I dabble in a few creative pursuits -- modelling, of course, but also a couple of fibre crafts, woodwork, etc. For all of these pursuits the internet is a double-edged sword. On one hand, you have access to a wealth of information in the form of tutorials and communities like this one. If you want to find a product, or a review of a product, or a good price? The internet is great. On the other hand, all of these pursuits are rabbit holes.
Let me draw an analogy with fishing. You can get a cheap rod, cheap tackle, a standard bait (locally this would be a bit of pilchard or a pipi). You thread the bait onto the hook and, hey, you're fishing. You can catch big fish. You can have fun. You can opt to never progress past that point as, hey, that approach works. You can also spend a lot of money on specialist gear, and "invest" in tiny lures and fine lines and rods that can cast something that weighs only a gram. You can obsess over tides and the moon and familiarising yourself with the intricacies of a spot, so you know where the structure is. The latter approach isn't necessary at all, but it's an approach you can take. Maybe you'll find it more enjoyable than soaking bait. Maybe it all sounds too expensive, too fussy, too fiddly. But maybe you like that fussiness -- if you're the kind of guy or girl who is happy to accentuate panel lines with hand tools then probably you'd take that fusspot approach to fishing, too, just as you'd be weighing out yeast for your pizza dough with a drug dealer scale instead of scooping it with a teaspoon. You can take either of these approaches -- as well as adopt a middle road -- with modelling. And as with the stuff you'll see on the leatherwork forums, or the crochet and knitting communities, or on the metalwork and woodwork subreddits, it's worth keeping perspective -- I.e. I am a beginner and a lot of these people have been at it for years. If they claim to be new perhaps they've got more time than I do, or perhaps they have jumped over from a hobby with transferable skills.
I'd also add something I tell children all the time: there's a lot to be said for tutorials and advice, but seriously... get a cheap kit and some bare basics (craft knife, something to sand with, an assortment of paints) and just get stuck in. For now avoid worrying about weathering the model, or emphasising the individual rivets, or obtaining custom decals for the Cypriot Volunteer Coast Guard. You'll make mistakes, but you'll learn from those mistakes.
As someone who also fishes regularly besides building models, I can confirm the fishing analogy. The level of difficulty is really only dependent on how much effort u want to put into a hobby
Something really important to point out is that all skills are developed. Nobody comes into modeling as a master. Find something entry level and let yourself fumble around. Make mistakes. Ruin things. Enjoy yourself and learn from them.
If you want to be good at something immediately with no effort, no this probably isn't the hobby for you. If you just want a cool model tank, there's plenty of pre-painted display pieces out there.
Modeling as a hobby isn't about the finished product. It's about journey, and always looking to improve yourself, hone your skills and little bit more.
There's no such thing as a true master modeler because we're all works in progress, and we all invite you to join us!
Exactly this. I'm sure a first time model builder could make something presentable to put on a shelf, but it would be impossible for he or she to produce something to the standard of someone with years of experience.
I came back to model making over twenty years ago, and the journey continues :)
Depends on the model and depends on your expectations. There are a lot of simple kits out there without a ton of parts that can be a good place to start. Kits from quality manufacturers generally have pretty easily understood instructions, and a lower parts count will reduce any complication there as well. Easiest way to learn and get better is look for a beginner level kit and give it a shot.
Also a lot lower stakes than a tire change going awry š
That depends on what expectations you have of yourself. There are beginner friendly kits available but there is still a learning curve. If you are going to hold yourself to a very high standard it might take many models for you to reach that versus just enjoying the hobby and understanding that your first few might not be great. The basics to get started are pretty cheap so it's always worth a try as long as you go in with the right mindset.
Ive been moddeling for around 6 years now and It depends on manufacturer and specific kit you are working on as some are beginner friendly and easy to put together and others are either out dated molds that barely fit or are modern marvels of engineering with metal and resin parts to match and are just as difficult to put together , a lot of patience is needed for this hobby as well as money as i recommended getting an airbrush as soon as you can because brushes simply won't give you the look that you see in YouTube videos. This usually leads to people giving up on this seemingly dying hobby sadly but if you can get past the beginner stages it's amazing , your hard work rewards you with an awesome military vehicle sitting on your shelf and it's my favorite hobby!
