Model Construction 102

[StephenLawson]

Just when you thought it was safe to sit back and cruise therough a semester, the comp-CaveTroll-er leaves a pink slip in your campus mail box. To graduate on schedule you are required to attend a first year course that you over looked. *Too many keggers and not enough higher learning. Luckily the visiting Prof has the class.

Greetings *class, welcome to Model Construction. Here we will go beyond our early attempts and venture into the realm of sharpening your third eye vision.

I. Realism vs. Scale Realism
* A. How to escalate from 'Nice' to "WOW!".
* * * 1. Decide that you want to improve, especially if it's a stretch of your talents.
* * * 2. Splinter in the Minds Eye or Metaphysical Blues.
* * * * * a. Look at the real thing or at least photos of it.
* * * * * b. Talk to other modelers.
* * * * * c. Read about other modelers and what they do.
* B. ..."Its just a model."
* * * 1. Does it look like a dime store toy?
* * * * * a. No amount of detail can correct a lifeless composition. Not every color scheme is eye catching or interesting.
* * * * * b. Monotones have highlight and shadows.
* * * * * c. What does the eye see. Your brain adjusts for changes in light and shadow.
* * * * * d. Can you create an illusion that makes the
observer think that he sees what he ought to see on the full scale version?
* * * 2. What makes it believable?
* * * * * a. Relative scale. All items relate to the one next to it.
* * * * * b. Subtle effects do more than drastic changes.
* * * * * c. To have Balance you must realize your limitations.
* * * * * * * 1. Time.
* * * * * * * 2. Eyesight.
* * * * * * * 3. Dexterity.
* * * * * d.What tools do you have to compensate?
* * * * * * * 1. Planning.
* * * * * * * 2. Magnification.
* * * * * * * 3. Tweezers.
C. * The real aim is to please yourself. Have you achieved the goal set for yourself.
* * *1. Are you happy or do you want to improve your skills?
* * *2. What are you willing to put into a project?
* * * * *a. Cost is not a good indicator of the quality of a kit.
* * * * *b. Evaluate the kit for what you want out of it. Will it need additions, what will you have to scratchbuild or buy to make it right.
* * * * *c. Even the oldest name companies put out a bad kit once in a while. Improving one of these will make you a better modeler.
* * *3. Are you building for yourself or are you building to compete with others?
* * * * *a. Contest judges can't read your mind-and * sometimes have lost theirs.

Pop Quiz:What must you have to build a model?