I should explain how I intend on doing this build in two stages. Stage one will be basically following the intended construction of this structure, built to the designed footprint, on the deck etc. There are a few differnt options to which way you as the modeller can go with the construction, such as, it doesn't need to be built on the deck (use it for another project), or the layout of the warehouse and office could be changed to suit the available space. I intend to place this as a diorama (no plans to install in a layout in the future), so the footprint ins't really an issue.
The second stage of the build will be taking the model, and showing how I incorporate it and finish it as a diorama, including trying to explain some of the ground work and extra detailing. I want to show that although this is a kit, it can easily be personalised, adding my own impression of how the building should be placed and presented. As well as the SBS photos, I'll put up two sets of "final" photos in this thread at the end of each stage.
So, colouring the timber.
Some initial staining has been done of the Mt Albert strip timber, plus the joists for the large deck. The strip timber has just been grained with a razor saw, then stained with an alcohol and ink (A+I) mixture, 100ml alcohol + 4ml burnt sienna ink + 3ml black ink, which just adds a bit of warmth to the stain colour (there are various tips on staining the timber in the instructions, but I'll show my technique here, OMC guys use the A+I solution). The laser cut ply sheets have been grained with a course sanding block (supplied in the kit), which both adds a bit if grain, plus breaks the smooth timber surface allowing for a better application of the stain.
DSC_9782r.jpg- The first A+I stain...
- (115.83 KiB) Downloaded 274 times
This shows the initial stain applied, dried, and then a light rub with a white Conte' pastel pencil, which adds a bit of grey tone to the timber (the stumps will be further treated at a later stage).
- DSC_9787r.jpg
- After application of artists chalks and an alcohol wash...
- (93.07 KiB) Downloaded 274 times
- DSC_9789r.jpg
- Laser cut individual boards, held on the ply as a fret...
- (67.86 KiB) Downloaded 274 times
These next shots show the next stage of my colouring process. After the A+I prestain has dried, I then like to scrape/dust on some artists chalks, in a burnt sienna, and the other colour I like to use is actually called greenish burnt sienna. I'll try to set up some shots to show it being done, but basically I use a small wire brush to scratch the chalk over the timber that is lying on the work surface. Here's the advantage of all the timber being on a fret, it makes this colouring process very quick and a bit cleaner than doing it to individual strips of timber. The second photo above shows how the boards are actually all cut separately on the ply sheet (not just scribed in), which I guess also ensures there is the right amount of timber supplied.
Once the chalk has been dusted onto the timber, I dip a stiff brush into a bit of straight alcohol, and wash it across the sheet of timber. It sort of turns the chalk dust into a stain, which can then be gently worked into the grain. I have then gone back with the white Conte' pencil after this has dried (only takes a couple of minutes) just to add a bit of grey tone back into the aging timber. One sheet of timber, ready to release from the fret and use on the build (the tiny unstained parts where the timber is released from the fret is easily touched over with a spot of the A+I solution.
Dan Pickard
