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Job's Modelling

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  1. Job's Modelling
    Last Sunday I was with my daughter in Amsterdam. She needed some help from me. We also wanted, after finishing our duties, to visit the Stedelijk Museum. For me it was a long time ago. But I have enjoyed it very much, especially the paintings of my favorite Dutch painter Piet Mondriaan. The way creates his balanced basic colored paintings is just great. I saw that a lot of years ago on a drawing exposition in another museum. But this is one of my favorites: Tableau No.1 It gave my also the inspiration for the title of this entry.
     

     
    I love the ‘urban’ colours of the painting. The kind of atmosphere I try to achieve in my diorama’s.
    In the tram to the museum my daughter and I were discussing my diorama’s en story telling. When I told her that I would like to create some diorama’s she loved the idea. She says in this way you don’t have only the delivering scenes. It will give your story a livelier image.
    So from now on there will be an On the Road No. …. Of course with a number next time.
     
    So I decided to create a new map as a reference, incorporating my already built diorama’s. I will use the map as a reference. So it is not to scale and I can make some chances if necessary. I also divided Northall in several districts, because the program I use is limited for making my maps.
     

     
    The colours in the map I use as an analyse key. For instance, the light blue colour stands for cottages build in the Victorian area.
     
    And if you are missing some of my diorama’s …
    they are on another district map.
     
    To show you what I mean I have used Station Road to make an on the road picture.
     

     
    As always suggestions, etc., etc. … are welcome
     

    Kind regards,
    Job
  2. Job's Modelling
    I wanted to keep it simple …
    My starting points were:
    - Using my favourite method for design
    - Balanced colours
    - Just low relief
    For this purpose, I asked Scalescenes to provide my a picture of the back of a row of terraced cottages, he uses on his website. He kindly provided me the picture. Many thanks for that.
    Then I realised I had “a lot” of not used prints. This could be the opportunity to use them.
    Using my map, I searched for a scene to build.
    My choice was to build J. Peterson Ltd on Grove Road.
     

     
    For the building I took the garage from Scalescenes.
     

     
    The used brick texture is from Clever Models. Sign self made. The door is a part from the Scalescenes garage.
     
    I needed to present a yard “wall” or “fence”.
    The see what would work best I made three possible sollutions (all scrapp parts)
     

    A concrete fence (Railway Model Scenery)
     

    A corrugated fence (Clever Models
     

    Brick wall ((Railway Model Scenery)
     
    On all three pictures you see just flat models.
     
    The discussion with my partner gave the following result:
    A corrugated fence (Clever Models), useful for a scrap yard or a bombed area
    A concrete fence (Railway Model Scenery), is this right in the late 1950’s? I couldn’t find reference pictures.
    Brick wall ((Railway Model Scenery) – gives a very balanced colour look.
     
    So I will use the brick wall. But making photographs from the diorama I noticed another problem. It was very hard to make the pictures I had in mind this way.
     
    I have found a solution, but more about that in my next entrée.
     
    Can anyone give an answer or information of the use of concrete fences in the late 1950’s?
     
    As always suggestions, etc., etc. … are welcome
     
    Kind regards,
    Job
  3. Job's Modelling
    I have done some further work on J. Peterson Ltd on Grove Road.
     
    But let me repeat my starting points:
    - Using my favorite method for design
    - Balanced colors
    - Just low relief
     
    For the building I took the garage from Scalescenes using a texture from Clever Models and a self-made sign. I did choice the brick wall from Model Railway Scenery
     

    Brick wall ((Railway Model Scenery)
     
    But making photographs I noticed another problem. The solution was to create the complete workshop. In this way it is possible to create a picture using the birds-eye position for my camera. I think I have to do a lot of try outs to get the right picture, but making digital pictures this is no problem.
     
    For the roof I also wanted balanced colors. The simplest one would be using slate. The zinc roofing from Scalescenes has the wrong colour in my case. The other possibility was to create a corrugated roof. The color from the Scalescenes range gave a balanced color look.
     
