Breakthrough ModelingBreakthrough ModelingOvercoming Barriers to ModelingOvercoming Barriers to Modeling

Martin Sagara IPMS 44668Martin Sagara IPMS 44668

Rob Wolf Chapter, Denver, CORob Wolf Chapter, Denver, CO

June 4, 2008June 4, 2008

Breakthrough Modeling

Understanding perceived barriers that block Understanding perceived barriers that block productivityproductivityMethods of becoming more productiveMethods of becoming more productivePractical tips to increasing your productivityPractical tips to increasing your productivityThe points presented may or may not be useful The points presented may or may not be useful for your particular situation – your mileage may for your particular situation – your mileage may varyvaryThis presentation is partly based on This presentation is partly based on Art & Fear: Art & Fear: Observations On The Peril (and Rewards) of Observations On The Peril (and Rewards) of ArtmakingArtmaking by David Boyles & Ted by David Boyles & Ted Orland (ISBN 0961454733) ) All of the quotes in this presentation are paraphrased from this book.All of the quotes in this presentation are paraphrased from this book.

Getting Started

Frequently, the hardest part of a task is Frequently, the hardest part of a task is just starting itjust starting it

Just thinking about an unpleasant, tedious, Just thinking about an unpleasant, tedious, or difficult task generates a reluctance to or difficult task generates a reluctance to doing itdoing it

The fear of “messing up” can also cause The fear of “messing up” can also cause avoidance of the taskavoidance of the task

So what do you do?So what do you do?

Getting Started

JUST START!!!JUST START!!!1) Don’t think1) Don’t think2) Walk to your work area2) Walk to your work area3) Start with the next task that needs to be done3) Start with the next task that needs to be done

STARTING - IS THE HARDEST PART STARTING - IS THE HARDEST PART OF THE JOBOF THE JOB Once started, a momentum builds up that Once started, a momentum builds up that usually sustains the work on the taskusually sustains the work on the taskUse this method during any stage of assembly, Use this method during any stage of assembly, not just the beginning. It’s intended to help get not just the beginning. It’s intended to help get your work session started.your work session started.

Vision

Starting a task can be hard because of Starting a task can be hard because of lack of vision - the goal is obscured, the lack of vision - the goal is obscured, the reason for working on this model is reason for working on this model is dubious, can’t figure out how to do a taskdubious, can’t figure out how to do a task

Example:Example: Driving down an interstate Driving down an interstate highway at 75mph is almost effortless on a highway at 75mph is almost effortless on a clear day when you can see the road clear day when you can see the road ahead for a long distance along with all of ahead for a long distance along with all of the cars and obstacles around youthe cars and obstacles around you

VisionBUT…BUT… It’s hard to drive the speed limit on an It’s hard to drive the speed limit on an interstate highway in a dense fog. The way isn’t interstate highway in a dense fog. The way isn’t clear and there are hidden dangers so you clear and there are hidden dangers so you (hopefully) slow down(hopefully) slow downWhen you can’t see a clear path to the When you can’t see a clear path to the completion of a model, the natural reaction is to completion of a model, the natural reaction is to slow down or stopslow down or stopThe solutionThe solution – figure out what is obscuring your – figure out what is obscuring your visionvision – find out how to do a task that seems – find out how to do a task that seems difficult, get the right tool, find the reference difficult, get the right tool, find the reference photo that shows the color you need, etc.photo that shows the color you need, etc.

In other words, identify and remove In other words, identify and remove what is obscuring your visionwhat is obscuring your vision

Perfection: Concept vs. RealityPerfectionPerfection does not exist does not exist

ExcellenceExcellence does exist does exist

““Lesson for the day: vision is always ahead of Lesson for the day: vision is always ahead of execution – and it execution – and it shouldshould be.” be.”

Most modelers start with a mental picture of what Most modelers start with a mental picture of what the perfect finished model will look like.the perfect finished model will look like.

