Which model(s) should I buy?

[dinohunter0000]

Now I've been saving up my spare change for a loong time now, and I figured that I may as well buy something awesome for myself. But I'm a little on the fence about what to buy, so I was wondering what advice other people would recommend for me. These are just ideas, I have an idea of what I want, but I would just like some friendly feedback:

Choices/Options:
1. Shane Foulkes quilled Triceratops (already have enough $)
2. David Krentz's Gorgosaurus + Einiosaurus (already have enough ($)
3. Save up MORE of my money for when it comes out, Sideshow Dinosauria Stegosaurus + baby ($$$)
4. Save up MORE of my money and buy Shane Foulkes Iguanodon + Eotyrannus kit ($$$)

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

Tough call ! Are you going to have someone build them for you, do enjoy building them yourself, or do prefer already finished pieces ?

[dinohunter0000]

I have never actually bought a model kit before! I would prefer already finished pieces but I'm curious about painting my own colour scheme. I'm also currently still waiting for my Shane Foulkes Tarbosaurus kit in the mail (girlfriend bought it for me for xmas), taking it's sweet time in delivery :s

[copper]

i vote for:
Shane Foulkes quilled Triceratops
or
David Krentz's Gorgosaurus + Einiosaurus

though you should buy the one you like the most yourself : )

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

Well if you like big already built pieces you can go for the Sideshow Stego, of course the Krentz pieces are a bit rarer and harder to get from my experience...so you might want to nab those first. Of course you could always Martin build and paint them for you...same for Shane's Trike which I don't own yet, but looks beautiful. Hopefully that helps a bit.

[0onarcissisto0]

Personally, I'm not a big fan of already built and painted pieces. (I did, however, pick up the Sideshow Apatosaurus just recently and love it). Therefore, my views are probably slightly biased. When it comes to resin kits, however, I do know for a fact that Shane Foulkes' kits are VERY WELL textured, which is a huge plus when it comes to painting them. (I recently purchased his Ceratosaurus vs Kentrosaurus) If you do plan on building and painting your own kits (which I strongly recommend you do -- it adds so much sentimental value to your pieces), you will quickly encounter two important painting techniques: dry brushing and washes. You can achieve great results with these two techniques alone, but the figure definitely needs abundant skin folds, wrinkles, texturing. That's why I greatly recommend Shane Foulkes' kits. It's VERY difficult to paint skin textures and make it look realistic. I was tempted to get Galileo's Allosaurus vs Barosaurus kit as it's such an epic battle scene, but I always felt like the figures were too smooth. However, Martin Garratt tells me he has found them to be quite good in detail so...Martin, being the grand master , I guess you should trust him. Another thing you should consider before venturing into resin kit building is investing in an airbrush + compressor. Different modelers use them to different extents (e.g. Steve Riojas, who does mind-blowing, eye-popping, to-die-for work, uses mainly his airbrush), but pretty much all of them use it at one point or another (I personally do more with my paintbrush).

I have never personally been interested in Krentz' Antediluvia collection. It's just very hard to make such a small piece look good (unless you,re Martin, but let's face it, most of us aren't ). However, his Einiosaurus and Gorgosaurus look amazing.

So I'd agree with Copper on this one:

Either one of Shane Foulkes' pieces or Krentz' Einiosaurus or Gorgosaurus

In case your list isn't exhaustive, you might also want to check out Paleocraft's Predation Scene, which was the first kit I ever purchased and am still working on! Lol. It's a fantastic kit. Can't wait to finally finish it and put up some pictures.

Hope that helps

[copper]

Jan 6, 2012 19:20:43 GMT 0onarcissisto0 said:

Another thing you should consider before venturing into resin kit building is investing in an airbrush + compressor.

i don't think airbrush is mandatory, many use only brushes and come up just as amazing work as with airbrushes. but if you desire the effect that can be done with airbrushing, then of course you'd invest in it.

[0onarcissisto0]

I agree an airbrush is not a necessity and before you actually get used to it, it can seem like quite a hassle. I have been able to produce similar effects with both an airbrush and a paintbrush, it's definitely doable, but I think for an avid modeler, an airbrush makes your life so much simpler, whether it be for mottling effects, fine blending or large surface painting.

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

Same here, brush works and so can aerosol cans if your pretty careful.

[dino84]

Well I'm probably a bit biased as the Iguanodon is my favourite dinosaur and I have Shane's kit on order at the moment. The Einiosaurus is a piece I love the look of and I will have to pick one of these up in the near future. If you prefer built-ups I've heard good things about the sideshow pieces and there are others out there (e.g. Martin) who could do fantastic work on the others, though I personally prefer the challenge of building and painting these pieces mself.

Scott.