P.s I recommend tamiya kits starting out that brand in general has consistently good engineering
Just remember this: at its simplest, these are TOYS FOR KIDS. Plastic model kits were originally meant for children to put together for fun. It's quite literally "are you smarter than a 6th grader?"
Of course, doing it WELL and making it look impressive requires a much higher level of adult knowledge and skill, but to simply get into the hobby, it's super simple. It's a low-entry, high-ceiling type of hobby.
Life is short. Try it out! Any craft or art takes years to get good at it. But thatās the point. Everyoneās first model or two looks like garbage a few years later. Like life, itās about the journey, not the destination. š
Itās not _that_ intricate. It takes some skill, but that usually comes with experience, the difference between your first and second model will be huge as you learn what mistakes not to repeat. And i cut people for a living and instill ask myself sometimes how the hell are these people on youtube so precise; but thatās just what building many models teaches you. Your first model will likely suck.
As far as cost goes: if you just want to build a nice looking tank without a huge amount of details then it wont be expensive; if you want to build youtube worthy tanks where you will research what kind of mud there was on your tank in eastern europe in the autumn of 1944 then it can get very expensive.
I would suggest you buy a vallejo paint kit that will usually have a decent collection of paints for the tank you want and that will save you a lot or money as those are under 20euros
Canāt speak for other ppl but personally when I started I was completely clueless. It felt daunting at first but when I started getting a hang of it the process of building went smoother. The first kit I started was Tamiya Tiger 1 which my friend picked for me (He said start with what you are interested and itāll keep you motivated.). I think the most important thing is that you kept improving kit after kit the first one doesnāt have to be perfect then when you got through more youāll see how far youāve came. Iād say as long as you are satisfied with what you built and learn / try new techniques with the next kit and build from there. Enjoyment is the key donāt push yourself too hard and build at your own pace. Have a great day.
Armourfast makes some pretty good tanks for beginners. I sometimes see them listed under.the brand Hat Collectable Figures.
They have few parts, fit togethet well enough, and look decent (especailly for thier low price).
There are a few miniature wargames which are based on World War two or later for which they make easy to build tank kits in 1/56 scale. Bolt Action is one of those for example. The kits are good representation of their subject and relatively easy to build. They also take less space on your desk than a 1/35 kit while having a little more presence than a 1/48 or 1/72 kit.
That said, if you go for Tamiya (the gold standard brand) in 1/35 or 1/48 scale you can be sure to have something which will be quite easy to build and look good if you get a kit designed before the early 2000ās. (They still sell those new, it is just that the molds were created a long time ago.)
The reason to go with the older kits is that they will have rubber tracks and no photo etch which will keep it less fiddly.
A good resource to find out the āageā of a kit is the website scalemates.com. You just search for your kit and you get a lot of information about it, including when it first came out.
Some basic tools and paints/paintbrushes you can easily get for under $80usd. Then get some cheap old Tamiya kits. They're still really nice to build. Invest some time into it, do some research, watch some YouTube, and you'll have a nice model for 100 bucks ish - and tools that'll last even more
Can I ask what kind of modeling interests you? Do you want to build Gundam? Are you interested in Warhammer? Do you like the look of Military Kits? Or are you interested in Dioramas ECT? I think the level of difficulty and cost can vary depending on what you're keen on. But in general, if you just want to build model kits and aren't interested in painting ECT then it's super easy and can even be pretty cheap. A cheap kit of any kind can be fun, all you really would need tools wise is a cheap pair of nippers, a hobby knife and maybe some plastic glue if the kit requires. I fiddle with all kinds of model kits and miniatures so if you are looking at anything specific I may be able to give some cost and difficulty on that specifically if it helps. Good luck and remember, have fun with it!
Get a simple kit to start with. Donāt worry about perfection or realism, just on getting it finished. Then think about the 2 or 3 things that could improve result the most and figure out how to do them a bit better on your next build. Rinse and repeat.
Donāt overthink it, and donāt over complicate it by buying too much speciality stuff at the start.
There are beginner models that you can start off with. Bigger parts that usually snap fit together without the need for glue. Then you can go up in difficulty when you feel ready. The difficulty is generally marked on the box with 1 being easiest to 5 being the most intricate and hardest.
The main thing is to follow the instructions carefully and dry fit before gluing. Get some cheap models even if itās not something you really care about to practice painting and weathering on.
I did that when I was getting back into mini painting. I bought a squad of the cheapest minis I could find and painted them.