    So I created a corrugated roof for Peterson & Son Ltd. I think a simple photo guide will explain enough.
     

    Corrugated plates about 16 x 22 mm in 4 mm scale. I used 20 mm high as on the texture from Scalescenes.
     

    I created guide lines for gluing the plates in place. Just overlapping each other. From every plate a made the edges black with a pastel pencil to create some shadow lines.
     

    I used pastel pencils for weathering: sienna and umber are very useful. For more fresh rust you can use orange to brown colors.
     

    The finished corrugated roof. With on one side the wall coping.
     
    On the other side I made also a roof window from a left over from Scalescene
     
    Yard side with roof.
     
    I have to finish the roof with further wall copings. The next job will be to create a small builders yard.
     
    Any suggestions for creating a believable yard are very welcome.
     
    Kind regards,
    Job
  4. Job's Modelling
    I have finished the yard of J. Peterson Ltd on Grove Road.
    For the yard I used the following details:

    - Portland cement sacks
    - A spade
    - Pigments for sand
    - Fine basalt for aggregate
    - Some corrugated plates (photo paper)  
    For the storage of the aggregate and sand I created staithes from brick.
     
    The cement sacks, spade and fine basalt are from Kotol, a German supplier of excellent detail materials in hO. Because I didn’t use any OO gauge detail materials in the yard I found them very useful to create the right atmosphere for a builder’s yard.
     
    The piles for the aggregate and sand I made from some scrap card and toilet paper. The piles were than painted using pigments and water. The aggregate pile is finished with fine basalt. The pile of sand with Venetian earth pigment.
     
    The corrugated iron plates are from a kit of Clever Models.
     

     
    Then I made some pictures to create the on the road scene for my story.
     
    I haven’t made a choice yet, so if you have a favourite please let me know.
     

    No. 1
     

    No. 2
     

    No. 3
     

    No. 4
     
    If anyone has any experience with putting a driver in an Austin KX from Oxford Die-cast, please let me know.
     
    And as always suggestions and comments are appreciated.
     
    Kind regards
    Job
  5. Job's Modelling

    Painting cars.

    By Job's Modelling,

    Information
    A couple of months ago, I was searching the internet for information about painting a car. My OO-scale diecast models of course don’t need to paint completely. On the website of AK-interactive, I found some interesting information. I can advise everyone to download their catalogue: http://ak-interactive.com/v2/downloads-2/catalogue/ . It contains a lot of useful information.
    I also bought Tracks & wheels from AK-interactive. Although written for military modellers, it also contains useful for painting / weathering my diecast models. I bought their set for painting reacks and wheels.
    Painting
    I used their painting advice:
    Use satin or gloss varnish on civil vehicle Use a varnish before using a wash Use different types of varnish on a model (for instance wheels)

    So I gave my models a coat of satin varnish. For the underside of the cars and the wheels I used a matt varnish. For the wheel I used their description for wheels used in dry areas.
     
    Morris Oxford III
     
    The Morris Oxford III was the easiest one. I had to do the weathering of the wheels and painting the body with a satin varnish.
     

     
    The car belongs to Charles Holland, an estate agent with an office in Market Street. He is helping Mr. Sing Lee to found a new building for his Laundry.
     
    Mechanical Horse
     
    The mechanical horse I found more difficult to paint. I followed the same way of working as by the Morris. For the planks, I also used some advice I found in another AK booklet. But in this case I had to use other paints as they advised. At this moment, I must make careful choices spending my money. I have to do some investments for my visual problems. That has priority at this moment.
     

     
    I will make some loading at a later point.
     
    Advice, information or comments are welcome.
     
    Kind regards,
     
    Job
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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
  9. 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
  10. 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
  11. Job's Modelling

    Presentation

    By Job's Modelling,

    This little diorama deserves a proper presentation.
     
    Just as for my previous diorama I used an APA-box. In an APA-box I can display two A4 diorama’s.
     
