Problem with the Hobby

[Wayneb]

In terms of sheer quality alone, it's never been better. Look at the very very high standards being produced now - and that's by the overwhelming majority of manufacturers, as opposed to say a Poste Militaire or a Pegaso being the benchmark as they genuinely were - for years. Nowadays, we're treated to quite a few makes who are all top notch.
We can all hark bark to a perceived Golden Age, but I'll tell you this, I've been looking recently at some copies of Mil Mod from the early 1990s. The only golden thing in them is the prices! Latorre 54mm figures were £9.95. Seriously... And we moaned then!

Yes, we do need some new blood - without a doubt. That aside, the hobby's in a good state.

I wonder where that new blood will come from in todays, I want it now computer generation. I could go on and talk to myself all day; but what's the sense.

Wayne

 

[MalcC]

I don't think we need worry, another generation of modeller's always seen to appear.
And what's more they pick the knack of painting so quickly..... a lot faster than I did.
It's taken me over 40 years to master painting as badly as I do.

Malc

 

[Wayneb]

I don't think we need worry, another generation of modeller's always seen to appear.
And what's more they pick the knack of painting so quickly..... a lot faster than I did.
It's taken me over 40 years to master painting as badly as I do.

Malc

Yeah.............But I'm scared shitless.........

Wayne

 

[MalcC]

Well, there's me telling myself I must cut back on buying new models, I'm getting on in life and believe you me, my grey army will take me several years to paint.
But regardless of that I'm still buying more...... and going to ordering more in the next two weeks.

Think I need to be put in restraints.........or stop looking at this website.
HHHHEEEELLLLLPPPPPPP!

Malc

 

[Henk]

Well, there's me telling myself I must cut back on buying new models, I'm getting on in life and believe you me, my grey army will take me several years to paint.
But regardless of that I'm still buying more...... and going to ordering more in the next two weeks.

Think I need to be put in restraints.........or stop looking at this website.
HHHHEEEELLLLLPPPPPPP!

Malc

The solution is as elegant as it is simple.

Start painting....

 

[MalcC]

Now why didn't I think of that. Doh!


Malc

 

[MalcC]

I've come across another problem. I'm so eager to get back into painting following a break which was unplanned , but can't get get anything right.
Perhaps I'm trying to hard. This is something I'm sure we all experience.
The sensible thing would be to put it aside, but I already have something else on the go, and put that aside, and don't know whether to start on another piece.
What a dilemma.


Malc

 

[theBaron]

I've come across another problem. I'm so eager to get back into painting following a break which was unplanned , but can't get get anything right.
Perhaps I'm trying to hard. This is something I'm sure we all experience.
The sensible thing would be to put it aside, but I already have something else on the go, and put that aside, and don't know whether to start on another piece.
What a dilemma.


Malc

It's akin to an athletic skill-if you've taken a break for a while, you need some warm-ups to get back to where you were. For me, it's like bicycling. The first 5 miles are warm-up, and then I'm back at my regular level.

Prost!
Brad

 

[Wayneb]

At least 5 miles plus on the "Motivation Trail" before warm-up.....At my age it doesn't matter what I'm doing.

Buns up!.........and a Happy New Year.
Wayne

 

[MalcC]

At least 5 miles plus on the "Motivation Trail" before warm-up.....At my age it doesn't matter what I'm doing.

Buns up!.........and a Happy New Year.
Wayne

I recon it'll be at least 25 miles for me,,,luckily I have an excercise bike. A must for us oldies.
Since my last post, I have managed a little bit of painting and to my surprise it went better then expected.

Malc

 

[Wayneb]

So there ya go Malc, the excercise bike is working. I have one myself, almost every morning. I just keep saying to myself; I think I can, I think I can, ......If there's any consolation...your avatar still looks better than mine.

Wayne

 

[MalcC]

So there ya go Malc, the excercise bike is working. I have one myself, almost every morning. I just keep saying to myself; I think I can, I think I can, ......If there's any consolation...your avatar still looks better than mine.

Wayne

I'm glad you like my avatar, it was painted a few years back now, and sadly I doubt if I could paint anything like that now.
Arthritis in both hands, as well as not being able to keep my hand steady, means my painting isn't what it used to be.
But I still enjoy it regardless, If I can turn something out half decent, I'm happy.