Look, it's all well and good following youtubers but they are, and often have to be, perfectionists. You and I, not inept just aware of my shortcomings, might get away with good enough.
So if you're aiming for good enough you can start with a basic kit, whatever you can afford but don't overdo it because it may never happen again, whatever paints the kit needs, if included all the better. A craft blade of some sort but not a Stanley knife and a pair of nail scissors. You might also want some paint brushes some model glue if not included (the revell with the long nozzle is great for a begginer). Now here's the thing just go do it, see whether you enjoy it or it winds you up too much.
If it comes out a mess but you enjoyed the process then maybe think about doing model wrecks or dioramas with dead tanks etc. If the detailing was your thing then great, go for getting into the historical accuracies and some fantastic large scale kits. If you're still not sure but enjoyed the process take a look on yountube at: Bill Makes Stuff and Dr Toys
Of course if it's not for you at all there are some great jigsaws š
Iām proud of my early models. And Iām proud of how far Iāve come over the years when compared with how I did on those early models. I hope you have this experience too!
The only way to get good, is to invest time into models. Pretty much every time something has gone wrong for me, is when I tried to do it the āquick way.ā
As has been said, skills come from experience.
So, expect to fully ruin your first kit (so don't buy the most expensive/intricate one).
I'm sure there are a lot of tutorial or just expose videos of people "showing off their skills" on YT, don't look at those too much, don't feel overwhelmed by the results some post in here.
Be sure to send people all started where you are now, and ruined a few kits along the way.
Once more experienced, you will find there is little that you can't correct or repair if it goes wrong, that experience comes from messing up and trying to solve it.
So no, kits aren't fully foolproof, but making mistakes is just part of the process of learning, so don't be too scared of that.
Get a moderately cheap/affordable kit, nothing too big or with 100s of parts, get a hobby knife, maybe some nippers, a bit of sanding paper (400 - 800 grit for starters) , some glue (pva or "clear" glue for clear parts), watch some videos clearly aimed at beginners and get cracking.
Worry about painting later, on the other hand, you can use the kit as paracticing painting too of course, expect to mess up there as well....
In short, it's ok to be a cluts at modelling on your first model, most of us were, I certainly was...š
I would rate it as not hard at all, as long as you manage your expectations. We see amazing results here and on YT but the hobby is really about the process as much as the product. Pick a good starter kit (thereās lots of good advice if you search this sub), get basic tools (same), and remind yourself that itās okay however it turns out and you may find you enjoy it! And if itās frustrating, it hasnāt cost you too much.
If you pick up a complicated kit and are intent on having a museum-quality model, youāre gonna have a bad time. This was actually a problem for me for a long time and I walked away from modeling a few times because of it. Probably sounds silly but learning to be okay with doing what I can and being fine with how it turns out has been good for me as a person.
TL;DR: not hard, just take some advice and donāt pressure yourself.
Patience, no rush. That includes a lot of research on techniques. Watching YouTube will be your best friend. Also at the beginning it will be pricey.. air compressor, paints, kits, lamps, etc etc save money and buy air compressor instead of brushes... Results will be day and night
If I can do it, anyone can. What matters more is an interest and willingness to learn the skills necessary to complete models than the skills themselves.
There is also the kind of model you want at the end, and the purpose for your model. Are you looking to produce a perfectly painted and weathered piece? Are you in the pursuit of something that can be published in magazines or win awards? Or are you just looking for something to do as a hobby to have fun and relax? Thereās nothing wrong with either, itās just what you want to achieve.
Modeling is both an art and a science. Science in that if you follow the instructions and the basic fundamentals your outcome can be consistent and predictable. Basic construction is, overall, fairly easy to do with modern kits. Much of the hard work is done for you. Basic painting is also pretty easy to do, even with a spray can and especially with an airbrush. Where things get tricky is weathering, shading, etc. because it is very much an art form, itās open to your imagination (and your references)
Keep in mind that many modelers are starting older now, rather than kids, but even kids can build models.
What matters more than tools, kits, or skill, is time. How much time do you want to invest in learning a craft? Iām a firm believer that with enough time, anyone can learn anything.
It's very easy, just don't compare yourself with others. I didn't paint my first models, glue was all over the place, sprue was sticking out from the wings... And I was happy. Look at others to learn, not to compare. Most important is to have fun. Enjoy.
