Ready Made Vs Kits (1 Viewer)

[skeeterbuck]

I would guess that most members here are more of the "collector type" than the "assemble & paint" type. I realize that for some that the idea of them doing the filing, fitting gluing, painting etc. themselves just doesn't work for them, but I find this very sad.

To my way of thinking, there is so much more to this hobby then just buying figures and placing them on shelves in display cases. I urge anyone that has never built and painted a figure themselves give it a try. Not only will you be supporting the hobby in a different way, It will open up a whole new aspect to the hobby that can be very rewarding.

Some will say that they have tried it and the figure looked lousy. So what! Give it another try and I'm willing to bet that the second figure will look better that the first. Heck, I been doing it for about 50 years and I still screw things up, but for me the satisfaction that I get when it does come out right far outweighs the frustration.

I like to hear from all the members that do assemble and paint at least some of their collection and also from those that don't why they haven't given it a serious attempt.

Chuck

 

[lancer]

Kind of in the middle. When I was much younger (high school, college), I assembled and painted my own figures such as Rose and Hinchcliffe. I got quite good at it and actually sold figures through a local hobby shop. Then I graduated college, got married, etc., and that was the end of my painting days. It was quite fun and rewarding, both in terms of personal satisfaction and in terms of the bit of money I made. But that is all long gone. I haven't painted a figure in close to 40 years and honestly I couldn't be bothered to do it again. I am at the stage where I enjoy the collecting aspect of the hobby and have no interest in putting in the time and labor it takes to assemble and paint my own figures. My eyes, patience, and living circumstances have all changed, so painting my own TS really isn't an option even if I was so inclined. The choices available in today's TS hobby are incredibly varied and so well done that I see no reason for me to do my own. That said, I do understand the lure to building and painting one's own figures, it's just not for me anymore. -- Al

 

[theBaron]

As Quint says in "Jaws", "Y'all know me, ya know what I do for a livin'." I do both, though I have painted my own far more than I have bought commercially-finished figures. Coming to the hobby from scale modeling, casting and painting my own is something I do for enjoyment, and I can appreciate a piece that someone has prepared himself, as much as a commercial piece, and in many cases, appreciate it even more.

Prost!
Brad

 

[ivanmoe]

If I paint a figure, its because it came with a model airplane or vehicle. I've looked at some Andrea pilot figures, but have yet to bite.

This topic would appear to provide an opening for a comment that I've wanted to make for a while, so here goes...

I'd like to provide some encouragement to collectors who became discouraged with building/painting models in their youth. Some of us are perfectionists, I know. It was frustrating to build a model, and have it look "like a kid did it." Things typically didn't come out like a model that we might have seen in a magazine. Well, things have changed for most of us as adults. We can afford to buy the tools that we need to build and paint a model that's up to snuff. Those tools and a modicum of patience are the keys to completing a kit that you can be truly proud to put on display. True, there's a bit of skill involved with advanced techniques. Even then, however, it's not brain-surgery. As to how far you might want to drill down into the hobby, that's a personal decision.

Thanks for reading,

-Moe

 

[Toy Soldier Brigade]

I use to paint a lot of my own figures, but as I got older and my eye sight worse I just don't do it as much. I do like customizing some of my painted Britain's figures though. You get a unique figure without having to assemble or do a complete repaint. I don't like painting faces. I have trouble with the eyes.

 

[Toy Soldier Brigade]

I use to paint a lot of my own figures, but as I got older and my eye sight worse I just don't do it as much. I do like customizing some of my painted Britain's figures though. You get a unique figure without having to assemble or do a complete repaint. I don't like painting faces. I have trouble with the eyes.

 

[theBaron]

I use to paint a lot of my own figures, but as I got older and my eye sight worse I just don't do it as much. I do like customizing some of my painted Britain's figures though. You get a unique figure without having to assemble or do a complete repaint. I don't like painting faces. I have trouble with the eyes.