    My main concern was the lighting. I followed in this case in main lines the way a shadow box is lightened.
     
    I started with the front of the APA-box. I cut a piece of black demenstration board to size.
    Then I bought two black photo frames, with a opening of 14 x 10 cm. I had to make sure that the edges on the inside were black.
     

     
    Next step was to make some side brackets alongside the window frames at the inside of the APA-box. I made them from frames used to make a painting frame. Made them fitting in the box and I glued black board along it on the side of the window. The angle at the top is 45 degrees.
     

     
    Then I made a black bottom bracket between the two side brackets. The underside of this bracket has the same height as the street level of the diorama.
     

     
    After that I made an overal bracket for the lightning. This is glued above the side brackets, along the whole inside of the APA box. On this bracket the led light is glued. I used the same ledstrip as on Northall Dock.
     

     
    Then the diorama was placed in side and I could test out the light. Because this diorama has blue colours I was limited in the choice of the colour.
     

     
    And to finish Station Road – Shops under Arches a final picture through the glass. I know that isn’t the best for to present it here, but it gives you an idea how it looks like. My wife loves this little diorama in a box.
     

     
    And to make pictures I can take it out of the box.
    Now I can start with my next diorama. This will be called Caroline Street.
     
    Regards,
    Job
  12. Job's Modelling
    Mikkel suggested to see if it was possible to publish the story of a diorama in the gallery on the RM web.
    After his excellent entry about "The honourable slipper boy" http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/blog/75/entry-17254-the-honourable-slipper-boy-part-3/ it was time to see if his suggestion was workable.
    I have my story in Word, but I know that with the help of Publisher I can putting a picture ans a text together. You can then save the individual pages as JPEG-file. Now the picture and text cn be cut to a "fitting" JPEG file.
     
    You can see the result below.
     

     

     

     

     

     

     
    Please give my some feedback about this approach.
     
    I have also published these pictures in My Gallery under Station Road. http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/gallery/album/3457-station-road/
     
    Thanks fro reading,
     
    Kind Regards,
    Job
     
    PS. I have created an other picture.
    After this try out I know I have to build my diorama's in the right order.
    And every time I have to update my basic story.
    Using the same figures in different diorama's will also give great opportunities.
     

  13. Job's Modelling
    I have started my new vignette. A vignette is smaller than a diorama, with the focus on the main subject. I my case this will be a mechanical horse for my story telling and a Morris Oxford III for the finished vignette.
     

     
    I’m going to try out some a new weathering approach for my diecast models. But more about that in a later blog entry.
     
    For my vignette a used one of the buildings from the High Street shop fronts from Scalescenes. As usual I started with the road and the footway. This vignette is a try out to get the proper size using the golden rule. One thing I didn’t realize is that for situating the road vehicle the size of the road and the footway is defining the size. The building can be placed outside the vignette as the edge of the micro layout.
     

     
    In the picture an overview of the vignette. The vignette measures 21,5 x 10 cm for the road and the footway.
    The road surface is from Scalescenes, the footway from Model Railway Scenery. The colour of the footway of Scalescenes didn’t fit in my colour scheme.
    The colours of the inside of the building won’t be visible when the building is finished.
     
    The frame of the building is not yet finished completely. On the left side of the building I have to create a part of a yard or garden wall, maybe with a gate.
     
    Any suggestion or comments are welcome.
     
    Regards,
     
    Job
  14. Job's Modelling
    For this project I used a reference picture with a row of derelict shops. I never follow the picture to build a copy. The picture is the base to create the scene. Every part of the building will get another appearance. In this way even a small scene can look interesting.
     
    For this building I searched carefully the colours to follow my colour scheme. To refresh your mind, I have put the colour scheme below.
     

     
    For the choice of the textures I used the scheme as a reference. Most textures are from the High Street shopfronts from Scalescenes. The brick covering of the shopfront is aged brown brick from Scalescenes and for the garden wall I also used the brown garden wall textures from Scalescenes. The grey plywood textures are from CG textures, made to size and the shop sign is made using the RGB colours that fit the colour scheme.
     

