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Job's Modelling

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  1. Job's Modelling
    The first job I had to do now was adding the windows behind the weathered factory wall. In the past I use a solvent free glue from Pattex. This time I used double sided tape from 3M, as David Neat advices in his excellent articles.
    I had re-size the windows from Scalescenes first. I used window c form his excellent Arches and Windows TX00 kit.

    After adding the windows I tried out how to create the final look. I had several possibilities that were usable.
    I decided to build an inner wall with white stone to create the illusion of depth.

    This is glued behind the windows.
    Then I printed the “Grime window” sheet from Scalescenes in black and white. After looking at some reference pictures on the website of CGtextures I wasn’t convinced that the colour used by Scalescenes would create the right appearance.
    After I tried the black and with version I took my pastel pencils to add some grey/blue colour to the original texture.
     

    On the left the original version, at the right the colored one.
    The colored texture is added behind the windows.
     

     
    Here is the final version of the windows.
    And below the factory placed into the diorama.
     

    The factory is finished now. Let’s start with the front of the scene.
    Till next time.
    Regards,
    Job
  2. Job's Modelling
    Next step is to weather the front of the factory before starting with the windows.
    For weathering I used the following materials for the factory:

    · Soft pencil pastels of Caran d’Ache. This on advice of an art shop in Nijmegen. They told me that these pencils had the most pigment. In the past I mostly used a mixture of a what dark pigments. On their advice I used this time some different shades of grey and grey/blue.
    But every other good brand will work too.
    · Coloured pencils for detailing. I used the pencils I had in stock from different brands.
    · 100% cotton buds and tissues A good place with good light is essential. I have a daylight lamp above my workspace. But also good daylight can do the job. And use a clamp cloth to wipe your hands clean from pastel chalk.
    I use small amounts of pastel and then smooth the area using a cotton bud or some tissue. I try not to press down heavy when applying the chalk.
    I started with the lightest colour and then applied layers of darker colours over the lighter. The nice way of working this way is that you can blend the colours together. The thinner you can keep your layers the more translucent your work will be and allows the printed work to show through.
    I work from the top to bottom so my hand is not smudging over a finished area. Working with pastels can be a little messy and dusty so patience and cleanliness are a virtue if you want to avoid smudging.
    Colour pencils are not really blendable so the use of pencil is kept to detail and small areas.
    After you have finished your weathering you can give the whole a protecting varnish. This time I used Liquitex Matt Varnish for the following reasons:
    • Water-based Technology
    • Low Odor
    • Permanent and Durable
    • Resists discoloring (non-yellowing, non-fogging) due to humidity, heat and ultraviolet light.
    • Dry to a non-tacky, hard, flexible surface that is resistant to dirt retention
    • Hard, archival, non-yellowing and water resistant when dry
     
    I tried it out on some test work and it worked well for me. I sprayed the surface of the factory outside, in the garden, as recommended. This is the only part of my modelling for which I cannot find a nontoxic resolution.
     

    The starting point from the last entry

    Work in progress. Applying pastel to the texture.

    Although the textures from Scalescenes are very good, I like to give a building my own personal touch.

    You can compare this one with the starting point picture.
    I hope the result is convincing.
    Regards,
    Job
  3. Job's Modelling
    First an introduction to the factory in the background of the diorama. Darrel Fincher is working here as a metal worker. In the archives of the Northall Gazette I found an interesting article about the factory.
     
     

     
    Modelling progress (I had some extra time):
    I’m very content with the use of bookbinding glue. Althought it is a little more work the result is much better. With PRITT glue I had always parts that I had to glue again. Applying a thin coat of bookbinding glue gives a good result.
    I used the method described in the last entry.
     

     
    Although I had printed all factory sheets on Lana Dessin paper, I decided to use another kind of paper for the concrete ledge cover layers. For them I used Hahnemühle watercolour paper 150 g/m2 rough. This paper is acid free and age resistant.
    If you have a look on the internet for hand colouring inkjet papers you will see that they advise also the use of watercolour paper for starting professional photographers who want to do some hand colouring on black and white pictures.
    I believe it trying out different kind of papers for card modelling can give some surprising results. I don’t know of the difference is to see on the picture. The watercolour paper has much more structure and a far deeper colour. I think my cartridges will go empty a little bit quicker, but that is worth it.
     

     
    The two lighter ones are printed on Lana Paper.
    Below a picture of the modelling progress of the factory at this moment.
     

     
    Next step will be the weathering of the front of the factory and making some thouhts about how to do the finishing of the windows.
    To be continued.
     
    Regards,
    Job
  4. Job's Modelling
    After I had designed the basic plan for 'Station Road – Shops under arches' and painted my figures, it is time to find the right place for the figures.
    On the map I marked the position of the girl and the boy.
     

     
    So to give the situation some what more personal I made some notes by the figures to create more “living” persons from them.
    This was an interesting journey. Reading the backgrounds of teenagers in the 1950's and the Teddy Boy culture in London and the UK.
     
    So let me introduce them to you.
     
