Of anxiety nd modelling

[PR19_Kit]

And with all Whiff models that you build, you ARE the expert! 

[Old Wombat]

It's a bit like a few weeks ago when I was roped into judging for the SA Plastic Model Expo.

One of the Chief Judges talked me into letting one of my builds be judged, I knew it wasn't finished & I knew there were no "references" (well, I'd brought it as a display-only piece & there aren't any references for Ukrainian operated Merkava IV tanks), but I shrugged & said "Sure, why not. If you want to.".

Anyway, I ended up judging another category on the other side of the table as they were judging my build & I couldn't help but be amused by the "faults" they were finding with it because, in all honesty, I didn't care what they thought of it, I think it's a pretty good build & it's only going to get better when I finish it.

[PR19_Kit]

Oooooh never judge ANYTHING! You'll immediately become a pariah, even amongst your mates, because you didn't judge them to be #1.

I used to do it a lot in the 80-90s, but got SO fed up with people asking 'Exactly WHY wasn't my General McCrombie Mk6 a winner then?'

A low point was being 'allocated' to modelling the Figures Section of the Avon Club's Show when I know NOTHING about figure modelling, and my co-judge was an arrogant woman who just WOULDN'T be argued with.

The high point was being asked to judge a Car Model contest at the State Fair in Twin Cities MN one summer. My co-judge was Ed Roth! 

Yes, REALLY!   

[Dizzyfugu]

One thing that helps me a lot "judging" models or talking with people who have very subjective perspectives about (esp. "realistic") models is the scientific definition of the term: a model is a simplified representation of something, so that it can be easily grasped. IMHO, a model kit that qualifies can be quite rough, as long as it conveys a recognizable idea - be it based in the real world and trying to mimic reality, or a what-if model, which can convincingly "tell" its tale. Therefore, a highly detailed build might actually not be a "good" model.

[Pellson]

Good morning.

I recognise myself in large parts of your description at the thread start. At times, I'm quite paralysed, not producing anything at all for weeks, maybe even months. Then it suddenly just becomes possible again.
in my experience, it's a lot easier to avoid the blocking and/or anxiety if I just let go of the project that is troubling me, rather focusing on something entirely different. The main downside if obviously that my Shelf of Doom^TM is constantly growing, but I find that a reasonable price to pay, considering the joy I get when I'm in a flow.

Also, I, maybe a bit like you, I like to keep even most whif's within the realistic domain. At least mostly. That can sometimes take a lot of research and reading to accomplish, but I try to see it as a benefit of the hobby, not mainly another chore.

Eventually, however, I think we all must find our own way. Mine is neither super realism nor super detailing, but rather a kind of "good enough" where I am satisfied myself. I hope you find yours.

[Gondor]

I agree with Weaver and his first post in the thread. He also said it far better than I could.

One way that I sometimes come up with a model is by thinking of something funny or that an aircraft looks as if it should be wearing markings by someone else. The second I have done with my Indian TSR.2, my justification for this decision was that the Indian Air Force operated Canberars which the TSR.2 was designed to replace. Not exactly a large stretch of the imagination, but one that works for me.

Gondor

[seadude]

The only two pieces of advice I can offer are the pictures below. Well, actually three. Found them on Facebook.

[Rick Lowe]

Others have said it far more eloquently than I can, and I have found some wisdom in their replies I can use, too - thanks, everyone !

I can't count the number of models I didn't finish, or never even started, because I wanted them to be Perfect Every Time (and that's without working out a backstory!)
But if I never build anything, I never make mistakes, and I never learn from them.
And when I decided to 'Just get it done', then I started having more fun, being less stressed and frustrated, and Getting Models Completed.
It took me a good few years to get to that stage, but it happened eventually.

I hope you can achieve your goal of getting on and being happy in your hobby.
'Hobby', not 'Job'. We use the term 'working on a model', but shouldn't it really be 'Having Fun with a Model'? 

[zenrat]

...We use the term 'working on a model', but shouldn't it really be 'Having Fun with a Model'? 

Too true.  And it should not be the Workbench but the Playbench.

[Dizzyfugu]

I can't count the number of models I didn't finish, or never even started, because I wanted them to be Perfect Every Time (and that's without working out a backstory!)

Don't be afraid of perfection - you will never encounter it!

[NARSES2]

I can't count the number of models I didn't finish, or never even started, because I wanted them to be Perfect Every Time (and that's without working out a backstory!)

Don't be afraid of perfection - you will never encounter it!

Well said sir   

[Mossie]

I know where your coming from. I have difficulty with perfectionism too.  Not only in the concept, but also in the build, I've struggled to finish anything for a while because it's 'not good enough'.

Slightly different to your situation, I recently went to the first model show I'd been to in a few years.  I took a few models, one of them was one I was really unsure of, an Iranian Sea Harrier.  The concept was sound, (they ordered them before the revolution) but the only time I'd taken it before, I got myself worked up due to a minor comment.  I then did some weathering afterwards which I slapped on quickly because I couldn't get it out of my head, then accidentally snapped the stores and outriggers off.  I was really unhappy and left it in a box for years.

I'm glad I took it along, Martin H put it with a bunch of other Harriers and didn't worry about the fact it had a lean due to the repaired outriggers. All that time of bellyaching and it was fine. 

One thing to remember when your trying to be realistic, it's not 'real', so it never is going to be completely.  Be kind to yourself is the best advice I can. Your Harrier concepts are great.  An Israeli Harrier might be a good idea for example, because being a small nation, they might have had a change in policy and decided Harriers were a good option to have in reserve because of the vulnerability of runways.

Another possibility if your doing something 'out there' is that interesting (even crazy ideas) are tried in the real world and don't work out.  There's a tendency to think our realistic whiffs need to be the best thing since sliced bread, but you can argue something you find interesting was a trial, went into limited service or soldiered on because there was no alternative.

So crack on, I'd really like to see your builds you have on the go and anything else you're cooking up. 

[Rick Lowe]

I can't count the number of models I didn't finish, or never even started, because I wanted them to be Perfect Every Time (and that's without working out a backstory!)

Don't be afraid of perfection - you will never encounter it!

Precisely! 

[Pellson]

So, I wanted to know if it's something that you too encounter ...

I think this has been one of the most important threads in a long time, and that alone is adding a gold star to your name in my book. But more importantly - do you feel less alone and maybe even just a tad more confident now?

[NARSES2]

So, I wanted to know if it's something that you too encounter ...

I think this has been one of the most important threads in a long time, and that alone is adding a gold star to your name in my book. But more importantly - do you feel less alone and maybe even just a tad more confident now?

Sometimes just being able to type your feelings can have have a hugely beneficial effect