My big modelling mistake

[InkyDinky150]

Hi all,

This post is just from personal experience and what, for me at least, turned in to a rather expensive mistake in more than just a monetary way.

I've been modelling in various forms for about 20 years on and off. But in the last few years I really got bit by the styrene bug. Looking at the finished articles of other people's builds really put me in the mood to get down to some serious modelling.

Now here's the mistake I made (this may just be a problem for me, but if it helps just one person then all good). I was looking at other people's builds, tools, workspace setups and the like...and while I knew I wasn't going to be great right from the off, I constantly allowed my own ambitions to get the better of me.

I cleared a space in the garage to have a dedicated workspace. I trawled through videos and this forum for all the best tools, and went out and spent hundreds on just tools alone. Then onto the kits, I again went berserk, I went to a local Hobbycraft and online and spent hundreds more on all the different kits I liked the look of, not just one but multiple of the same models with the view of doing different liveries and builds.

Sounds great, got all the tools I could ever need, got a load of kits I wanted to build...but then nothing. I just couldn't build anything for fear of wanting to build the best I could and making a mistake. The constant thought of 'I could build this model I really want to build, but if I do another one first just to get into the swing of things and practice, then come back to this kit it'll be even better' was ever present. But I would open the box of a kit and just look at the instructions. Regardless of the brand, skill level or cost I just couldn't get passed that thought. So nothing got built.

It took me a year or so to actually realise what my problem was. I was judging myself against others, but worse still, I was judging myself against myself. I'd got tools that to this day have sat there never having seen the light of day. I'd invested so much money and time into getting back into this hobby that I felt only the best results could suffice and my best wasn't going to be good enough.

What I wish I'd done and pretty much ended up doing, was starting slow. A five quid model, a knife, some glue and a couple of sanding sticks...instead of watching videos, I started to just listen to them instead, so I was enjoying someone else building while I did, but wasn't constantly scrutinising their build and comparing my own to it. I still enjoyed looking at others builds, from first attempts to modellers with vast amounts of experience, but had to constantly remind myself that my builds were my own. Only I was seeing them. I was at my own experience level. And yet no matter how many times I read that message on the forums it just didn't sink in to start with. It was a mistake I learned the hard and expensive way. I started to learn and re-learn the basics and actually, and this is the important part, started to enjoy the build itself.

Sorry this was very rambley and possibly quite 'teach granny to suck eggs' for some people. Hopefully someone in a similar position to me can learn from my mistakes.

What I'd say my mistakes were, 1) I tried to run before I could walk. I brought tools that I felt I needed because that's what others were using and I needed to use to justify their purchase for kits that just wouldn't require them. I focused too much on the tools and not the application and skill set. Give an old banger to a race driver and he'll still beat the lap time of a complete amateur in an F1 car. 2) I brought far too many kits too quickly. Having a big stash I felt intimidated to even start just the cheapest of kits. 3) I was too concerned with what the finished product would be like, that I wouldn't start for fear I wouldn't meet expectations (others or my own). Now this was a big one for me. The models weren't going to be seen by anyone but myself, and maybe the wife if she just happened to nip up the garage.

This may come across to some as a spoilt brat with all the tools and kits boohooing that he couldn't do it. And to a degree I agree with that sentiment. I did buy too much too soon, and didn't take it slowly, learning along the way that ultimately delayed a step into a hobby that I love. But hopefully this will help someone that may be new to the hobby, see that you can achieve great things with bare minimum tools and the simplest of kits. Serve as a reminder that a finished kit regardless of a mistake you've made with it or how it's turned out compared to someone else's, a finished kit will always be better than the grey plastic still stuck on a sprue in a box gathering dust. It's been said time and time again by members on this forum, we're all at different levels of skill and experience. But you can't expect to build on those skills and experience if like me for quite some time, you don't build. I've come to realise that mistakes are a good thing. They give you the chance to learn from them. A chap I used to work with and was an avid modeller for 30+ years said it best. "Even the best and most experienced of us make mistakes, we just learn to hide it well with weathering". Lol.