    The girl in the yellow dress is:
     

     
    Vivien Hexman, just 19. She lives on 27 Tabart Road. She has brown wavy hair.
    She is beautiful and has a strong character, but it is her warmth and kindness which likes D. most. She works as a hairdresser by Karin (Millers) Hairdressing Salon on High Street in Northall.
    She likes to listen to American rock and music and is she likes Elvis Presley.
    She listens to this music on the jukebox in the Carousel, a coffee bar at Station Road.
    Her parents are working class people we like to listen to the more traditional and classic music on the BBC radio.
    They don’t like the why D. is dressed and his thoughts about society, although after Vivien brought him home and he made a good impression the will follow their friendship with an more open mind.
     
    The "Teddy boy" is:
     

     
    Darrel Fincher (20) lives at 13 Nice Street. He has black hair and is skinny. He likes to wear Teddy boy clothes. He doesn’t like all the ideas of them. He works at the factory of Ince & Mayhew, producers of office equipment as a metal worker.
    He found normal girls boring, but the teddy girls make him feel miserable. He actually loves a quit live, listening to his favourite skiffle music and hanging around with some friends in the Carousel.
    He is madly in love with Vivien, and they spend time together going to the movies, dancing and visiting the Carousel.
    He now wants a girl that loves him and will stay with him for ever, even if he had to marry her. He is a teenager in love.
     
    To see of the scene was correct I build a muck-up, that I can also use for other micro diorama’s. See the first picture.
     
    After placing the figures on the spots I marked on the drawing I noticed it wasn’t what I had in mind.
     

     
    After some trying out I believe this is the right position for me. See picture below. The white card will become the shops under arches.
     

     
    Regards,
    Job
  5. Job's Modelling

    The final box

    By Job's Modelling,

    After building the 3D sketch the final diorama box had to be build. I use for that a MDF “baseboard.” A friend of us cut baseboards for the coming time. Don’t be afraid you will see only this kind of diorama’s in the future. My granddaughter (6 years old now) asked me to build a railway on which a loco could run. So somewhere in the future I have to build a diorama in an APA box in which a train can shuffle around.
     

    I bought her in the past a Toby from Hornby. This loco is the reflection of my interest for the Wisbech and Upwell Tramway.
     
    I made a view adjustments for the final box. The sides have a small angle towards the back. I hope this will create some more depth into the diorama. I also created some supports for the road already.
     
    For the sides I used a Scalescenes sky. This was published in his blog about his own model railway.
    For printing I used this time Digital Fine Art Paper for Photography and Art from Innova. Their FibaPrint White Matt is a good choice for me. It gave a great print.
     

     

     
    I made the black and white structures fitting in the final box. In this way it is possible to avoid mistakes during constructing the final pieces.
     

     
    Because I want to try a little different way for constructing the Scalescenes building my next entry can be a little later than you are used from me.
    I like to follow some advices I got.
     
    I hope it is worth waiting for.
     
     
    Regards,
    Job
  6. Job's Modelling
    In a reply of last entry of station road I said that a milk-bar was a place where teenager could meet each other.
     

     
    1950's milk bar date!
     
    I mentioned the above “sorbet”, and it had a nice description.
     
    The Knickerbocker Glories is a big glass of ice cream with strawberries, bananas, grapes and thick, whipped cream on top.
     
    Today I made a nice Italian pasta meal with courgette. So I thought it would be nice to make the Knickerbocker Glories for dessert.
     
    So this time some of my creative kitchen work. Just for fun.
     
    You need (form bottom to top)
    Some nice high glasses
     
    Ice cream ( I used sorbet ice)
    Some grapes – cut into half
    A banana – in slices
    Some strawberries – cut in slices
    Whipped cream ( I added some vanilla sucker)
     
    A sorbet spoon
     

     
    All the ingredients.
     

     
    The final result.
     
    My wife enjoyed it, me too.
     
    You may try it out. Bon appétit.
     
    Regards,
    Job
  7. Job's Modelling

    3D Sketch

    By Job's Modelling,

    For the figures I have found the right position. Now it is time to see of my design is right. A drawing on paper is always different than a 3D diorama.
    Also the dimension of this diorama are totally new to me. So I have to get familiar to them. So I decided to make a try-out diorama.
    The black & white diorama is just quick build. Not all the details are visible. I also have to make some small adjustments for the coloured version I have noticed all ready.
    Here is the overview. Just three lines of modelling.For the figures I have found the right position. Now it is time to see of my design is right. A drawing on paper is always different than a 3D diorama.
    Also the dimension of this diorama are totally new to me. So I have to get familiar to them. So I decided to make a try-out diorama.
    The black & white diorama is just quick build. Not all the details are visible. I also have to make some small adjustments for the coloured version I have noticed all ready.
    Here is the overview. Just three lines of modelling.
     

     
    I have still the possibility to make some changes. The replies of the entry about figure placing gave my some stuff to think about.
     
    Arch Records will be stay in place. Walden Books can be changed for the Carousel, a coffee bar or a snack bar. I can try this out after I have finished the arches and Arch Records.
     