The problem usually starts when the model under The problem usually starts when the model under construction (reality) starts to deviate from the construction (reality) starts to deviate from the (ideal) mental concept (this usually happens with (ideal) mental concept (this usually happens with the first brushstroke of paint).the first brushstroke of paint).

Perfection: Concept vs. RealityBuilding the perfectly imagined model is tough Building the perfectly imagined model is tough because we can imagine perfection but rarely can because we can imagine perfection but rarely can attain it.attain it.Do not start with the mindset of building a perfect Do not start with the mindset of building a perfect model, instead concentrate on applying your skills model, instead concentrate on applying your skills in the best way.in the best way.Modelers tend to stop working on a kit at the first Modelers tend to stop working on a kit at the first mistake or less than perfect result.mistake or less than perfect result.Press on with construction – make a note of the Press on with construction – make a note of the mistake, figure out how to correct or avoid it, learn mistake, figure out how to correct or avoid it, learn from the mistake.from the mistake.Mistakes are the best teachers because the Mistakes are the best teachers because the lessons tend to be remembered.lessons tend to be remembered.

Perfection: Concept vs. Reality

““The development of an imagined model The development of an imagined model into an actual model is a progression of into an actual model is a progression of decreasing possibilities, as each step in decreasing possibilities, as each step in execution reduces future options by execution reduces future options by converting one – and only one – possibility converting one – and only one – possibility into reality. Finally, at some point or into reality. Finally, at some point or another, the piece could not be other than it another, the piece could not be other than it is, and it is done”is, and it is done”

Perfection: Concept vs. Reality

““You make good models by making lots of You make good models by making lots of models that aren’t very good, and gradually models that aren’t very good, and gradually weeding out the parts that aren’t good”weeding out the parts that aren’t good”

““The seed for your next model lies The seed for your next model lies embedded in the imperfections of your embedded in the imperfections of your current model. Such imperfections, or current model. Such imperfections, or mistakes, are you guides – valuable, mistakes, are you guides – valuable, reliable, objective, non-judgmental guides – reliable, objective, non-judgmental guides – to matters you need to reconsider or to matters you need to reconsider or develop further.”develop further.”

Work

““The undeniable fact is that your model is not The undeniable fact is that your model is not some residue left when you subtract all the some residue left when you subtract all the things you haven’t done – it is the full payoff for things you haven’t done – it is the full payoff for all of the things you all of the things you havehave done” done”

““When you watch your work unfold day by day, When you watch your work unfold day by day, piece by piece, there’s no escaping cause and piece by piece, there’s no escaping cause and effect. Simply put, what you did got you here, effect. Simply put, what you did got you here, and if you apply the same methods again you and if you apply the same methods again you will likely get the same results again”will likely get the same results again”

The Work At Hand““Your imagination is free to race a hundred Your imagination is free to race a hundred works ahead, conceiving models you could works ahead, conceiving models you could and perhaps should and maybe one day will and perhaps should and maybe one day will build – but not today, not in the model at build – but not today, not in the model at hand. All you can work on today is directly hand. All you can work on today is directly in front of you.”in front of you.”

You are working on the model you are You are working on the model you are working on. Focus on it and give it your working on. Focus on it and give it your best effort.best effort.

Learning““Model making involves skills that can be Model making involves skills that can be learned”learned”

““Models are made by ordinary people”Models are made by ordinary people”

““To all viewers but yourself, what matters is the To all viewers but yourself, what matters is the product: the finished model. To you, and you product: the finished model. To you, and you alone, what matters is the process: the alone, what matters is the process: the experience of shaping that work”experience of shaping that work”

““Modelers get better by sharpening their skills or Modelers get better by sharpening their skills or by acquiring new ones; they get better by by acquiring new ones; they get better by learning to work, and by learning learning to work, and by learning fromfrom their their work”work”

Practice

PracticePractice makes excellence makes excellence

PracticePractice provides the real-world test of the provides the real-world test of the perfect ideas you’ve had running around in perfect ideas you’ve had running around in your head.your head.