     
    The picture gives the first impression of the building. I still have to add the roof and do some weathering. The weathering and finishing of the scene will be done when I have finished the complete building.
     
    Any suggestion or comments are welcome.
     
    Regards,
     
    Job
  15. Job's Modelling
    The middle building
    The shop in the middle of the building is still in use. I know how to create windows for a derelict building. So for my first building I had no problem. But how to crate believable windows above the shop for my second building?
     
    A late 1950’s Laundry shop
    I always try to create a believable late 1950’s scene. First I make a choice for my shop. For that I use pictures out that period. I found useful pictures to help me to create my scene. I have also some good usable textures for this part of my diorama.
    The shop sign and shop window signs are created by myself using Publisher.
     
    Monday – washing day
    The diorama is set on a Monday, and Monday was in the late 1950’s still washing day. And not everyone was doing (all) the wash at home. In my case the middle shop offers Laundry Service. They offer also bag wash service.
     
    “In the UK the system was known as the bag wash, or bagwash, and was sometimes offered by independent washerwomen working from home.”
     
    The Laundry Service is run by Mr. Lee. His ancestors came from Hong Kong.
     
    Modelling the shop
    Because I use a colour scheme I use that as a reference to choose my textures.
    Textures used are from Scalescenes, for the brick, windows and shop and Smart Models for the curtains.
    The window textures from Scalescenes I found to light and to grey. I used pastels to give them a more poorly maintained appearance. Colouring them with middle brown and sepia, faded with a cotton bud, gave the right result.
     
    Finishing
    I still have to do some finishing work. I so that when I have finished the third part of the building with the final shop front. For the result until now see the pictures below.
     

    ​the two finished buildings &
     

    the two finished shop fronts
     
    Any suggestion or comments are welcome.
     
    Regards,
     
    Job
  16. Job's Modelling
    The last building
    The last shop is also closed. It’s an ironmongers shop, called A. Leach & Co. Ironmongers limited
     

     
    Different appearance
    The shop sign is created by myself using Publisher. One of the advantages for me is that I can save my Publisher creation as a jpeg file.
    The shop is made with different textures from different kits and texture sheets from Scalescenes.
    The give the diorama a lot look at I gave it a totally different appearance with a lot of details.
     
    Modelling the shop
    The colour scheme I use was the reference for the choice of my textures.
    Windows are made in the same way as for the second building. I used the glazing with grime texture sheet from Scalescenes to put behind the windows.
     
    Finishing
    I still have to do some finishing work. I want to place some sky at the side and in the back of the building. There are also some small parts that need attention.
     
    Scene
    The diorama is made to show a delivery scene. The delivery scene will be part of my story, by using the photographs I make from the scene. I have some thoughts how to do this but I must work this out first.
    I also want to use it as presentation diorama for one of my 1950’s cars. The British Railways mechanical horse will also be used in my other story-telling diorama’s
     

    The whole building &
     

     
    the shop fronts
    Any suggestion or comments are welcome.
     
    Regards,
     
    Job
  17. Job's Modelling
    The story
     
    My regular readers know that I like to create a background story for my diorama’s. I mostly do this before I start building and sometimes when I suggestion comes along in the comments of my blog entries, for instance adding a poster on the brick wall.
     
    G.W. Barlow & Son Ltd / Pawnbrokers & Jewellers
    No. 14 Queens Street - Closed shop
     
    The shop first opened in Northall as a jewellers and pawnbrokers in 1900. The shop was from the beginning situated on Queen Street and owned by Mr A Gardner. The shop, including the original shop front, is moved to No 136 High Street in 1959, due the development plans of the Northall Council.
    George William Barlow purchased the business in 1945 and was joined by his son Harold in 1946 on his return from service in the army during the Second World War.
    The shop front is largely original and as it would have looked in 1900. G.W. Barlow & Son Ltd is a truly individual family run business offering a wide range of more individual pieces with a highly professional and very personal service.
     