    The shop window displays will be designed by myself. The displays from Scalescenes are not really end 1950’s.
    I will also have another look at fascia’s with the shop names and use time based fonts. The shop names here are made with the High Street Shop Fronts shop sign page. The fonts used by Scalescenes are, except from Times New Roman (1931) designed after 1960 and out of period for me.
     

     
    In this picture a view at street level. This is the total scene. Details have still to be filled in.
     
    The factory where Darrel works is in the background. The factory is basically the TO26 Factory/Warehouse from Scalescenes. I used windows from Windows and Arches of the scratch build section of Scalescenes. I had these to cut in size.
     
    Building this was useful. The black and white models give a good guidance for the final model. I also know what kind of problems I have to solve
     
    This is not the way it will be seen when everything is done. Then there will be a view through a viewing opening. To give you an impression look at the picture below.
     

     
    I hope you will follow my on this journey.
     
    Regards,
    Job
  8. Job's Modelling
    As I wrote before, for my new diorama Station Road I need some “top quality” painted figures. By top quality I mean the best I can achieve at this moment.
     
    This is my second attempt painting a figure at my best at this moment.
    I used artist acrylic paints, different branches. I uses opaque colours for the basecoats and half-transparent and transparent colours for highlighting. For shadowing a mixture of my base colour with Payne’s grey or black.
     
    The base colours are diluted 1:1 with matt acrylic medium.
    Washes are diluted 1:5 with Galeria flow improver.
     
    I used the same method as for the girl in the yellow dress.
     
    Figure analysing
    Search for reference pictures.
    Analyse where indirect shadows will fall on your figure.
     
    My painting sequence this time:
     
     

    1. I choose a colour scheme. I want the colours to reflect the identity of the character.
    I used an undertone of Payne’s grey for mixing the colours of the clothing using a reverence picture. In this way I try to create a consisting overall appearance.  

    Certain parts of your model would naturally look shaded and darker. I used a mix of three colours: a basic colour, a highlight colour and a shadow colour.  

    2. I applied a grey primer from Valejo, keeping the coat light so I didn't obscure any detail.  

    3. Then I painted the basecoat for skin and hands and I tried to apply some shading.  

    4. Then I painted the shirt. After that the jacket, trousers and shoes.  

    5. At last I painted the details.  
    After I got some advice from a professional art painter I decided not to varnish my model. This because my model will be standing in a diorama behind glass and I don’t have to handle frequently. Using gloves I can keep it clean. By using acryl paint your figure is water resistant so you could carefully clean it up with a little water.
     
    I used synthetic pencils from the Da Vinci. That was another advice I followed I got. This pencils are available with small points.
     

     

     
    Please your comments on this one.
     
     
    Regards,
    Job
  9. Job's Modelling
    I decided to finish the cottage in the front of the diorama first.
    Added the street name sign on the building and a drain pipe.
     
    For the roof I had a look at several slate and red clay tile options. In the front of the diorama I try to use whenever possible light colours. The grey slate tiles I found didn’t look right to me so I choose the red clay tiles from Wordsworth Models (free download).
    I also first searched for some background information and read it.
     
    I wanted to give the roof an old look. To create a convincing appearance a looked for a picture on the website of CG textures. See picture below.
     

     
    Then I did pick out a row that I wanted to model.
    I carefully tried to make the row cutting and adding individual tiles.
     

     
    Then I cut it on rows of two tiles high.
     

     
    And then I come to the compromise. If I wanted to create a roof as on the reference picture I had to create it with individual tiles. But I wanted to use the tiles texture from Wordsworth. Then you have to glue them somewhat over each other.
     

     
    In this way I laid all the tiles on the roof.
    On the reference picture you can see there is a line of cement below the top edge.
    I tried to model this with a Scalescenes concrete backyard floor tearing the texture carefully in an almost straight line.
     

     
    After I glued this in place and I added the top tiles individually, the roof was ready.
     

     
    And finally a pictures of the cottage details and a picture of the finished cottage on the layout.
    After making and seeing this picture I decided to create a simple background model behind the cottage.
     

     
    Regards,
    Job
  10. Job's Modelling
    After the evaluation and the reading of some literature about building a shadow box diorama I will try a different approach.
     
    In his articles about creating a artful diorama, Ray Anderson mentioned that the following things will help any diorama:
     
     

    1. Tell a simple story. You can hold the viewer’s attention for a minute or two at most.
    After finishing Northall Dock and reviewing the title of the diorama scene should have been “going to the pub”  

     

    2. The figures should be “small jewels”.
    On this point I have to learn and practice more.  

     

    3. The piece should be as small as possible to create a personal, intimate feeling. The scene should surround the viewer, making him feel part of the action instead of remote from it.
    So I decided to follow a different approach. Instead of building one diorama in a APA-box I will build two small scenes with the same theme.  

    4. There should be many minute, eye-catching details.
    This aspect is one of my favorites. Looking for small time based details to make the scene come alive.  

    5. Lighting should be indirect, often coming from the side to provide high shadow relief.
    After finding my led-light set I have the possibility to create a better lightning. I will try out Mikkel’s advice to put the lights more down.  