PracticePractice provides the unbiased feedback provides the unbiased feedback that you need to know your real skill levelthat you need to know your real skill level

More practiceMore practice More feedbackMore feedback

More improvement More improvement == Better Modeler Better Modeler

Practice: PotsA ceramics teacher announced that the A ceramics teacher announced that the class would be divided into two groups.class would be divided into two groups.– Group A would be graded solely on the Group A would be graded solely on the

quantityquantity of their work – 50 lbs for an “A”, 40 of their work – 50 lbs for an “A”, 40 lbs for a “B”, etc.lbs for a “B”, etc.

– Group B would be graded solely on the Group B would be graded solely on the qualityquality of their work – One perfect pot. of their work – One perfect pot.

Which group produced the highest quality Which group produced the highest quality work?work?

Practice: PotsGroup A, the quantity grading, produced the Group A, the quantity grading, produced the highest quality work.highest quality work.

Why? Work Why? Work Feedback Feedback ImprovementImprovement

Group B, the quality grading, exhibited Group B, the quality grading, exhibited Paralysis by Paralysis by AnalysisAnalysis. They spent most of their time theorizing . They spent most of their time theorizing about the perfect pot and in the end, most failed to about the perfect pot and in the end, most failed to produce a single pot but provided a lot of written produce a single pot but provided a lot of written speculation about the subject of the perfect pot.speculation about the subject of the perfect pot.

The Moral: Build… Anything!The Moral: Build… Anything!

Your Work Is Your Work

““Model making can be a rather lonely, thankless Model making can be a rather lonely, thankless affair. Virtually all modelers spend some of their affair. Virtually all modelers spend some of their time producing work that no one else much time producing work that no one else much cares about”cares about”

““The point is that you learn how to make your The point is that you learn how to make your work by work by making your workmaking your work, and the great many , and the great many of the models you make along the way will never of the models you make along the way will never stand out as finished art. The best you can do is stand out as finished art. The best you can do is to make models to make models youyou care about – and lots of care about – and lots of them!”them!”

Your Work Is Your Work

““The viewers’ concerns are not your concerns… The viewers’ concerns are not your concerns… Your job is to learn to work on your work”Your job is to learn to work on your work”

““Fears about model making fall into two families: Fears about model making fall into two families: fears about yourself, and fears about your fears about yourself, and fears about your reception by others. In a general way, fears reception by others. In a general way, fears about yourself prevent you from doing your about yourself prevent you from doing your bestbest work, while fears about reception by others work, while fears about reception by others prevent you from doing your prevent you from doing your ownown work” work”

Your Work Is Your Work

Build for yourself.Build for yourself.

Your hobby must satisfy your wants and Your hobby must satisfy your wants and needs – not anybody else’s.needs – not anybody else’s.

But if the approval of others is important to But if the approval of others is important to you, then recognize that as part of what you, then recognize that as part of what makes you happy and adjust your work makes you happy and adjust your work accordingly.accordingly.

Contests & CompetitionCompeting in a contest is only a relative measure Competing in a contest is only a relative measure of your work against your competitors’ workof your work against your competitors’ work

The mindset for building a competition model will The mindset for building a competition model will probably differ from building a “regular” model for probably differ from building a “regular” model for yourselfyourself

The IPMS contest handbook indicates what should The IPMS contest handbook indicates what should be judged. Focus on satisfying these criteria firstbe judged. Focus on satisfying these criteria first

A winning model need not be fancy or extremely A winning model need not be fancy or extremely detailed. However, detailed. However, it must be well-builtit must be well-built and this and this is well within the skills of mere mortal modelersis well within the skills of mere mortal modelers

Flow

Flow* is a state-of-mind where work becomes effortless due to focus & energy.Flow offers a highly productive mental state.Getting into a state of flow requires time on task. One must begin and work on a task for a period of time before flow kicks in.Once in a flow state-of-mind, press on with the work.

* Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (ISBN 0060920432)

Energy

Events can trigger a flood of modeling Events can trigger a flood of modeling energy. Seeing a movie with a cool energy. Seeing a movie with a cool vehicle, seeing an exotic car on the road, vehicle, seeing an exotic car on the road, or seeing a fascinating relic at a museum.or seeing a fascinating relic at a museum.This “excitement energy” is a terrific This “excitement energy” is a terrific motivator.motivator.Go with the energy when it strikes, don’t Go with the energy when it strikes, don’t hesitate, act as soon as possible (or at hesitate, act as soon as possible (or at least start the research on the subject).least start the research on the subject).

Inspiration and The Muse

Waiting for The Muse to strike can kill Waiting for The Muse to strike can kill productivity… there’s never a Muse productivity… there’s never a Muse around when you need one.around when you need one.

Implement the “Just Start” rule instead.Implement the “Just Start” rule instead.

BUT… Sometimes The Muse does strike BUT… Sometimes The Muse does strike and you must act on the impulse!and you must act on the impulse!

The Muse can be the source for incredible The Muse can be the source for incredible productivity, and enjoyment.productivity, and enjoyment.

15 Minutes

Commit to working on your craft for 15 Commit to working on your craft for 15 minutes a day.minutes a day.A lot can be accomplished in 15 minutes.A lot can be accomplished in 15 minutes.The intention to work just 15 minutes may The intention to work just 15 minutes may put you in a position where, once you start put you in a position where, once you start working, you will end up working much working, you will end up working much longer than 15 minutes.longer than 15 minutes.You should be able to devote 15 minutes a You should be able to devote 15 minutes a day to something you truly love doing.day to something you truly love doing.

Trade StudiesMost projects consist of Most projects consist of three key elementsthree key elements::– 1) Time1) Time– 2) Labor, work, effort2) Labor, work, effort– 3) Cost3) Cost

It is possible and recommended to trade these elements It is possible and recommended to trade these elements depending on the situation.depending on the situation.Example:Example: Pre-painted photoetch sets cost more than Pre-painted photoetch sets cost more than regular sets but eliminate painting time and possibly skill. regular sets but eliminate painting time and possibly skill. In this case, elimination of painting time and getting a In this case, elimination of painting time and getting a better appearance is traded for the additional costbetter appearance is traded for the additional costExample:Example: Fast setting super glue can be used instead of Fast setting super glue can be used instead of slower setting plastic cements if time is a factorslower setting plastic cements if time is a factorLook for ways to trade on these three criteria if the Look for ways to trade on these three criteria if the situation requires itsituation requires it

Mini ModelsLet’s face it – some modeling tasks are Let’s face it – some modeling tasks are tedious and boring (e.g. painting road tedious and boring (e.g. painting road wheels for tanks)wheels for tanks)To overcome this boredom, take on the To overcome this boredom, take on the attitude of building mini-models where the attitude of building mini-models where the individual parts or assemblies become an individual parts or assemblies become an exercise in building a model of exercise in building a model of subcomponent of the overall model.subcomponent of the overall model.Remember – a completed model is the Remember – a completed model is the sum of it’s components.sum of it’s components.

Organize Your WorkspaceOrganizing your workspace reduces the time Organizing your workspace reduces the time and frustration of looking for a needed item.and frustration of looking for a needed item.

Keep items you regularly use within close Keep items you regularly use within close reach.reach.

Use a rotating multi-tier bin (lazy susan) to Use a rotating multi-tier bin (lazy susan) to organize & store a number of items within organize & store a number of items within easy reach.easy reach.

Use bins or trays to hold related items.Use bins or trays to hold related items.

Remove items that are not needed or not Remove items that are not needed or not frequently used.frequently used.

Make Instruction Notes

Plan your assembly work.Plan your assembly work.

