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Tree Building using plastic armatures in 4mm scale


MAP66
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1986478365_20210609_1602272.jpg.1dc725cd9ac1932ec09dabfc8bf3876f.jpg207635058_20210618_1432081.jpg.fda53905d7a384cb001b11e135f4a50c.jpg1741354677_20210618_1426521.jpg.6273aeb97790bf08d506ed3cedd0fd68.jpgI’ve had a modelling dry spell for the last couple of months, so lack of progress on all fronts.

I think I’m back again now though, as I returned to the garden diorama last week and constructed a small brass shed kit which ignited the flame again and promptly spurred me on to knock up a compost container from ratio sheets of wood planking (still needs a hinged lid).

I have also made a start on some more ground work to the rear of the shed and around the compost container and the next step will be to model the small vegetable patch which hopefully will include a runner bean frame made out of very thin plastic rod to resemble bamboo canes.

I also had a think about the oak tree diorama again and am now confident on what to include in the scene, so that little project will will follow on after this one.

 

 

 

Edited by MAP66
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913084132_20210623_1749511.jpg.519794ca47f04f933c9d366adf26b211.jpg172679227_20210623_1742201.jpg.4526c68e4bbdcfd6cf34fe7db1759a70.jpg125405287_20210623_1746071.jpg.ac69342eb174fa2941072d02be97a447.jpgLids now fitted on the compost container and some more items have been placed in the greenhouse ready for the house occupier to do some pottering (house occupier not installed yet).

Going back to the Silver Birch, I am going to attempt a smaller version using the Gordon Gravett method for this diorama. So wire armature, filler and straightened postiche for the foliage.

 

 

 

 

Edited by MAP66
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Very nice. Lots of detail, once you look closely. Especially inside the green house. 

 

I also like that half open door to the shed. You don't even need a figure, it's so obvious that someone is about.

 

Edited by Mikkel
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10 hours ago, sb67 said:

Looking great!, I really like that scene, you've got a nice amount of detail there, do you plan on putting a figure or two in there? 

Thanks Steve

I have a few characters in mind to add to the scene, but they won't all feature at the same time. You met lawn mower man on the previous page.

There's quite a few cameo scenes I could do on this diorama using different figures, but I need to rein it in a bit as I want to start on the oak tree diorama.

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17 hours ago, Mikkel said:

Very nice. Lots of detail, once you look closely. Especially inside the green house. 

 

I also like that half open door to the shed. You don't even need a figure, it's so obvious that someone is about.

 

Thank Mikkel

I cant resist adding the little people, so they will appear soon.

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1445435921_20210626_2232081.jpg.8f535c26f98a79a489902637356375cb.jpgJust playing around with some characters which could feature in the scene. Lawn mower man definitely has a place but have I overdone it with the colourful gardening smock as worn by his Mrs?

 

Edited by MAP66
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I think she looks just right, very believable. Maybe the smock could be toned down just a little bit, but depends how close up you view it, I suppose.

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9 minutes ago, Mikkel said:

I think she looks just right, very believable. Maybe the smock could be toned down just a little bit, but depends how close up you view it, I suppose.

Thanks for the feedback Mikkel, I haven't yet decided if it looks like she's just come back from paint balling in which case she must have been an easy target or is this something Joan Crawford would wear while tending her Geraniums? I'm still undecided :scratch_one-s_head_mini: 

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Guest Jack Benson

 The lady is very on point for the task in hand.
 

Excellent portrayal of a person of that ‘certain’ age.

 

StaySafe

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On 23/06/2021 at 18:37, MAP66 said:

Going back to the Silver Birch, I am going to attempt a smaller version using the Gordon Gravett method for this diorama. So wire armature, filler and straightened postiche for the foliage.

Well, I've started on Silver Birch MkII which is smaller than the original and will be better suited for this small diorama. I am still experimenting with bark discolouration at the moment (progress pics below) and after this I will attempt to attach the postiche to the branches, to represent the long twiggy stuff, which will be straightened out first. The first tree was a scale 55' tall and this version is 32'. Once the postiche is added, I will take some images of the whole tree situated within the diorama. Hopefully it should all work out, I'm following Gordon Gravetts technique so fingers crossed.

