Cant get out of this modelling block

As the title says.....just cant seem to get out of this modelling block at the moment :eek7:
Its been 3 months since i last touched a kit and just cant seem to get back into the swing of building again :mad:
I've lost count how many times i get all my stuff out to start and end up doing nothing but sit there.
Just thought i'd vent my feelings here :mad: :mad:

God its annoying at times

:banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

dont worry dude, it happens to the best of us.
i got out of mine but not thinking about it for a while and then when i felt ready i went and bought a brand new kit that i had never built before.

that way i wasnt sick of it! you will get back into it im sure. just dont force it. also i always get a bit funny about building during the summer, and its your summer now isnt it?

hmm..... i can't see how you would have modelig block.... if u can build that well, theres no reason to stop.... unless it bores you...

maybe you've been trying to get perfection too much that it becomes stressful? build a box stock kit.... (with all matt black interior). maybe a bit of colour for lights and yea.... should look good, and less stress....

I've lost count how many times i get all my stuff out to start and end up doing nothing but sit there.


Don't worry man, I've been doing exactly the same thing for the past two years now. Which is why no-one has seen that dreaded first model from me yet. You'll get over it sooner or later anyway.

I know what you mean. I go through long droughts myself at times, life gets in the way and sometimes what is on my workbench just isn't hitting it. Right now I've got a new Playstation 2 that I got from Santa and that's so damned fun playing Need For Speed Underground and Colin McRae rally (the only two games I have so far) that modeling time has been cut. But it has gotten me somewhat inspired to try to build something from those games. Somebody from the aftermarket needs to do up some of the decals/vinyl designs from the game. My built RX-7 Underground racer is an absolute screamer, and the custom graphics would be killer on a model. I'd build it tomorrow if the decals were available...the design is so complicated I'd take as long to create the art as the rest of the car!

Don't worry about the lack of inspiration...it'll come to you somehow, some way. Maybe from going to a model show, or car show, or by getting the spark of an idea that's just different enough from what you normally build. I'm currently working on something quite different from my usual, and it's fun to go outside your "comfort zone" every now and then...at least when you can envision the results and they look pretty good in your mind.

I can totally relate... Once I found this forum I got all inspired to start building again - after many years of my unbuilt models boxed up in the basement. So I dug them all out, bought some new supplies, went to work on them one day & just sat there staring...

I'll get over it & get some work done so I can show you all what I've got.

BUILD SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

The very best cure. Find a model of something outside of 1/24 cars- a genre you're less serious about- for fun. Find something un-automotive that grabs your fancy, and build it. We all need a breath of something different every once in a while. Get a plane or helicopter you think is cool. Try a sci-fi kit- the Fine Molds Star Wars Xwing is excellent (and cured my last case of burn out!). Get one of those Tamiya dinosaurs (no, I don't mean the Porsche 935 Moby Dick kit), or try a wooden ship kit. Or something else. Just something you don't have to polish out the body work on.

It can be alot easier to recapture the joy of modeling building something quick, easy, and outside your usual subject area. For me (and maybe for you, too) modeling is very different than when I was a kid. Now every kit is a research project- an excercize in obsessive detail. But I can remember years (decades?) ago when I would build a little airplane kit in a day or to- unpainted, gaps between parts, glue spiderwebs running everywhere- maybe not really pretty, but man it was fun! Building something less serious can recapture that.

Just a thought. Good luck!

I came on the forum today on my day off because I feel the same way as you P-man. I swear I was going to post a thread myself just to kinda vent some of these things going on lately.

holidays were so stressful I had no time for myself. So I took a week off from work (this week) and I wanted to relax and detail the car (My real Nissan) take care of any personal-responsibilities, and then really dive into a model -giving it 110%. I don't have any more work to do but I still feel so guilty when I sit down and try to do something fun (PS2, modeling, my new x-mods RC etc..) I feel so uncomfortable.. like I am putting important things off so I can play, but in actuality I've got no responsibilities left to take care of.

sometimes I will *Clears throat* smoke so I can relax.. but I hate to HAVE to do that just so I can be normal. :dunno: but it does help me to relax and also helps to really focus on the details. Maybe this works for some of you also?

I don't really have any advise for you P-Man, im in the same boat as you.. I got the stuff out on the table ready to go but my heart's not into it. When you feel comfortable enough diving into another project you'll be on a roll again. Seems like you have been kinda "iffy" about the modeling thing lately, your not going to take a major hiatus are you?

If building something different doesn't work for you maybe its time to break out your BEST model you've put aside and covet the thought of building... buy some new modeling supplies, or a kit you've wanted and get at it!

