Here are photos of a commission I did a few months ago, which I have put off posting to long. The client was for my dad's boss. The company my dad works for, Everett Studios (a graphics designed and printing company, if any one has some work for us, feel free to PM' me), destined the paint scheme for Micheal Waltrips kool aid car, and they have had the old Monogram kit on a shelf. I offered to build it, and he agreed. I got five dolors an hour, and price of paints and other supplies. It took me 40 hours 8 minutes, and I made $250 off it.
All feedback/questions/comments wanted.








sorry for the bad pics, our camera is on its last legs.

a nice auto, wrong place really, try the auto forum, some constructive critisism, for the price paid, a tidier base would have not gone amiss,

as for your camera, it is probably fine, you need to shoot, in natural light, with a plain card background, a windowsill ( Where i shoot) or outside on an overcast day is ideal.
my camera is old, smashed to bits, and wasnt expensive, a easyshare ls755 5mp.
i hope my camera advice helps, keep modelling.
lpj

Ah! Young Capitalism at it's best! Good Job! Agree with James on the photography and the base. Nice wood bases for that are pretty inexpensive and easy to finish nicely.
Cheers!
Rick

ya, well it's my first commission, and only second base, so I am still pretty green. The client certainly liked it, and did not have any complaints. But my camera is defiantly dieing, it keeps turning off, taking way to long to save photos, and some times photos wont download. We got it in 2002 I think, so it has a right to be going. You are right about the base, but since the client did not mind, I am happy.

Very nice work!

Don't sell yourself short next time, though - minimum labor wages at a minimum!

As for the base: You can pick-up pretty nice bass wood plaques at Michael's or Hobby Lobby sized just right for 1/24 autos for about $6. Hit 'em with a bit of stain from the house paint stash in the garage, then a couple coats of aerosol, rattle-can high-gloss laquer (fast drying - buff with 4-0 steel wool between coats - put on 3 or 4 coats) for an almost instant, professional looking base for less than $10. Another nice touch is to add felt (black or traditional dark green) to the bottom of the plaque (cut it to size and glue it on with Elmer's). Your next client will be suitably impressed.

Good work on the model is definitly important but so is presentation. You want to give the client a model that he'll be proud to show off sitting on his desk or living room shelf! Make the base look like a nice piece of classy furniture, and the client will be more likely to come back for more.

Just something to think about for next time, though. This time you knocked one outa the ball park, so good job!

And remember, nothing less than minimum wages next time! Building models to a high standard of finish is skilled work and deserves to be compensated appropriately!

Keep up the good work and happy modeling,
Mike

maybe on the next base you can put down a layer of plaster and paint it like the asphalt on the track , or the winners area with the checkered flag on the ground.
the only thing that really jumped out at me was the decal on the hood , may i suggest using some decal solvent in the future , and then a clear coat or future floor wax

I'd like to congratulate you on your commission and make note of the idea that perhaps there are some younger people coming into the hobby after all.

I read from time to time on the different forums that the future of model building as a hobby is perhaps not so bright as the younger generation has other interests and distractions. It is encouraging to see the work of younger guys and I am also impressed that you made such an astute deal for your work. Charging for time and materials is usually something the client would balk at because there is no guarantee of maximum price up front.

Good work on the project and the negotiations! I think $5.00 per hour is a good use of your time as long as you are learning something and are enjoying the work.
keep at it and the bigger money will follow as you go.
And now you have your first portfolio piece.
Mike

the surface is a piece of styrene I airbrushed, but the homosote base was not the best choice, It was something I was told about near the end. Also, I did use Solviset on all the decals, but the hood one did not settle well.