4 New Mini Dio's

The first one and the last one are not too bad, I really like the brick wall section, well done. But as Al said, the horses look like they've had their throats slit. those seams really need to be filled in and sanded smooth.

and those lovely Tamiya sandbags....those should be replaced with some other ones, easy to make some out of milliput or self hardening clay. But I like the last scene with the figures just walking through the mud, simple and to me tells a story. 

OK gentlemen,

Cut the guy a little slack, sheesh. Granted, you should work on some basic modelling skills in those areas, but your compositions are well thought out (good figure placement), and generally nicely executed. The coloration on your horses is nicely done, and painting of them competent for your skill level too.

Always remember, in artistic composition, the first rules are minimal right angles parallel to the viewing angle, and keep the number of components an odd number (3 figures instead of four etc.).

BTW, these would be more properly called vignettes rather than dioramas.

 Cheers for sharing.

I love the last one; the water effect and setting is very imaginative and well-executed.

The horses make me want to cry. Joh has really got to learn some basic filling and filing skills. I would get my money back for that one. 

The wall in the first one is very well done, and the figures all around in all are pretty nicely painted. 

Fritzfix wrote:

OK gentlemen, Cut the guy a little slack, sheesh. Granted, you should work on some basic modelling skills in those areas, but your compositions are well thought out (good figure placement), and generally nicely executed. The coloration on your horses is nicely done, and painting of them competent for your skill level too. Always remember, in artistic composition, the first rules are minimal right angles parallel to the viewing angle, and keep the number of components an odd number (3 figures instead of four etc.). BTW, these would be more properly called vignettes rather than dioramas.  Cheers for sharing.

Mike,

If these were being posted by a new builder, there'd be room for slack. The poster pays several builders, at least one of whom is in hock to him for an apparently sizeable loan (can you say indentured servitude?) and posts them here, seemingly looking for "atta-boys". When he is given constructive criticism, it seems unlikely that goes back to the builders, who, if they have access to the internet, do not speak English, since the same basic errors keep showing up the builds.

ajlafleche wrote:

Your guys really need to learn to use sandpaper and  files. There are mold lines all over the place in these figures. Quite frankly, the horses are a mess. There looks to have been no attempt to blend the neck to the torso on either one.

and still they are an order of  Magnitude better than mine. the horses need to have some work, however the PAINTING is most excellent.....nice blending of colors

ajlafleche wrote:

Mike, If these were being posted by a new builder, there'd be room for slack. The poster pays several builders, at least one of whom is in hock to him for an apparently sizeable loan (can you say indentured servitude?) and posts them here, seemingly looking for "atta-boys". When he is given constructive criticism, it seems unlikely that goes back to the builders, who, if they have access to the internet, do not speak English, since the same basic errors keep showing up the builds.

Ah, thanks for the clarification Ajlafleche, that does indeed paint a different picture and warrants the criticism.

Sorry for my ignorance, I missed those episodes of the Finescale Soap Opera. ;)

ajlafleche wrote:

Fritzfix wrote: OK gentlemen, Cut the guy a little slack, sheesh. Granted, you should work on some basic modelling skills in those areas, but your compositions are well thought out (good figure placement), and generally nicely executed. The coloration on your horses is nicely done, and painting of them competent for your skill level too. Always remember, in artistic composition, the first rules are minimal right angles parallel to the viewing angle, and keep the number of components an odd number (3 figures instead of four etc.). BTW, these would be more properly called vignettes rather than dioramas.  Cheers for sharing. Mike, If these were being posted by a new builder, there'd be room for slack. The poster pays several builders, at least one of whom is in hock to him for an apparently sizeable loan (can you say indentured servitude?) and posts them here, seemingly looking for "atta-boys". When he is given constructive criticism, it seems unlikely that goes back to the builders, who, if they have access to the internet, do not speak English, since the same basic errors keep showing up the builds.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Whatever happened to building models for the FUN of building models and showing them to others?!?  Just because individuals do not build their kits to "life-like" or "photographic" standard doesn't mean it's not something that they prize, are proud of and want to share with other modelers! Fritzfix is right; there are some basic modelling skills that could seriously use improvement, but that's NO REASON to blast someone for their or somebody else's work. 

