I make models that make me happy, when others appreciate the work or the detail or the finish of my pieces, of course I feel pride in what I have produced; but that isn't the reason why I do this. I have quite openly shared with anyone who has read through my web-site, that model making for me is a way of preserving my sanity. I have a mentally challenging job (University lecturer) that can and has consumed my concentration well past my working day. I find it extremely hard to change focus onto other things and making models allows me to this. In terms of what drives me in my hobby, the simple answer is whatever catches my eye. I tend to see a particular model or figure, like it, then think of a setting & scale to put it in. If the idea is large scale then I tend to go for 1/35 or if it is a small setting with the total focus on the figure, then I tend to go for 1/16 or 120mm.
For military models I tend to err on the side of accuracy in what I make. Please take note that I am not a "rivet counter" and only tend to use etch parts if they are either provided with the kit or are a reasonable price and the kit would benefit from the additional detail. I would also point out that I tend to stay away from the "war action" models mainly due to a statement from my late grandfather, a WWII veteran who said to me on more than one occasion "war is 90% boredom and 10% of shear terror. Why is then that the model community at large for so many years has only focused on the 10% of warfare? For this reason I opt to shed a different light on the history of warfare, choosing to depict my choice of subject conducting the other 90% of what war is like, such as fishing for food on a frozen lake or chatting with one another on the back of a beaten up workshop truck, preparing a terrifying missile for launch, etc.
that at times I think to myself, "I'm bored" when this has happened I will make something completely off my main subject of choice. This has been anything from a Battlestar Gallactica Viper in 1/32 scale, to a Dust Tactics war games model to a sculpt of Ezio from the Assassins Creed game. Each one of these models has given me untold joy in their assembly and painting and in the end that is what a hobby is supposed to provide.
such detail and realism to their models and I have learned so much from the war gaming community this past year.
Many of my friends who do not share my hobby have said on different occasions that I should take up a more sociable hobby such as golf or fishing. When I point out how many forums there are, or twitter or google blogs and the amount of encouragement, discussion and passion there is for model making, they, as am I are amazed at how social this hobby really is. Model making provides me with so much joy and happiness, solitude or socialising (depending on my mood) and something to occupy my mind, that I look at others who do not make models of some description and feel sorry for them!!
If you would like to read other sprue cutters thoughts on this hobby, why don't you check out these other members web sites:
The Combat Workshop
David Knight's Weblog
Lt. Smash's Models
A Scale Canadian
Yet Another Plastic Modeller
Mattblackgod's World
Martin's Scale Models
Doogs' Models
Kermit's Workbench
Great post Craig! Didn't realize you finished the figure from Assassin's Creed, he looks outstanding!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jon. he is not quite finished yet as I've had problems with the oils curing properly but he won't be long
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