SPA Modeler

I don't know how you do it but using paint instead of decals is stunning work. Bravo!
I don't have the confidence in trying that method myself.

Thanks guys!

BlackSheep214 wrote:I don't know how you do it but using paint instead of decals is stunning work. Bravo!
I don't have the confidence in trying that method myself.

In some ways, it is easier than applying a decal. At least you don't have to worry about solutions and all of the efforts to get a decal to conform.

I am currently working on getting the stenciling done. Which are decals, of course! Not as many as a factory-fresh Dora so it shouldn't take too long. Once that is done, I am one step closer to the weathering process.

Stunning work once again John! Your technique is almost magical you wizard! I am overwhelmed.

Thanks Duke! Just practicing techniques that I have gleaned from message boards like this.

Did anyone notice the rather obvious black overspray on both sides of the tail?



I didn't. I even applied a decal RIGHT OVER the one the port side. Someone on another site pointed it out. How embarrassing.

um.... I must be missing something John because I can't see anything

I guess it's in a location that generally corresponds to a color demarcation. But still... once you see it, it bugs the heck out of ya. I've highlighted one of t he pics to show...

Must be the camo because I missed it at first as well. Man you've gotta be looking really hard to see it though.

speedgraflex wrote:No. I missed it, too. This looks like overspray from your Post-It technique to me. I know I was concentrating on the propeller, because I have a Dehane waiting for my Anton F-8. Not to make much of an apologia. Trust me, though. If I see something in your work, I will note it and ask you, John. One of my goals is to be of service to others—and I feel you are the same way—and to be candid, I believe it is extremely important to avoid the “Attaboy” approach another modeler wrote about. In my work, critiques usually begin: “I love (this this and this) but this (and this and this and this) must be fixed.” I understand that the critic is trying to soften the blow, to an extant, but I would much rather hear straight up what bothers someone first so I can concentrate on finding a solution. I try to be a straight shooter even more so, if I really am invested in what the other person is doing. I want you to succeed, bud. So, apologies for missing the overspray.

This can be a two edged sword and it all depends on the audience my good friend Bruce. In this case I think John can handle it but there's some members that the "kid gloves" have to be used. I've made corrections to builds in the past and got blasted all the way out of the water and I was pretty dang respectful. I've gotten to where I'll pull most folks aside into a PM and make one there very constructively until I learn what kind of person I'm dealing with. I hear what you're saying though, I've seen "attaboys" given out to (and I do mean this) builds that looked liked hammered dog crap and wondered why someone would have done that. I mean you would've had to see it to believe it. But the real point about it is that modeler accepts the praise as that they are doing good and it is a big disservice.

Back to John though. Looking forward to your recovery and progress fella.

I'm not immune to the sting of criticism but I would much rather have it than not. I'm secure enough as a modeler to accept suggestions and to also reject them if I feel they are unwarranted or something I'd rather not do. In the end, we are all in the modeling room alone and are free to do whatever we want with the input we receive. It may hurt to have a mistake revealed publicly but if I learn something from it, then I personally consider it worthwhile.

I am, by nature, a critical person. I notice ALL sorts of things in my builds and other people's builds. I won't comment on most of it because I don't know how it will be received. I think constructive criticism has its place but I also like to interact with happy people that enjoy modeling. So I try to straddle that line ya know?

That overspray oversight is a funny one. Think of the mask as an extension of the square that encloses the swastika and you'll see where it comes from. No need for anyone to apologize for missing it. I was staring it in the face when I applied a decal right over it and still didn't recognize it. But looking at the photos... it's so obvious. Weird. It has been fixed as you'll see in my next update. Still working on the stencils... got the wings and the port side done. Still need to do the starboard side.