Again, apologies for the long, long...long rambley post. Bottom line is, this is our hobby, and while there will always be aspects of it that we don't like, it is just that, a hobby, it's supposed to be enjoyable.

Nathe

[KalebB]

I can definitely understand where you are coming from with this.

Right now I'm stuck just looking at my half built T-34 scared to death to try to do a Winter white wash because I'm scared I'll absolutely wreck it

It's all part of the build mojo as some would put it I suppose

Great post, it wasn't rambly bud

[digger303]

I'm a little guilty of that syndrome as well. I started with a stash of about 10 kits mostly Tamiya and Academy because I bought a job lot quiet cheap and I also thought I'd be able to get my son into it too.
Built about 4 then the rest sat in the corner mocking me . Then I started buying the mag's and that was ok, but after a while I then started to buy the odd kit. Then the avalanche happened buying up 8 or more kits a month. While building not much. I'v become a collector and occasional builder. Still not liking the painting aspect although I have enough paint to sink the Queen Mary. I'm trying to rein it all in now, but it is hard when at home alone gripping the plastic....

[Twokidsnosleep]

Well now you have all those kits and tools...so start building FOR YOURSELF!
Make stuff that you want to, how you want to, the way you want to. Display it, chuck it out or run over it with the car if you want to
Amazing modelling skills are something to inspire and aspire to, not self berate about.
I see something everyday on Facebook that blows my mind at the modelling skills. Every day.
It makes me want to model more.

[InkyDinky150]

Absolutely agree Two, just took me a while to realise it and thought I'd post to hopefully help someone that may have the same feelings I did at the time

[Donkeywalloper]

Hi Nathe

Thats not a ramble.
Thats a very honest post, that I feel many here, myself included relate to.
Modelling in my eyes is a Art.
A good Model, is as worthy as a Van Gogh or a Rembrandt.
To be honest, Sculpture is probably more applicable.
Some of the great Modellers are so talented, as to be off the scale. We strive through practice to be better but to be honest, the standards set by the few, will not be reached by the many.
Amongst our merry bad we have some greats, Coen (or Mike) springs to mind.
I am as guilty, when I came back to this noble foolery, of watching soooooo many videos and buying soooooo many kits and tools, most of which that I have never used.
Honestly, I use the same Ultimate Sander for each kit and the Mug of other Sanding sticks, just sits there.
We all can get away with just some glue, Sanding Stick, Sharp Blade and a cheap £5 kit, and have as much fun.
I have a reasonable stash and shelves bending with bits & bobs.
It's far to much and really I should build what I have.
You are not the first to feel like that Nathe, you won't be the last.
Best wishes for the Christmas period and have a great New Year.
DW

[Tomcat64]

Hey mate - there's nothing you've written there that many of us wouldn't relate to in some way, shape or form, especially when we were starting back into the hobby. It's all too easy to get sucked into watching endless videos and then grabbing the bits that we see being used because they're obviously "the best".

And while I'm reasonably comfortable that I can tackle anything I've got in the stash if I put my mind to it there are still a couple of kits that I find a bit daunting as I just wouldn't want to risk nausing them up in some way.

And talking of the stash, while a lot of it is my own wayward spending there's also a fair amount that has been generated by generous family members as Birthday & Christmas presents so it's easy for it to get completely out of hand especially as I don't build anywhere nearly as quickly as I did when I was a kid as my attention to detail and getting a decent finish has overtaken my need to get it finished in a day regardless of the result.

Ultimately you've hit the right end result even if the journey there wasn't a happy one; we're building for ourselves and need to find the right processes & tools that work for us to get the results we're happy with whilst still enjoying the built itself.

[matto21]

Been there, done that and in many ways still do. I've not completed an aircraft model since 2017 but have loads of unbuilt kits just sitting there unstarted.

