HO/HOn3 the Wood Cutters Shack

KKarns · February 14

Thanks Jerry, I aint gettin any work done sittin around sipping a cold one with ya!

Hey Nick, not really into edible scenery but you brits are welcome to have at it!:)

minion · February 14

That’s the problem with you Yanks , you are so repressed ! Anyway, I am not sure I would want to eat it .

Karl.A · February 15

Tractor looks amazing, so well done.
This is going to be another wonderful dio, lots of space for opportunities.

kebmo · February 16

i'm with jerry. really looking foward to seeing this.

KKarns · February 16

Thanks much Karl! Right, I may be going down the scenic rabbit hole with that much acreage to work...

Hopefully I'll get some work done when my scenic materials that I ordered arrive Kevin. I'm slow but this time not my fault! Trying some pine trees for the first time on this project. All my other builds have featured deciduous tress...and not very good ones at that!

glandesjr · February 16

Hi Ken:
This is the first time I've seen this (I must be asleep) and I love it. The aging of the wood is super especially with the missing pieces showing the framing. And the support "logs" for the deck looks really great. The dio you are building also looks awesome. I'm excited to see the finished product.

KKarns · February 16

Appreciate ya George! Thanks so much. I'm really excited about the scenic work ahead. Just placed another order for some targeted paints for the project and the hardscape scenic work is mostly done. Can't wait to get rid of all the white!

tomtom · February 17

Hello Mr. Karns. This will be another world class build – you set the bar very high. I wish to ask, especially at this stage, what is your substrate for the terrain? Sculptamold, grout, plaster? I assume it is laid on top of foam. Did you contour the foam beforehand? Knife or hotwire? It is no wonder that your landscapes are so compelling when I can see such detail in this early layer. Thanks.

KKarns · February 17

First off, thanks so much tomtom! Appreciate it.

I first set the rough terrain elevations with foam. In the case of my current project I wanted the shack to sit on the side of a hill to allow for the brick pillar supports and deck supports to show, rather than just plunk it down on a flat surface. I invisioned behind the cabin to have some rocky outcrops with a mountain stream coming down and then leveling off below the cabin and the water slowing down as it reaches then end of the diorama. I have since moved the terminal end of the creek a bit. This lower area will be the work flow area of the backwoods tie cutting/logging scene.

I started with the foam and rough contoured it with a rasp and my #11 blade (photo 1) The creek was rough cut into the foam. I then sculpted in the terrain base, overhanging creek banks, rock and rock ledges with FastMache by Activa (photo 2&3) I find this product a bit easier to sculpt than Sculptamold. It seems to have a finer binding material. I also work the FastMache over the entire surface, even the flat areas as it creates natural undulations in the ground work (photo 4).

(photo 1) Here is what I use to rough scape the foam. It leaves a rough surface that takes the mache really well. Sample piece to illustrate the results.

(photo 2) Here is use the FastMache to sculpt the rocks and stair step rock strata in the steeper stream area.

(photo 3) This is where the stream levels off and slow down and widens a bit. I sculpted in a sand bar.

(photo 4) This is an example of the relatively flat ground with the FastMache spread out thin to create uneven surface and then will be covered with dirt, grass etc...

Hope that helps, and keep in touch...Ken

Karl.A · February 17

Great steps and info for all of us Ken, thanks for taking the time and sharing your steps and process/materials with us all.

ALCO · February 18

Dr Grunge is now a Water Wizard!

KKarns · February 18

Hey thanks Karl...we'll see if it pans out!

Ha, hardly a wizard, more like a jester! I'll be using acrylics rather than epoxy on this go around.

Jerry · February 18

Karl great tutorial. Thanks for the info.

Jerry

minion · February 18

Jerry said:
Karl great tutorial. Thanks for the info.

Jerry

Karl or Ken ? I know they are easily confused .

Jerry · February 18

minion said:

Jerry said:
Karl great tutorial. Thanks for the info.

Jerry
Karl or Ken ? I know they are easily confused .

Yes at my age it's easy to get confused I meant Ken!!
Thanks for the heads up what's your name again oh Sir Nick I got it!!!

Jerry

KKarns · March 12

The Wood Cutter's Shack diorama project is coming along, albeit slowly. Several issues have been addressed that didn't really slow the project, just extended the amount of work to bring it along. Firstly, the diorama base has been extended since my last post to over 23" wide. This was done to allow for a length of track, which I have included in all my other projects. It just didn't seem right to have a SWSM diorama not tied in some way to a narrow gauge railroad. Secondly, as this diorama is an exercise in extensive scenic and landscape work by decision, I have been building a number of support models...mainly tress. And lastly, I am waiting for the main scene to be developed...such as the layout, structure(s), work flow, etc. That does not mean I haven't actually done any detail modeling, quite the contrary. I have done the initial detailing around the shack (see below) and covered the diorama base with the first layer of dirt. There will be final details added to the shack, but basically it's done. Following is an illustrated update:

Front of the shack. Will do a walk around of sorts...

I added a small covered open shed to balance out the front porch of the shack.

Section of narrow gauge track running through a shallow cut. Lots of scenic work opportunities here.

Small creek coming off the rocky hillside behind the shack. A low bridge will span the creek for access to the lower work area.

ALCO · March 12

I see a Prize Winner in the making! Ultra-fine modeling!

TomMich · March 12

Very nice! looking forward to seeing what's next.

TravisS · March 12

Looking great Ken! Wasn’t this kit intended for like. 6” x 8” size? Taking it to the next level is an understatement.

Robert.G · March 13

The open shed, with its great looking shingles 'roof' was a super idea. Like you said , it balances the whole edifice. Specially because the other side goes ' downwards ' The base for great scenery is there !! Like in a previous build of yours, the 'river' banks look very nice as well. To echo ALCO, ultra fine modeling

KKarns · March 13

Really appreciate that AL! Thanks.

Hey Tom, thanks much. I'm getting the initial scenic work done and will start around the shack to get a feel for how the diorama will evolve.

Thanks Travis, not even that big!...original diorama base called for 8"x4". I'm up to about 23"x15"! What have I done?? lol.

Appreciate that Robert. That's exactly right. The structure needed some "weight" to the back and with the open shed, outhouse, and tractor should do the trick. I will also massage the look with tree placement as well.

Joel · March 13

Fanally had a chance to sit down and go through this amazing build. It is quite amazing, the wood treatment and build quality are among your best and I think that's saying something. Such a small model and yet so much character oozing from every board.

dick52 · 2:03AM

Fantastic, love that color

Jerry · 3:35AM

A Masterpiece!!

Jerry

KKarns · 12:26PM

Appreciate that Joel! Nice hearing from you my friend!

Hey thanks Dick!

Thanks much Jerry! Think I opened a can of worms with the amount of scenic work I have to cover...lol

BobsBrainCell · 1:25PM

This is awesome and instructional! Thanks for describing your methods/products.

b

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HO/HOn3 the Wood Cutters Shack

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