Finishing funnel holes with black velvet

[sargentx]

I've never liked the look of black, painted funnel holes and don't like it when you can peer down into them and see funnel stay knots or other 'artifact's that shouldn't be down there. Of course if you super-detail your funnel insides, this post isn't for you! Depending on the kit and PE, I might not detail my funnel insides so have to opt for some kind of dark interior. In my case, I like the holes to just be neutral and non-existent voids.
On my Titanic build, the holes were especially full of fishing line tie-offs and crude glue lumps. The kit did come with some black inserts to place into the funnels after the fact, but they wouldn't fit because of all the crap that was in them!
A while back, I came up with a straightforward way to finish off funnel holes so that any flaws are concealed and the final result is something akin to an ultra black void.

Magicians use something called a 'close-up mat'. It's basically a rubbery mouse-pad thing that has either a red, green, or black velvety finish to it. You can buy them readily online for about 15-20 bucks. Any shop that sells magic props and equipment will carry them. One mat will last you a lifetime of funnels, plus they make fantastic mats for rolling and curving PE railings. Here are some links: http://www.themagicwarehouse.com/apad1.html http://www.amazon.com/Magic-Close-Perfo ... B000VAU76G
The pictures say the rest.

[EJFoeth]

Just add all

[sargentx]

Hahaha awesome! Of course barring an awesome funnel interior

[RNfanDan]

Of course barring an awesome funnel interior

Oops...

Of course, having "plugged" funnels makes perfect sense, with no hull below the "waterline" to imply the presence of those pesky ENGINEERING SPACES!

[sargentx]

RnFanDan,
Through numerous posts and comments you've clearly established that you don't like me, my threads, or my models. You're always there making snide comments, criticizing my work indirectly (or directly), but bring nothing interesting, inspiring, or meaningful to our interaction. I get about a dozen emails a day from people asking questions about how I do things or thanking me for posting my ideas. Clearly you're not getting from me what many others seem to be and I'm certainly not growing in any way from our interactions. It's probably best if you avoid me in this forum if what I have to share upsets you.

In real life, I'm an energetic, happy person who loves to talk modelling and who enjoys coming up with creative solutions to problems. I like throwing ideas out there, spit-balling concepts, sharing my thoughts, and being active in the hobby. I don't presume that anything I do is the end-all-be-all and remain in awe of the many greater modellers out there.

Have you considered posting your own models and tutorials more actively? Maybe we could all learn from your work in a more constructive way.

[PetrolGator]

RnFanDan,
Through numerous posts and comments you've clearly established that you don't like me, my threads, or my models. You're always there making snide comments, criticizing my work indirectly (or directly), but bring nothing interesting, inspiring, or meaningful to our interaction. I get about a dozen emails a day from people asking questions about how I do things or thanking me for posting my ideas. Clearly you're not getting from me what many others seem to be and I'm certainly not growing in any way from our interactions. It's probably best if you avoid me in this forum if what I have to share upsets you.

In real life, I'm an energetic, happy person who loves to talk modelling and who enjoys coming up with creative solutions to problems. I like throwing ideas out there, spit-balling concepts, sharing my thoughts, and being active in the hobby. I don't presume that anything I do is the end-all-be-all and remain in awe of the many greater modellers out there.

Have you considered posting your own models and tutorials more actively? Maybe we could all learn from your work in a more constructive way.

Knowing Chris personally, I can easily back up every single bit of his sincerity. Numerous members of this and other communities have benefited from Chris's transparency over his methods, ideas, and skills pulled from a classical artist's background. I myself speak to him regularly (about more than models) and find that he's hyper critical of his own work to a degree that makes me want to slap him stupid.

Anyway.

There seems to be a few members here who don't like the focus some of us put on waterlined kits. We like hyper realism. We like atmosphere. We'll lose some historical accuracy for a good bloody piece of diorama art. With as small a community as ship modeling happens to be, why are we passively sparring over someone's attempt to give new builders a way to make their work as pretty as his?! I compete in IPMS and can promise that few members want to divulge their little tricks that make their work show winning.

How about appreciate what ALL of these guys do to help further the hobby? Some of us like our water modeled as well as in bottles (preferably, in beer.) If you see not constructive value, show some common courtesy and move on. If you have valid criticism, contribute.

I promise you we will all be far better off.

-The Other Chris

(This all being said, EJ Foeth is a damn genius with etching and detail. My hat's off to you, sir.)

[RNfanDan]

Aww, get over it, Chris! Many here know of your talents, including me! You're one of the very best scale seawater modelers I've yet seen--a true professional!

I might add that a bit less officiousness, and a bit more levity, might be beneficial; nevertheless, I will respect your wish by adding your ID "handle" to my ignored users list, an effective utility which this (and other forum sites), make available for just such circumstances.

Bye, and take care!

--Dan