I've got an article in this month's "ModelArt Australia" magazine

Rather exciting news - I've got a four page article on panel line washes in the latest release ModelArt Australia magazine. It is my first ever magazine article.

ModelArt Australia, issue 96, August/September 2017.

For those of you in Australia, the magazine is fairly easily found.

For international readers, I'm not so sure... Sorry.

I can't share any information from the article at this stage, but once the next edition comes out I have permission to re-publish my article here on my blog. But in the meantime, if you have funds available and can see your way to buying the issue and supporting a local modelling endeavour, that's a great thing to do. If money is tight, and I understand for a lot of people it is, then just keep enjoying my free content as always.

Cheers,

Dave

New video: Comparing 1/32 Mustang models built in 1986 and 2017

I was rummaging in the shed the other day, and I found one of my models built way, way back in the 1980s. I found a 1/32 P-51D Mustang that I built in 1986. Having just completed a 1/32 Mustang a few weeks ago, I thought it might be interesting to compare the two and see how far I, and the hobby, have come in 31 years!

I've kept most of the models I built when I was a kid and a teenager, but with 20-30 years of storage and moving house most are in a pretty sorry state. Combine this with the pretty average model building skills I brought to them at the time, and I'm not really in the mood to share much of them!

But it is very satisfying for anyone to see how far they have come. Looking at these two models side by side, I'm struck by what a massive difference an airbrush and some weathering skills make. Really, if all you ever improve is getting yourself an airbrush and learning how to use it, and some basic weathering techniques (may I humbly suggest starting with this video here), you will be streets ahead of where you started from.

The video is just a bit of fun, it's not terribly deep or philosophical. That said, I do recommend you try to keep your old model builds, and that way if you ever lose your mojo and think you're not terribly good, all it will take is a quick look at how far you have come to re-motivate yourself!

Video is embedded below, but in case that doesn't work here is the link:
1986 versus 2017 - comparing old and new 1/32 Mustang scale model builds

Cheers,

Dave

New video: Top 5 weathering techniques for scale model beginners

As mentioned a while back, I've been working on a collaboration video for YouTube, and it went live today. It is a collaboration with Panzermeister36, whose YouTube channel some of you may already be familiar with. He specialises in 1/35 armour builds, and he has an amazing eye for detail and great artistic ability, quite a rare combination.  Our new videos are our respective takes on the Top 5 Weathering Techniques for Scale Model Beginners.

Top 5 weathering techniques for scale model beginners.

Each of us separately decided on our Top 5, and recorded our videos. The fascinating element is comparing the two interpretations, seeing which weathering techniques are so useful that we both agree on having them in our Top 5.

It's rather difficult to narrow down weathering to only five techniques. Obviously there are dozens more, but for my own video I really thought hard about which five were the best:

• Which are the most useful?
• Which are the most impactful (biggest bang for your buck)?
• Which are the easiest do Do-It-Yourself, without having to shell out big money for exotic materials?

So please do check out my video below, and then scoot on over to YouTube to see Panzermeister36's video giving his take on the subject.

Video is embedded below, but in case that doesn't work here is the link:
Top 5 Weathering techniques for building scale models

Panzermeister 36's YouTube channel can be found here.
And this is his collaboration video: "Top 5 Weathering Tips I recommend for beginners"

Cheers,

Dave

Any suggestions on improving my videos or blog?

I've just been reading a thread on a Facebook modelling group, where people were discussing what they find frustrating in model videos on YouTube. It seems that a pet peeve is introductions that go on for too long. 15 seconds seems to be the absolute longest anyone says they are willing to sit through, any longer and they click onto the next video.

Guess how long my video intros are?

Yep, 15 seconds.

So I'm going to change them, and make them shorter at about 9-10 seconds. It doesn't sound like a lot, but I don't want to give my audience the shits before they even begin the actual video content.

In light of that, if there are any other suggestions any of you have for ways I could improve my videos or blog, I'm all ears. Please do comment below or contact me if there is something I do which could be improved.

