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Made in us
Fresh-Faced New User




I'm new to scratchbuilding, and while it is immensely rewarding, my results aren't very good. Any tips, tricks, or pieces of advice for a beginner? Thanks!
   
Made in us
Veteran Inquisitorial Tyranid Xenokiller





Some backwater sump

Practice your greenstuff skills. It's the biggest gap in my personal skillset, to the point where I let projects linger when I get to the greenstuff part, even if it's just simple gap filling.

Being able to modify or fix pieces you already have is a huge asset.

New Career Time? 
   
Made in us
Stabbin' Skarboy





For me, it’s having materials that you know. I’ve just had this mound of plastic tubes, card, and random trash/bits that’s sat there for a while, but I’m familiar with it to the point that just sorta know what could go where.
And I guess In terms of non orky trash-bashing, paper templates can help create consistent pieces.

"Us Blood Axes hav lernt' a lot from da humies. How best ta kill 'em, fer example."
— Korporal Snagbrat of the Dreadblade Kommandos 
   
Made in at
Deranged Necron Destroyer





Sandable filler and Sandpaper/Sanding Sticks are what you use to get a good, smooth result at the end.

For working with Plasticard, a ruler with a steel edge and rubber strips on the bottom helps immensely. The steel edge goes where you want your cut, lay your hand on top of the ruler to keep it in place, and then lightly make 2-3 cuts along the edge, then bend and snap.

Get good at grebeling. Tiny plasticard pieces or random bits can really break up a surface.

   
Made in gb
Thane of Dol Guldur





Bodt

What are you making? Figures, vehicles?

Good tools are a must have. Good blades etc.

A Dremel with a set of carving burrs is a level up tool for modeling. I find it perfect for shaving away resin, meaning I can take forge world parts and modify them for better usage, or get parts off them I couldn't otherwise.

Sculpting skills helps too. Get used to working with GS and milliput, and mixtures of both.

Heresy World Eaters/Emperors Children

Instagram: nagrakali_love_songs 
   
Made in us
Regular Dakkanaut






Gary Goyle wrote:
I'm new to scratchbuilding, and while it is immensely rewarding, my results aren't very good. Any tips, tricks, or pieces of advice for a beginner? Thanks!


Are you scratch building minis, terrain or vehicles?

   
Made in us
Stealthy Space Wolves Scout





Folkvang

Magic Sculpt is my favorite for sculpting. Very easy to smooth with water just like clay except it's a two part epoxy.

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