    6. Elaborate costumes are a great attention-getters and crowd-pleasers.
    I this case I would recommended a look at the figures of The Farting Layouts. Edwardian clothing is just great to achieve this. I try to find typical clothing styles for the period I’m building.  

    7. The overall effect of the diorama should be that they were created during the period depicted.
    Period pictures are very useful to create a convincing total scene.  
    With my experience of designing and building my previous diorama’s and the advice's of Ray Anderson I designed “Station Road – Shops under arches”.
    To see if the two dimensional design is correct I will build a three dimensional try-out.
    For the size I used the golden rectangle . So the size of this micro diorama is about 30 x 18,5 cm
     

     
    For this diorama I will only use textures from Scalescenes, except for the time period details and shop signs. If I hadn’t found his website a view years ago I wouldn’t have been modelling now.
     
    Regards,
    Job
  11. Job's Modelling

    Finally ….

    By Job's Modelling,

    I couple of weeks ago I was surfing on the internet searching for another possible lighting solution for my diorama’s. I left the website I was looking at in front of my computer, while I went to go for a shower.
    When I came back there was I new massage in my Outlook. This was an order confirmation for the light I was looking at. My wife had just ordered them for my.
     

     
    I dismanteled the lighting above Northall Dock to see the possibilities of this set.
    First I made a new lighting frame the way I read in the chapter about Shadow Boxes in How to build a diorama.
    I create a piece of cart in a 45 degree angle on the lid of the APA-box. On the cart I could fix the led strip, that had double sided tape. The rest of the lighting is outside the box on top of the lid.
    On the underside of lid I glued glossy white paper for reflecting the light.
     

     
    And now just some picture of the diorama in different lights. All pictures are made with the same camera settings. What is your favourite?
     
    1.
     
    2.
     
    3.
     
    4.
     
    5.
     
    6.
     
    I left away some terrible green and red pictures. And this is just a limited selections of the possibilities I have. For the pictures I just changed the colours and didn’t brighten or dim the lights.
     
    I think I finally found the solution for my general lighting problem. Do you agree with me?
     
    Regards,
    Job
  12. Job's Modelling

    L shape design

    By Job's Modelling,

    I have created the solution of the L-shape design I described in one of my earlier entries.
     
    The yellow ware house has disappeared. I build a new warehouse for the builders merchant. It’s a pity, because I still like the yellow building. For those who didn't read my motivation I described in an answer on a reply of Mikkel:
     
    “Let’s have a look at the colors:
    grey - roofs, road and sky
    dark brown - the building behind the cottage and the building with the Morse ghost sign
    "red/yellow" - the warehouse and the roof of the cottage ( I think they respond to each other)
    yellow - the builders merchants warehouse
    "white" - the cottage ( but that has a beautiful red/yellow roof ); and is Mikkel and mine’s favourite building.
     
    The only separate building in color is the yellow one.
     

     
    I decided to use the same texture from Scalescenes I used for the warehouse behind the cottage.
     
    First I made a new design using a picture I found somewhere on the internet.
     

     
    Then I searched for a door and windows keeping in mind that the building is meanly used in the diorama as a background model. I did some testing with several colours and found thes the most useful.
     

     
    I finished the building with a slated roof. I used again the same texture as for the warehouse behind the cottage. The texture of the slated roof is made by using a texture from CGtextures.
     

     
    The final questions are:
     


    - Is the L-shape I had in mind working for the diorama?
    - Did I manage to create a more balanced diorama?
    - Do less colors create a diorama where the focus is on the scene you want to create?  
    It is up to you to give answer to these questions. To help you I will give you the final picture of the buildings. Now I have to concentrate me on the road to finish the diorama.
     

     
    Regards,
    Job
  13. Job's Modelling

    Personality 2

    By Job's Modelling,

    The girl as posted in my last entry.
     

     
    I have learned again. After reading the replies I tried to make the figure look “better”. After working on it I decided to give it a light coat of matt varnish using a spray. When the varnish was dry I screamed : HELP. It became very glossy.
     
    Then I tried something totally different to see if I could correct it. I used pastel pencils, a pastel pencil eraser and paper eraser.
    I liked to work with pastel pencils on the figure for detailing. The only thing I had to think of was the sharpen the pencils for a sharp point.
     
    The other thing I realised is ( I read it before in several other entries) that a digital camera is making everything visible. In a diorama or a layout we never look at that close to a figure. But the camera can be very useful in this you to help you to create a figure as good as possible.
     
    The pictures below are the result after my struggling efforts on this one.
     

     
    and
     

     
    I didn't varnish the figure this time. I have to find another varnish to do this. Suggestion are welcome.
    I’m waiting for your opinion.
     
    Regards,
     
    Job
  14. Job's Modelling

    PERSONALITY

    By Job's Modelling,

    NO THIS IS NOT ABOUT ME!
    This is about figure painting.
     
    If you like some appropriate background music to this entry open the link below :

     
    For my new diorama Station Road I need some “top quality” painted figures. By top quality I mean the best I can achieve at this moment.
    The first step was to read chapter 5 of Sheperd Paine’s book How to build diorama’s. After reading I made a small painting guide for myself as a reference during my paint job.
     
