Author Topic: Tips and tricks for building fast  (Read 2432 times)

Offline taiidantomcat

  • Plastic Origamist...and not too shabby with the painting either!
  • Moderator
  • Stylishly late...because he was reading comics
Tips and tricks for building fast
« on: January 30, 2020, 11:34:07 AM »
With such a short window from to start to finish for this GB I felt it would be appropriate to have special section on tips and tricks (this would normally be the "inspiration" section) for building faster and more efficiently. Feel free to add to this with your own tips or links or other posts even if you don't plan on participating in the GB. every bit helps!

"They know you can do anything, So the question is, what don't you do?"

-David Fincher

Offline Kerick

  • Reportedly finished with a stripper...
Re: Tips and tricks for building fast
« Reply #1 on: January 30, 2020, 11:43:49 AM »
One color camo scheme!

Offline Old Wombat

  • "We'll see when I've finished whether I'm showing off or simply embarrassing myself."
  • "Define 'interesting'?"
Re: Tips and tricks for building fast
« Reply #2 on: January 30, 2020, 11:44:43 AM »
Plan your build first; know what you're going to do & when.
"This is the Captain. We have a little problem with our engine sequence, so we may experience some slight turbulence and, ah, explode."

Offline taiidantomcat

  • Plastic Origamist...and not too shabby with the painting either!
  • Moderator
  • Stylishly late...because he was reading comics
"They know you can do anything, So the question is, what don't you do?"

-David Fincher

Offline Brian da Basher

  • He has an unnatural attraction to Spats...and a growing fascination with airships!
  • Holding Pattern
  • *
  • Hulk smash, Brian bash
Re: Tips and tricks for building fast
« Reply #4 on: February 01, 2020, 06:23:25 AM »
First off, I just wanted to thank Mr Tomcat for bravely moderating this lengthy but not so lengthy GB!

Here's a few things I've learned doing blitz builds:

Pick a kit you're familiar with. When time is tight, you don't want to have to figure things out.

Which leads to planning, as Mr Wombat said. This will save time & trouble.

Sort out decals in advance, along with replacements.

Stick to a simple color scheme (as noted by kerick). The best I've been able to manage is two-tone uppers with a third underside color.

Use CA (super glue) and acrylic paints. These dry fast enough to make a blitz a lot more achievable.

I also like painting by hand with a brush. Nothing could be simpler or take less prep and there's no take-down like with an airbrush.

Strategic snacking and tactical use of adult beverages is also helpful.

Brian da Basher
« Last Edit: February 01, 2020, 06:25:07 AM by Brian da Basher »

Offline ed s

  • An outstanding, creative builder.
Re: Tips and tricks for building fast
« Reply #5 on: February 01, 2020, 11:16:23 AM »
A couple more suggestions.

This isn't the time to add lots of superdetailing.

Extensive battle damage can take up lots of time.

That super new digicamo scheme might require lots of masking time.

Are you sure you can scratchbuilt a 1/32 Millennium Falcon in 48 hours?

Have fun.