    X-ray screening health poster
     

     
    Early discovery means quicker recovery’ states this poster. It was drawn by artist T. R. Williams. Advertising posters such as this promoted mobile X-ray screening programmes to detect pulmonary tuberculosis in large groups of people.. Mobile X-ray services played a large role in public health campaigns against tuberculosis in the 1940s and 1950s. Mobile X-ray services were very successful. They were phased out in the UK in the 1960s. But I read that modern mobile X-ray units are introduced again in London.
     
    Laundry Service
    No.15 Queens Street
     

     
    The first business that was situated here was the King’s Arms
    The King’s Arms was possibly the Great Kings Arms mentioned in 1792 and recorded as The Kings Head in 1845. The pub closed in 1893/4.
    By 1913 the property was used as a clothiers and in 1928 as a greengrocers. In 1947 it became a laundry.
     
    Herbert Sing Lee started a laundry shop here in 1947. He lives above the laundry shop. Sing Lee employs two people: Lee Doon, a nephew from Liverpool, who works for Sing Lee for just five weeks, and a local woman called Lily Scott.
    Herbert Sing Lee is still looking for a new property to continue his business.
     
    No. 16 Queens Street
    Closed shop: A. Leach & Co – Ironmongers Limited
    By 1899 Albert Leach & Co ran their ironmongers business from number 16, to be succeeded by Harry Leach in 1901 ‘Leach & Co, ironmongers’ in a 1907 trade directory.
    Thomas Leach, becomes the director of the company according to the trade directory in 1954: A. Leach & Co Ironmongers Ltd. ‘No 16 Queen Street Northall (phone no.) NORthall 3262’.
    1959 the same company was trading as A. Leach & Co (Northall) Ltd., Engineers Stores & Ironmongers; No.10 London Road using the same phone no.
     
    Black and white
    Most of the pictures I find from the late 1950’s or early 1960’s are in black and white. So I thought it would be a good idea to create also a black and white photograph for my story telling.
     

    Picture by John Lovell
     
    Redevelopment
    After redevelopment of the area a new office building, will house the offices of the Northall Housing Association.
     
    As usual comments, information or suggestions are welcome.
     
    Kind regards,
    Job
  18. Job's Modelling
    At the end of the year it’s good to have a good look at what you have done and how to go on in the new modelling year.
    When I started with my Bridge Street project 7 years ago, I just wanted to try out card building. And because it was my first project I also wanted to see if it was possible for me to create a believable English scene. Just to fresh up your mind a picture of my first build card building: John Grantham’s grocery shop.

     
    In this stage I also created a station called Northall. My second diorama was also a further try-out.
    Because my allergic constitution I have limited possibilities to model. So instead of trains I decided to concentrate me on the British Railway road vehicles. In this stage to idea grow to create Northall as a town where “packages” where delivered.
     
    In the meantime, I build several other diorama’s and tried out other kits and other materials. One of these project is one of my wife favourites: Church Street
     

     
    The last picture shows also one of the problems I discovered. This road van was never used for the delivery of packages.
    Also, some comments showed me that my approach was not always the way to create a correct image of the way sundries & parcels were delivered.
     
    Because I like to create realistic believable diorama’s I asked myself the following question: what criterion do you want to use your modelling projects. I came to the following points:
    History – Railway related and social
    Parcel and sundries traffic
    Road vehicles
    Advertising and railway posters
     
    To be honest I lacked the knowledge of some of these points. So, I have to do some more research. This time not only on the internet but I also bought some books about the history of the use of road vehicles and parcel and sundries traffic by British Railways. It also awaked my interest in the GWR road vehicles and posters.
     
    I have already deleted some of the categories on my blog page.
     
    So, I will start partly over again. Northall is a market place situated on the canalized river North in the fictive county of Middleshire. From Northall there is a Branch Line to Littleworth.
     