There's nothing unusual, or wrong with having ambitions that exceed ability either, it's what makes us improve. However, there's a real trend, echoed by social media in general, where some of the models we see online, or in magazines, are photographed and edited to the point at which what we see are unachievable. There's nothing wrong with taking good photos, and it's something I wish I was better at, but I think we're crossing the line. Looking at some sites, it appears you can only build models if you have a surgically white environment and every lotion and potion going. Intentionally tongue in cheek but you must be aware of what I mean. This presentation makes it seem unachievable to build any other way sometimes - just modelling at the kitchen table or in a spare room doesn't seem to be right! In fact, I saw a post on another website recently which suggested that people are now starting to build and present their models based on how they'll appear online.

Above is only my opinion!

Matt

[DBMiller]

...
Sounds great, got all the tools I could ever need, got a load of kits I wanted to build...but then nothing. I just couldn't build anything for fear of wanting to build the best I could and making a mistake. The constant thought of 'I could build this model I really want to build, but if I do another one first just to get into the swing of things and practice, then come back to this kit it'll be even better' was ever present. But I would open the box of a kit and just look at the instructions. Regardless of the brand, skill level or cost I just couldn't get passed that thought. So nothing got built.
...

Nathe

This is me all over! I have a stash load of kits waiting for me to "get good enough" to do them justice. Never going to happen if I don't just build them.

[Stokesy44]

Sounds like you got off to a rocky start but you've got through it.

The way I see it, as long as you keep enjoying it you're in a fabulous position. You're all kitted out (no pun intended) and you can expand naturally into the hobby knowing you've got what you need as and when the time comes.

As for making mistakes, both in terms of building kits and stocking up on tools and stuff - who hasn't? For the last couple of weeks there's been a small blue pen-shaped box in my line of sight on my bench while I've been working and I found myself yesterday thinking I don't actually know what's in there!

Turns out its a beautiful little razor saw which I bought a while back after being 'enabled' by one of the guys on here (Twokids). It made me chuckle when I opened it because when I bought it, it felt like the best thing in the world. Have I used it? Have I b******s!

Think of the tools as assets already banked. They'll be there when you need them.

Get stuck into the forum, post your work but only if you want to, otherwise just get posting on other people's threads and get some back and forth going. Its all helpful and you'll soon find like minded souls who will make you feel completely sane by comparison!

[Twokidsnosleep]

Absolutely agree Two, just took me a while to realise it and thought I'd post to hopefully help someone that may have the same feelings I did at the time

Good stuff
@Stokesy44 could sever his own artery with a butter knife

[SMAddict66]

Nathe,

I’m quite surprised this subject hasn’t generated a great frequency of response, as I’m sure your thoughts and feelings are shared at different times by many, if not most.

So much of what you shared resonated with me. loads of tools, paints and a loft full of models. I’ve never once shared a single build comment or picture on this forum, instead spending hours reading what others have done, admiring, wondering and thinking, yeh I’d have done that too, yet seldom doing it myself, thinking instead I’ve got something else I need to do.

However, your considered thoughts fired me into the study today, leaving the work aside and sliding over to the model bench for the first time in 12 months, I picked up 1 of the hundreds of tools I have and actually started to model. Yeh things came crashing to a halt when a piece of PE pinged onto the laminate and after 15 mins I still couldn’t find it, but I still did something, for me and nobody else, just the bloody joy of modelling again. And you know what it felt great.

Do I kid myself I’ve turned a corner, of course not, but over the next 2 weeks, till I return to working world I hope to keep trying to enjoy the hobby and utilise the myriad of tools, techniques and paints, never mind the huge loft stash I’ve accumulated over the last few years.

Thank you for your post, and thank you for the impetus you’ve given my much loved but lost hobby.

P.S. I’m no good at 280 chars of tweeting either

[Stokesy44]

Absolutely agree Two, just took me a while to realise it and thought I'd post to hopefully help someone that may have the same feelings I did at the time

Good stuff
@Stokesy44 could sever his own artery with a butter knife

Harsh but fair!

[InkyDinky150]

Nathe,

I’m quite surprised this subject hasn’t generated a great frequency of response, as I’m sure your thoughts and feelings are shared at different times by many, if not most.

