I need some information from everyone in order to sooth my irritated brain cells.

I would like to get serious about models. I've been doing them since I was a little kid and really enjoy it. However, there are a few things that frustrate me. The primary thing is not having a dedicated place to work on models. I can use the kitchen table or the card table in the garage but, I want to be able to get all my stuff setup and leave it there. I don't want to pack it up and put it away every time I'm done for the day. I've seen workbench photos and am very envious, but surely not everyone has a cool setup like that. Where does everyone else do their work?

Another thing that is frustrating is the amount of time it seems to take to get things done. It's very difficult to let things sit the appropriate amount of time (mostly drying time) without wanting to do more. Now, this particular problem is closely related to my first problem. I have to pick everything up at the end of day (I'm usually in the way PLUS I'm very anal retentive so leaving it all sit around bothers me a lot). Does everyone work on more than one model at a time or do you just work for a little bit and go do something else?

The final thing that I'm curious about is how people get good at this stuff. I'm making the assumption since there are different groups (airplanes for instance) and each group is split into even more specific genre’s (WWI, WWII, Modern, etc…) that people tend to do one specific kind of model, like WWII Allied Fighter. Is that true? I’ve been through the photo section and most people seem to do the same thing. I haven’t seen people do tanks, and airplanes for instance. I’m sure I’m wrong, but I just haven’t seen ‘em (maybe I’m not looking in the right place). There are obviously people who are very talented already and/or have some art background that could do anything they want, but I’m not. I have to learn how to do this stuff. Should I focus on one particular make of airplane until I learn all the technique? Has anyone else done that? It seems like it would be better for me to focus on say an F-14 until I get very good at doing F-14s. Doesn’t it? What are some of the ways other people have honed their skills?

Thanks everyone.

Just come to Armorama and go through the site..
including galleries, features and reviews...... it will give your model time to dry, and increase your knowledge base, and you'll have a good time also.

I know some of the members here have an entire room dedicated to modelling but i coupled my workbench in the study together with where my computer is. I have the entire desk dedicated to modelling so i do have ample space. You really need a dedicated space as like you said, drying time also requires drying space. Dont want to be moving stuff around too often.




This is where you can actually speed things up believe it or not. When waiting for your main model to dry, for example either the fuselage or the hull (armor), you can move on to constructing and painting the accessorries like the missles or ammo boxes. Basically different parts of the model gets built and painted concurrently.




I would advise starting on the less costly models, Ie: Academy or Revell. Stay away frmo Tamiya until you are confident seeing as their models are higher priced. Im certainly not the most skilled model around here but ive played around with washes, filters and the good airbrush to get the desired effect that i want. After that, you just use all different techniques suggested by members here and it becomes just trial and error.

Good Luck!

i build at the couch, or on the floor at the coffee table, or standing up at the kitchen counter. i have all my paints and spare parts in a rubbermaid container that's shoebox sized. it is NOT the best situation but it works for me until i have the ultimate craft room

i would suggest having 2 projects if you get antsy like that. while the other is drying /curing, just set it up on a shelf in garage or bookshelf- neat and out of the way until the next step.

it's up to personal preference, i suppose. i think a lot of people find a subject they love and they stick with it.- that's why you see so much of the same in the galleries. Nothing wrong with that!
while i'm learning - i have decided to try everything i can. - that way i wont get bored and i'll learn a bunch of different bits- from the actual history of an event, to being artistic with paints and dio materials.

good luck!!!

Hello, Richard
It is some really hard "meaning of life" questions you got. First of all you should definitly get a work space where you can leave your models and tools. I find it much easier to pick up work again when everything is present in a designated work space. If you dont have the possibility it might be an idea to make a workbord which you can just lift of the kitchen table with everything on and stow away under the bed for example. I have done something similar on tours abroad and it "works" for me.

Modeling is about patience. Both in making the small details and waiting for the glue and paint to dry. One solution is to build two models at once. It does not work for me, but perhaps for you?

To get good at building models it is basically one answere: Build models. For every model I build I learn something new. Haveing fun while doing it is essential to me. If it's not fun it's not a hobby.

