The Hobbies and Model-Making Thread

[Maturin]

Does anyone remember when I bought that wooden ship model on the old hobby thread on PW? It was about 8 or 9 years ago.

Well I did some of it for a few months, then lost interest, then a few years later did some more, then lost interest. And he we are 9 years later and I'm determined to now get the damn thing finished.

This was the point I'd got to before, basically still only doing the first planking layer. (Oh yes, there needs to be 2 sets of hull planking):

[Medicine Man]

Nice. Although I hate to say it but it looks like after all that time and work you've put in you've made it upside down.

[Sly Boots]

Nice. Although I hate to say it but it looks like after all that time and work you've put in you've made it upside down.

This is me with every DIY project I attempt.

[Maturin]

I knew I'd gone wrong somewhere...

[Wrathbone]

I love model ships - keep us updated!

[Stormbringer]

I was doing a bit of miniature-painting last night when all of a sudden I just SNAPPED!

I looked upon my works and despaired, realising the futility of everything. Then I resolved to cast it all aside. I think I am going to try something completely different.

[Sly Boots]

As long as it makes you happy and/or relaxed it's not futile. Taken as a purely objective views most hobbies wouldn't clear that bar.

[Wrathbone]

What's futile about painting minis? It's not something I've ever done, but my brother-in-law does and it's a hobby that clearly takes great patience and skill. If you use them in games, great. If you do nothing with them other than put them on a shelf so you can admire your handiwork, also great. If you want to get utilitarian, you could do what my brother-in-law often does and sell them for a huge profit.

[Snowy]

If you want to get utilitarian, you could do what my brother-in-law often does and sell them for a huge profit.

A friend of mine does that, he has an amazing talent for painting (I have neither the patience not coordination) and always goes into it with the aim of gaming the armies he paints, then deciding to put them up on eBay and selling them for a whopping premium.

[Stormbringer]

What's futile about painting minis?

Because I'm terrible at it. ¬_¬

[Maturin]

I found I had to work very slowly, with both elbows planted on the desk in front of me while holding the mini in one hand. Otherwise I just had no control.

I think it's possible to get great results without actually being great at it. It just takes much longer.

[Wrathbone]

What's futile about painting minis?

Because I'm terrible at it. ¬_¬

Oh. I guess it depends how much you want to be good at it and if it's worth persevering. I tried playing the guitar for a while and that was mostly futile due to me having stupid fingers, but I still pick it up and murder a few songs occasionally for fun.

[Stormbringer]

So today I ALMOST decided to completely give up painting miniatures. I was even ready to start putting bits and pieces on eBay!

Then I realised that this all started because I screwed up one model last night, and I... overreacted a bit.

I took a look at the offending model this evening and I have to admit, it was an atrocious attempt. It's no wonder I got depressed and thought this hobby wasn't for me. However, when I surveyed my other work, which up until now has been fine (by my standards), I realised this is still a viable hobby for me. I'm going to bin the one model that went wrong (and two or three others that go with it) try a different project.

[Tichinde]

Don't bin them.
You have two choices.
1 strip them and re-paint them.
2 keep them to remind you of this moment of folly

I need new brushes, my detail brushes have gone to shit

[Stormbringer]

I was looking at them last night and decided I am going to try and salvage them. I don't think I need to strip them; I'll just paint over the bits I messed up.