Doogs

Weathering Words

Post author:Doogs
Post published:November 16, 2015
Post category:Commentary Weathering
Post comments:14 Comments

At work, everyone wants to own their little slice of “strategy”, to the point where the term itself has become – I won’t say meaningless – but certainly confused.

Over the past week, I’ve been on vacation. Away from the bench and largely away from the computer. I’ve done more following and reading than I have ranting…and I’ve had some time to think, if that’s what you call the random firing of synapses after long days of taking three kids around Disney World.

And it seems to me that a lot of the butthurt and fur-raising associated with weathering is similar – the term is too broad, too catch-all.

It confuses evidence and reference with technique. It conflates different types of weathering. And it sets up this weird and annoying “nobody is wrong” dynamic that, ultimately, does nothing for anybody.

If that’s the case, why bother talking and debating and digging up reference photos and seeking greater understanding at all?

So I thought it might be helpful to propose some new terminology to specify what we’re talking about. Which will no doubt raise the typical claims that I’m telling others how and what to model. A common, specific terminology – so evil, right? (more…)

Bench Video: Finding a Rig

Post author:Doogs
Post published:November 5, 2015
Post category:Gear Workspace
Post comments:6 Comments

Let's talk about video. If there's one request I get more than any other, it's for more video content. And I always dodge, because, well, video is pretty work-intensive. Photos…

“Just” a Hobby?

Post author:Doogs
Post published:October 29, 2015
Post category:Commentary
Post comments:26 Comments

“Whatever. It’s just a hobby.”

“It’s your model. Do whatever you want.”

What if – bear with me here – but what if we all agreed to put aside these dodges when discussing various aspects of modeling?

Why? Because they add absolutely nothing to any discussion of any kind. And because, in my opinion*, they cheapen the hobby and our shared passion for it.

*NOTE: When I say opinion, I mean exactly that. I’m not making pronouncements or holding up commandments of modeling. This is not a manifesto. This is my soapbox and I can stand on it and say what I want, and you’re free to agree, disagree, or flat out ignore me. Isn’t that great!?! (more…)

5 Years & 10,000 Likes

Post author:Doogs
Post published:October 28, 2015
Post category:Uncategorized
Post comments:5 Comments

Earlier today, the Doogs' Models Facebook page cracked 10,000 likes. Holy crap. When I started on this venture five years ago, I had no inkling it would attract the kind…

Fetishizing the Enemy

Post author:Doogs
Post published:October 21, 2015
Post category:Commentary
Post comments:155 Comments

Fellow modelers, we need to have a talk. Because…what the actual fuck?

What’s the deal with this hobby’s fascination with German crap?

A 109 here, a Panther there, I get it. In moderation, German subjects can be a nutritious part of a well-balanced modeling diet. But I frequently see it going beyond interest to fascination and, yes, fetishization of the tools and weapons and personalities of Nazi Germany.

Running the Numbers

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The 4 Key Attributes of Kits – and the 2 Reviews Usually Miss

Post author:Doogs
Post published:October 20, 2015
Post category:Commentary Reviews
Post comments:5 Comments

Butthurt Prevention Note: This hobby is highly dependent upon preferences and perspectives. What follows is my own. Yours may differ. And that’s totally fine.

When I first came back to modeling, I figured I’d start with something simple and cheap. So I picked up a Revell SBD Dauntless. Maybe, once upon a time, it was an innovative kit. But by today’s standards – or even by the standards I was accustomed to as a kid – it was a piece of trash. I quickly christened it the Fail Dauntless and consigned it to paint mule duty.

I think it's vaguely criminal that Revell still charges money for this — I think it’s vaguely criminal that Revell still charges money for this

I moved on to Tamiya’s P-51B Mustang, and the experience of building a good kit was downright revelatory.

Since that time, I’ve completed 46 kits (I had to go count!). And I’ve learned a few things.

I’ll be talking about some of those learnings over a handful of posts. Let’s start off with this:

My definition of a “good kit” is hardly ever touched on in reviews.

Kit reviews generally look at two things – detail and accuracy. To me, those are only about half of what makes a good kit good. In fact, I’m willing to give up some of both if other aspects hold up.

To me, the quality of a kit rests on four attributes: (more…)

Panel Lines: Do They Even Exist?

Post author:Doogs
Post published:October 19, 2015
Post category:Commentary Painting and Airbrushing Weathering
Post comments:31 Comments

My recent rant against egregious panel line shading has drawn quite a hefty response. Plenty of voices of support...and of butthurt and defensiveness. A few who have mistaken the entire…

Decals Matter, Yo

Post author:Doogs
Post published:October 12, 2015
Post category:Uncategorized
Post comments:15 Comments

For October's Sprue Cutters Union, The Combat Workshop asks: Whether it's a part of the assembly process, a finishing technique, or a particular tool, what do you think are the…

Thoughts on a Show

Post author:Doogs
Post published:October 10, 2015
Post category:Commentary
Post comments:17 Comments

The annual Austin IPMS contest was today. Despite falling on the same weekend as ACL and the TX/OU game, turnout was actually pretty good. There were a lot of entries,…

Down with Attaboy Culture

Post author:Doogs
Post published:September 23, 2015
Post category:Commentary
Post comments:41 Comments

Recently, a certain modeler shared his latest build on a certain forum. A very nice build, with some really excellent touches that I think a lot of modelers often miss.

The thread predictably filled up with comments like “WOW that looks superb – great finish” and “that’s a beautiful build! I love everything about it…” and “that is a superb model! thank you for sharing”.

While I don’t disagree, I saw one area that I thought could be improved upon. Feedback on completed builds is a bit touchy because the damn things are done, and it’s not like we can go back and address. But there’s always the next build, right?

So I posted the following:

Really like it – nice touches especially with the heat shield shading and the scuffed cockpit sills! Really hoping to tackle on of these big F-4s myself, just have too much on the go at the moment.

Only thing I might suggest for the future is a slightly more subtle shade for the panel line wash, but I can say that about way too many of my own builds!

Mine was (and remains) the only actual feedback in the entire thread. The rest is a string of “attaboys”.

In another thread…a sprawling reaction to my recent post on panel shading…my feedback on the F-4 was specifically called out. There was some “why I never!” about modelers denigrating other modelers based solely on their biases, and the frustratingly common refrain that feedback or opinions equal some kind of tyrannical modeling new world order.

The modeling illuminati command you to stop drybrushing! Mwahahaha!

Attaboy Culture and the Fear of Feedback

Painting in broad strokes, the modeling community is bizarrely averse to feedback of any kind. Touch that wire and you immediately get hit with accusations of trashing other modelers.

Why? Because “modeling is supposed to be fun”? Because “modeling is just a silly hobby”? It’s both of those things, but you know what? Fuck that. It can be both of those things and welcome feedback and constructive criticism.

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