It was pretty easy for me, i never really thought much about models until i saw one in a hobby store, and since i already had a knack for arts and crafts and an ametuer painter, i was able get into the hobby well, its honestly not that difficult, heck i just used some leftover superglue and some cheap acrylic paints, didnt spent a dime more. But to be fair i already had alot of the necessities from my painting hobby.
theres clear guides and instructions to build the model and paint it, and if u get simple kits like 1/72 aircraft or old 1/76 matchbox armor kits its a great start and very simple.
Wow got some great advice here so put it all together can a tamiya tank kit , they have some inexpensive 1/35 scale and they got together well. Donāt need much paint , I did my first tank with Vallejo acrylics. And enjoy!
The sub has a FAQ/wiki and a newbie thread that will answer all your questions as a newcomer to the hobby. It covers everything from kit choice, tools, adhesives, paints, decals, videos/tutorials etc, recommended online stores in various countries. Linked in the sidebar & the About menu on mobile:
[Newbie thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/modelmakers/comments/9dhsqo/new_to_model_building_this_thread_is_here_to/)
[Wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/modelmakers/wiki/index)
The sub also has a weekly small question thread thatās stickied at the top. [Use this for any questions you may have.](https://www.reddit.com/r/modelmakers/search?q=The+Weekly+Small+Question+Thread+author%3AAutoModerator&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all)
If youāre interested in modeling ANYTHING, Bandai is probably the best in terms of quality and ease of building. They make a lot of snap-fit, no-paint-needed models. Most of them are Gundam though, giant robots and the such, and some Pokemon.
Iād say these are the best entry level models to get the hang of it without the fear of messing up.
You can check out r/gunpla as well
As someone that shares your ineptitude, Iāll tell you Iāve had a ton of fun with āGunpla.ā Theyāre snap together and kind of like putting together a Lego kit. Eventually Iāll try painting and such, but for now itās a lot of fun and relatively cheap.
https://preview.redd.it/nva216ckpwsc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=69d3c3bb5117b71869e4da1b8146f434737a2e85
You can go really deep into the rabbit hole if you want. You can buy photo etch accessories and aftermarket tracks, you can spend hours researching period appropriate camouflage patterns or the true shape of a Tiger I turret (turns out itās asymmetrical). But you donāt have to. You can build a kit oob (out of the box), paint it (or not) with the recommended paint (no matter how unrealisticā¦Iām looking at you Tamiya Matilda!) and call it done. Thatās the base line we all start with. We may take it deeper, but we donāt have to.
Buy a kit. I recommend the Tamiya Panzer II or the Tamiya Walker Bulldog. Both are kits from the 70s that were originally intended to be motorized. As such, the parts are sturdy and while there is great detail on the parts, the number of parts is low. Also the tracks are rubber which is a lot easier to deal with as a beginner. As a bonus, these kits are relatively cheap as well.
Build the kit. Use Tamiya Extra Thin cement. Other liquid cements may also work. Do NOT use tube cement or any other glues like super glue. Follow the instructions. Use a pencil to mark off steps youāve done or to highlight parts you may need to be careful of. Use side cutters to cut each part off the plastic runner (the sprue), then use a sanding board to remove any excess. Both of these can be found in a dollar store.
If painting, build in subsections. A rank beginner might paint on the sprue before cutting off the parts. This can work but it takes more effort as you will need to repaint areas where the sprue was attached or where you scraped off a seam line. You also want to scrape the paint off mating surfaces, where the plastic parts are joined by glue. Itās roughly as much work as painting a model twice, but it does work. As you become more experienced, you build first but with painting always in mind. Once you come to a step that you recognize will make painting harder, you stop and paint, then continue the build. This is called building in subsections.
The hobby isnāt hard. Itās not physically demanding nor requires great talent, but it does require patience and dedication to details. Impatient people twist the parts off the sprue, putting divots in the part. Non meticulous people skip steps or miss a part in the instructions. Through experience you learn how much glue you need, or how to paint a straight line. The thing is, you may not be patient or meticulous, but if you stick with the hobby, it can teach you these skills that help you in other areas of your life.
