Feature story about an artist and his model town

There's a lot of good info here:

 

Model maker - Michael Paul Smith

 

 

This is absolutely fascinating.  Anyone interested in modeling ought to take a look at this.

These are great...no cheap diecast cars here! While these cars are larger than 1:43, there ARE 1:43s of equal quality. The only thing is, they will cost you some $$$.

 

I learned a lot from Mr Smith (whether I executed it properly is another story).  Here are several quotes from the article which Vulcan linked to:

 

" I learned things visually “read” better when the amount of  information is kept in check. The brain / eye / emotions will fill in the  details, even when there is minimum amount of data available. On the other hand,  there can be too much information. When that happens, you end up with a literal  representation of something and very little room for personal interpretation.  The more the viewer can project themselves into something, the more powerful it  becomes."

 

Something followed by Neal Schorr and Frank53 as well as myself.

 

And this one:

 

"You will soon  notice one thing about the photos—there are no people. Michael does this on  purpose, allowing you to put yourself in the scene or imagine what will happen  next."

 

I only have a handful of people on my layout, and they are all involved in some everyday interaction with each other or their surroundings, in a manner htat the viewer can immediately relate to.  I deliberately keep the number of people to a minimum in order to avoid visual distractions and clutter. Even if its a city street or a statin platform. See the works of Edward Hopper

 

"I try to make most  of the objects myself. It’s a challenge I give myself... . I’m  especially proud of the push mower and washing machine I made. Also, the porch  glider and matching chair. Kit bashing model cars (combining parts from  different kits) and trips to the jewelry making store are also a creative  challenge."

 

Right ON!

The majority of my "quality" 1:43 cars came from eBay. These are models no longer being made, such as Minichamps "Ford 50th aniversary" series, Buby "Collector's Classics" series (such as '53 Fords, '54 Mercurys, '56 DeSotos, etc), SOME of Franklin Mints cars of the '50s, and others. These sell in the $20.-$40. range.

Excellent models are currently being made by NEO's "American Excellence" line. These can be bought from DiecastDirect, and others, for $70-$80. These TRULY will pass the "close-up photography test". They are also far more detailed than other "new" or older models costing $100. plus.

Life After People

1 day after humans...

 

Jerry

Plus making figures look that real is a challenge in itself.

I agree 110%!  You can fool the eye with buildings, cars and trucks, but a plastic person looks like a plastic person.   I did a building & diorama of a 1957 Chevy Dealership.  I painted the Salesman, and my buddy told me it looked like John Travolta in lipstick! LOL I told him, no big deal, Travolta had worn lipstick before!  Check it out:

 

Nice if you would like to see some realistic model or sculpture people you should look up the artist Ron Mueck. He used to work at Jim Henson studios in England but has moved on and up. The detail is amazing scales of skin to hair follicles, amazing work. If you ever get a chance to see some you really should.

Thanks SilverLake.  I Googled artist Ron Mueck and was totally blown away.  I could not tell his sculptures from real people!  From the babies to the old people, they all looked REAL!  Actually, they were a little spooky to me.   I guess I'll just stick with old John Travolta 

 

D.A.