Sometimes I Feel Like Screaming – Purpendicular – 1996

[mcs1056]

(Thread title in keeping with my reply in "Into The Void')
"I will now try to title every future thread with a Sabbath or Deep Purple song name. (Highway Star WILL NOT be used. Livin' Wreck, however, is likely)"


I admit to some frustration while watching some YouTube videos of kit builds.

• I see guys cutting every part from sprues before assembling anything. Parts fly everywhere. I could never keep it all straight.
• There are those who paint all of the parts while still on the sprue. Do they touch up the cut bits?
• One fellow predominantly uses hardware store spray paints, and puts it on pretty heavy (he's an on-sprue painter, by the way).

Their builds see to come out just fine, though. Then, I watch something like the A4 Garage 65 Mustang build and I see so much that I wish I could accomplish his way.

I know…this hobby is fun, and doing things however one wants is the way to go, AND I should spend more time building and less time watching others.

 

[Tommergun]

My build method is "I Did It My Way" - Frank Sinatra

 

[BarleyBop]

Parts fly everywhere

I hear ya.
I might cut a few steps ahead, just to alternate cutting, filing, sanding with assembling... but I'm always careful to put them in separate areas, sometimes even laid out in the same orientation as in the instructions.
Go figure.

 

[Edbert]

I know…this hobby is fun, and doing things however one wants is the way to go, AND

Not trying to lecture anyone about anything, but this comment nails it...the hobby is about fun...nothing more!

I understand completely what you're saying though. I've watched some You-Tubers and have suffered from "I'm not worthy" type thoughts and why even try? But I think that is missing the point. It is not about being the best ever, that is folly, just try to be the best you.

Then there's the general " do not compete with yourself" type thoughts. This concept seems to be predominate in the 21st century in general. But for me (I never speak for others) that is the key, I try to keep getting better. Making thousands of mistakes each kit, but hoping or striving that the next one only has 999 of them.

I understand this type of thinking (stoicism?) is out of phase with modernity, but that does not mean an old curmudgeon like me will desert it.

My best kit ever is always the next one I break-bags on!

 

[blakeh1]

Sometimes I paint on the sprue. This is typically small, or fiddly parts like antenna or landing gear doors or whatever that get attached at the end after painting and decaling the main model. Basically the parts that would easily break off when decaling or handling the model a lot during painting/masking or weathering or detail but still need to match the body base color, or very fragile antenna type things. Touching up is usually not an issue as most clip points these days would be hidden. But if not, it still not a big deal to dab a little bit of paint on after attached

Mainly though I paint in sub-assemblies. Like get the landing gear built, but leave off the tires until I paint the gears, or build the main body, but leave off the tail fins/rudders to make it easier to mask etc...

as far as watching others, I think it is good inspiration and can help light that fire under one's a** to motivate you, but at the same time I realize that it is a bit of the "grass is always greener" thinking and can be a bit deceiving and defeating.

In reality, much of what is seen as "unobtainable" is really just years of practice using simple techniques.

The real key is gathering these in your bag of tools and tricks to use when needed.
The second is patience.

This is generally not a hobby you can rush through to get instant gratification

Although it is getting better as far as needing to fill ridiculous gaps and seams and fix misaligned parts

I also find that often it is not always the build, but rather the presentation that can elevate an average model, or put a good model on a whole different level than others

For example, the same model displayed on a cluttered work bench under some basic lighting compared to a photo-booth type of shot or even a staged and properly lit diorama type of shot will get much different perceptions as to how good it is

The work bench shots are fine for work in progress things, but the final shots should have a bit more thought behind them

 

[BarleyBop]

sub-assemblies

Yup. It took me a while to realize that a little time spent before assembly, reading all the way through the instructions can save a lot of grief!
It is so easy to 'get ahead of yourself', only to realize that some part is now going to be impossible to paint, or access!
So if I spot any gotchas, I mark up the instructions ahead of time!

 

[Jim62]

There are occasions when painting on the sprue is the wise choice. But hey don't get wrapped up in how other folks do it, just do it however you like to do it and that's all that matters. It's a hobby, it's supposed to be fun.