You guys are my audience. If you want it, I'm interested in hearing it and delivering it to you.

Bloody hell, this feels like a workplace Powerpoint presentation suddenly...  
Source.

Cheers,

Dave

New video: How to model sea and ocean waves in a scale model diorama

I've released a new video, and it is a whopper at over 30 minutes in length. It shows how to replicate realistic ocean waves, from initial sculpting, to painting, to final detailing of the spray and whitecaps - perfect for ocean bases for waterline model ships! It's a simple enough technique, but there is a fair chunk of artistry involved in making it look convincing.

The technique

Like I said, the actual method is pretty straightforward.

1. Take a material you want to sculpt your waves into: plaster, dense foam, whatever.
2. Using a Dremel tool, grind eye-shaped waves into the surface.
3. Paint multiple coats of artist's gesso over the top to fill in imperfections and seal the surface ready for painting.
4. Paint it overall "denim blue" - a mix of 70% Pthalo Blue, 15% white and 15% black paint.
5. Paint highlights and shadows.
6. Airbrush in sea green areas to modulate the colour overall.
7. Varnish the surface with 2 coats of high-gloss varnish, and let it dry.
8. Whitecaps/foam: Gently prise apart a cotton ball, stick this to a small section of fresh varnish. Tmp it down with more varnish on a stiff paintbrush.

See? Easy peasy. Nothing complex, all materials are pretty cheap and easily available, the most exotic is artist's gesso and that is available from any art supply store.

The finished ocean diorama base.

The art

Aha, but the magic is in making it look realistic. That is the part of the process that is both tricky and incredibly fun at the same time. I won't lie: there is some skill and a little luck involved there. All I can suggest is have reference photos on hand, so that you replicate nature as closely as possible. Engage your creative side!

The trickiest bits are getting the colour modulation looking right, so that your sea isn't just one overall shade of blue, and moulding your foamy whitecaps with cotton wool. You'll soon get a technique that feels right, I promise.

Try it. So much of modelling is slavishly researching and replicating machines designed by humans. Dioramas with a natural setting flip this, you have to capture the randomness of nature in grass, trees, rocks, etc. Dioramas with water are a step further - embrace the chaos, it's fun.

Pictured: fun chaos.

Video is embedded below, but in case that doesn't work for you, here is the link:
How to model Sea and Ocean Waves on a scale model diorama base.

Cheers,

Dave

Working on the ocean base of my Sci-Fi project

Modelling water. Only brave and foolhardy modellers model water, and of them only the truly masochistic of modellers try to model moving waves and sea. I'm a sucker...

... but I'm going to have a crack at it.

My plan is to have my anti-gravity lighthouse (still need a catchier name than that...) floating above the ocean waves. That's the story. The physical reality of the diorama is that I have a round marble base that I bought from Kmart, which I have filled with plaster to simulate a wavy sea. In that plaster I have based two wires, which I am hoping to disguise as guy-ropes which are dangling over the edge of the deck, just touching the water.

Here's the cunning plan:

Aha. That is indeed a Cunning Plan.

Side-on view.

And here is the current reality. The waves look pretty plaster-y at this stage, but that will change.

It feels great to be doing something so different to my last couple of builds.

Cheers,

Dave

New video: The Ten Commandments of Building Scale Models

After my post last week on the Ten Commandments of Building Scale Models got a lot of attention and feedback on social media, I thought I might follow it up with a video, because I know a lot of my audience aren't really into the whole Facebook / Pinterest / sharing their life with the entire world thing ;)  Plus I wanted a chance to elaborate a little more on my ideas, and explain the thinking behind some of them.

As a result, I humbly present to you my video all about the Ten Commandments.

(I feel like Cecil B. DeMille...)

I go into a bit more depth about the ten ideas, and explain why and how I came to these conclusions. Plus I elaborate on my blacklist of model manufacturers - I'm not really in the habit of criticising manufacturers, but there are a couple I have just sworn off.