Don't let those things discourage you, Paul! I use an Optivisor now, and when I bought it, I wished I'd bought it 5 years before that time. And as for eyes, in 54mm it's relatively simple, whether in toy soldier style or matte. I urge you to try it again.

Prost!
Brad

 

[johnnybach]

Well, I tried the ready-made route to begin with - and after the first excitement wore off - I found it very unsatisfying just to buy something - and then put it in a glass cabinet. So.....tried out a few kits - and got hooked straight away. I just find assembling and then painting so relaxing - and then very rewarding as the figure develops before your eyes. Okay, so I'm never going to rival the professionals - but for me, that's not the point.

I build, repair and paint to enjoy the process, and as I also like to read about the figures that I have chosen to paint, I learn a bit more about them along the way.

I also agree with some of the previous replies - in that tools and techniques are much easier to get hold of these days via the Internet - and I too own an Optivisor ( and a magnifying lamp) - so use either or both to help see the details I want to create.

Kits, repairs, conversions or just straight re-paints for me - every time. If it wasn't for doing that - I don't think that I'd still be in the hobby at all. jb

 

[Hazebrouck]

I'm another who enjoys the process of making kits/restoring figures.

Should you give me a new manufactured figure it would hold my attention for several minutes. On the other hand if given an old Stadden or the like to do up then you have given me four or five hours of relaxation!

I understand that frustration can set in when your finished work doesn't come up to the standards we put upon ourselves. I'm currently working on 1/72 aircraft and having a lot of dramas airbrushing camouflage. Its one of those things I leave for a few weeks and then try again. Just finishing the third kit I'm not happy with. Funny thing is I think we can be our own harshest critics; my young bloke hasn't complained about any of them hanging from his bedroom ceiling

Scott.

 

[maddadicus]

I will retouch ready made figures, as well as weather and embellish detail on vehicles, but my eyes, aging hands, no extended extra time outside of running a business and giving my wife an hour or 2 of my attention, gives me little choice in the matter..My kits from scratch days are a thing of the past..Michael

 

[Wolfgang_UK]

I can only add to what others have allready pointed out just buying ready painted figures appears most unsatisfying to me. Lacking any talent I took up sculpting and casting and painting figures as well many years ago. The learning curve was and still is steep but without my own trials how could I fully appreciate other's fantastic work. Each little step foward bettering the quality of your own work is a joy. Painter's and sculptor's who are fully satisfied with the quality of their own work are a rare breed and I guess it has to go on and on - and that is what is facinating me. Being the rich guy whot got it all ibecause he can buy it all is not my way in the hobby. Just as exiting as collecting stamps - appologies to all stamp collectors but I guess you got my point.
Wolfgang

 

[skeeterbuck]

Don't let those things discourage you, Paul! I use an Optivisor now, and when I bought it, I wished I'd bought it 5 years before that time. And as for eyes, in 54mm it's relatively simple, whether in toy soldier style or matte. I urge you to try it again.

Prost!
Brad

I had a similar occurrence Brad. I have always been blessed with excellent eyesight. With age when I finally needed glasses for reading I purchased an Optivisor also. WOW! I realized how much more exactingly detail I could acomplish using the Optivisor. Now I never sit gown at my modeling bench without it on.

Chuck

 

[theBaron]

I had a similar occurrence Brad. I have always been blessed with excellent eyesight. With age when I finally needed glasses for reading I purchased an Optivisor also. WOW! I realized how much more exactingly detail I could acomplish using the Optivisor. Now I never sit gown at my modeling bench without it on.

Chuck

We're all prone to some changes in our eyesight as we get older, but for me, I think 20 years of working with PCs and looking at the terminal have taken a toll. I think I've developed presbyopia; I've lost focus at different distances, but to different degrees, in both eyes.

