those "other" model builders

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**nintendoeats**

I went to a meeting of a local modeling club today (this was only their second meeting, so not alot of people yet). Nobody else there played games and I found it a little akward. There were a couple of models bouncing around and I kept thinking about how awesome that WWI tank would look with orks all over it. It seems that most modelers are focused on making something as realistic as possible, whereas I (and presumably most other dakkaites) just want to make something crazy. Consistent and detailed, but ultimately ridiculous. I'm probably going to use my experiences with this group to make some nice scratchbuilts...and then ork the crap out of them.

I also thought this really highlighted how the rules mix in with the models and make things potentially more interesting. For example, the trukk I am builsing is going to have the Goff Rockers and amps and such, which I am hoping to count them as a wrecking ball 'cause dey's so loud. on the other hand, pure modelers are usually on making something as close to reality as possible, heavily limiting their options.

I was wondering if anybody else had experience or thoughts on the divide between us wargame modelers and the modeling hobby as a whole.

**insaniak**

It's really down to the different approaches that people take towards modelling, and what they hope to get out of it.

For most historical modellers, the thrill is in making something as true to life as possible.

For fantasy modellers, things are a bit more open... the thrill is more in making something 'cool'...

Either can be good. It really just comes down to what you're interested in personally.

**tankworks**

There is not really that much difference. Even fantasy models look better if they look as though they could actually exist on some plane or other (at least so says I).

**nintendoeats**

True, but on the whole if you had the choice between seeing an absurd but totally badass model and a well made but fairly boilerplate model which would you pick?

**chromedog**

Well-made but fairly boilerplate most of the time.

I've seen some VERY bad cobbled together models for gaming over the years.

When a 'fantasy' model has been done up to the same standards as a "historical model' it looks even more badass though.

**zeronyne**

Here's some boilerplate for you:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/24796741@N05/sets/72157604247242338/show/with/2346008881/

I think the realism is just incredible. If I had the chops, I would make every piece in 40k as realistic as possible IN CONTEXT with the milieu. With my limited skills, I have to settle for static grass on bases.

**Dark_Gear**

First, to answer the topic at hand which really seems to have been further refined by nintendoeats:

if you had the choice between seeing an absurd but totally badass model and a well made but fairly boilerplate model which would you pick

I would go for a totally badass model painted like it was boilerplate.

case in point, any of the models painted by these scratchbuilders:

http://www.kallamity.com/
http://fichtenfoo.net/blog/

And Chromedog, thanks for that link. His work is just messed up.

Cheers,

Dark_Gear

**Teek**

@zeronyne: that is utterly fantastic work, really superb stuff. Do you know the artist?

I love the meshing of the models and real world backdrops, totally blending them into scale. I definitely have to try that.

That being said, on the OP's point: the comparison is relative. I've seen "gamer" modelers on both ends of the spectrum, from the utter trash model to the superbly detailed, scaled, and weathered hyper realistic models. I think one key difference is the average hobby model maker is less than inclined to throw his or her work down on a table and play a game with them.

**nintendoeats**

That stuff is hardcore.

I suppose we would all like to see models turn out like crysis: You start with something that is very very realistic...AND THEN ADD REALISTIC ALIENS!!!!!!

But in reality the mad creativity to get a really awesome and original conversion is often at odds with the incredible patience and attention to detail required for some of the work shown in this thread. This is exhasurbated by the fact that you have to keep it original down to those details or the whole thing feels jumbled.

My personal preference (though I respect that not everybody feels this way) is to see just the nuttiest stuff people can think of. I have a friend who made Kommandos by mixing some Ork bitz with appropriately sized bushes. They were pretty coarse models, but they were so entertaining that it didn't matter. Sometimes more skilled modeling will improve that effect, but in this case just seeing ork bushes was all that wa needed.

And if you are praticularly creative, making hilarious models is much faster than detailed ones.

**CplPunishment**

Dark_Gear wrote:

I would go for a totally badass model painted like it was boilerplate.

case in point, any of the models painted by these scratchbuilders:

http://www.kallamity.com/

Looks like somebody went to town on a P38 lightning. The P38 is my favorite plane ever (mostly 'cause it looks so cool), but still I approve.

Oh, and props to the OP for using the word 'exacerbate'. Mr. T is proud of you for stayin' in school

**Napalm**

I'm the only wargamer in my model club, they like the stuff I do with my Chimeras, they just don't get why they're painte blue since it's not very good camo anywhere. I said it was to match the blue digi camo my Guardsmen wear of course. (It's based on the current US Navy digital camo)