Does Anyone Build Models Like These?

Wow...mind bogling detail, finish and some really cute scene setting.
Really glad you posted the link.
Del
<flump thud>

PS and the answer to you Q is...'No' ... I'd give it a shot though.

WOW! They are so realistic that they make me think if I walked across the ice I'd fall and bust my can.

They're AMAZING! And if you do build models as good as these, please let me know. I think a lot of CR4ers can appreciate this type of craftsmanship.

It's the subtleties of lighting too, stuf you wouldn't think about.
Del

I had a friend teach me how to do this and it take a lot of time. Things like special pastel earth tone chalks to make the dirty spots with. Metallic paints and washes.

He had a tank and jeep in a diorama coming through some mud that you would swear it had to be wet.

It takes practice just to get the right amount of shine or dull. Many parts had to be scratch built because out of the box was not good enough to look right.

Last I knew he was in Ariz. working for Intel. It was a lot of fun but takes some serious time to get it to look good.

Brad

Hello,

Well to answer the question: Yes, I know quite a few guys in the local IPMS chapter that I belong to that can build plastic models to that level........there are, I believe, 7 or 8 members in our chapter alone that have won first place at the IPMA-USA Nationals in the last few years. Their work is just that good, and it isn't limited to cars and trucks either. Our chapter presently is one of the fastest growing chapters in the nation, maybe you should check it out if you live in or near the Mid-Hudson River Valley between Albany and NYC.

[BTW, IPMS = International Plastic Modeler's Society]

You wouldn't believe the detailing that goes into these models, including a lot of scratch building. Nearly everyone in our chapter has a favorite subject material, although some have many different topics they like to build so as to become proficient buildings. I myself almost only build in 1/32 scale military aircraft, from the WWII prop era to present day military jets. Other guys like to just build cars and trucks, whereas many like to build armor vehicles or Sci-Fi or just do figurines. Workmanship can very from individual to individual, but over all most pieces built by members can be placed into a museum.

I invite you to visit the chapter that I belong to:

Hudson Valley Historical Miniatures Guild / Mid-Hudson River IPMS. We are based in East Fishkill NY near the IBM plant, but have members that come from all over New York State, CT and MA. We meet once a month, but are very active with the local community and our local library + many of us enter into regional contest / shows throughout the Northeast as well as the annual Nats....In mid-October we hold our Annual Chapter show and Contest in the City of Poughkeepsie, NY, where we usually have somewhere over 200 models entered.

Here's the our IPMS chapter website:

www.hvhmg.com

Please, if you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask. If you need more information than I can provide I invite you to write to our Chapter President Tom Walker or any of the other Chapter Officers (links provided).

Have a great day.

I visited your IPMS chapter Page and viewed the photo gallery. I especially like the mounted knights. Some of you have strange imaginations.

Hello Scotchdrnkr,

Many thanks for visiting our IPMS Chapter link! I hope you enjoyed it.

Yes, some of our member DO have some strange weird and sometimes stick sense of humors! They also tend to be the most involved with our noteworthy Model Rocketry Shoot-off at our Annual Chapter Picnic!!!! Sick bunch that like to launch 'em horizontally sometimes, and then watch the club members go to ground or duck n' cover at the picnic tables!!!!! It's a gas!!! *LMAO*

http://www.flickr.com/photos/24796741@N05/sets/72157604247242338/show/with/2346008881/

Here's another version of the same in a larger format

It has been a good while since I worked at lighting such things for commercials in Manhattan, but that was were I did work with some models, either in the studio, or even on location.

If people are doing such fine fine work, and not interested in making any money from it, that is of course fine.

However if they are interested in picking up some money, they may want to list in resource books like the New York Production Guide, or online listings where Production Companies may go to find people or things when making a commercial, or a movie. Models have long been used in situations where the real thing was either cost prohibitive, or did not really exist. Certainly for my own Screen Play, some of what I want like old DC 6s, and DC4s and Convairs and the like, are more and more rare.

While Computer Generated Imagery has come a long way, I believe there are still cases when such great models are desirable.

Funny you should mention the studio approach. I just returned from a modelling exhibit in Montreal where a large portion of the event was dedicated to informing the exhibitors of the photoshoot possibilities. The event was sponsored by a staging company