    I used artist acrylic paints, different branches, which are diluted with an acrylic mat medium. I selected just a couple of colours for painting this figure.
     
    Figure analyzing
    Search for reference pictures.
    Analyse where indirect shadows will fall on your figure, using a light about 30 cm above it, with the light striking the top of surface of the figure at an angel of about 60 degrees.
    Rotate the figure. Make pictures from all four sides of your figure.
    Analyse for the body shadows and for clothing folds and wrinkles.
     
    If you know which side of the figure will be visible from the viewer’s side pay more attention to that side when you are painting your figure.
     
    I made pictures of my figure, in this case the pretty girl from the Monty Range, for analyzing.
     

     
    I made a painting handling device I saw somewhere on an American website.
    That worked very well for me.
     

     
    My painting sequence:
     
     
     
     

    1. I choose a colour scheme. I want the colours to reflect the identity of the character.  

    2. I applied an undercoat, keeping the coat light so I didn't obscure any detail.  

     
     
     
     

    3. Then I painted the base coat for skin, clothing and hair.  

     

    4. Shade the details. Certain parts of your model would naturally look shaded and darker. I used a mix of three colours: a basic colour, a highlight colour and a shadow colour.  

    5. I added with a color pencil some color for highlighting some details.  

    6. I have to protect the miniature with a diluted matte varnish.  

    To see of the pretty girl will fit in my new diorama I placed her in Nice Street. I tried to give her some personality. In my new diorama she is looking in a shopping window.
     

     
    I have learned again from this project. The most difficult part is the face and I’m not quit content with the result for this one. The great challenge here is not to overdo it.
     
    And of course I have to finish Northall Dock, but my barber offered me a model book for the hair and skin colour to do this one.
     
    Please your comments on this one.
     
     
    Regards,
     
    Job
  15. Job's Modelling
    I’m fond of ghost signs. The an add just some more character to a building or a scene.
    For Nice Street I made my first self-made ghost sign. I wanted to try that again on one of the buildings on Northall Dock.
     
    During my research for the warehouses of Northall Dock I came along this one:
     

     
    This sign I want to made on the premises of Farnshawe Ltd.
     
    First I made the sign in Word and cut out the individual letters.
     

     
    Then I used the cut out letter to create the letter for the ghost sign.
     

     
    I used a white pencil to create the sign and then gave it a coat of varnish.
    I wasn't quite content with the white color of the sign. So I decided to give it some more color using a water based paint.
     

     
    To give the sign a more “London” look (picture reference) I colored the letters black and faded the color a little bit.
     

     
    I’m for 90% content with the end result. I made a little mistake with the lettering of the ‘ and the S behind it. But because the building is not directly in front of the diorama I can accept that. Also I don’t know yet how much will be visible after I have finished the cottage in front of it.
    Next steps will be to finish the cottage and this building to see how the end result in my diorama will be.
     
    Regards,
    Job
     
     
    PS.
     
    Followed Mikkel's advice.
    I toned down the letters some more and also faded them a little bit.
    Hope you like it.
     

  16. Job's Modelling

    Placing details

    By Job's Modelling,

    I’m still busy with creating the solution of the L-shape design I described in my last entry.
     
    An other point of concern I mentioned in an early blog post. This has to do with the rule of thirds I use for the design of my diorama’s.
     

     
    The white circles are all filled in, with the right amount of details:
     
    Top left: the inside of the warehouse
    Below left: the visible unloading scene
    Top right: The name sign and the view to the alley
    Below right: the wooden pile at the corner of the dock.
     
    This part has a red circle because for me it isn’t filled in enough. On this place I liked to put some further details.
     
    I made use of the viewing line from the pile to the alley.
     

     
    After some try outs I found a convincing solution I believe. It also creates a nice little scene within the diorama.
     
    I placed a black alley cat half hidden under the door, that’s standing in front of the cottage.
     

     
    A somewhat older guy is placed in the viewing line toward to Canal Alley behind the wooden pile. This is Jim Belburry, who is walking with his dog Honey along the canal on his way to The Anchor, the local pub for a nice pint of ale.
     

     
    I hope you like the mini scene I created to fill in the red circle.
     
    You also can see I have given the warehouse behind the cottage some more height. Compare it with the first picture in this entry. I’m working on a new builders merchants warehouse. More about that in my next entry.
     
    Regards,
    Job
  17. Job's Modelling

    Doubts

    By Job's Modelling,

    Sometimes I have the feeling that I have to quit a project. I have my doubts how to get the result I like to achieve.
     
    This happens to me from time to time — I feel like I miss the possibilities that can be used in the modelling world, and I start to worry. I’ve learned to deal with it, so that while it still comes up, I now have trust that I’ll be fine.
    So what do I do when have my doubts and get back my motivation ?
     
    I do this: I look at the things I have made. I look at Nice Street and, I remember the problems I have solved crating this one. If this diorama is fine, the next one will probably be too. And the one after. We tend to imagine horrible future moments when it doesn’t really happen.
     