     
    The Northall story from now on will be a “cocktail” of diorama’s situated around Northall and villages mentioned in the map in different time settings.
    As a start some time-based posters with dogs.
     

     
    Thanks for reading my entries in 2018.
    I wish you a merry Christmas and a healthy and
    prosperous 2019.
     
     
     
    Looking forwards to you suggestions and comments.
     
     
     
    Kind regards,
     
    Job
  19. Job's Modelling
    I wanted to start with the arches, but then I noticed that this was not the right starting point. I had to start first with the road and the surface. The reason of this is mentioned somewhere below in this blog.
     
    The asphalt road from Scalescenes is printed on Hahnemühle watercolour paper 150 g/m2 rough. I like the deep colour of the asphalt that I got this way. I always put the printer output on best quality and select the right type of paper. This will depend of what type of printer you are using.
    I also placed a drain in the asphalt road as I designed it. The drain is also from Scalescenes. To get the drain on the right place I draw coloured pencil line on the edge of the pavement.
    The asphalt road is sealed with transparent matt gesso from Tri Art. I applied it with a soft brush.
    I did also some test with the gesso. It is possible to apply pastel an colour pencil beneath and on top of the gesso.
    So I gave the drain and the edge to the pavement some additional weathering with some pigment powders. I applied them carefully with a cotton bud.
     

     
    The kerbs are printed on Lana Dessin paper.
    Because I wanted to use the Scalescenes kits, the kerbs are this time are also from the one of his kits.
    This meant the kerbs are 0,5 cm wide at the surface of the pavement. I decided to glue them separately. To give the kerbs a more granite appearance I used an embossing pen and some weathering with a pastel pencil.
    I also glued the pavement stones separately on the underground. I coloured the edges between the separate pavement stones with a Derwel colour pencil. I also coloured every edge of a pavement stone with a dark brown pastel pencil.
    I applied some additional detail using one of mine embossing pens.
    I leaved the last row of pavements stones away. In this way it will be avoid the setting of the aches and shop fronts on top of the pavement. This row will be glued carefully in place after I have finished the arches and the shop fronts.
     
     

     
    I glued the pavement on the asphalt base with coloured acrylic modelling paste. For collaring I used Kassel Earth pigment. When I laid the pavement on the asphalt I saw it didn’t fit exactly flat. The modelling paste will fill up the gaps between the asphalt road and the kerbs.
     
    Also this time an overview picture of the diorama, so you can follow the development from black and white to color.
     

     
    As always your suggestions and comments are much appreciated.
     
    Regards,
    Job
  20. Job's Modelling
    For my birthday a got some modelling books. One of them was:
     

     
    I also will try to follow a book called “your Flow keep calm daily craft book.” In this book is a daily papercraft task you can do. I will translate this daily tasks in a way that suits my best. The task for one of these days was make a paper flower using a newspaper or a magazine.
    I translated this to try to make a road pavement try-out with weeds using paper textures.
    From page 88 on there is a chapter about paving. I have adopted a picture from this page for my try-out.
    I used the following textures:
    Kerbs – Smart Modelling GR14 Flagstone pavement
    Pavement – Smart Models GR15 Grey Tarmac
    Sewer – Model Railway Scenery Manholes, drains etc
    Cobblestones – Model Railway Scenery TX26
    Road Tarmac – Scalescenes TO34
     
    Most of them where just parts that where over from other projects. They where printed on high quality matt photopaper.
     
    I finished this very small try-out (4,8 x 4cm) adding some weeds. I used the following materials:
    Heki leaves 1561 – mid-green
    Mini-Natur moss pads late fall
     
    I also used some pigments from Vallejo to give it a used look.
     

     
    Hope you like the result of this little project.
     
  21. Job's Modelling
    The first edition of the warehouse of Roope & Voss is demolished.
     
    I have decided to make Northall part of Greater London. In one of the books of Ruth Rendell inspector Wexford is ‘recovering’ in Kenbourne Vale, Postal district W15. Northall will be Postal district W16.
     