Determine where deviations from the Determine where deviations from the instructions will be necessary but note instructions will be necessary but note steps that need to be performed as stated.steps that need to be performed as stated.

Note additional painting instructions.Note additional painting instructions.

Write down reminders - such as adding Write down reminders - such as adding nose weight to aircraft.nose weight to aircraft.

Tools““The model you produce tomorrow will be shaped, The model you produce tomorrow will be shaped, purely and simply, by the tools you hold in your hand purely and simply, by the tools you hold in your hand today”today”““Simply put, certain tools make certain results possible”Simply put, certain tools make certain results possible”““Your tools do more than just influence the appearance Your tools do more than just influence the appearance of the resulting model – they basically set limits upon of the resulting model – they basically set limits upon what you what you cancan accurately model” accurately model”Tools enable the things we can accomplishTools enable the things we can accomplishBad tools prevent us from achieving our goalsBad tools prevent us from achieving our goalsGood tools enable us to get superior resultsGood tools enable us to get superior resultsSearch for the right tools for the job at handSearch for the right tools for the job at handInvest in good toolsInvest in good tools

Multitasking – Part 1There is always idle time during the There is always idle time during the assembly of a model – time that you assembly of a model – time that you have to wait – for glue to set, for paint to have to wait – for glue to set, for paint to drydry

Plan so that you can alternate the work Plan so that you can alternate the work on different assemblies of the same on different assemblies of the same modelmodel

Example: Work on the landing gear while Example: Work on the landing gear while the cockpit paint is dryingthe cockpit paint is drying

Multitasking – Part 2Work on two or more models Work on two or more models simultaneouslysimultaneously

While waiting for paint to dry or glue to While waiting for paint to dry or glue to set on one model, work on another set on one model, work on another model.model.

Multitasking – Part 3Work on two or more kits simultaneously Work on two or more kits simultaneously that will have the same color schemethat will have the same color scheme

This allows you to maximize the use of This allows you to maximize the use of paint and airbrush preparationpaint and airbrush preparation

Example: Simultaneously assemble two Example: Simultaneously assemble two cars that will be painted the same color cars that will be painted the same color and paint both car bodies during the and paint both car bodies during the same airbrushing sessionsame airbrushing session

Try It!Some skills seem beyond our reachSome skills seem beyond our reachBut… these limits usually exist only in our But… these limits usually exist only in our mindmindTry a new technique or technologyTry a new technique or technologyDo your research and then give it a try on Do your research and then give it a try on a model that, you know in your mind, is an a model that, you know in your mind, is an experimental subject (i.e. inexpensive, experimental subject (i.e. inexpensive, expendable)expendable)You will probably find that the technique is You will probably find that the technique is not as difficult as you originally thoughtnot as difficult as you originally thought

Explore New Territory

Building different types of models or models of Building different types of models or models of different subjects can be refreshing and different subjects can be refreshing and illuminating.illuminating.Different types of models require different Different types of models require different techniques and different mind-sets.techniques and different mind-sets.Start with an inexpensive kit, such as an auction Start with an inexpensive kit, such as an auction kit.kit.Start with a simple kit – a complex kit could set Start with a simple kit – a complex kit could set you up for failure.you up for failure.Don’t worry about messing up – this a relaxed Don’t worry about messing up – this a relaxed learning experience.learning experience.

ConclusionGive some thought to your modeling habits, Give some thought to your modeling habits, find those that don’t work for you, and find those that don’t work for you, and replace them with a new approachreplace them with a new approachIdentify things that hold you back and find Identify things that hold you back and find ways to overcome themways to overcome themDon’t be afraid to try something new – a Don’t be afraid to try something new – a different type of technique, tool, model, etc.different type of technique, tool, model, etc.Do what you really enjoy – this is after all Do what you really enjoy – this is after all supposed to be an enjoyable hobby – not supposed to be an enjoyable hobby – not workwork