Malc

 

[MalcC]

Well the problem with the hobby is already haunting me, 3 new kits purchased this year already, and more to order when they're available.
There goes my new years resolution.

Going to ask that nice Mr Sunak to give me a nice big pension rise, so I can afford them.
If not I'll go on strike, why not almost everyone else is.
Seriously though so many great releases coming out. What can you do?????
I'm going to have to speed up my painting..... I've got 3 on the bench at the moment.

Malc

 

[DEL]

Well the problem with the hobby is already haunting me,
Seriously though so many great releases coming out.
Malc

For me the problem is that with the advent of social media and new technologies a bit of the magic has gone from the hobby.
OK I know that's maybe a bit nostalgic but there was something exciting about going to shows like Euro not knowing what producers had in store for us.
In terms of range and quality we are undoubtedly in a purple patch and there is certainly a tendency to act like kids in a sweet shop. Well I do anyway.
When it comes to models I definitely lack discipline and have never had such an array of half finished figures.
We are now half way through January and I've yet to buy, hoping to hold my resolve until S&L in April.
D.

 

[MalcC]

Del,
I miss Euro too and having a chat with yourself and Brian, and also seeing what the traders had to temp you to part with your cash.
Unfortunately it a sign of the times, having to rely on media.
I attend what shows where I can, but sadly only a few traders attend, and hardly any that sell figures.


Malc

 

[MalcC]

I don't know about you, but choosing what you paint next from your stash can be an issue, do you paint a new release or something you purchased some years ago.
Recently I've been concentrating on new figures with the odd old one thrown in.
But now I have a cunning plan.
I'm going to try and be good and paint and equal amount of new and old during the year.
Whether I succeed in this is another question.
At present I have an oldy on the go, one that I've had around 10 years being prepped, and a new one in the clean up stage.
This may be the only way my hoard will get painted.
My initial plan of not buying anything new, didn't last long.

Malc

 

[DEL]

I don't know about you, but choosing what you paint next from your stash can be an issue,

Malc

Ain't that the truth. I've just stripped 3 old figures that I did individually when released and have always fancied redoing them as a vignette.
Still holding out until S&L where I've got my eye on 4 from
the same manufacturer.
D

 

[MalcC]

Ain't that the truth. I've just stripped 3 old figures that I did individually when released and have always fancied redoing them as a vignette.
Still holding out until S&L where I've got my eye on 4 from
the same manufacturer.
D

I like the idea of your latest project, sounds interesting.
Have fun at Sword & Lance

Malc

 

[Tommi]

Yea there is a helofa lot to choose from but also a lot of shit too , re the 3d sculpt phenomena I just cant get my head round it . Call me a bit picky but the fine detail as good as it is just looks out of scale,
and as for the trend in hobby horse busts maybe its time to get back to full figures and get the scale back to a reasonable size IE no more than 90mm plenty of detail to cram in at this size

Ron, Its a changing world and a changing hobby. Traditional sculpting is on the decline and 3d sculpting is on the up and will be with us for ever more and grow. Yes there are some not so good 3d artists around (we have had them!) but there are more outstanding ones as well. Most of the digital sculptors we use come from a traditional sculpting background and have adapted and learned the new technology to carry on with their sculpting skills with the aid of their new tools, most of them have seen the writing on the wall in regards to traditional sculpting and also how much more money they can make. Saying that there are still and always will be traditional sculptors around but the their market will always be limited because of only producing a piece in one particular scale for a price. With sculpting a 3d piece it can be produced in any scale you like as well as bust variations etc and all for one price and normally cheaper (in some cases) than a traditional sculpt, so you are getting the choice of your favorite scales of exactly the same figure. Depending on the printing technology, resins used etc depends on the the quality and detail of the final product, also experience in the trade leads to quality at every level although there are several out there trying to produce 3d models that have not quite grasped the concept yet. The sales of products that we seen over the past two years has proven what sells and what people want the most.
Tommi

 

[MalcC]

It certainly is a changing hobby, and one thing is for sure, its getting better and better.
Although I do hope there will be some pieces are hand sculpted, its such an art that it would be a shame if that skill disappeared.


Malc