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Comments
Jerry
It has really been fun getting the hang of painting the stones with the Rembrandt pastels and a little alcohol. I've done some experimenting and again will advise those that will build the kit that they should check the color levels in the lighted areas in which the model will be viewed. My second image shows the back wall with some sunlight through a window, and the third is of the wall propped up against another building on the layout. You can see the big contrast in colors with the various light levels. Now predicting light levels in future contest rooms is another ballgame. I think the coloration in the layout setting is pretty close to what I want.
My early photos showed I didn't have enough ink in my A/I mixture so I added another teaspoon to the pt. bottle. To add to the mortar stain without putting any more on the stone surfaces, I loaded the brush with A/I and touched it to the edge of the wall piece and capillary action took it throughout the mortar lines only. Requires only a few reloads to the brush and applied where needed. You easily see where more is needed.
My advice on stone coloring is to be cautious with the dark browns and greys like 408.3
and 704.3 They can really contrast the lighter stone colors. Also, I am planning to add some close to black soot in some spots. My goal is to have the third picture stones look on the order of the first photo stones.
Another tip on using the very small squares- this time to help you keep the edges and corners of your doors and windows perfectly aligned when you glue the layers together. Making the simple jig in the last photo helps do the task quicker and better.
Jerry
But the only thing creative I do I resumed about a week ago. And I'm glad I'm back. Even though about 95% of the creativity is Brett's when I take on a SWSM kit, I can eventually say "I built that", and in my opinion it is an art form. My friend Dave Revelia was once quoted in a magazine "I think model building is an art form, but I know for sure that it is more than just messing around with toy trains."
So some photos that show the finished and assembled foundry walls, the foundry work room, and the sand bay. Some neat detail in the sand bay, and you will have to get down to ground level to appreciate it. There are a couple of sand riddles hanging on the wall (one rectangular and one round) built from some fine laser cut pieces. They were used to screen particulate matter from the sand. Mine need more grime and rusting up, and that's why we take these pics outside in the bright sun- as other touch-up needs and other small snafus can be detected.
Brett's kits have a high degree of educational value. I know my way around sawmills, fabricating business, gold mines, and now foundries just to name a few of my favorites. The "stories" included in each kit totally enhance the building enjoyment.
And it's great to see you back with us once again.
Jerry
So of the several-hundred structures I have built through many years, you tend to remember some more than others, and develop a short-list of favorites. One that comes to mind is the hotel from Logging Camp Main Street. It was a truly unique design even among the many gems Brett has produced over the years. It was a delightful and satisfying build I'll always remember.
The tiny office from this foundry is another of those remarkable structures. It has so many design features and textures and was really fun. It combines individual pieces of stripwood applied over milled clapboard siding. The boards are first grained and detailed, then stained with Rembrandt chalks and rubbing alcohol. Then they are damp-brushed with alcohol and acrylic paint. The exterior color looks better IMO if it is light enough to give a nice contrast to the base stain.
The feature of my work surface is the same piece of plate glass I have used for twenty years. One outside photo is of the office outside, and the other of the various elements placed against one another. And finally the office placed on my layout to give me a color check under the layout lighting. In the background are a little bit of two additional SWSM structures- on the right the Woodcutter's Shack and on the left the recently re-released Duluth Company.
We have a ton of new members, bet they would love to see your layout...
I think that you reading the manual great job my friend. ...........CL.......
I put wood shakes on the foundry office. I don't use many asphalt shingles in the woods since the sawmill, woodcutters, and shingling factory are nearby. The ones I always use are the Paper Creek version which are not available anymore, but I stocked up big-time as I had some advance warning they would't be in future production. I also still have several bottles of Floquil Driftwood stain- practically collectors items even though I like everybody else use mostly alcohol mixed with ink or pastel chalks to stain wood or plaster.
So here is probably my favorite of more than 100 SWSM structures I have built- the foundry office.
First thing I'm going to do is de-fuzz the top of the cap on the false front. Second thing I'm going to do is take the roof-cap off and add a row of shingles to the top of the left roof. If you use strips of any kind of shingles you have to overlap each row. If you don't they won't look like individual shingles. Most easily corrected of a common sin among model roofing crews.
Welcome back I hope. Next thing on this build is prepping the very considerable amount of castings. If Brett were income oriented he would charge the amount he prices kits for just the instructions and castings. A real no frills kit but still a bargain price.
just sayin'....