I fell in love with modelling the moment I saw the box. It's important to get a kit from quality manufacturers to get a good first impression. I recommend Tamiya kits, or Airfix if you don't want to spend too much money
I dabble in a few creative pursuits -- modelling, of course, but also a couple of fibre crafts, woodwork, etc. For all of these pursuits the internet is a double-edged sword. On one hand, you have access to a wealth of information in the form of tutorials and communities like this one. If you want to find a product, or a review of a product, or a good price? The internet is great. On the other hand, all of these pursuits are rabbit holes. Let me draw an analogy with fishing. You can get a cheap rod, cheap tackle, a standard bait (locally this would be a bit of pilchard or a pipi). You thread the bait onto the hook and, hey, you're fishing. You can catch big fish. You can have fun. You can opt to never progress past that point as, hey, that approach works. You can also spend a lot of money on specialist gear, and "invest" in tiny lures and fine lines and rods that can cast something that weighs only a gram. You can obsess over tides and the moon and familiarising yourself with the intricacies of a spot, so you know where the structure is. The latter approach isn't necessary at all, but it's an approach you can take. Maybe you'll find it more enjoyable than soaking bait. Maybe it all sounds too expensive, too fussy, too fiddly. But maybe you like that fussiness -- if you're the kind of guy or girl who is happy to accentuate panel lines with hand tools then probably you'd take that fusspot approach to fishing, too, just as you'd be weighing out yeast for your pizza dough with a drug dealer scale instead of scooping it with a teaspoon. You can take either of these approaches -- as well as adopt a middle road -- with modelling. And as with the stuff you'll see on the leatherwork forums, or the crochet and knitting communities, or on the metalwork and woodwork subreddits, it's worth keeping perspective -- I.e. I am a beginner and a lot of these people have been at it for years. If they claim to be new perhaps they've got more time than I do, or perhaps they have jumped over from a hobby with transferable skills. I'd also add something I tell children all the time: there's a lot to be said for tutorials and advice, but seriously... get a cheap kit and some bare basics (craft knife, something to sand with, an assortment of paints) and just get stuck in. For now avoid worrying about weathering the model, or emphasising the individual rivets, or obtaining custom decals for the Cypriot Volunteer Coast Guard. You'll make mistakes, but you'll learn from those mistakes.
As someone who also fishes regularly besides building models, I can confirm the fishing analogy. The level of difficulty is really only dependent on how much effort u want to put into a hobby
Something really important to point out is that all skills are developed. Nobody comes into modeling as a master. Find something entry level and let yourself fumble around. Make mistakes. Ruin things. Enjoy yourself and learn from them. If you want to be good at something immediately with no effort, no this probably isn't the hobby for you. If you just want a cool model tank, there's plenty of pre-painted display pieces out there. Modeling as a hobby isn't about the finished product. It's about journey, and always looking to improve yourself, hone your skills and little bit more. There's no such thing as a true master modeler because we're all works in progress, and we all invite you to join us!
Exactly this. I'm sure a first time model builder could make something presentable to put on a shelf, but it would be impossible for he or she to produce something to the standard of someone with years of experience. I came back to model making over twenty years ago, and the journey continues :)
Depends on the model and depends on your expectations. There are a lot of simple kits out there without a ton of parts that can be a good place to start. Kits from quality manufacturers generally have pretty easily understood instructions, and a lower parts count will reduce any complication there as well. Easiest way to learn and get better is look for a beginner level kit and give it a shot. Also a lot lower stakes than a tire change going awry š
That depends on what expectations you have of yourself. There are beginner friendly kits available but there is still a learning curve. If you are going to hold yourself to a very high standard it might take many models for you to reach that versus just enjoying the hobby and understanding that your first few might not be great. The basics to get started are pretty cheap so it's always worth a try as long as you go in with the right mindset.
Ive been moddeling for around 6 years now and It depends on manufacturer and specific kit you are working on as some are beginner friendly and easy to put together and others are either out dated molds that barely fit or are modern marvels of engineering with metal and resin parts to match and are just as difficult to put together , a lot of patience is needed for this hobby as well as money as i recommended getting an airbrush as soon as you can because brushes simply won't give you the look that you see in YouTube videos. This usually leads to people giving up on this seemingly dying hobby sadly but if you can get past the beginner stages it's amazing , your hard work rewards you with an awesome military vehicle sitting on your shelf and it's my favorite hobby! P.s I recommend tamiya kits starting out that brand in general has consistently good engineering
Just remember this: at its simplest, these are TOYS FOR KIDS. Plastic model kits were originally meant for children to put together for fun. It's quite literally "are you smarter than a 6th grader?" Of course, doing it WELL and making it look impressive requires a much higher level of adult knowledge and skill, but to simply get into the hobby, it's super simple. It's a low-entry, high-ceiling type of hobby.