BTW, even if I have built models for years I still consider myself as a real rookie, but I don't care. I'm having fun.

Hi Richard

Welcome to Armorama! It's great to have you with us.

Answering your points in no particular order...

Yes, a lot of modellers do specialise... inevitably, people get into a subject and find they are concentrating on it to some extent. It could be by type, nationality or scale. The really impressive modellers are those who can excell across all the genres - and it does none of us any harm to take a "busman's holiday" and try our hand at something unusual now and then.

Workspace is always an issue. Many modellers don't have a dedicated workshop, but that doesn't seem to stop them producing superb results! But I think it's probably vital to have somewhere safe where you can put things while they dry... you just need a place that's dust-free where other people wont disturb anything. I've heard of modellers using big Tupperware containers or cake-tins... they all work.

The last ingredient is patience! If you wade through the forum and try every new technique you see at once, you're almost guaranteed to end up frustrated! Just tackle one small area at a time and you'll soon be amazed at the models you'll build.

And always remember... if you ever get stuck - just ask! We've got the most "caringest, sharingest" community here on Armorama... so we'll get you sorted!

All the best

Rowan

Hi Richard,
A very difficult question to answer, I think, the reason is that everyone is different. You don't say how old you are, if you are married or other reasons as to why you have to model from limited space. However I think most of us probably started like that, I did. I'm married and started while serving in the British Army, modelling on the dining room table, putting everything away at the end of the session. Only when I finished my career and bought a house did I get a modelling room and a dedicated spray booth. I'm lucky my wife doesn't mind me taking up a whole room well I assume she doesn't mind 'cos I'm still here The way I got around the problem of putting things away was to build a "modelling tray". The 1-1.5" lip around the edge was slotted and drilled to take my basic modelling tools plus cement and filler. When I was done the whole lot had a home on top of a wardrobe in the spare bedroom. Back then I worked on 1 model at a time and the sprues were kept in the kit box.
Part of the art of model building is patience, glue needs time to set and paint needs time to dry. There are ways of speeding these things up but there really is no need (apart from Xtracolor paints ) If you did have a tray then things could be left on it and put away, while they dried. I have more than 30 models on the go and can go months without finishing anything, then produce several finished models in a couple of weeks.
I have built all kinds of models before settling on WWII aircraft. The only real difference, believe, is in the weathering of the subject. The prototypes live in different environments, therefore are effected by the elements in different ways. Learn the basics of building models, then learn to paint them, then how to weather them. I have learnt that most books and articles on building models, particularly techniques, tell you what to do but not "how to do it". I have therefore read what I can and worked at finding my own method at achieving the same aim. This is what takes the time to learn, but at least in forums like here you can ask the question.
You certainly have the first requsite of becoming a good modeller, you enjoy it. I wouldn't suggest building F-14's until you got good at building them but I would suggest buying cheap models and using them to prctice on, when you have decide what types of models you prefer. Don't get so serious that you loose all the fun.
Mal

Hi Richard!

Welcome to armorama... and thanks for the nice post you wrote!

It remembers me five years ago! I asked myself the same questions about our hobby after a (too) long break... except for the "speciality" thing. I mainly build WW2 aircraft because I have an "Historical" attraction for that period. It comes from the comics I read or the movies/series I watched as I was a kid I suppose... but every WW2 plane is good for me, I have no real favorites.
Building Armor AND Aircraft? I surely will! I'm completely excited about the new 1/48 armor kits that are produced (not only by Tamiya) and I plan to do some dios in the future... I also made my own figures some years ago (comics caracters) so I think there is no border between Armor, Aircraft, Figures, Dioramas, Ships etc... It's just that you build by periods.
You have no dedicated place to model? You will have one in the future!
You don't know what to build? You will know soon!
You don't know every technique? You will one day!
As others already said, it's only a question of time and patience. Just be aware thet you are in the learning process and that you ever will be... that's the essence of the hobby! No matter how good you are, you will ever have something to learn from someone else... and Armorama is the perfect place for that!

Jean-Luc

P.S. the campaigns here are great to share your passion with beginners, specialists, fun builders, Armor guys, rivet counters, Aircraft fanatics, 1/72 scale lovers, Diorama Gurus, Ships worshiper, Figures Templars, Big Scale afficionados, occasional modelers, Old, Young... everyone!