Remember: IT IS A MODEL KIT (plastic, resin or some other inanimate substance--well, for the most part) and building models is supposed to be FUN!! Who cares if it is a first-time builder or a 30+ year veteran builder???  Isn't the point of this hobby to be just that--a HOBBY?? Which shouldn't hobbies be fun and a way to relax???  Winning awards, competitions, trophies and local, national or international acclaim is ONLY a PERK of this hobby and should NEVER be the main point of it!

Think back to when you were a kid and/or first started building models--you know, when it took you 15-30 minutes from the time you opened the kit, to the time it was assembled, painted, decaled and already been played with (and sometimes broken)!!!  And that model was, in your mind at least, THE BEST MODEL EVER!

It is up to the builder or the post-er to read the constructive (or sometimes unfortunately destructive) criticism and either use it to improve or ignore it and still build models (and probably still enjoy the subject). 

With that I leave you with this thought...HAVE FUN and HAPPY MODELING!

ajlafleche wrote:

There's no indication the builders are having fun, unfortunately. They are under contract to produce and produce quickly. The OP has posted that when the loan is paid off, he will drop his primary builder and it appears building models for the OP is the builder's only job. The OP doesn't participate in discussions other that to thank people for their kind words.

This situation is TRULY unfortunate and explains the lack of improvement in the quality of the workmanship then.  Seems to me there's no sense in fighting a brick wall, if you know what I mean. 

My sincerest apologies to all for inserting my opinion into a situation where I was less than fully informed and if I came across as attacking anyone; that was in no way my intention.  I however, do not apologize for my position on this hobby--it is still supposed to be fun! 

In my area of the country building models seems to be a rapidly dying hobby; the two LHS' kit selections are dwindling in size and quality, they are no longer re-ordering hobby paints and have even told me that they are considering no longer stocking plastic models.  Other than myself, I know of only 2 other modelers (who build with regularity) in the area.  Attempts at starting a club have miserably failed.  It is unfortunate and this hobby should be continued and that is why we should encourage up-and-coming modelers (hence my strong opinion). 

Once again, I apologize for not knowing all the facts before butting in.  Thank you for the information. 

Have fun and Happy Modeling!

senojrn wrote:

ajlafleche wrote: There's no indication the builders are having fun, unfortunately. They are under contract to produce and produce quickly. The OP has posted that when the loan is paid off, he will drop his primary builder and it appears building models for the OP is the builder's only job. The OP doesn't participate in discussions other that to thank people for their kind words. This situation is TRULY unfortunate and explains the lack of improvement in the quality of the workmanship then.  Seems to me there's no sense in fighting a brick wall, if you know what I mean.  My sincerest apologies to all for inserting my opinion into a situation where I was less than fully informed and if I came across as attacking anyone; that was in no way my intention.  I however, do not apologize for my position on this hobby--it is still supposed to be fun!  In my area of the country building models seems to be a rapidly dying hobby; the two LHS' kit selections are dwindling in size and quality, they are no longer re-ordering hobby paints and have even told me that they are considering no longer stocking plastic models.  Other than myself, I know of only 2 other modelers (who build with regularity) in the area.  Attempts at starting a club have miserably failed.  It is unfortunate and this hobby should be continued and that is why we should encourage up-and-coming modelers (hence my strong opinion).  Once again, I apologize for not knowing all the facts before butting in.  Thank you for the information.  Have fun and Happy Modeling!

It's sad that most kids are stuck like glue to their computer and gaming screens, or on their cell phones rather than developing their creativity.  

   The first one with the paras is the best. I like the way the prone figure is taking a grenade. The kit intsructions would have him holding a PIAT and accepting a PIAT bomb. Nice subtle change of weaponry there.

    Boomer...