As a final drawcard, there are photos of the bloody results when I slipped with my scalpel. If that doesn't make you want to watch it, I don't know what will.

Video is embedded below, but in case that doesn't work here is the link:
The Ten Commandments of Building Scale Models

Cheers,

Dave

Almost 3000 YouTube subscribers

Wow. I just checked on YouTube, and I'm almost at 3,000 subscribers. Insane!

I just wanted to say a sincere thank you to each and every person who has subscribed. When I started this whole Dave's Model Workshop thing in September 2016, I had no idea how much it would take off.

Every single time someone comments on a video or a blog post, every single time someone tells me that I've helped them or given them a little shove of inspiration, it really does make me sit back and say to myself, "That's extraordinary". Every time.

Thanks people.

You're the best.

Dave

The new project is begun: a scratchbuilt Sci-Fi anti-gravity lighthouse

So I've been planning and talking about this for some time. Ummm, nine months to be exact. Ridiculous. Now I've finally commenced work on my Anti-Gravity Lighthouse. And I most definitely need to come up with a better name for this project than that.

I've been working on the base, but my first step was commencing painting the civilian lighthouse keeper. It's a resin figure I bought last year, a 1/35 "Civil Man" from Evolution Miniatures.

Source.

I've been painting his trousers navy to give him a suitably nautical feel. Next up will be an off-white jumper (or "sweater" for any Yankee readers). It's been way too long since I painted any figures, about a year, and I'm looking forward to tackling those flesh tones again.

Need to fix those sloppy joins between his torso and arms...

Obviously we will require a matte coat when he's done.

It's good to have finally started something I've been wanting to do for absolutely bloody ages. Now to make the ideas in my head turn into reality.

Cheers,

Dave

The Ten Commandments of Scale Model Building

I've been thinking a lot about my most recent build, and how now that it is finished there are one or two things that are still bothering me that I didn't correct during the build - for example, I told myself the fit of the fuselage halves was too cruddy to keep filling the seams. Now that it's completed, I can't see past those seam lines to appreciate the overall finished product. Dammit. This little piece of short-sightedness got me thinking about modelling advice, and the most important things to remember when building.

I've also been thinking about how at some stages I just wanted that Mustang finished, and off my workbench. That's a powerful motivator, but it doesn't usually lead to the best results and a sense of satisfaction in the end.

And how working with an outdated kit always involves accepting compromises.

As a result of all this philosophising and deep thought, I humbly present to you here my:

Ten Commandments for Scale Modelling

Read 'em and learn from my mistakes.

In case you can't read it on that above image, the Ten Commandments of Scale Modelling are as follows:

I. Enjoy model building. Remember, you chose to do this for fun.

II. Build for your own satisfaction, not others'.

III. Be open to constructive criticism, it's the best route to self-improvement.

IV. Thou shalt try scratchbuilding.

V. Thou shalt save money. That fancy new technique / applicator / gizmo? Nine times out of ten you can do it yourself using basic tools and materials you already own.

VI. Conversely, ten times out of ten if you buy a cheap kit there will be problems. Either spend more or embrace it and accept the compromises.

VII. Honour thy Tamiya, for their kits are idiotproof.

VIII. Thou shalt clean thy airbrush thoroughly.

IX. You will cut yourself with a scalpel many, many times. Accept that blood is part of the process.

X. If a flaw bothers you, then fix it. Don't leave it, because it will continue to bother you six months after you "finish" thy model.

_____________________________________________


I'm like Mr Miyagi, Yoda and Nietzsche all rolled into one bite-size package. If you follow these guidelines, your modelling will improve, I 100% guarantee it. Honest.

However, this is also to provoke discussion and get other modellers thinking. Comment below if you think I've missed anything more important, or if you don't agree with any of the ten. But you better be ready with some pretty damn convincing arguments if you're going to badmouth the engineering of Tamiya kits...

Cheers,

Dave