The Little World

Sometimes we go through life without ever meeting anyone famous.

Of course we may have waved to Fat Cat or HM the Queen when they swept by in a public procession, but that only counts if they waved back or threw a rock at us.

But we can meet many famous people in our scale modelling. Note the vignette seen recently at the WAMA doll house exhibition in South Perth. Students of literature will Swiftly recognise the figure, the book, and the predicament. It is a faithful depiction of a club president surrounded by critics…

Be aware that whenever you essay to paint a historical scene or figure, you are largely drawing upon the imagination of others. Unless a verifiable photograph is seen – and I do not mean the AI slop – you are illustrating from an illustrator. Bless you if you can make an 18th century woodcut come alive in 3d and colour. That alone is worth the appellation of art.

If you do, do not fear criticism of rivet-counters. An original artist faithfully reproduced is as much a feat as the finest scale model made – weathering and all.