It'll pass, mate! :sunglasse

my suggestion to you is, watch a movie with cool cars, even if its the Fast and the Furious, i find i get a bit of "adrenaline" going after watchin car vids, and since i cant drive, i build a model of sumthing i would love to drive, something cool, seeing cars that i WILL never own, or even see, is something that gets me goin (no im not a freaky pervert) but since i cant buy a real one, i find a model in the ol' stack and build one that i would like to drive. this is how it works for me, just a little sugestion to you, I havent been in a modeling block in a while, i built all kinds of models when i was like 12, then just stopped, and since i been with my g/f i started painting those little modifiers, then found this site, and picked up the plastics again, and my skills have changed dramatically, Im still nothing compared to yourself, but AF made me want to model again, and made my models worht looking at, so hopefully i can get a digi cam and at least Try and show off my stuff :lol:

Watching a car movie can help (I'd suggest something like an old lemans movie. GT40 power!) or just try to find inspiration with someone else's model. eventually you'll get an idea in your head of a car that won't just go away. Currently I have three such cars swimming around in my head that I would love to build, but I'm letting myself think of more details to add to them before tackling them. After seeing a corvette C5-R model on this website, then a 69 Camaro convertible, I felt an insane urge to dump the lemans engine in the 69 camaro body, complete with huge wheels, race rubber and vented brakes. I still feel that urge now. I first saw those two cars six months ago. Just look for something that would appeal to you, and your brain will just start ticking over!

Warren, I've been out longer than you. I've picked up a few kits and haven't touched them. Just going through a very long block dealing with life and a house that I've been working on for almost a year now.

Well, I Just wanted to say hello to the ones that remember me and to all the newbies that may see me posting in the future. I still peek in at least once a week if not more. Hope all is well and good luck with your building projects.

I'll be posting again soon.

-Walter

Hey Walter, long time no see, way too long. Good to hear from you though :)

Warren, send me all your kits, it's almost guaranteed that as soon as you have nothing there to build you'll want to build something ;)

Pman ive been there and it took me around 3+ years to get back into the swing of things, it all changed when i found this discussion forum. I also built something that i wouldnt normaly build, it was a Tamiya M113 armoured personell carrier and painted some warhammer 40k figures from games workshop.

Me too!!

Make a kit FOR SOMEONE ELSE.

Give it to them as a GIFT!

Makes a world of difference in how you approach the model, trust me!

You will feel good, as will the recipient!

Warhammer figures! Those are great to break a downspell. They're all paint, and orks are the best 'cause you don't really have to sweat being right... I have on on my desk for that reason.

Seriously. I guess it'll just have to come around. Sometimes I am so overwhelmed by projects I can't do anything... but then my studies drive me crazy so I bust something out to throw together, then I am unhappy with how I built it in a hurry and I am driven to build a good one....

Failing that, build a snowplow.

I agree with the "build something different" approach that other people are taking.

Also, something that I've found works is to do something different with your models. One thing that got me ramped back up to build stuff was getting back into slot car racing and participating in a class that used model car bodies.

So you could try that, or maybe (funds permitting) adapt a 1:24th-ish scale RC car chassis underneath a model body. Like one of those Kyosho Mini Z's.

Playing with your models and working around a different set of limitations really gets the old creative juices flowing.

Ahh.. I should've been told this stuff last year! I completed no kits, nada, nothing in 2003. Sure I did all this cool scratch-building for fun, but I couldn't concentrate on certain projects. This year, so far I been on the ball... working on my models for as much time that I can give them. Like MPRW said, I also used to enjoy slapping a model together w/o worrying about painting, scratches, etc. when I first started. Since this year, I've gotten that feeling for model building again, but this time I'm doing all the painting, detailing, scratch-building, etc.!

Well P-Man, I was wondering why I didn't see you much around these boards. I hope you try out all this good advice being given and start building those awesome models you do!

Mabye I've understood nothing-:eek7: mabye my english is too bad, but if you said what I've understood there's one thing you can do: take a break. :iceslolan:iceslolan Shut off your computer, open the door and go out for a walk in the wood, in town, at the mountain, wherever you want... Don't think about model building and model threads. Meet friends, drink beers together... Forget everything of what's here, because here is nowhere.:sly:

Modeling is like surfing, and surfing is like smoking :smokin: : it's a pleasure, and pleasure is a drug. But if you don't stop smoking all day, you'll forget the taste of the first cigarette, you'll lose pleasure. (I could have said the same with cookies, I realise, so that everybody could have understood...:rolleyes:)

Have you ever heard of aircraft modeling?... lol!:icon16::icon16::icon16::evillol::evillol::evi llol::grinno::iceslolan:loser::rofl::lol2::cwm27:: lol::p

I'm going through the same thing, I figured you might be the same coz we've not seen a great deal from you for a long time. I've not done any serious building for months now, i just cant seem to be able to sit down and work on something. I have no shortage of ideas and projects planned but this maybe part of the problem, being unable to focus on one thing. I have plenty of inspiration too, just sifting through the pages of Option magazine is enough for that but theres a big difference between thinking about going over to that modeling bench than actually getting off your arse to get to it.

