General Tips & Advice
Keep Your Workbench Tidy
After my stroke, I struggle with really poor eyesight and attention deficits, so having everything neatly arranged helps me find my tools and stay focused on the current project.
A set of Hobbyzone modules really helped with this – and putting them together was very useful for learning to use tools again.
Test Fit Before Gluing
This is crucial. If you are going to fit a piece with a square peg into a square hole always make sure it fits snuggly before gluing.
Set Up a Comfortable Workspace
Experiment with different combinations of chairs and tables to find something that provides a comfortable working position for you.
Avoid Rushing
It may feel tempting near the end of a project, but take your time and savour the journey of creating something uniquely yours.
Test With Cheap Materials
My nearby Lidl often has craft supplies. Budget-friendly brushes and paints are fine for practising basic brush control.
Take Regular Breaks
Don’t wait until your brain is completely overwhelmed and you’re feeling exhausted.
Divide all projects into subtasks
Break down all projects into smaller, more manageable subprojects.
Find the times during the day and night that work best for you
I have the luxery of living alone, so can work on my model projects whenever I want. This flexibility greatly helps with insomnia, a common issue after a stroke. While maintaining a healthy sleep routine is important, lying awake and worrying about the future is far from beneficial.
Keep a log with photos of your projects and games
Over time you will see progress and have good times to look back on.
Use YouTube as a source of inspiration
You can pick up many valuable tips, but true improvement comes only from hands-on practice. Watching experts deliver flawless work won’t make you a better modeller. Remember, what you see is a carefully edited process with all the mistakes removed.
Stay Hydrated
Don’t get so engrossed that you forget to drink water. Staying hydrated helps with focus and stamina.
Avoid batch painting
I used to be able to churn out wargame figures in batches of 24. Now I have to do them one at a time. Getting a whole unit done takes forever, but each finished figure gives a feeling of accomplishment.
Ask for advice in shops
Describe exactly what you’re looking for and why. A different product might be a better solution for the problem you’re trying to solve.
I have discovered that the staff in many shops know a lot about the products they are selling and often enjoy sharing this knowledge instead of just mindlessly scanning barcodes.
Respect Drying Times
This is especially true for varnishes. The temptation for applying a final coat of matt varnish can be hard to resist as you’re nearly done with a project, but fight the urge. If it says 72 hours on the tin, that means 72 hours. Leave it to cure completely before proceeding.
Nitrile Gloves
These are quite useful when airbrushing, and for handling unvarnished models to avoid leaving marks of dirt and oils from your fingers, but can be really challenging to get on and off.
Decision Paralysis
Overthinking can be a major obstacle in your modelling journey. It’s easy to say “Just do it!” but it is true. You will make mistakes and never reach perfection. Only hands-on practice leads to improvement.