 

 

 

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Edited by MAP66
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Its been a while since I last posted an update, haven't really progressed much as I have only had one stint at attaching the straightened out postiche. Its going to take a few more sessions to complete that stage and then it will require a hair cut to tidy up the straggly bits before I add the scatters. I am pleased with how its looking though. Without the scatter material it does make for a very nice Birch for a winter scene. That's one for the future, I can imagine a few of these running along an embankment with patches of snow on the ground.

 

 

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Edited by MAP66
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The first sprinkling of foliage has been added which is a mix of Green Scenes 125 and 129, attached for now with hairspray. The upper branches are next and I intend to use longer lengths of postiche for these which should fill out the tree more right down to the lower branches. I think it looks better than the larger first attempt tree where I used thin strips of foliage netting. This method seems to represent the drooping foliage more realistically.

 

 

 

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Edited by MAP66
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That looks great. The mix of white trunk and quite black outermost branches is quite characteristic. The superior effect of the postiche is clear.

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1 hour ago, Mikkel said:

That looks great. The mix of white trunk and quite black outermost branches is quite characteristic. The superior effect of the postiche is clear.

Thank you Mikkel,

Re6/6 (John) was quite right, I followed Gordons guidance and it didn't disappoint. So it takes a little more time straightening out the postiche but its worth the effort for modelling this variety of Birch. Would also work for Weeping Willow, that's another one for the future. 

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1 hour ago, MAP66 said:

.......it takes a little more time straightening out the postiche but its worth the effort for modelling this variety of Birch. 

I found the method of slightly wetting the un-plaited postiche and hanging it up to dry with weights on the end  works quite well.

 

1 hour ago, MAP66 said:

.......Would also work for Weeping Willow, that's another one for the future. 

This stuff is perfect for a weeping willow if you can get it. It's really super-fine but supplies over here seem in short supply at the moment https://polakscenics.uk/shop/

20210723_094852.jpg.496c217c66fe87c20a915d0bd90718cc.jpg  20210723_095311.jpg.ecb26a943d67843058e2bb6b1951b911.jpg

 

 

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Take a look here for some marvelous trees and bushes. https://mbrmodel.eu/en/ I rate his products highly of superb quality and value for the prices he charges. They're a Polish company who are happy to supply the UK. Keep the order under £130 (including p&p) and HMRC and RM won't stick charges on (well they haven't to me yet!)

 

Particularly good are the 'bushes' series at just under £7 for three (10cm). These are the 'tall bushes' series. I've tried to emulate the way that the leaves are fixed onto the 'bristles' all the way down but ended up with the 'bottle brush' look! Saving time is my mantra now at my increasing age! I still enjoy tree making as I've got to make some tall (30 to 40 cm) beech trees for Marsh Sidings but am awaiting a couple of Macaj's beech trees to see if they could be adapted.

 

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxzLHQurWFM&t=73s This shows his range 'in the flesh'

 

Edited by Re6/6
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Hi John

 

Many thanks for the info and links for tree making and supplies. I am going to have a good look through to see all the range available.

Much appreciated.

Mark

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Well, I'm finally happy to report that the Silver Birch is now complete and its turned out pretty good for a second attempt. I have inserted it into the garden diorama with a blob of blue-tac and took some photos. Its quite fragile, due to the thin copper wire used for some of the branches, so it will be placed somewhere safe for now and be the last item to be glued in place on the diorama. Next thing to tackle will be the small vegetable patch and then get some more characters painted up. Then back to the Oak tree, remember that!

 

Out of interest - Can anyone recommend a cheapish digital camera which comes with photo stacking, I need a way of keeping everything in sharp focus when shooting close up and my Samsung mobile phone camera results in a lot of the image being blurry as depth of field is very narrow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Edited by MAP66
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31 minutes ago, Re6/6 said:

Excellent work Mark. Well done.

Thank you John, that's very kind of you to say so. Its been a labour of love :) 

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Guest Jack Benson
 

 

Out of interest - Can anyone recommend a cheapish digital camera which comes with photo stacking, I need a way of keeping everything in sharp focus when shooting close up and my Samsung mobile phone camera results in a lot of the image being blurry as depth of field is very narrow.

 

 

 

Hi, PM sent

 

StaySafe

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That's exquisite Mark.

 

As I have discovered, it's easy to make trees that look "tree-like". It's much harder to make them look like a particular species, and even harder to make a particular species look just right. You've done the latter here, really impresssive work.

 

The oak will need a lot of space, is it for another diorama?

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