Model Ship Building and the Myth of Perfection
- Updated on:
- Written by Rob Smith
Many new modelers get concerned when they are working on their model and make mistakes. Whilst they do try to fix up the mistakes they never feel completely satisfied and they comment that the mistakes seem to be really obvious. Here’s some thoughts about the myth of perfection from a very experienced modeler Rob Smith.
But my ship isn’t museum quality
The first thing model builders of all levels need to do is forget about perfection because ultimately there is no such thing. Very few ships will approach what we like to call museum quality and even many of those are not perfect.
Master modelers often comment that model ships in museums may not necessarily be made to an exceptionally high gold standard. It may depend on who built the ship, how much money was spend on the model and how well the model has been conserved. It really is a very subjective view and defers for different people.
People build to different standards
Everybody builds to different standards. Some people have simply no interest in building perfect models. Other people maybe just starting out in a new hobby of model building and be glad to just finish the ship model. Other people build while battling medical conditions that see them struggle to continue a hobby they love. A few of us are interested in portraying how ships age and weather over time. Each person will have a different reason they are model building.
Improving your skill level
When people start out modeling they may have well developed skill set from another similar hobby or work whilst others have little or no real skills in the area. While our skill levels increase with every build what really improves most is how well we hide our mistakes. With each model people use different skills and approaches. You may pick up a hint from a fellow modeler or by watching a YouTube video. You may trial a new way of bending the planks for the hull and decide you’d better buy a plank bender for your next model. It’s all a process of learning as you go.
Do people really see the mistakes in your ship model
It is also worth remembering most people who look at your work won’t even see your mistakes. They are unlikely to have enough nautical knowledge to fully appreciate or understand all the details of what you have built.
They will still be amazed that you had the patience to create such a beautiful model. At wonder at just how long it took you to achieve this fine model.
Key Takeaways
- The pursuit of perfection in model ship building is a myth; even museum-quality models have imperfections.
- Different builders have various standards and reasons for engaging in the hobby, including personal satisfaction and overcoming challenges.
- Skill improvement is a continuous journey, with each project teaching new techniques to hide mistakes effectively.
- Most observers won't notice the mistakes, appreciating the effort and beauty of the model instead.
- The most crucial aspect is to enjoy the building process and take pride in the results, embracing the journey rather than the outcome.
What’s really important in model ship building
So whatever your level of experience remember, the most important thing at the end of the day is that you enjoy the build process, are happy with the results and you can look at it and be proud and say “I built that and she is all mine, faults and all”
“For me it is the journey, not the destination that fuels the real enjoyment in this hobby”. – Rob Smith.
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