Criticising your work

[04Stefan07]

This is more of a vent but I was wondering if anyone here is a bit harsh when it comes to judging your own work.

I follow tutorials and tips as well as ideas I have in creating dioramas or painting up models. Once I complete a diorama or painting a small section of a model I step back and have a look at the work I have done. Almost all the time I think it's never good enough, this could be better or I could have done this a different way.

If I show the work to others they think it looks fantastic. Is this a case of the modeler always being too harsh to judge ones work? I think it is! I can be a perfectionist when creating a model/diorama as I want it to look as realistic as possible!

[aur0ra145]

I think it's just wanting to do better. Like every time you cook a meal, you think you could have done something slightly better. However, everyone else loves the food. It's normal I'd say to strive to do better. Nothing wrong with being hard on yourself. Just don't be so hard that you lose your mojo.

I seldom do something that I think is perfect (in modelling or life.) Even the guys that instruct at Top Gun take critiques to better themselves; and, they're the best in the world at what they do.

[OneSmallStep1966]

All the time, but I'm trying to stop comparing my stuff to what the hyper-talented builders achieve and instead compare it to what I built previously, because I then see real improvement which makes me feel good

[Stokesy44]

This is more of a vent but I was wondering if anyone here is a bit harsh when it comes to judging your own work.

I follow tutorials and tips as well as ideas I have in creating dioramas or painting up models. Once I complete a diorama or painting a small section of a model I step back and have a look at the work I have done. Almost all the time I think it's never good enough, this could be better or I could have done this a different way.

If I show the work to others they think it looks fantastic. Is this a case of the modeler always being too harsh to judge ones work? I think it is! I can be a perfectionist when creating a model/diorama as I want it to look as realistic as possible!

Its easy to judge oneself too harshly in isolation, that's why external views (well reasoned views, hopefully) are important. It helps us maintain a healthy understanding of our own abilities. Its a balancing act however. Reliance on external praise can lead to insecurity whilst thinking too much of one's abilities leads to narcissism. Being able to receive compliments and constructive criticism is healthy. It can also be used to keep our own thoughts on our abilities is some form of reasonable perspective.

Also, there's nothing wrong with wanting to excel. Falling short is ok provided we see it as part of the journey. If it becomes a problem then that's when its time to reassess.

[Stokesy44]

I think it's just wanting to do better. Like every time you cook a meal, you think you could have done something slightly better. However, everyone else loves the food. It's normal I'd say to strive to do better. Nothing wrong with being hard on yourself. Just don't be so hard that you lose your mojo.

I seldom do something that I think is perfect (in modelling or life.) Even the guys that instruct at Top Gun take critiques to better themselves; and, they're the best in the world at what they do.

I like the US Navy analogy. Like how they grade every single carrier landing and discuss it publically. The pilots know they're good at what they do (they wouldn't be on the carrier if they weren't) but its drilled into them that they can be better.

Of course, the consequences of failure are somewhat different but the analogy stands up all the same

[digger303]

Mines never good enough, I can see every flaw. Trouble sometimes I try to hurry too much and then have a make do type of attitude, but when it's done I resolve to do better next time. Mostly about over coming my own short comings of attitude.
Bugger it !

[chief5437]

i imagine we all do it to some extent. i usually find its when the whole thing is completed. i just finished an x-wing, while i was building it i thought it was going really well. but when the time came to take photos of the finished model, it just didn't look anywhere near as good as i was expecting!

[TommyKillander]

This is an interesting question!

For me criticism of my own work is as important as the building process itself (I always make mistakes so it's not especially hard to come up with possible improvements)
But I try to keep my conclusions as productive as possible:

- "Oh, my... It doesn't looks as that stuff from TankArt at all - maybe I suck at this", isn't very productive I think

So it's more like "does it look realistic in this scale?", "how could I have avoided that overspray?" or "maybe I should look up a tutorial on that weathering process for my next build?". I will probably (hopefully) build many models so I'm happy with small improvements one at a time...

