How much detailing do you want for your models? Part II
By Mario Covalski
This month I would like to come back to a key subject in today's modeling, at least this is my feeling and it's what happens to me. How much detailing do we add to our models …. And what do we wish to achieve?
It's just one question but it comprises two key issues. As you already know I have decided to make a commitment, that means I want to express my sincere opinion in my editorials, and of course you may not agree with it, therefore I await your comments which are very valuable to me.
Now, let's think about a beginner .. How does he decide the level of detailing he wishes to obtain if he does not know how to use his time, what his skills are… and finally what will satisfy him?
I don't want to discuss here if a model should be superdetailed or straight from the box. I would like just to make some comments on how I decide what details will be added and what modifications will be introduced.
As I always say - and I will never stop saying this - modeling means happiness. If you feel under pressure when you are building a model, or you are not satisfied, you should take a break, and think why you are not enjoying the fun our hobby offers to us, which is its ultimate goal.
I'm very happy building five or six 1/12th models per year … I measure my production on the basis of this quantity, I could do this based on quality, and it sometimes happens, I get involved in the construction of a certain model and I don't care how long it will take … because I want to achieve what I see in my mind. You may have another parameter, so valid as mine.
Then I analyze the kit and decide how much time I would be able to invest in the project and what I would be able to do in such a timeframe. You must have experience in order to make these series of quick and non-conflicting decisions, but if we get started with accurate goals … without letting other projects influence us, we get soon to a good compromise. I would like to point out that it is good to copy what others do, but you must always take into account that advanced modelers may have goals that are unattainable to us.
It's true that there are certain limits under which many modelers would not pass, like for example …. avoid painting the interior of a cockpit in a plane or paint a car body with a brush, etc, etc.
We must have a clear idea of what we wish when we start building a model: do we want to reflect reality, have a curbside, imitate the superdetail made by a master modeler or a professional builder.
The final result, as well as our personal vision, will be most of the times independent and will be directly related to the expectations we had when we started the project.
A good model intended to copy a model built by a professional may look poor if compared to our expectations, but the same model built for an showcase may make its builder very happy.
Contests are very special. Those who build a model to be presented at a contest know that it will be subject to a thorough examination of details and mistakes and expectations here are big …. like disappointments.
I hope this introduction for the newcomers will be helpful in order to avoid frustrations and incomplete models …. With the passage of time our skills increase and our expectations are higher, but we must never lose sight of our ultimate goal, a plastic model must give us satisfaction and take us back to our best times, childhood.
Tags:
--