    After this a wanted to give the premises of Roope & Voss a more London look.
    I found a nice description of a famous warehouse in Wapping High Street. I used this description to create a guide for the design of the definite version of Roope & Voss.
     

     
    Using the same basic design I started to build the warehouse.
     
    Creating stone surroundings was new for me. It also took a lot of time.
     

     
    After finishing the cottage I liked to give the doors of the ware house a more ‘derelict’ appearance. With a picture from internet and a bit of working with Office publisher I created this doors.
     

     
    Then I started with the card building of the ware house.
     
    I hope the picture below will give you a first impression of how the premises of Roope & Voss Wine and Spirit Merchants will look.
     

     
    I still have to do some windows before I can show you the final appearance.
    Also have to give some thoughts how to create a believable inside of the warehouse at the other side, were I have the open doors.
     
    Regards,
    Job
  22. Job's Modelling
    “My aim in creating a diorama is to capture the essence of an urban, railway “connected”, scene in the late 1950’s”
     
    After building building Bridge Street I covered it with plastic against dust. This meant that it wasn’t visible any more. I also have to keep my hobby/work room as much as possible dust free because I’m very allergic.
    After a visit by Ikea I saw the APA box. After reading the user guide I decided to buy one to see if it was possible to build a convincing diorama in it.
    On an American website I found some information about how to create an interesting diorama. Later on I found a free e-book on diorama / black box design from Sheperd Paine, who builds mostly military diorama’s.
     
    First of all I started to describe my theme:
     
     

    · British Railways (Western Region)
    · 1955 – 1961
    · Urban surrounding in an fictive neighbourhood
    · British Railways (Road Service)  
    After this I described how to design the diorama in the APA-box.
     
     

    1. Dividing the base into thirds. (see diagram )  

     

    2. Dividing, if possible, the height into thirds.
    3.. Try to place the most important elements where these lines intersect (red crosses).
    4.. Design from the inside out. First arrange the main scene
    5.. Make sure your topic is suited to a single viewpoint.
    6.. Use the figure arrangement to create the rest of the scene
    7.. Decide on the size of the viewing window
    8.. Make a planning of the lightning  
    Below the main scene of urban scene. I would call this diorama Nice Street now.
    More about Nice Street in a later entry.
     

     
    Main scene.
  23. Job's Modelling
    Mikkel said something about presentation of our modelling effort as an answer in my latest blog. I quote the line that made me write this entry: “ The blogs are fine but after a while the stories "disappear" into the depths of the blogosphere, and it would be nice to have them more easily accessible.”
    Then I realized that this was also the case with my entries in the card modelling and diorama forum.
    After looking at the entries in the card modelling section I saw I lost some information that could be useful for my ‘story’ about Northall.
    In an earlier entry I wrote something about this subject. Now I will show you how I save my information.
    I have made map called Northall information index:
     

     
    In the B section I saved information about Bridge Street, my first project.
     

     
    To save your information you have three possible solutions:
     
     
     

    - Your own computer (with a backup I suppose)
    - In the cloud (for me that’s the RM-web for my modelling publications)
    - Printing – print what you absolute don’t want to lose.  
    With the information I found in the entries in the card modelling forum, especially about the Great Eastern pub, I made a new file named Bridge Street description. I will share the part about the Great Eastern pub with you in this entry.
     
    No 2 Bridge Street - The Great Eastern
     

     
    History:
    In 1901 Francis Gibson (1876) from Oxford had taken over the Great Eastern. Succeeded in 1921 by Francis Gibson (1897), in 1938 by William Baker (1912) from Forby and in 1944 by Robert Bond (1929)
    Albert Miller took over the pub in 1955.
     
    Albert Miller, head, (1925) aged 34, pub keeper,
    Agnes Martin, wife (1927) aged 32,
    Madeline Miller, daughter, (1948) aged 11, scholar
    William Miller, son, (1950) aged 9, scholar
    They live above the pub.
     