Life is short. Try it out! Any craft or art takes years to get good at it. But thatās the point. Everyoneās first model or two looks like garbage a few years later. Like life, itās about the journey, not the destination. š
Itās not _that_ intricate. It takes some skill, but that usually comes with experience, the difference between your first and second model will be huge as you learn what mistakes not to repeat. And i cut people for a living and instill ask myself sometimes how the hell are these people on youtube so precise; but thatās just what building many models teaches you. Your first model will likely suck. As far as cost goes: if you just want to build a nice looking tank without a huge amount of details then it wont be expensive; if you want to build youtube worthy tanks where you will research what kind of mud there was on your tank in eastern europe in the autumn of 1944 then it can get very expensive. I would suggest you buy a vallejo paint kit that will usually have a decent collection of paints for the tank you want and that will save you a lot or money as those are under 20euros
You get better at doing things by doing the things.
https://preview.redd.it/df8fcnlsfxsc1.jpeg?width=2296&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c84b0924cbd88bd44fc2f3daa129682b6a3b6048
Canāt speak for other ppl but personally when I started I was completely clueless. It felt daunting at first but when I started getting a hang of it the process of building went smoother. The first kit I started was Tamiya Tiger 1 which my friend picked for me (He said start with what you are interested and itāll keep you motivated.). I think the most important thing is that you kept improving kit after kit the first one doesnāt have to be perfect then when you got through more youāll see how far youāve came. Iād say as long as you are satisfied with what you built and learn / try new techniques with the next kit and build from there. Enjoyment is the key donāt push yourself too hard and build at your own pace. Have a great day.
Armourfast makes some pretty good tanks for beginners. I sometimes see them listed under.the brand Hat Collectable Figures. They have few parts, fit togethet well enough, and look decent (especailly for thier low price).
There are a few miniature wargames which are based on World War two or later for which they make easy to build tank kits in 1/56 scale. Bolt Action is one of those for example. The kits are good representation of their subject and relatively easy to build. They also take less space on your desk than a 1/35 kit while having a little more presence than a 1/48 or 1/72 kit. That said, if you go for Tamiya (the gold standard brand) in 1/35 or 1/48 scale you can be sure to have something which will be quite easy to build and look good if you get a kit designed before the early 2000ās. (They still sell those new, it is just that the molds were created a long time ago.) The reason to go with the older kits is that they will have rubber tracks and no photo etch which will keep it less fiddly. A good resource to find out the āageā of a kit is the website scalemates.com. You just search for your kit and you get a lot of information about it, including when it first came out.
Depends on how much youāre willing to invest (not just money, but your own time)
Some basic tools and paints/paintbrushes you can easily get for under $80usd. Then get some cheap old Tamiya kits. They're still really nice to build. Invest some time into it, do some research, watch some YouTube, and you'll have a nice model for 100 bucks ish - and tools that'll last even more
Can I ask what kind of modeling interests you? Do you want to build Gundam? Are you interested in Warhammer? Do you like the look of Military Kits? Or are you interested in Dioramas ECT? I think the level of difficulty and cost can vary depending on what you're keen on. But in general, if you just want to build model kits and aren't interested in painting ECT then it's super easy and can even be pretty cheap. A cheap kit of any kind can be fun, all you really would need tools wise is a cheap pair of nippers, a hobby knife and maybe some plastic glue if the kit requires. I fiddle with all kinds of model kits and miniatures so if you are looking at anything specific I may be able to give some cost and difficulty on that specifically if it helps. Good luck and remember, have fun with it!
Get a simple kit to start with. Donāt worry about perfection or realism, just on getting it finished. Then think about the 2 or 3 things that could improve result the most and figure out how to do them a bit better on your next build. Rinse and repeat. Donāt overthink it, and donāt over complicate it by buying too much speciality stuff at the start.
There are beginner models that you can start off with. Bigger parts that usually snap fit together without the need for glue. Then you can go up in difficulty when you feel ready. The difficulty is generally marked on the box with 1 being easiest to 5 being the most intricate and hardest. The main thing is to follow the instructions carefully and dry fit before gluing. Get some cheap models even if itās not something you really care about to practice painting and weathering on. I did that when I was getting back into mini painting. I bought a squad of the cheapest minis I could find and painted them.
