I need constructive criticism...

[racer93]

Originally Posted by white97ex

Looking at the photo DM just posted and the rear of your car. You could have made an improvement on the vents. I would have tried to open up the vents on the model, all the way out to the body panel. (you can see how they are stepped, basically remove the stepped portion with sanding sticks and files) Then I would have have thinned the edges of the body and attached some mesh across the entire opening. If done correctly this could score major points with the judges.

Thanks for the comments.

First, I didn't walk in and think I would even place. What I'm looking for is why I didn't, since the judges were pretty much up to their arses in the work they had to do...

Looking back and monday morning quarterbacking, I should have changed the rear a bit. I was going on NO references, something I have changed since then. Same for the rear lights.

(I do have a current WIP, my first, in motorcycles. Feel free to visit and comment.)

[drunken monkey]

And I also just noticed that the clear part on the rear bumper isn't a light...

In which case, what the guy above me just said - thinning the plastic around the opening would've done wonders for the appearance of the car. As would have replacing that awful (not your fault) clear plastic part.

[racer93]

Originally Posted by drunken monkey

And I also just noticed that the clear part on the rear bumper isn't a light...

In which case, what the guy above me just said - thinning the plastic around the opening would've done wonders for the appearance of the car. As would have replacing that awful (not your fault) clear plastic part.

I see that now. It's something I now would catch, as I would see it in ref pics. Back then, I would take Tamiya's word as gospel for everything and just improve on what they had (for instance, the rear screens--in the kit it's a decal, but I added p/e mesh to it, not realizing that the mes is at the end of the air tunnel...

[hirofkd]

Originally Posted by racer93

I guess what I don't understand is this: Where does this apply to this car?

This is what DM means by painting the surrounding edge of a clear part.
The top one is unpainted, and the bottom one is painted.

In the top photo, notice the thickness-side appears as a hazy white line along the edge where it meets the hood and the front bumper? Real headlight cover isn't that thick, so it spoils the looks. I usually take the easier approach of painting the edge with a black marker.

[racer93]

Originally Posted by hirofkd

This is what DM means by painting the surrounding edge of a clear part.
The top one is unpainted, and the bottom one is painted.

In the top photo, notice the thickness-side appears as a hazy white line along the edge where it meets the hood and the front bumper? Real headlight cover isn't that thick, so it spoils the looks. I usually take the easier approach of painting the edge with a black marker.

Yes, once they said it was for the tail lights, I understood, but thanks for the pics. That really shows what the effect is. That does help...

Daniel

[guiwee]

Dude count yourself lucky!! You have some of the heavy hitters
commenting on your build.(lol) Its always a bonus when the really good
modelers share their expertise.Looks good to me. But as I read their comments
and clicked back to pic.. I understood exactly what they were talking about.
They noticed stuff I didnt.So take heed and build on!!!!!!!1

[racer93]

Originally Posted by guiwee

Dude count yourself lucky!! You have some of the heavy hitters
commenting on your build.(lol) Its always a bonus when the really good
modelers share their expertise.Looks good to me. But as I read their comments
and clicked back to pic.. I understood exactly what they were talking about.
They noticed stuff I didnt.So take heed and build on!!!!!!!1

Thanks, Guiwee. I am very critical of my builds, which builds a fire under me to get better and keep learning. I have been at the top of some of my other hobbies that I can't do anymore (auto racing). By being at the top, you want to be that good and have that feeling back in any endeavor you decide to. Now, do I think I'll be a "master builder"? No. Do I think I'll be very good if I continue to follow other's comments here and other sites? Yep.

This hobby is more like golf than anyone knows--always looking for that perfect round. And when you get it, you want to do it again. Just replace "round" with "build" and you get modelling.

I did realize that the major weakness (after sleeping on it) is the front panel lines. For some reason, they were just uber shallow, and that didn't allow the thinned out black to flow into the grooves. I have learned my lesson and will make sure and trench out the next one heavily...

Thanks for all the guidance. As I said before, this isn't my best work. Please don't think that this is the best I can do. I wish I would have posed a WIP on my Jag XJR9. I think most would think differently of my work, had they seen it...

Daniel

[HamburgerHead]

I can't critique....your work is better than mine, it looks really nice to me!
The only thing I might say....your fellow statesman, Nicky Haden might be a bit dissapointed to see you have a Rossi profile pic! lol
Keep up the good work!

[AAlmeida]

I'd like to say the kit overall is very well done, particularly I don't like black panel lines, mixing colors is way better than black, like drunken monkey said.
Did you sand the body after the first or second clear coat? Doing that minimize the steps between the decals and body paint, I can't see the others decals because the pictures aren't really clear, but the second one I can see the Tamiya and 2.0 decals steps.
I prefer to use stencils instead tire decals, but in this case a gloss coat layer before and after the decal job helps to hide the decal glue, after that matte coat to a real tire look. Finish with a slight coat of Smoke (Tamiya) or Super Clear Gray (Mr Model).
The valves looks a little oversized to me.
When picture has a lot red color try to save in "gif" format.
Almeida

[lumpulus]

Originally Posted by AAlmeida

The valves looks a little oversized to me.

That's what I noticed as well. They look about twice as big as they should.

In regards to model shows....never be shy about asking a judge why things went the way they did in a category....just approach them with politness and respect(whether they deserve it or not) and they will probably tell you more than you ever wanted to know.

Also, NEVER base your satisfaction of how you're doing at shows\contests...build for yourself and no one else. Competition is fun, but you need to remember every model judge out there isn't perfect, and in fact some are complete idiots, even at the national level.

[racer93]

Originally Posted by lumpulus

That's what I noticed as well. They look about twice as big as they should.

In regards to model shows....never be shy about asking a judge why things went the way they did in a category....just approach them with politness and respect(whether they deserve it or not) and they will probably tell you more than you ever wanted to know.

Also, NEVER base your satisfaction of how you're doing at shows\contests...build for yourself and no one else. Competition is fun, but you need to remember every model judge out there isn't perfect, and in fact some are complete idiots, even at the national level.

Thanks, Lump. I try not to base my satisfaction on anyone else's thoughts or actions--that only leads to dissatisfaction and burn out.

Even though it looks large in the pic, the valve stem is homemade and is close to the size of the turned pieces that are out there from well known manufacturers...maybe that's off, maybe it's the pic, maybe it's just me. Who knows. From now on I'll try and use turned parts, as they're just a bit more detailed.

Thanks for all your comments. I really appreciate it and have already put a lot of them to good use in upcoming projects! (My Ferrari 641 and the other 1/12 scale F1 cars I got for a steal come to mind...)

Daniel