Bit of a rant here, sorry.....and it’s aimed squarely at the marketing arm of the hobby....
I think a major problem in this hobby is the available of ready made so called “solutions” to modelling problems....these are supposed to give you gold medal results right out of the box. Things are marketed and written up in magazines as if buying “this solution” from mig, and “that paint”, from Vallejo, followed by ”these add ons” from green stuff world (there are many other companies so insert your own) will enable you to build a world beating model “just like me”.
It’s pure fantasy. I’m sure all of these are worthy products, but they are no use to you unless they fit in with your own way of working and you are able to get decent results from them. The best modellers would still produce top quality results using much more basic tools and materials, but these products just make it faster for them.
The trouble is, the marketing hype then puts off those that do not have these learned and innate skills because the results they get don’t come out as expected. The poor modeller then either gives up, or invests even more money in the next shiny new tool or paint range that promises these results, to probably be disappointed yet again.
The best thing anyone can do is stick with good quality basic tools, paint, etc until they really understand the skills required to get the results they want. You don’t have to master those skills, just understand them. Then, and only then, look around at the esoteric ranges and pick those that you know suit your style, and can give you quicker or more consistent results.
You can guarantee that those modellers you most want to emulate look at their own work and think “I wish I could do this as well as Harry”, it’s part of human nature.
The bottom line though is have fun, and unless your aim is to win competitions (something I simply don’t understand), just satisfy yourself as best you can! Your modelling is part of your own unique voice, shout out loud and proud and sod everyone else!