I know what you mean. I go through long droughts myself at times, life gets in the way and sometimes what is on my workbench just isn't hitting it. Right now I've got a new Playstation 2 that I got from Santa and that's so damned fun playing Need For Speed Underground and Colin McRae rally (the only two games I have so far) that modeling time has been cut. But it has gotten me somewhat inspired to try to build something from those games. Somebody from the aftermarket needs to do up some of the decals/vinyl designs from the game. My built RX-7 Underground racer is an absolute screamer, and the custom graphics would be killer on a model. I'd build it tomorrow if the decals were available...the design is so complicated I'd take as long to create the art as the rest of the car!


Ditto! Just got a PS2 at the weekend - yet more distractions! Thought the very same thing about the decal idea, infact the Gran Turismo Nismo R34 is been on my mind for a wile now. While playing a few car game recently, the idea that sprung to my mind would be to have some sort of game inspired competion. The number of projects to be done is endless, from stock build rally cars from the likes of Colin McRae Rally or WRC to the Jap garage tuned cars from Gran Turismo. Personally i'd love to build the RX7 from Auto Modellista using the Aoshima Mazdaspeed kit complete with custom decals. I'm sure others have had the same or similar ideas, wasn't it 835 who was making the Pug inspired from a comp game?

http://www.capcom.com/am/am_car_logo.jpg

Ditto! Just got a PS2 at the weekend - yet more distractions! Thought the very same thing about the decal idea, infact the Gran Turismo Nismo R34 is been on my mind for a wile now. While playing a few car game recently, the idea that sprung to my mind would be to have some sort of game inspired competion. The number of projects to be done is endless, from stock build rally cars from the likes of Colin McRae Rally or WRC to the Jap garage tuned cars from Gran Turismo. Personally i'd love to build the RX7 from Auto Modellista using the Aoshima Mazdaspeed kit complete with custom decals. I'm sure others have had the same or similar ideas, wasn't it 835 who was making the Pug inspired from a comp game?

http://www.capcom.com/am/am_car_logo.jpg

I'm all revved up to build something from one of the games. There's a dizzying array of cars one could build. Wish I could take the memory card and print a screen capture/photograph of my car from one of the magazine covers that you win when you win a race. That would be good reference for a model.

i would be up for a game inspired build off! i too think the cars in Auto modelista are great. the game is ok but its just changing all the bits on the cars that makes it so much fun. my fave is a subaru that i completed the whole game with in about 4 hours,lol

would definately be fun.

maybe in the rules we could specify that there must be at least two body colours and the inclusiion of graphics etc.
Also must pre enter some form of picture of the car your gonna build?
come on guys this could be fun!

There must be something in the air. I haven't touched a kit since I finished my GT3 in early Dec. I feel your frustration. I have ideas floating in my head, but nothing comes out. Hell, I've even been frequenting AF less than normal. I can only offer what I'm trying to do to get off this lull. It's all modeling related, but not actually modeling, which I can't seem to sit down to these days.

I've bought up a bunch of lumber and tools to build myself a nice shelf to display my models. I also plan on picking up some clear acrylic sheets to build display cases to keep them dust-free. Then with the leftover wood, I'm going to build a paint booth. And finally, my resin casting supplies just came in, so I'm going to give that a shot at that as well.

I'm hoping that seeing a cool new shelf, display cases, and my own resin pieces will inspire me back into building a kit.

hi
I know what your going through Warren, im doing the same. i go into my modeling room and get all fired up then i sit get out the instructions and just sit there staring at them.lol. Then i leave and go watch tv. ive been doing this for about 2 months now. I really want to make something but just dont get enthused. Maybe this weekend, but its just so dam hot at the moment to be sitting in a little stuffy room for hours.
Ive got a wicked idea in my head for a model but its just getting the $ to but all the stuff needed.

cheers

I think I am right there with you P-man. I haven't touched a model in 4 almost 5 years now. Personal things came up, met a girl, she had a 6 month old, who will be 5 soon, delt with alot of other things. I spent alt of time trying to get my real car, a 99 civic SI, running the way it should be, in fact just got it fixed tonight, so I know how you guys feel. I posted a thread "laying flames" and still have not painted the model, but I got some awsome tips. I had the kit just laying around, along with plenty others a whole BIG box full infact, the kid saw it and asked me to build it for him. I told him to tell me what he wants, he told me and I said ok lets get going. 1 month later and the only thing I have done is sand it and let him pick the colors, some job I'm doing teaching him the tricks of the trade huh. I haven't really gotten to look at what you build, but from the looks of things alot of you are building imports, and some old hotrods. Maybe try and go to an airplane or a helicoptor or just something that is just off the wall, just something you don;t think you would EVER buil just might light the fire again. Any way that felt good to vent, thanks guys!