MexRev scenery

[sukhe_bator (Neil)]

Thanks Simon...
I'm thinking of a max of 4 blocks in all to make up a couple of street scenes with a Mission church at one end and a station at the other. Each block will have a different look... #2 will be a terrace of buildings much like the first but slightly more affluent with better windows, doors and general decor. #3 with a cantina on the corner... and possibly #4 a parade of shops with a verandah at the front.
I'm also picking up work on the church and station...

[Colonel Kilgore]

Just watching Simon using his god given powers-------------------------------------LOL.

Yup - it's that feeling of some small degree  of power here (Simon C gets to do all the clever stuff) that keeps me going

Simon

[Colonel Kilgore]

Neil,
It's getting better all the time!
How many hours of work do you think you've put in so far?
Simon

[sukhe_bator (Neil)]

How many hours of work do you think you've put in so far?

A very good question to which I don't have a good answer... mainly because of all the additional combing through online sources of old photos which has muddied the waters somewhat. That and the 'a little bit here, a little bit there' approach. A good few hours invested so far, that's for sure!
I'm working on a step-by-step article for the 15 mill, so I'll try and get some idea of time spent when I quantify the stages.
This is something of an unusual departure for me doing the scenery first before getting the figures!

[Leslie BT]

So Neil what is your basic workflow from when you find you photograph for inspiration how do you from there to your finished building.

[sukhe_bator (Neil)]

After finding a few photos;

Work up a sketch with some of the salient features I want to include.

Calculate the rough dimensions to incorporate - door & window size, proportions and overall height etc.

Adopt a suitable sized footprint for the model based around the scale etc.

Come up with a concept that incorporates the features I want.

Put scalpel to card!

I'm putting together a more detailed step-by-step guide atm which I hope will be in the Jan edition of 'The 15 Mill'

[Spartacus]

That will be of interest Neil.  I have never tried buildings from scratch. I have always fancied building "The Alamo" as the original film was brilliant.

Oh dammit--that would mean a new series of figures and I have 3 armies on the painting table now!

Terry

[Colonel Kilgore]

You've probably got time before we're out of this pandemic, Terry!

I'm also looking forward to Neil's article.

Simon

[Leslie BT]

That will be an interesting article Neil.

[sukhe_bator (Neil)]

Even though they have a way to go with detailing because of their size the Mission church has a lot of blank wall and tile roof so as part incentive to finish and part morale boost I've painted some sections. The same goes for the station canopy and platform. The gouache white I'm using seems quite transparent so I'm having to build up the limewash effect in several layers. Both are coming along nicely though. The houses are now ready to glue to the base...

[Spartacus]

@Neil---I am stunned at your work. I just wish I had some talent, Any talent would do.

Terry

[martin goddard]

Lovely job Neil

martin

[Antioch (Bob)]

Also wanting to say how nice those look Neil....great work.

Bob

[Colonel Kilgore]

Very nice, Neil. The stonework in the bell tower in particular looks great.

Simon

[sukhe_bator (Neil)]

Thanks all,
I think the key is to have good textures to work with and not to worry too much about sticking to scale. The tiles and roofing I use are Wills railway scenic accessories so are actually 20mm scale. By making the Milliput stonework far deeper than scale and by treating all the surfaces with more 'theatrical' painting effects with ink wash lowlights and drybrushing highlights you can get a pleasing effect for 15mm scale.