Motivation and disillusionment

[barchetta_boy]

Does anyone ever get to the point where they just feel like packing all their model stuff up and leaving it for 6 months?

I like to think I can bash out a reasonable quality model (Blackbird example below) but I am currently building the Ferrari 641 F1 car (Nigel Mansell) and it's doing my head in. Wonderful model, but so many fiddly pieces and being an F1 car, the finish has to be glossy and perfect, you can't hide sins under weathering like you can on a tank or even a 24 hours Le Mans car which is also in the queue.

I guess my post is more really about what do you do when it just seems like more trouble and stress than the fun generated... keep going, or take a break?

[Eric Mc]

I think we all go through modelling barren patches. Don't despair. Always remember it's supposed to be for fun and relaxation. If it becomes a chore and onerous - stop - until you get your motivation back.

[magpie215]

I don't see why an F1 car has to be glossy and pristine.

Post race they can look extremely mucky.

[tangerine_sedge]

I've taken to joining group builds on Britmodeller, that ensures that I 'guilt' myself into doing some progress at least weekly which sometimes brute-forces through the difficult bits and pushes me into trying new things. Generally they are supportive, have a mixed bag of capabilities and are a good source of ideas and work arounds.

It also helps that I now have a permanent modelling area set up (again), so can pick up and put down the current model without committing to a big session...

[Yertis]

If it's any consolation I've just restarted work on a model I set aside in 1980



This time I can afford all the bits and bobs I couldn't afford then. On the downside the availability of many useful parts – like locomotive wheels and turned buffers – is greatly reduced.

[generationx]

As I mentioned on the "Pictures of Your Models" thread, maybe try a completely different subject - Real Space, armour, commercial airliner etc? Either that or really do take a break and wait for the "urge" to return of its own course!

[Simpo Two]

barchetta_boy said:

Does anyone ever get to the point where they just feel like packing all their model stuff up and leaving it for 6 months?

I like to think I can bash out a reasonable quality model (Blackbird example below) but I am currently building the Ferrari 641 F1 car (Nigel Mansell) and it's doing my head in. Wonderful model, but so many fiddly pieces and being an F1 car, the finish has to be glossy and perfect, you can't hide sins under weathering like you can on a tank or even a 24 hours Le Mans car which is also in the queue.

I guess my post is more really about what do you do when it just seems like more trouble and stress than the fun generated... keep going, or take a break?

It's a difficult one. Some stages of making a model are easy, other stages are difficult. Some stages are interesting, others are boringly repetitive. Easy + Repetitive is OK, Difficult + Interesting is OK. But if you get Difficult + Repetitive, you just have to set yourself a target and slog through it. The worst scenario, more often encountered with scratch-builds, is when you hit a dead-end because you can't solve a particular problem. Another factor is 'how much like doing it do you feel'? There are times when you have to be on your game to complete a stage of a model, and in that case there's no point forcing it or you'll simply make a mistake. But then you wait until you feel more like doing it and the momentum goes and it stays in the loft half-finished for 20 years...

I've experienced all of the above. The answer for you depends on you and your model. But I'd say variety is important - don't keep building the same things. I like to try something different every time because it helps the motivation.

[MBBlat]

For modelling get something simple like an egg plane or their armour equivalent, can be assembled in an hour and nobody is going to worry if the paint job is accurate so you can go to town. I’m also finding figure painting relaxing, particularly if the airbrush is playing up, as those can be mostly brush painted.

[barchetta_boy]

It’s got to the point where I dread getting the airbrush out tbh. I’ve got a little Bren carrier, maybe I could try and do a one day build on it, reboot myself that way!

[Simpo Two]

barchetta_boy said:

It’s got to the point where I dread getting the airbrush out tbh. I’ve got a little Bren carrier, maybe I could try and do a one day build on it, reboot myself that way!

I tried an airbrush once, on an MTB. 30 seconds to use, 30 minutes to wash up. CBA to use one again! One reason I don't make plastic/resin models these days. Much happier with wood