Building / Tips & Tricks
Making Dossier Models is enjoyable, but to make it as enjoyable as possible we have put together some tips and tricks which have helped us build the models. If you've got any more ace tips let us know by visiting our blog.
Score before folding...
- A, A score is a crease you put in the paper along the line you want to fold. How you put the crease in the paper is totally a matter of personal preference. If you're not sure try these suggestions and see if you like one, they all have pros and cons.
a. use a ball point pen that has run out of ink (make sure it's really out) and draw along the fold line using a straightedge.
b. use a knitting needle and draw along the fold line using a straightedge.
c. use a hobby knife and just barely cut along the fold line using a straightedge.
( make sure you don't cut all the way through the paper.)
- B. If you need to score a line on the back of the paper use a pin to poke tiny holes along the line from the front of the paper as when you turn the paper over these holes will be visible for you to use to score the line.
- C. It's always best to fold away from the line you just scored.
- D. Sometimes it's easier to score if the paper is on something that has a little flex in it, (a magazine or a rubber mat for example)
Don't run with scissors.
(or anything sharp for that matter)
- A. Since we are talking about scissors, a small pair of craft scissors, straight edged is your best bet.
- B. It doesn't hurt to have a set of curved craft scissors also or even a pair with a built in spring...
a. Curved scissors are great for cutting out circlular pieces.
- C. Don't let anyone use your paper model scissors for anything other than paper, it may blunt them.
Wash your hands.
- A. Seriously, even if they aren't dirty, they have oils on them and those oils will get on the paper, especially the small pieces.
Also glue will get on your fingers and then transfer to the model, so wash your hands often while modeling.
Colour inside the lines.
- A. When you cut out a model piece, the front of the piece is usually coloured. The back of the piece usually ends up hidden. That leaves the edges of the piece. You can be ultra careful and exact and assemble the piece perfectly but your eyes will be drawn to the glaring white edges instead of the beautiful work.
- You have a number of things you can do:
a. colour the edges grey with a pencil (be careful, the pencil may smear.)
b. colour the edges black with a marker (be careful if the marker is on the paper too long it will leave an inkspot).
c. colour the edges to match the adjacent colors on the piece.
1. Felt tip markers can also leave inkspots.
2. water colour pencils probably give the best result but you do need to let the colour dry and be careful not to smear the colour with the glue.
- B. if the white back shows, you can colour this too as above.
Make sure you don't use too much glue.
- A. To start with use pva glue. (white glue)
a. keep your glue supply in something the size of a thimble.
b. apply your glue with a toothpick.
c. thin your glue with a little warm water if required.
d. if your glue is cold it will be too thick, warm the bottle up by placing it in a cup of warm (not hot) water for a minute or two.
note: once warm be aware that your glue will come out of the bottle really fast...