After I finished a build I have this "gap" where I spend some time looking at the build in retrospective and after I'm done with that, I can start grooming my next build, do research and build up the mojo again.

My 2 cents...

Tommy

[APC227]

It's the same with digital artists. Whenever you see an amazing drawn picture of a tank or some sort of character you think it looks amazing - while on the other side the creator absolutely hates it.

I deal with the same problem. I think the reason why we over-criticizing our own work is because we actually see all proceeding steps to the finish. Means, we build it, then we have a grey model, then we paint it, we have a boring looking paintjob, then we weather it etc. And through the process, we keep have the images of the "old" model as we proceed, thinking we did something wrong or forgot something. We may make mistakes which in the end only the creator himself sees.

If you mess up the the rubber paint of one wheel of your Panzer IV, even through weathering - you the creator are the only one who knows about it and sees it. Whenever you inspect your own work, your eyes automatically move right to the spots where the mistakes are, while other people just see your model as a whole and never notice your mistakes.

I also draw some cartoon stuff by myself with the same results: I finish a picture, the only things i see: "This shadow is wrong, the left eye is too big, face looks wrong" etc.

Is there a solution? Probably not. I think we have to ignore it. As long as other people are amazed by your work it should be fine

[Avgas]

Depends what you want from your modelling. If you want to excel at it, become a show exhibitor etc then yes, healthy self criticism is good. If you just build to relax (like me) then to be frank I do my best but I don't really care about the mistakes. That doesn't mean I'm slapdash but I don't beat myself up about it; I just take note of what I could have done better and try and incorporate that next time. But if I mess up the same way next time then I don't loose sleep over it. It's a means to an end for me, chilling out is the result I want, if I achieve that then all is good.

[chief5437]

Depends what you want from your modelling. If you want to excel at it, become a show exhibitor etc then yes, healthy self criticism is good. If you just build to relax (like me) then to be frank I do my best but I don't really care about the mistakes. That doesn't mean I'm slapdash but I don't beat myself up about it; I just take note of what I could have done better and try and incorporate that next time. But if I mess up the same way next time then I don't loose sleep over it. It's a means to an end for me, chilling out is the result I want, if I achieve that then all is good.

wise words!

[Willem]

Yup. With Avgas on this subject.

[Spook]

I think as modellers we are our own worst critics.
You can only do what you can do, you get better over time and there's always a learning curve, as long as you enjoy the hobby that's all that matters.

[Lysus]

All of the above plus:

If I was able to turn out a perfect model every time I wouldn't do it. It's the process I enjoy and the trying new things that adds a thrill. The rest of it is therapy. A time to shut down the cacophony of worry and planning that never ends. After a nice session I come out fresh and ready to solve all my problems.

That and some liquor.

[SteelScooter]

I think being a bit self critical is better than building a model, brush painting it badly and then putting it for sale on eBay describing it as "Pro Built".

[RichardT]

to be honest at the age of 49 and with poor eye sight i am just glad to finish anything i start.

i get frustrated about my painting skills and nothing turns out like i pictured in my mind.
but to me its a lot of fun - from the research to the end product - so i don't judge too hard.

i see other work posted and i am glad they are a million times better than my work - because
it shows what really can be done.

as long as you love modelling keep going - when the fun stops - take a break.

never be afraid to post your work no matter what you think - even if no one responds positively - who cares - you've had the balls
to show your work - and that is what counts.

if anybody posts anything negative - well f--- them.

cheers,
Richard

[Willem]

to be honest at the age of 49 and with poor eye sight i am just glad to finish anything i start.

i get frustrated about my painting skills and nothing turns out like i pictured in my mind.
but to me its a lot of fun - from the research to the end product - so i don't judge too hard.

i see other work posted and i am glad they are a million times better than my work - because
it shows what really can be done.

as long as you love modelling keep going - when the fun stops - take a break.

never be afraid to post your work no matter what you think - even if no one responds positively - who cares - you've had the balls
to show your work - and that is what counts.

if anybody posts anything negative - well f--- them.

cheers,
Richard

Good point, well made sir.