    Ironically, when I have my doubts the first thing I want to do is to start all over again. I’ve found that taking some time to sit back and look at the project helps me to see the problem and the solution. Even just for a view minutes day. I just sit and look and I try not to judge what I’m seeing.
     
    Then I realised that when I want to solve the problem I had to go back to me basic design. What did I want to build and what is the theme of the diorama.
    I wanted to build a dockside diorama. My basic design is a strong diagonal line as a base.
     

     
    That was a good choice. It gives the diorama a dynamic feeling and creates depth.
     
    The basic design for my buildings was a L- shape.
     

     
    Here I didn’t achieve what I had in mind. Although it is maybe difficult to see in a picture. The building behind the cottage is too low. I have to raise that that so that the wall is visible above the roof of the cottage.
    The same is the case with the builders merchants warehouse. The top line of the roof is too low.
     
    But there is something else I don’t like here. The eye goes to that what is brighter. So if I’m looking at the diorama my eye goes first to the cottage and then to the builders merchants warehouse. After that it goes to the warehouse of Roope and Voss.
    I don’t mind that the first focus is on the cottage, because it is expressing the end of the decade I’m building. But my theme was: the delivery of goods to Roope and Voss.
     
    So I have to build another builders merchants warehouse.
     
    Result will be published of coarse.
     
    Regards,
     
    Job
  18. Job's Modelling
    This I had to do in the beginnig. Painting the APA box. I found this weekend finaly some time to finish the painting I started a couple of weeks ago.
     
    Now I had to take all of my models out of the box ant store them on the shelf.
     

    The black shadow is a roll of painting tape.
     
    This kind of paint jobs I don’t like because of my MCSD. I always get somekind of reaction. But on the website of Allergy UK I found some usefull tips. Now I put a cut union in the room when I have finished painting to help to absorp the smell of the paint.
     
    The other “ advantige ” this time was: I had already a new Apa box on the shelf for Station Road.
     
    The pictures will speak for them self.
     

    Grounding the APA-box
     

    Starting with the first layer of black acrylic paint.
     

    The final result. I still have to do some work on the fabric background on the right side. But remember with just an opening view in front not every thing will be visible. I test that frequently when I building my diorama.
     
    And yes the APA-box for Station Road is also painted and waiting for further developments.
     
    Although every building has it’s own charme I have some doubts of the total appareance. I will leave it this way for now and I will have look at it every time I enter my workspace to find what is bugging me.
    In the meanwhile I can go on with the road. That is also waiting to be finished.
     
    Regards,
    Job
  19. Job's Modelling
    Against the wall in the back of the warehouse are some empty piled up whisky.
     
    The base for this boxes were some pictures from Flickr. I find that a beautiful resource for all kind of pictures.
     

     
    With this pictures I made a pdf with the piled up boxes in 4 mm scale.
     

     
    Untill now just the useall way of how I approach things.
    But the backside of the boxes won’t be visible when you look through the door of the warehouse. So I didn't found in necessary to model them with full details.
    I used the following approach to model them.
    I did cut out a pile of boxes from my pdf.
    I cut out 2 mm thick card for every box. Carefully creating the right width and depth.
    Carefully glue-ing the boxes on each other until the pile is finished.
    Then coloring the sides and the top of the piles with a dark brown felt pen.

    Sorry about the pictures of the modeling, they are not of the quality I normally post.
     

     
    Then I glued them against the wall in the warehouse.
     

     
    I hope that this ” impressionistic” picture gives an idea of the inside of the warehouse. I found it very hard to get a right picture of the scene through the opening of the doors.
     
    Regards,
    Job
  20. Job's Modelling
    For most of my life I did not think of myself as creative at all. Although I liked to draw when I was younger.
     
    What I learned is that creativity isn’t something that you have or don’t have. It is something that you can nurture and develop. Most importantly, creativity can be a practice.
     
    Here are the steps that I began using, and find I’m using every day, not only in my modelling work:
     

    1. I believe in my creativity. This is the first step and probably the most important. Just begin noticing and recognizing your own creativity.  

    This is one of my card models for Bridge Street.
     

    2. Pay attention to details – By entering into the practice of creativity, I started to notice more of the details of everyday life. By paying more attention to details, I try to create better models. For historical scenes I search for pictures of daily live scenes and read about the time I like to model. Use internet to find information.  

    1959 – shopping in a Record shop
     
    If looking at a picture you can ask yourself questions.
    What do people wear? Is there color information to find about the clothing? How does the record shop designed?
     
    3. Ask dumb questions. If you see some nice modelling ask how the result is achieved. How many of us are armchair modellers because they see excellent layouts and models on shows and say to them self: ‘I can’t do that .‘ By asking another door to start with modelling can go open. Just remember: there are no dumb questions.
     

    I asked my questions to Peter Gently. The above picture is from one of his excellent models.
     
    4. Practice . Just start modelling. Learn from your faults. Show your results. Get positive critics from other modellers. In this way your modelling will be better and better. And better doesn’t mean the level of modelling of other top modellers you admire. But receiving the best level you can reach at that moment. Your next model can be even better.
     

