on the market, but I know I'm not the best modeler around. My painting of figures could do with some more practice! My airbrushing skills are not very good either, though I'm working on it. I'm pretty good at using spray cans, and I think excell in painting small freehand stuff. Tanks and civil aircrafts are the subjects I model best overal. I have little experience with ships (sigh!). So the road is still pretty long for me!

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Rob Gronovius

Member since
December 2002
From: Fort Knox

Posted by Rob Gronovius on Friday, June 13, 2003 6:33 AM

I'm an intermediate modeler at best. I like to accurize vehicles I am passionate about, but I will spit out a WW2 German vehicle straight out of box with only a glance at some references for color schemes.

I did win an award for a 1/72 scale Abrams my first time I entered a contest. I didn't think the kit was that great and thought others' kits were better.

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U-96

Member since
February 2003
From: United Kingdom

Posted by U-96 on Friday, June 13, 2003 7:00 AM

Neophyte. I can stick models together and paint them in the right colours.
I admire and aspire to much of what people here can do.
I'm on model #6 or #7 after returning to the hobby with the mature mind of an adult, so much of what I learn here and in mags is being applied with each new model I start! I have a few boxed kits with aftermarket parts, but I am brushing up [intended pun!] on cheaper 1/72 planes and 1/35 armour before trying something mental like scratchbuilt interiors Wink [;)]

On the bench: 1/35 Dragon Sturmpanzer Late Recent: Academy 1/48 Bf-109D (Nov 06) Academy 1/72 A-37 (Oct 06) Revell 1/72 Merkava III (Aug 06) Italeri 1/35 T-26 (Aug 06)

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, June 13, 2003 7:00 AM

Well, I used to think of myself as a pretty good modeller.....until I see the works that some of you post here. I would say that I'm at the intermediate stage. Now, on every new kit that I start, I always try to implement a technique that someone here has shared (or one from FSM Mag)

I would say that, before visiting these forums, 98% of my projects were box-stock. Seeing how much difference just a few aftermarket parts make, I am now trying to be more detail oriented. A good example is with my M1A1 project. I am going to try, for the first time, a wash with artist's oils.

The best part is....seeing all the great works that have been shared here, makes me want to put that much more into my own models. AND I'M HAVING FUN!

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, June 13, 2003 8:56 AM

I would say I'm still learning , but my skills are rolling along at a moderate pace?
I guess I'll find out after I complete my DIO?
I didn't really get into modeling for approval of others but to manage my stress from military life. So far it's a GO and I liove working on my projects when I have time , my wife leaves me alone, or when I'm gonna blow up!

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djmodels1999

Member since
December 2002
From: United Kingdom / Belgium

Posted by djmodels1999 on Friday, June 13, 2003 9:07 AM

Redleg, we are all learning. The perfect modeler does not exist. If it did, with no challenge and no one to look up to, scale modeling would be very boring...

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, June 13, 2003 9:11 AM

I've done some reveiws and had articles published by Finescale, but I still don't think I'm as good as I could be in all areas. Still working on that, which is why I like reading about what others do in the magazine!

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, June 13, 2003 11:48 AM

I like to think i'm okay, but my weathring skills pretty much consist of a dust covered lower chassis and some light overspray.

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tigerman

Member since
March 2003
From: Rain USA, Vancouver WA

Posted by tigerman on Friday, June 13, 2003 6:04 PM

Thanks for all the input guys. It seems that it really doesn't matter how good we are, but rather that "Fun" is the bottom line and isn't that why we took up this hobby in the first place? Erock68 let me know how the wash went, because my Abrams just came into my local hobby shop and I will pick it up tomorrow. I too, want to try a wash on it. Happy modelling!

Eric

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, June 13, 2003 8:09 PM

tigerman,

I have the road wheels painted, gloss coated and ready to go. Wiil be doing them this eve. I will keep you updated.

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gregers

Member since
February 2003
From: UK

Posted by gregers on Friday, June 13, 2003 8:14 PM

I thought i was average to good then i saw some of the work posted on this site now i am poor to HO MY GOD---- YYYYEEEEUUUUCCCCKKKK but i keep bashing those kits, am happy at what i am doing and at the end of the day thats all that counts for me....Gregers p,s hopefully i will be able to post some pics soon for you all to laugh at ...oops i mean to judge my work CHEERS... Greg

Why torture yourself when life will do it for you?

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tigerman

Member since
March 2003
From: Rain USA, Vancouver WA

Posted by tigerman on Friday, June 13, 2003 8:52 PM

No Gregers, I am probably downgrading myself. It really doesn't matter how good I am as long as I am more or less satisfied with the completion of my latest plastic shelf decoration. You've got it right when you say it makes you happy at the end of the day.

Eric

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tigerman

Member since
March 2003
From: Rain USA, Vancouver WA

Posted by tigerman on Friday, June 13, 2003 8:55 PM

Sorry Erock68 , forgot to acknowledge you. Good luck and keep me posted on your progress.

Eric

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, June 13, 2003 9:00 PM

I'm with gregers but I still gonna post pics of my BMP-2 in a couple days. I figure you guys need a laugh anyway. Big Smile [:D]

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, June 14, 2003 12:52 AM

Hummmmm.

This sounds like a trap.

Your honer I would like to claim my fifth ammendment right on this one!