So much of what you shared resonated with me. loads of tools, paints and a loft full of models. I’ve never once shared a single build comment or picture on this forum, instead spending hours reading what others have done, admiring, wondering and thinking, yeh I’d have done that too, yet seldom doing it myself, thinking instead I’ve got something else I need to do.

However, your considered thoughts fired me into the study today, leaving the work aside and sliding over to the model bench for the first time in 12 months, I picked up 1 of the hundreds of tools I have and actually started to model. Yeh things came crashing to a halt when a piece of PE pinged onto the laminate and after 15 mins I still couldn’t find it, but I still did something, for me and nobody else, just the bloody joy of modelling again. And you know what it felt great.

Do I kid myself I’ve turned a corner, of course not, but over the next 2 weeks, till I return to working world I hope to keep trying to enjoy the hobby and utilise the myriad of tools, techniques and paints, never mind the huge loft stash I’ve accumulated over the last few years.

Thank you for your post, and thank you for the impetus you’ve given my much loved but lost hobby.

P.S. I’m no good at 280 chars of tweeting either

That's fantastic news mucka. I've currently got a revell 1/35 LCM3 landing craft and revell 1/72 Halifax sat in front of me and I'm just deciding which I want to delve into. Love the Halifax but never built anything like the landing craft before so just trying to decide right now so I can get on that there internets thingy and look at seeing if I can find a particular operation that takes my fancy.

If I do go with the LCM think it's going to have to be the RN version for the African theatre. But we'll see. Glad it's give you a push to have a crack mate.

[RangerNeil]

Having just returned to building models after an absence of some 40 years I agree with everything above.
Including the original post.
When I first started building scale models an airbrush was an exotic luxury owned by professionals, the only paint choice was enamels - Airfix or Humbrol. Usually Humbrol because they made paint sets for most eras. Again Acrylics were unheard off - as were things like sprue cutters and sanding sticks (commercially made) etc. We used an old craft knife with a fresh blade for each kit and stuck wet 'n dry onto lollipop sticks to make rigid sanders. More often than not we just used a thumb.
Like the original poster I watched a ton of videos being more and more amazed every time at what builders were using these days. Luckily for me being on a pension means I don't have the ££'s to afford to update the tool kits so - for now - I am working with what I had 40 odd years ago. The only real spend has been on two sets of Akan paints - to be used with a brush, a tube of putty and rattle can of Tamiya primer.. But initially the thought were much the same as the original poster - how can I get back into this if things have advanced so much?? In comparing then and now I felt very much as though all that I knew and had was redundant.
I wasn't given a chance or choice about restarting though - as readers of the "whats in your stash" thread will know - certain friends in Moscow decided to try lifting me out of a bad case of the "lows" and I now have a stack of Soviet helicopter kits on the sofa.
Still couldn't get that kick to start on them till I saw the thread on here for the winter "if it hovers" build and thought why not? It was an excellent motivator although I question my sanity in the choice of kit I made. It helped me get back into the "groove" as it were using what I had and making the best of that. In doing so I've rediscovered the joys and pleasure of building, of solving the problems that arise one at a time and re-learning old forgotten lessons. When I finish this one and move onto the next it will be a diffferent challenge - maybe the tools will be added too - maybe not - it doesn't really matter (I'm NOT touching the Mi-12 for a while as a chunk of it is fibre class....) The fun is in building what I want how I want.
I now look on the videos and tutorials as suggestions for what might be possible and find I think of alternate ways to achieve what they do with what I have rather thank thinking "ooh - I need this or that".
And so the fun has returned.