    My Launderette on Nice Street.
     
    I like to thank everyone for the replies I got on my (blog) entries in 2013. Helped me to stay encouraged and to become a better modeler.
     
    Being more creative is a practice, a habit, and a process. A good way to begin is to notice how creative others are. Just see what other people make. Not only with railway modelling, but also by making good pictures, and look how other modelling disciplines create nice things. Creativity is easy – just let yourself be more childlike, curious, open, and start by exploring any of the above practices.
     
    Next couple of months I will have less time for modelling. I have to follow a Mindfulness course. And just before Christmas my mother in law passed away in the age of 91. So there will be no weekly entry for the coming period.
     

    The start of Northall Dock
     

    Northall Dock at this moment.
     
    Happy and creative modelling in 2014.
     
    Regards,
     
    Job
  21. Job's Modelling

    Whiskey boxes

    By Job's Modelling,

    For the interior of the warehouse I wanted some (whiskey) barrels and crates.
    Basic information I found on the very useful http://www.igg.org.uk/gansg/00-app1/common.htm
     
    After reading this basic information my research on the internet began.
     

     
    Then I discoverd that whiskey also was shippen in whiskey boxes. Mostly with the name of the distelery on top of it.
     

     
    With the pictures I found there were also sizes metioned.
    17 x 14¾ x8½ inch is in 4mm : 5,6 x 4,9 x 2,8 mm.
    22½ x 15½ x 7 inch is in 4 mm: 7,5 x 5,1 x 2,3 mm
    16 x 12 x 12 inch ( a box from 1962) is in 4 mm: 5,3 x 4 x 4 mm
    15 x 11 x 13 inch ( a box from 1954) is in 4 mm: 5 x 3,6 x 4,3 mm
    17 x 11 x 5/8 inch ( a Black and White box from 1955) is in 4 mm: 5,6 x 3,6 x 2 mm
    I also found some pictures of a box photographed from different sides. I used this pictures to create sides in O gauge in publisher. The sizes I only used as a refference depending on the thickness of the card I had available.
    So I created my own “whiskey box” kit. And build some of these for free standing use in O scale.
     

     
     
    I scaled that one down to 00 gauge to creat my ‘whiskey box’ card kit. Black and White whiskey box 1955.pdf
     
    Then I started to create the whiskey boxes in OO gauge. See the pictures below.

     
    I believe I can improve my building of very small items. But the whisley boxes work out well on in the diorama for me. Most viewers will have a global look and not the detailed look from the digital camara.
    The whiskey boxes on the Jens truck have some other advantage. Because they are much lighter of color the immediately aske the attention of the viewer to the delivery scene in front of the warehouse. Below a picture without and with the boxes.
     

     
    For the whiskey crates against the wall I used I different approach. I will explain that in an other entrie.
     
    Regards,
    Job
     
    PS.
     

  22. Job's Modelling
    Although I like painting, I find painting metal figures still a difficult job.
    I still have to find my way. In the pictures below the way I tried it this time.
     

    Step 1: priming the metal figures with an undercoat.
     

    Step 2: first cover with black paint
     

    Step 3: second coat with black paint
     

    Step 4: adding some basic colors
     

    Step 5: adding some more basic colors
     

    Step 6: dry brushing with paint.
     

    Finished figures after adding some pigment weathering and a coat of matt varnish.
     
    And a picture of the some painted bollards in the diorama:

     
    I also added some basic weathering on the lower part of the warehouse.
    In the mean time I tried to find some background information about painting figures. For Station Road I have again to paint some figures and other things.
    I will than use this guide I found, summery below:
     
     
     

    - Choice your colour scheme, form base to end
    - Apply undercoat, a dark one for dark figures / parts
    - Apply the basecoat, the most dominant colours of the model with light coats
    - Add fine detail
    - Apply a wash.
    - Varnish the model with a matte varnish.  
    So also for me it means that I have to make a planning for painting my figures to get the right shopping list. There isn’t a good model shop in the place I live. Mostly I buy my paint in a larger town with a good art craft shop and model shop.
     
    I will show that approach sometime in the future, when I have to paint some figures etc. for Station Road.
     
    I wish everyone a good Christmas and a healthy and prosperous 2014.
     

     
    Regards,
    Job
  23. Job's Modelling

    Grimble & Son Ltd

    By Job's Modelling,

    First some background information obtained from Edward Grimble :
     
    “The company Grimble & Son Ltd is started in 1886 by John Grimble.
    He was mentioned as a carpenter in the St. James, Northall, Parish register.
    John Grimble started the company at his address at Orchard Road, where he had a workplace and did carpenters work for the local community. These works could vary from trimming a cart up to making a shed. His company grow out to a building contractors and merchants firm. He opened a warehouse at Anchor Street (now Dock Road) in 1897.
    Charles Grimble and his brother Frederick took over the firm in 1927. In 1955 his brother Frederick is leaving the firm. Charles son Edward is joining the firm and the firm’s name is from that time on: Grimble & Son Ltd.
    In 1959 they decided to build a new warehouse to have better access with road goods vehicles. The warehouse at Dock Road is now still in use for storage but will be closed when the new warehouse is totally finished.
    The company is at present involved by the renovation of Northall’s second war damage.”
     
