Battling through those periods has I feel made me a better modelmaker and once again, an enthusiast who won’t be afraid to have a go at something else off the beaten track.
2nd June 2025
Another late finish and another day when I wondered if I had really bitten off more than I could chew…
If there is one thing that I will take from the completion of the commission that I’ve been discussing over the last few weeks and more, is that developing as a modelmaker is about trying new techniques and pushing your skills beyond what you are comfortable using.
The whole thing, from its design, through my use of Fusion 360, the sculpting of walls, small details and over the last three days, the creation of its complex set of steps, has pushed me to the limit of what I thought I could do. So when Liz came in today and asked whether this was an exercise in up-skilling, I couldn’t help but agree.
It made me think though that really, that’s how I’ve developed my hobby and latterly, by career, by constantly pushing my boundaries. I’ve never been one to stick to a particular genre or scale or even subject, within chosen field of interest. Part of that is a low attention span, but more often than not it’s a case of can I do that? Can I build that particular model? Can I build something from scratch? Can I convert that aircraft to a mark unavailable as a kit? Are those ideas beyond me?
When I was asked if I could build the miniature that I am completing at the moment, I instinctively said yes despite having no real idea what it would entail. It was only when I was committed to the project and the complexity of the subject hit me, that I had to work out how I was going to do the windows, the door and those balustrades. Only then did the need to work with Fusion become part of the project, and that then became a new skill I had to master. Of course it was made easier thanks to Drewe Manton’s guidance and his 3D printer, but I still had to draw out what I needed and though far from complex, those days were baby steps on the way to more complex projects down the line.
As I’m typing this I’m happy that the project is coming to an end and confident that my client will be happy with the result. Would I do things differently if I were to build it again? Sure. Am I happy to acknowledge that and still feel pleased with the results despite issues I can see? Absolutely. If I’d the skills in place before building the model to have leapt those particular hurdles, I would have, but I didn’t. So worked with what I had. Now though, I have the experience of the build and some more entries in my personal modelling database to draw upon during future projects.
This model has been a real trial at times where frustration often got the better of me. Battling through those periods has I feel made me a better modelmaker and once again, an enthusiast who won’t be afraid to have a go at something else off the beaten track. Maybe that’s the real lesson here: never be afraid to try something you are scared of completing. You never know, you just might surprise yourself.
See you tomorrow.
SOME RECENT POSTS FOR YOU TO ENJOY…
- A MODELMAKER’sS LIFE: ALL SQUARE IN SOUTHAMPTON…
A point on the road for Coventry City… - A MODELMAKER’S LIFE: WHY HAVE I NEVER BUILT A LIGHTNING?
Is it time to build BAC’s masterpiece at last? - A MODELMAKER’S LIFE: A TRIP TO BRISTOL…
A trip to a bakers on the rain will be remembered because of a young man on a bridge… - A MODELMAKER’S LIFE: A RELAXING DAY…
A day of Christmas shopping and time on my PlayStation… - A MODELMAKER’S LIFE: HOW MANY MORE KITS DO I HAVE, HALF STARTED?!
When I found a half-built kit up in the loft, I wasn’t sure whether to be annoyed that I forgotten it, or happy that most of my work was already done!
SPENCER POLLARD'S KIT BOX 
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