    The pub is locally well known for its own ‘house’ darts competition. The pub champion then moved on to the Area final of the “The News of the World Individual darts tournament”.
    It is not money they are playing for but a huge trophy. This trophy may be held by the champion’s pub for a year, plus a replica for the winner and fame. The NoW was the chance for any man, who could throw a great dart to become not only a local but also a national hero.
    Arthur’s colleague Maurice Collum takes every year of this great event. He is also a member of the pubs dart team.
     
    Albert Miller is a collector of shipping posters of the Great Railway Company’s before 1948. In the pub he has exposed his collection.
    Mr Miller is also great expert of Scottish whiskey’s.
     

    Thomas Molloy is talking with Albert Miller about a news article
     

    While Thomas Malloy is sitting at the bar, talking with the pub owner, is Joan Bertram daydreaming in her room.
     
    Ethel Pope (1931) aged 28 – barmaid
     

    Ethel Pope is has parked her bicycle in back yard of the pub. The family’s cat Blacky is sitting on a cask to welcome her. Her duties have still to start.
     
    Guests:
    Joan Bertram (1933) aged 26 from London
    Thomas Molloy (1902) aged 57 sales agent from Oxford
     
    Thanks for reading and I hope my next entry is again about some modelling.
    And of course any comments, suggestion or additional information is welcome.
     
    Regards,
     
    Job
     
    PS. And for those who like the complete description of Bridge Street my PDF version:
    Bridge Street description.pdf
  24. Job's Modelling
    Today I finished the painting and weathering of my first British Railway Road Service wagon.
    Used just for 4 acrylic paint colors for painting the loading: raw sienna, burnt umber, ultramarine and lemon yellow .
    Also used some metal gun and black paint and fineliners for detailing the load.
    Further weathering was done through dry brushing with: dirt grey paint and a chalk pastel mixture of: black, brown and white (my general weathering mixture)
    Below some picture of the result
     
    Hope you like the result.
     

    Loaded Scammel Scarab
     

    Scammel Scarab Western Region
     

    Placed in the diorama.
     
    Regards,
    Job
  25. Job's Modelling

    shop design

    By Job's Modelling,

    Shops
    I like those old English shops. And a lot of nice pictures can be found on the internet. There is also a lot of information to find to create a believable shop front. Untill now I have created several shops for my Northall diorama’s. all with a different character.



    This was my second shop. Built for my Bridge Street project. Just using shop signs from Scalescenes.



    And one of my favourite scenes. The girl with the red dress. In this case a created the shop sign my self using Publisher. The colors for the shop sign and the fonts were a random choice.

    Shop design guide
    To create time based shops I did a lot of research on the internet and wrote my own shop design guide. This guide I will use in the future to create my shops. I have added the guide as PDF to this entry. I hope it will be useful. All fonts mentioned in the guide are to be downloaded free from the internet.

    Shop front design guide.pdf

    Creating a shop sign:
    I have mentioned the use of Publisher several times. I will try to explain how I create my shop signs.
    A start in Publisher with creating a text boxes with the right size.
    Then I decide in what time the shop was started. In this case in the 1950’s. So I adopted Optima as font. Then I look for a colour that fits with the shop that I want to build.
    Then you copy the upper textbox and drag it to another place.
    The smaller text box is also copied and dragged to the replaced upper box to create the definite sign.



    Then I save the Publisher file as an JPEG file. In my windows photo editor I cut out the final shop sign.



    The sign is than mostly out of size if you print it directly. So I copy and paste the sign to Word and if necessary I resize the sign.

    A.G.Smith

    This shop sign I will use on my first O scale vignette.

    Alfred George Smith carefully manage the grocery shop since 1956, providing good customer service and a wide variety of groceries to cover the needs of his costumers.
    Lucy Page is one of his regular customers.

    As usual comments asn suggestion are welcome.
    Kind regards,
    Job
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