Hi Richard.
I returned to modelling about a year ago after a break of about 15 years and like you worked on a small table with had to be put away after every session. After a while i decided i needed a desk which could stay set up ( especially as the kids kept treading on things) , so with the permission and agreement of the beloved (well let her think that, i was doing it anyway :-) ) that i get rid of 2 fish tanks, i had enough space for a desk in the corner of the dining room, so take a look round the house to see where you could set up a small desk and use the space allocated wisely.
As for people only doing one specific type of model, there are some like that but most modellers try a bit of everything during their "careers". Take a look at my gallery and you will see what i mean.
Learning, i don't think anyone knows everything as their are always different techniques to learn. The best way is to try one technique with each model and progress from there. My first plane i basically threw in the paint and glue in the box and shook. 7 planes later trying all the techniques i had learned from this site i managed to enter a plane in the model of the month comp ( never going to win, but was nice to see how far i progressed). So learn at your own speed, take your time , enjoy the hobby and don't worry if you get it wrong or get confused as their is always someone on the big A to help and give advice.
Thanks Andy
P.S sorry for the godawful long post, very unlike me :-)

I understand what you are going through with the space thing as I've been there...

My final Solution was to Clean out one of the closets in my apartment ( which requried some negotation with the wife) and I cut up some old shelf units to create a custom workbench in a space challanged area.. namely a 4 foot by 3 foot closet.

built my toolbox into the side for storage for tools, paints, and in progress kit bits.. some cabinets from wal-mart.. and assorted storage bits here and there. limited only by what you can fit in... worked for me anyways.. it may not be cool and its not for clostrophobes but it works for me..



I tend to try to have a couple of kits going.. 1 simple type kit.. to work on while I'm waiting for something to dry or what not on the main kit i'm working on.

I've been building going on 5 years now. and I've tried my hand at just about everything but ships.. and SF (unless you count a failed x-wing)..

I like planes and Armor but I find my skills seem to be better with the groundhuggers.. :> check out my website and you can see the progression of a beginners skills..

Delbert's Scale Model Building Stash

the main thing I've found is practice.. and don't be afraid to try something new.. I try to use a new technique with each kit. and Keep improving my skills.. for instance.. I remember when I couldn't airbrush at all now after a bit more than 3 years of practice I have no problems laying down a good even basecoat... though I still have a long ways to go to squiggle camo....

Some good kits for practice on and are fairly cheap are..

AFV

Tamiya's Pz II... and old dated kit but fun to build and can teach you a lot about building and painting armor.

Tamiya's 222 and 223 armored cars.. fairly cheap older kits but still nice to do..

Aircraft.

Revell kits are fairly cheap when you can find them. esp with a coupon at Michales craft stores or A.C. Moore.

Tamiya's Jap aircraft such as the Zero fairly cheap. and nice to put together and great for learning to paint aircraft..

Good luck...



P.S. I love the Dragon / DML kits but I recommend steering clear of them till you have gotten some assembly experience as they tend to have a lot of parts and esp lots of "fiddly bits" in them.

LOL Delbert your modelling room is CLASSIC!

Ive never seen that done but i tell you what, its fantastically done and well organised! If you are a big guy, i suspect stretching after long hours of modelling will be difficult in there. :-)

LOL

lets just say that there isn't much headroom......... i'm 5'11 and 230 lbs..

but its my space and thats what counts...

I am in the same boat as you and don't have a dedicated modeling area. I use the workbench out in the garage. I have to get everything out to work and then when I am done put everything back.
I gets to be a hassle at times but I just plan ahead at what I want to do and try to utilize the time I have as best as I can.
I really can't expand any more on what everyone else has all ready said. But the one word that keeps up is patience I am always really eager to keep working on my kit and the best way for me as also mentioned above is to work on a few different parts of the model at the same time. Such as if you are into aircraft...work on the interior of the cockpit til you have to let it set. While that is setting up go ahead and work on the engine until that has to set...then paint some interior areas of the wings/fuselage/etc... With a little planning, which will come from a little experience after you do a few kits, there usually will be something else you can do while the parts that need to dry and set up are sitting.
While one part of your kit is drying then that would be the perfect time to do some research in books or the internet to try to find different ways to detail and paint your kit or the individual parts of your kit. The research part of it for me is almost as fun as building the kit itsself.
Number one rule: Enjoy the heck out of this hobby.
The more you build, the better you will get. Don't be afraid to try different things and as also stated above.. don't be afraid to ask here at armorama. There will always be someone here that can help you out with any modeling question you can come up with