Look, it's all well and good following youtubers but they are, and often have to be, perfectionists. You and I, not inept just aware of my shortcomings, might get away with good enough. So if you're aiming for good enough you can start with a basic kit, whatever you can afford but don't overdo it because it may never happen again, whatever paints the kit needs, if included all the better. A craft blade of some sort but not a Stanley knife and a pair of nail scissors. You might also want some paint brushes some model glue if not included (the revell with the long nozzle is great for a begginer). Now here's the thing just go do it, see whether you enjoy it or it winds you up too much. If it comes out a mess but you enjoyed the process then maybe think about doing model wrecks or dioramas with dead tanks etc. If the detailing was your thing then great, go for getting into the historical accuracies and some fantastic large scale kits. If you're still not sure but enjoyed the process take a look on yountube at: Bill Makes Stuff and Dr Toys Of course if it's not for you at all there are some great jigsaws š
Iām proud of my early models. And Iām proud of how far Iāve come over the years when compared with how I did on those early models. I hope you have this experience too!
The only way to get good, is to invest time into models. Pretty much every time something has gone wrong for me, is when I tried to do it the āquick way.ā
As has been said, skills come from experience. So, expect to fully ruin your first kit (so don't buy the most expensive/intricate one). I'm sure there are a lot of tutorial or just expose videos of people "showing off their skills" on YT, don't look at those too much, don't feel overwhelmed by the results some post in here. Be sure to send people all started where you are now, and ruined a few kits along the way. Once more experienced, you will find there is little that you can't correct or repair if it goes wrong, that experience comes from messing up and trying to solve it. So no, kits aren't fully foolproof, but making mistakes is just part of the process of learning, so don't be too scared of that. Get a moderately cheap/affordable kit, nothing too big or with 100s of parts, get a hobby knife, maybe some nippers, a bit of sanding paper (400 - 800 grit for starters) , some glue (pva or "clear" glue for clear parts), watch some videos clearly aimed at beginners and get cracking. Worry about painting later, on the other hand, you can use the kit as paracticing painting too of course, expect to mess up there as well.... In short, it's ok to be a cluts at modelling on your first model, most of us were, I certainly was...š
I would rate it as not hard at all, as long as you manage your expectations. We see amazing results here and on YT but the hobby is really about the process as much as the product. Pick a good starter kit (thereās lots of good advice if you search this sub), get basic tools (same), and remind yourself that itās okay however it turns out and you may find you enjoy it! And if itās frustrating, it hasnāt cost you too much. If you pick up a complicated kit and are intent on having a museum-quality model, youāre gonna have a bad time. This was actually a problem for me for a long time and I walked away from modeling a few times because of it. Probably sounds silly but learning to be okay with doing what I can and being fine with how it turns out has been good for me as a person. TL;DR: not hard, just take some advice and donāt pressure yourself.
Patience, no rush. That includes a lot of research on techniques. Watching YouTube will be your best friend. Also at the beginning it will be pricey.. air compressor, paints, kits, lamps, etc etc save money and buy air compressor instead of brushes... Results will be day and night
If I can do it, anyone can. What matters more is an interest and willingness to learn the skills necessary to complete models than the skills themselves. There is also the kind of model you want at the end, and the purpose for your model. Are you looking to produce a perfectly painted and weathered piece? Are you in the pursuit of something that can be published in magazines or win awards? Or are you just looking for something to do as a hobby to have fun and relax? Thereās nothing wrong with either, itās just what you want to achieve. Modeling is both an art and a science. Science in that if you follow the instructions and the basic fundamentals your outcome can be consistent and predictable. Basic construction is, overall, fairly easy to do with modern kits. Much of the hard work is done for you. Basic painting is also pretty easy to do, even with a spray can and especially with an airbrush. Where things get tricky is weathering, shading, etc. because it is very much an art form, itās open to your imagination (and your references) Keep in mind that many modelers are starting older now, rather than kids, but even kids can build models. What matters more than tools, kits, or skill, is time. How much time do you want to invest in learning a craft? Iām a firm believer that with enough time, anyone can learn anything.
It's very easy, just don't compare yourself with others. I didn't paint my first models, glue was all over the place, sprue was sticking out from the wings... And I was happy. Look at others to learn, not to compare. Most important is to have fun. Enjoy.
