Although I have used the putty method on several occasions, this is just foamboard where the bricks have been inscribed with a pencil. It was originally insulation boards which I bought from B&Q, but I have found a better use for them. It's a lot quicker than putty or plaster as there is no drying time, it's quite flexible and can be inscribed easily. There is also poster board which is the same but with paper backed sides. Hope this answered your question.

Drum

Right I'm a bit undecided what to go with here. What do you guys think is best, the shorter more fancy pillars (picture 1) or the longer, more to the sketch pillars (picture 2). If so I'll need to start casting some resin ones rather than the plaster. Thank's for the help.





Drum

if you want to make them realistic-ish then the first option would be best since its already taller, a lot taller than a man (almost twice his height) and the second one... just think, would anyone make arches that tall on a building? they certainly didnt plan to have any trolls strolling around the place

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I'd say the second one, because on the first photo the top of the pillar (the part that is is nicely decorated) is nearly at eyeheight for the archer. And that seems a bit weird to me, I have never seen that being so low in real life. But polar makes a good point as well They both seem fine to me so there isn't really a bad choice I guess.

I like the long version. If you want to keep the fancy capitals use dowel rod to make them taller. Cut the base off, just replace the column.
Good work so far.

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hmm well Linus gives a good point, now that I look the pillars do look a little strange with the decorated part at head height. However I also like the simple version as perhaps it's more true Gondorian style without being too much. Yet it looks quite nice fancy as polar said, but for some reason has a more Spanish look to them (like Venice or something) as they are much more detailed. As you mentioned Willow that's right I could lengthen them, and in fact the hirst arts came with some spares to add height to the pillars. I'll start casting both pieces, as I can't go the inner building as I need to know the height of the pillars and outside court part. However I have finished all the arches so I'll pop up a picture tomorrow as the camera's out of batteries - none of it will be assembled until later on though.

Drum

Very nice work. I'll have to give this a try. Looks very realistic.
The longer pillars look better, in my opinion.

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Right I'll get to work casting those long pieces (in between revising for my art exam ) so things might be delayed a little.

I got a few casts done in between working. Still need a few more pillar sections.

The minas tirith house looks very nice! I'd do the shorter pillar, cuz otherwise the house will be too high btw.
And where did you get that pillar set? Is it expensive stuff btw?

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Wow-ee! Where did these come from? They're brilliant, and there' an army of them.

Good luck with finishing the 'ruins'

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Thanks for the input guys. Here's a sneak preview of it so far.



Drum

Wow. That is true skill at best.

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you know what, you could just leave it as it is, without the pillars because it looks like some sort of basement or underground room type deal or just sewers i guess :O

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Wah Wing: Thanks for the kind words.

polar: I know what you mean, but don't know how it would work out.

I have a nice update for you guys. I got a start on scribing the bricks for the first wall side. Don't worry about the ugly big gape in the middle as the arches will go there along with the sloped roof so it'll work out. Now I have a quick question, do you think I should add some more depth by using cardboard for above the windows (where the fancy brickwork is). I've got a few photo's to show you a progression but smaller details will be added later, tell me what you think.





Again just holding it together roughly to give you an idea.




Drum

No it looks fine
I think you are well on the way toward making J at TMBA jealous .
I would make a simple thin capital for the dowel rod in the windows. A block of balsa or basswood would do the trick
It would be a good idea to continue with the same design elements from the columns on the porch.

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That is looking super good. I agree that a thin captital would make it look even better though.

great job!

that's how we know u! great terrain again!

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@OldManWillow - J at TMBA? I've added the the capitals on the pillars, that it?

@theavenger - Cheers mate, yep I've added them on now

@LauraPalmer - thanks

@garmenhord - cheers man, it's nice to have a bash at terrain again.

Worked on the pillars a little, is this better now? Was thinking of adding a little ledge under the window, I'll get onto that next.





Drum