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Kolja94

Member since
December 2002
From: Oak Harbor, WA

Posted by Kolja94 on Saturday, June 14, 2003 8:18 PM

I'd say "fleet average" - or as one of my flight school instructors said "above side of average". Nothing eye-watering, but the feedback I've gotten here after posting some of my work has made me realize that I'm half-way decent. Certainly not contest-ready, but that's not why I build!

And a big hearty AMEN to the opinion that the important thing is that you enjoy what you're doing.

I also try to improve each time - I now know just enough to dig myself out of ALMOST any hole I can put myself in - eventually, that is! My big bugaboo now is patience. Sometimes when the end of a project is near I get too excited and let things slide that at another point in the project I would have been more particular about. But as long as it looks decent on the shelf, right? :)

Karl

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Butz

Member since
February 2003
From: Niagara Falls NY

Posted by Butz on Saturday, June 14, 2003 9:21 PM

I feel that I'm average to good. I think in our own right we do excellent work..!!
Everybody here in this forum is at some level of building and what ever level you may be at you do it well.
Everyday I am learning something new and w/ each new day I gain knowledge and better my skills.
This is my fix my relaxation this is what I love to do.

You have to love what you do..!!! If not this aint for you.
Flaps up,Mike

If you would listen to everybody about the inaccuracies, most of the kits on your shelf would not have been built Too Close For Guns, Switching To Finger

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elfkin

Member since
March 2003

Posted by elfkin on Monday, June 16, 2003 12:15 AM

I guess I would rate somewhere between sub-beginner and beginner. I too came back to the hobby after an absence of 20 or so years. Originally I began in 1960, when I got a Duesenburg model for my 4th b-day (all I remember was that it must of had a bezillion pieces). I guess I am somewhat impatient with redeveloping my skills, even such basic things like filling seams, getting dihedral on the wings...and lord knows when I am going to get the hang of this airbrush thing. When I see all the great work everyone else is doing, I get somewhat envious!

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BlackWolf3945

Member since
December 2002
From: Pominville, NY

Posted by BlackWolf3945 on Monday, June 16, 2003 5:15 AM

I suck.

Fade to Black...

Steve O. Reno Check Out My Photo Sets on Flickr

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Aleksander

Member since
January 2003
From: Poland

Posted by Aleksander on Monday, June 16, 2003 8:48 AM

I've never tried to show my models on contests, exhibitions or so ... I think, I'm good enough to glue and paint my models (and to weather a little) and to have a great fun and pleasure in building them, but I'm not sure my skills are that good to win a prize. I'm not a perfectionist, I don't care about number of rivets or correct measurements. I enjoy the general look of my project and it makes me happy. Maybe one day I become brave enough to show my works to others, but now - admiration of my wife and friends are sufficient... So, I dont know how good I am (or how bad ?) but I now that modeling gives some pleasure to my everyday life, and it's because I love it ! Aleksander

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berny13

Member since
February 2003
From: Panama City, Florida, Hurricane Alley

Posted by berny13 on Monday, June 16, 2003 10:03 AM

I am better now than when I built my last model, but not as good as I will be on the next one. I don't consider myself an expert when building, because I build to suit myself. I gain a little more with each kit, even though I have been building for over forty five years. There is always something to learn on each kit.

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.

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oz1998

Member since
June 2003
From: Rhode Island

Posted by oz1998 on Monday, June 16, 2003 1:11 PM

I would also say that I'm intermediate, at best. I built a ton of kits (Mostly WW II ships and aircraft) during my teens and early 20's, but they were straight out of the box with a basic, but neat paint job and no glue showing in any of the joints. Now, after about a 20 yr hiatus, I'm back into the hobby and during my first project I found myself trying to re-learn the skills I previously had. Also, I am now into filling seams, sanding, weathering and adding after market detail kits. All new techniques to me, so I'm coming along as best can be expected. So far so good. I've got a head start on using an airbrush on my projects though, as another hobby I have is making my own fishing lures. I've airbrushed many a bass lure in my day so applying the experience there to a model isn't much of a leap. My first project after my hiatus is turning out well, but I'm sure I'll get better with the more projects I do and the tips and advice I get from you guys on this forum. :-)

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paulnchamp

Member since
January 2003
From: Warwick, RI

Posted by paulnchamp on Monday, June 16, 2003 10:34 PM

How would I rate my skills? Hmmmmmmm. . . .

Better than I was last year, but not as good as I'll be next year.

Paul "A man's GOT to know his limitations."

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, June 17, 2003 8:37 AM

My models may have bits falling off, mismatched colours etc., but I build for relaxation, and the look of awe on my fiancees face is enough of a reward. Of course, my skills will improve with practice, but patience is also the key.

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erush

Member since
May 2003
From: USA, GA

Posted by erush on Tuesday, June 17, 2003 9:06 AM

Ok, I haven't jumped into this one yet. I would rate myself as intermediate I suppose. Technically I'd say I'm pretty good as far as the build and painting goes. I have to work on the artistic touches now. Weathering and doing dioramas. I've been doing lots of research and one of the owners at my hobby shop gave me a quick lesson one evening on weathering along with a regular customer that came in too. (this was on armor) I've got lots of really good ideas on how to do it now, just have to apply them Big Smile [:D]

I keep saying "soon", it's bound to happen[:0]

Eric

Hi, I'm Eric and I'm a Modelholic too. I think I have PE poisioning.