[Aliktren]

Amen brother

[digger303]

Having just returned to building models after an absence of some 40 years I agree with everything above.
Including the original post.
When I first started building scale models an airbrush was an exotic luxury owned by professionals, the only paint choice was enamels - Airfix or Humbrol. Usually Humbrol because they made paint sets for most eras. Again Acrylics were unheard off - as were things like sprue cutters and sanding sticks (commercially made) etc. We used an old craft knife with a fresh blade for each kit and stuck wet 'n dry onto lollipop sticks to make rigid sanders. More often than not we just used a thumb.
Like the original poster I watched a ton of videos being more and more amazed every time at what builders were using these days. Luckily for me being on a pension means I don't have the ££'s to afford to update the tool kits so - for now - I am working with what I had 40 odd years ago. The only real spend has been on two sets of Akan paints - to be used with a brush, a tube of putty and rattle can of Tamiya primer.. But initially the thought were much the same as the original poster - how can I get back into this if things have advanced so much?? In comparing then and now I felt very much as though all that I knew and had was redundant.
I wasn't given a chance or choice about restarting though - as readers of the "whats in your stash" thread will know - certain friends in Moscow decided to try lifting me out of a bad case of the "lows" and I now have a stack of Soviet helicopter kits on the sofa.
Still couldn't get that kick to start on them till I saw the thread on here for the winter "if it hovers" build and thought why not? It was an excellent motivator although I question my sanity in the choice of kit I made. It helped me get back into the "groove" as it were using what I had and making the best of that. In doing so I've rediscovered the joys and pleasure of building, of solving the problems that arise one at a time and re-learning old forgotten lessons. When I finish this one and move onto the next it will be a diffferent challenge - maybe the tools will be added too - maybe not - it doesn't really matter (I'm NOT touching the Mi-12 for a while as a chunk of it is fibre class....) The fun is in building what I want how I want.
I now look on the videos and tutorials as suggestions for what might be possible and find I think of alternate ways to achieve what they do with what I have rather thank thinking "ooh - I need this or that".
And so the fun has returned.

Good news indeed Neil, glad your having fun...

[pasopton]

I think its 'Welcome to my world' also.
Big Thanks InkyDinky150 for that religious style affirmation. It's woken me up to my procrastination. Sod the rivet counters and all the films of a hundreds methods to see a panel line.
I need to just get on with the Airfix Christmas bargains I just got and do it. (And use all the stuff I've also bought over the last year or more !!)
Very grateful though for the Utubes that have kept my interest away from the crap on TV.
Grandkids want to play with them anyway, (and so they should) with practice - better skills will develop.

Also, just watched Pauls' "At the bench" video where he talks about his route through to today in the hobby and creating his Cave, this was also inspirational. All credit to you Paul.

[Quax]

Starting....

Paul

[AlbertD]

I had the very same thing happen to me except it wasn't models. A few years ago I had a co-worker who built acoustic guitars as a side business and then full time when he retired. One day he said "hey Al, have you ever thought about building a guitar?". Of course I never had thought about it but he offered to guide me through it. We got a bit more than half way through it when he had to move away to a dryer climate for health reasons. That half built guitar sat there for 5 years. I was petrified of ruining it. I was judging it against his beautiful work. One day it hit me that it's absolutely useless unfinished. If I mess it up am I really loosing anything? I started doing research and talking with my friend Dave and started back on it solo. A month later I had a great looking and sounding Dreadnought that I could only dream of having. It's just a matter of realizing that it's just a pile of wood or in the case of a model a box of plastic. If we mess it up its really no big deal. It's just part of learning.

[Twokidsnosleep]

I had the very same thing happen to me except it wasn't models. A few years ago I had a co-worker who built acoustic guitars as a side business and then full time when he retired. One day he said "hey Al, have you ever thought about building a guitar?". Of course I never had thought about it but he offered to guide me through it. We got a bit more than half way through it when he had to move away to a dryer climate for health reasons. That half built guitar sat there for 5 years. I was petrified of ruining it. I was judging it against his beautiful work. One day it hit me that it's absolutely useless unfinished. If I mess it up am I really loosing anything? I started doing research and talking with my friend Dave and started back on it solo. A month later I had a great looking and sounding Dreadnought that I could only dream of having. It's just a matter of realizing that it's just a pile of wood or in the case of a model a box of plastic. If we mess it up its really no big deal. It's just part of learning.

SOLID post Albert