I use the Optivisor for things like threading a needle, too, or reading fine print

Prost!
Brad

 

[skeeterbuck]

I will retouch ready made figures, as well as weather and embellish detail on vehicles, but my eyes, aging hands, no extended extra time outside of running a business and giving my wife an hour or 2 of my attention, gives me little choice in the matter..My kits from scratch days are a thing of the past..Michael

Michael, maybe consider building from kits or converting a kit as opposed to starting from scratch. There are numerous figure kits that cover all periods and with a kit, the procedure goes much more quickly.

Chuck

 

[skeeterbuck]

Well, I tried the ready-made route to begin with - and after the first excitement wore off - I found it very unsatisfying just to buy something - and then put it in a glass cabinet. So.....tried out a few kits - and got hooked straight away. I just find assembling and then painting so relaxing - and then very rewarding as the figure develops before your eyes. Okay, so I'm never going to rival the professionals - but for me, that's not the point.

I build, repair and paint to enjoy the process, and as I also like to read about the figures that I have chosen to paint, I learn a bit more about them along the way.

I also agree with some of the previous replies - in that tools and techniques are much easier to get hold of these days via the Internet - and I too own an Optivisor ( and a magnifying lamp) - so use either or both to help see the details I want to create.

Kits, repairs, conversions or just straight re-paints for me - every time. If it wasn't for doing that - I don't think that I'd still be in the hobby at all. jb

JB, you were one of the members I thought of when starting this post. I always notice your numerous post showing you current project. I can tell from your postings the joy and satisfaction you receive from your work. I know this because I experienced the same when I finish one of my figures too. I think the difference is that you take the time to take some pics to post on the forum. I rather tardy in this respect and just more on to the next "creative experience". :redface2: I guess I should try and be more diligent in that respect.

Congrats on all your fine work! Plus the fact that you share it with us here. :salute::

Chuck

 

[cnq]

Yes I do assemble and paint my own model planes and very much enjoy doing it. I have only painted a couple pilot figures for my planes but planning to do more in the future. One of the reasons I'm doing it because I like model planes and the cost of buying prebuilt prepainted models has increased so much that I could no longer afford buying them; And there are some model planes I like to get but no one is making them i.e. Horten 229, IL2....etc...So building my own air force is the only option left for me .

 

[marco55]

I'm afraid I'm in the middle I buy kits but get others to do the work but I do get excited when I know one of my kits is coming home.I did try models when I was young but that was when I discovered I had 10 thumbs {eek3}.There are some people who have natural talent for the arts,There are some that by hard work learn how to obtain their results to there own satisfaction then there's people like me.The straw that broke the camel's back for me was when half of the HMS Victory was glue to my hand :redface2:{eek3}.I knew then what my limits were.
Mark

 

[Toy Soldier Brigade]

We're all prone to some changes in our eyesight as we get older, but for me, I think 20 years of working with PCs and looking at the terminal have taken a toll. I think I've developed presbyopia; I've lost focus at different distances, but to different degrees, in both eyes.

I use the Optivisor for things like threading a needle, too, or reading fine print

Prost!
Brad

Had 20/15 vision up until around my 40's. Then I noticed things weren't as sharp. Eye doctor says it's just age. I only use 150 readers to read and use computer. I do use an Optivisor, but I need to get use to holding things close to my face when I paint.

 

[marco55]

Had 20/15 vision up until around my 40's. Then I noticed things weren't as sharp. Eye doctor says it's just age. I only use 150 readers to read and use computer. I do use an Optivisor, but I need to get use to holding things close to my face when I paint.

That's Ted William's vision isn't it?
Mark

 

[jager7080]

Building models is what got me into collecting toy soldiers...Although , when i was young i had Marx & Britains Deetail & Timpo...One day in the early 90's , while building a Tamiya kit of a DAK sdkfz 223...I was on the internet looking for an infantry kit to build & paint along side the kit i was building...That is when i stumbled across K&C's early foray into Matte WW2...I bought the two K&C DAK MP's & have been collecting ever since...But i still repaint & build kits...They go hand in hand for me...It is very enjoyable to take on a project & when you finish it have a good feeling about it...Here are some recent repaints i have done...

Joe