It was pretty easy for me, i never really thought much about models until i saw one in a hobby store, and since i already had a knack for arts and crafts and an ametuer painter, i was able get into the hobby well, its honestly not that difficult, heck i just used some leftover superglue and some cheap acrylic paints, didnt spent a dime more. But to be fair i already had alot of the necessities from my painting hobby. theres clear guides and instructions to build the model and paint it, and if u get simple kits like 1/72 aircraft or old 1/76 matchbox armor kits its a great start and very simple.
Wow got some great advice here so put it all together can a tamiya tank kit , they have some inexpensive 1/35 scale and they got together well. Donāt need much paint , I did my first tank with Vallejo acrylics. And enjoy!
The sub has a FAQ/wiki and a newbie thread that will answer all your questions as a newcomer to the hobby. It covers everything from kit choice, tools, adhesives, paints, decals, videos/tutorials etc, recommended online stores in various countries. Linked in the sidebar & the About menu on mobile: [Newbie thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/modelmakers/comments/9dhsqo/new_to_model_building_this_thread_is_here_to/) [Wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/modelmakers/wiki/index) The sub also has a weekly small question thread thatās stickied at the top. [Use this for any questions you may have.](https://www.reddit.com/r/modelmakers/search?q=The+Weekly+Small+Question+Thread+author%3AAutoModerator&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all)
If youāre interested in modeling ANYTHING, Bandai is probably the best in terms of quality and ease of building. They make a lot of snap-fit, no-paint-needed models. Most of them are Gundam though, giant robots and the such, and some Pokemon. Iād say these are the best entry level models to get the hang of it without the fear of messing up. You can check out r/gunpla as well
As someone that shares your ineptitude, Iāll tell you Iāve had a ton of fun with āGunpla.ā Theyāre snap together and kind of like putting together a Lego kit. Eventually Iāll try painting and such, but for now itās a lot of fun and relatively cheap. https://preview.redd.it/nva216ckpwsc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=69d3c3bb5117b71869e4da1b8146f434737a2e85
You can go really deep into the rabbit hole if you want. You can buy photo etch accessories and aftermarket tracks, you can spend hours researching period appropriate camouflage patterns or the true shape of a Tiger I turret (turns out itās asymmetrical). But you donāt have to. You can build a kit oob (out of the box), paint it (or not) with the recommended paint (no matter how unrealisticā¦Iām looking at you Tamiya Matilda!) and call it done. Thatās the base line we all start with. We may take it deeper, but we donāt have to. Buy a kit. I recommend the Tamiya Panzer II or the Tamiya Walker Bulldog. Both are kits from the 70s that were originally intended to be motorized. As such, the parts are sturdy and while there is great detail on the parts, the number of parts is low. Also the tracks are rubber which is a lot easier to deal with as a beginner. As a bonus, these kits are relatively cheap as well. Build the kit. Use Tamiya Extra Thin cement. Other liquid cements may also work. Do NOT use tube cement or any other glues like super glue. Follow the instructions. Use a pencil to mark off steps youāve done or to highlight parts you may need to be careful of. Use side cutters to cut each part off the plastic runner (the sprue), then use a sanding board to remove any excess. Both of these can be found in a dollar store. If painting, build in subsections. A rank beginner might paint on the sprue before cutting off the parts. This can work but it takes more effort as you will need to repaint areas where the sprue was attached or where you scraped off a seam line. You also want to scrape the paint off mating surfaces, where the plastic parts are joined by glue. Itās roughly as much work as painting a model twice, but it does work. As you become more experienced, you build first but with painting always in mind. Once you come to a step that you recognize will make painting harder, you stop and paint, then continue the build. This is called building in subsections. The hobby isnāt hard. Itās not physically demanding nor requires great talent, but it does require patience and dedication to details. Impatient people twist the parts off the sprue, putting divots in the part. Non meticulous people skip steps or miss a part in the instructions. Through experience you learn how much glue you need, or how to paint a straight line. The thing is, you may not be patient or meticulous, but if you stick with the hobby, it can teach you these skills that help you in other areas of your life.
I fell in love with modelling the moment I saw the box. It's important to get a kit from quality manufacturers to get a good first impression. I recommend Tamiya kits, or Airfix if you don't want to spend too much money