Good modeling,
Wayne

Hi Richard welcome on board, like you I look with envy at those dedicated modelling rooms. I build at the kitchen table or the coffeee table, my gear is in plastic crates and a nice wooden wine box where i keep my latest project. My finished kits all have a staring role in the garden shed but i get by dont let it put you off, as for subjects try everything its good for the imagination im doing my first plane a spitfire and im hooked, used to be a armour freak before that. good luck.

Thanks everybody!

I'm glad to see I'm not alone. I am 32 yrs old, married, and have two kids. I used to have a dedicated room where my drum set and all my model stuff was. Unfortunately, I married a women who's idea of clean is to make sure her trash is in piles instead of spread out. So, I eventually had to give up my room so she could do her art in there. It's an uphill battle even trying to get her to keep it clean enough to close the door. The floor in front of her computer has just enough room for her chair and that's it. So, I'm not likely to get that space back.

I think my biggest issue with not having a dedicated space is the solvents. I, like I'm sure everyone else, enjoy a room full of solvents. "What was I doing again?" But, alas, the children need all the brain cells they can muster, so it's tough to do that stuff inside, even with the windows open. I've just started to dabble with the water-based paints. I tinted a canopy with some water-based "smoke" paint. I appreciate all the comments and look forward to getting better and implementing all of the tricks of the trade I've gotten from this site already!

Howdy Richard and everyone else.

Lots of good advice in here and I figured I would throw my two cents worth in.

Building space - Imagination is the key. When I was a kid, we built models on the dining room table till I got a desk in my room (that was Mom's idea, I wonder why? ) Then in the beginning of my Military career, there were little desk type things in the Barracks and now finally I have my own house and have a room dedicated to just modeling, Of course being single helped there but my point being, as long as you find a place where you can work and be happy it doesn't matter if it's a table or a full-blown work bench. Modeling is about enjoying what you are doing.

"Varity is the spice of life" I average between 2 and 4 models on my bench at a time. Usually 1 serious build and the rest are "Gee Wiz Nice to have stuff" And I like to vary what I'm working on, both in type and scale. For example, the current projects back home include a 1/24 Scale '69 Camaro for my girlfriend, a 1/48 Scale P-51 Mustang for my Dad, a 1/72 Scale BTR-70 and a 1/35 Scale Jeep. That's not even including the different house projects that are on-going, but that is REALLY off topic.

Being "Good" Like everyone has been saying, this site is a great place to learn new techniques. Between websites, books and Modeling clubs, there is an enormous amount of information out there on different techniques. And not all techniques work for everyone. Keep trying new things until you find what works for you and what you are comfortable with and enjoy. Personally I like to try at least one new or different thing with each new build. I keep what I like and change the ones that I don't. There are so many different ways and combinations of ways to do things that you should never give up, ya know. And the bottom line there is, if you built it and ya like it, That's what's important.

Another thing I like to do and lately it has been mostly with Figures is "The Weekend Project" I read an article somewhere once about cures for Model Burnout. I twisted it to fit me but the gist if it is on Friday evenings or Saturday mornings, I slide all my current stuff off to the side and either practice converting and painting figures or build a kit right outta the box. No PE, No 50 dollars worth of accessories for a 5 dollar model , just what I got and my imagination. The old K.I.S.S. policy. It is a good way to practice new skills, improve your current ones and Sunday night when it's all done and on your shelf, it really adds to your confidence.

Everyone starts at the same place and we are all traveling the same road. Practice and enjoyment is the key. To me modeling is all about doing what you enjoy. If you are having fun at it, then everything else will just fall into place. Keep on modelin' and hope to see you around here often.