    Model:
    The building is built in my useable way. Using a picture as a reference and searching for textures on the internet. Creating the textures in Publisher, save them as PDF and printing on the highest quality.
    Brickwork is from Scalescenes.
     

    The warehouse needs absolute some weathering and a roof. I’m considering some metal roofing.
     
    Now I have finished all the fronts and having received my missing figure from Dart Casting I can start finishing the interior of the warehouse. I also can go on with finishing the road in front of the warehouses.
    Regards,
    Job
  24. Job's Modelling

    Street Signs

    By Job's Modelling,

    After I decided to place Northall as postcode borough W16 in Greater London. I wanted to use also a personalized street name sign, approved by the Northall Council.
     
    I found a good article on internet how street name signs have to be used and designed.
     
    The most important design advices I have copied below:
     
     

    “Street nameplates shall be of uniform design throughout the Administrative County of London and shall be constructed as follows:
    (i) Of durable, non-absorbent material.
    (ii) The name shall be in black letters, not less than 4 inches and not more than 5 inches in height, on a white background.  

    The appropriate postal district shall be indicated in the nameplate in signal red.  

    The name of the local authority may be included in the nameplate at the discretion of that authority and, if included, shall also be in signal red and shall be in upper and lower case letters, the upper case letters being not more than half the height of the letters of the street name.  
    Supplementary lettering (such as “leading to…”), less than 4 inches in height, may be included in the nameplate.
    Each local authority may adopt its own individual style for lettering, provided a clear and legible style of good design is used.
     
    The margin between the lettering of the street name and the edge of the nameplate shall be not less than half the height of the street name letters.
    Reasonable abbreviations may be used at the discretion of the local authority, e.g., “Rd” and “Gdns”.
     
    Issued by the Greater London Council and is a reprint of publication No.3781 (1952) of the London County Council “
     
    In the same article were the sizes mentioned for the design of the signs.
     
    I used this picture as a reference.
     

     
    My next diorama, as I mentioned in my entree last week, will be Station Road. Here you can see the result for Station Road designed as a Northall street name sign.
     

     
    The font used is Albertus Medium. This font was mentioned as the most useable font to create a London street name sign.
     
    The Northall Council decided that also some streets around Northall Dock should get some new street names and street name signs:
    Anchor Street is now Dock Road and
    Canal Street is now Canal Alley.
     

    (there is still to do some work on the street, the bollard needs some painting and the building some weathering and small repairing)
     
    There is also a nice website where you can create more modern London street name signs: http://www.myfunstudio.com/designs/lss/?source=mfs.
     
    Hope this is useful for others.
     
    Regards,
    Job
  25. Job's Modelling
    In one of my entries the next question was asked:
     
    “Job, a serious question - do you plan these dioramas over time or just see a scene in your mind's eye in an instant?”
     
    To be honest there was no planning when I started with the building of Bridge Street. I just wanted to build a layout on which I could shuffle around with a shunting loco and some wagons. A single line from a “fiddle stage” to an industry using wagon cards and wagon bills. Because me lack of knowledge about the shunting practice of British Railways in the 1950’s I made a crucial design mistake. But Bridge Street was fun to build and for me my first steps in card modeling.
     

    Bridge Street junction Station Road with goods line in front
     
    As I described before after finishing it was covered with a plastic sheet and out of sight. After that I build Nice Street in an APA-box situating it in Northall, without any planning. Just to see if I could build a convincing diorama this way.
     

    Nice Street main scene
     
    Northall Dock is build, because some people, wanted to see something with water in my next diorama.
     
    But the above question was the impulse of some serious thinking about what do I want to build more. In this way the development of Northall will be more consistent.
     
    On internet I found I nice document from a Great London area with a description of local areas in a borough. I used those description as a starting point for the design of the Northall Diorama’s. This can be quite challenging when I have to translate this to a diorama in an APA-box.
     
    For my next diorama I made this description:
     
    Predominant Land Use: Commercial (shops under arches), shops and residential buildings
     
    Townscape:
    The site is bounded on by a through road and an arched railway embankment.
    Station Street is the main route through the area for both vehicles and pedestrians
     
    Scale and Setting:
    Commercial transport corridor from the east to the west. Garage.
     
    Building Types/Uniformity of age and styles:
    Most of the buildings are shops and residential buildings.
     
    So I made a schematic plan for my Northall Diorama’s:
     

     
    As you can see my next diorama will be Station Road. Situated between Bridge Street and Nice Street. This line is situated on the arches in Northall and mainly used for passenger traffic. The other line to Northall Dock is a single goods traffic line only.
    On Station Road there are some shops under the railway arches. I have found a nice urban social theme from the late 1950’s that I want to use. ( Sorry, I will not give that away yet.)
     
    Regards,
    Job
     
    PS. I have also to make some serious thoughts how to store so much diorama’s or thinking about an other solution.
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