Rivendell - updated 27/04

Dagorlad · **Posted:** Sat Oct 05, 2013 1:21 pm

Literally.

Firstly, thanks everyone for your suggestions and encouragement. I've not done much towards the LOTR game for a while and I didn't want to lose touch with this fabulous world. Plus, the upcoming movie has got my juices stirred a bit for all things Middle-earth.

So, by 'first steps' I literally meant a staircase. I've decided on attempting a building in the middle of Rivendell, just set back from the main entry gate. If this goes well (and I still am enthusiastic), I will work on the entry gate afterwards. The building is the one shown below and I'm working on the sweeping staircase at the front of it first.

Here are some images I'm using for inspiration (taken from the Extended Fellowship DVD) and a couple of WIP shots too.

The steps are made from 3mm balsa wood, and the round stone terrace is made from medium density polystyrene, coated with polyfilla (my usual approach to modelling masonry).

Bofur The Dwarf · **Posted:** Sat Oct 05, 2013 1:26 pm

Sounding good already

I'm looking forward to seeing your progress, as I was thinking of building Rivendell a little while back. It's on of my favourite places in Middle-Earth :-D

Good luck for now :elrond:

Hill-Troll · **Posted:** Sat Oct 05, 2013 4:06 pm

That looks good already

Gandlaf the Grey · **Posted:** Sat Oct 05, 2013 4:14 pm

Nice to see you back Alan.
Rivendell is always one of those dream projects with the intricate architecture and that feel of pure tranquility. It is definately on my to do list. I must admit that I was hoping you would do this at some point as I know your attention to detail will make this inspiring to many.
I'm just hoping your inspiration keeps you going on this one.
So a nice simple start and i will look forward to this developing.

Dorthonion · **Posted:** Sat Oct 05, 2013 6:05 pm

I am guessing you have some cunning solution for replicating all the intricate and ornate carvings throughout Rivendell - that was always the part that had most people scared silly.
Looking very neat so far.

JamesR · **Posted:** Sat Oct 05, 2013 6:36 pm

Very much looking forward to this project. I check the forum in the way many people check their facebook or emails lol so I'm excited to watch this unfold

ElfLover · **Posted:** Sat Oct 05, 2013 8:50 pm

Can't wait to see this progress

GothmogtheWerewolf · **Posted:** Sat Oct 05, 2013 11:41 pm

Wow, good luck, sounds incredibly ambitious a project

Papa Hoth · **Posted:** Sun Oct 06, 2013 1:05 am

Excellent choice Mr Dags; I reckon they may also serve as maybe Gondolin type structures?
I can see the lure of Rhosgobel but there _may_ be a chance to see more of it in the next film.
What I mean is that if it was me building Rhos there is nothing surer than the next film showing details that I did not know of; which would make me mutter 'oh golly' or words to that effect.

cheers
Greg

Dagorlad · **Posted:** Sun Oct 06, 2013 6:35 am

I know what you mean Greg. I made the gatehouse of Edoras when the Two Towers came out, only to see it from an different angle in RotK and discover I'd made it wrong.

Gene Parmesan · **Posted:** Sun Oct 06, 2013 8:58 pm

Looking forward to seeing this. There was a pretty well done one on CMON, might be good for reference.

Dagorlad · **Posted:** Tue Oct 08, 2013 12:14 pm

I saw the one on CMoN - very impressive. [irony]Mine will be better of course.[/irony]

Heheheh, take a look at this...

http://www.coolminiornot.com/314189?browseid=6885151

http://www.coolminiornot.com/314188?browseid=6885151

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... 352&type=1

That's a pretty high benchmark!

(edit: added more links)

Dorthonion · **Posted:** Tue Oct 08, 2013 5:38 pm

1000 hours work... :O

Oldman Willow · **Posted:** Tue Oct 08, 2013 6:15 pm

I am looking forward to more post.

Amarthadan · **Posted:** Tue Oct 08, 2013 7:01 pm

Looks good, make sure it arrives in one piece on my birthday!

Gandlaf the Grey · **Posted:** Thu Oct 10, 2013 8:17 am

Ok Alan I've had a look at the Cmon version and offer you this challenge.
That version had been built very well with some wonderful attention to detail with smooth cut lines etc. That alone is hard to replicate.
However I offer this as the challenge - As good as that version is, it does not look aged. Rivendell has stood for thousands of years yet this one seems new out the box. Obviously an Elven home will always look something special but that special needs to look like it has been there for a very long time.

Dagorlad · **Posted:** Sat Oct 12, 2013 5:53 am

I don't like to criticise work like that CMoN piece because it seems churlish - especially since I hardly ever finish anything. The modeller is very skilled and dedicated hobbyist and that is an awe-inspiring piece.

But it has a number of faults and I would strive to go further than he did with the details. One of the most obvious (and avoidable) issue is the lack of autumn colours in the trees. A key design aspect of the original movie model was the 'twilight of the Elves' idea, where the decay of winter is kept at bay by the power of Elrond, mirroring the decline of the Elves themselves.

Gandlaf the Grey · **Posted:** Sun Oct 13, 2013 9:48 am

Please don't misinterpret me, I was not being critical of the C'mon Rivendell, I was purely setting you a challenge of bettering it and by doing so I highlighted an area I thought could be improved on.
I would love to be able to make something that good. I know my wife would love a piece like that so I may not be far say from giving it a go.
The other thing is I know you are capable of doing something spectacular and for that I cannot wait.

Dagorlad · **Posted:** Mon Nov 11, 2013 4:00 am

If I finish this, it will be a miracle.

After getting an idea of what I am in for I thought I would make a start on the focal point of the scene – the narrow bridge along the approach to the entrance gate. This piece defines the scope and scale of the model.

Using 25mm thick styrofoam, clad with 3mm thick balsa sheets, I cut out the span and then coated it with polyfilla – a kind of crack filler for drywalls and plaster walls. Leaving this to set overnight I then carved in the mortar joints and ended up with this:

However, after placing an Elven figure on it, I soon realised it needed to be about 50% larger. I’d made it 30cm across and a quick recalculation indicated it really should be 45cm. Back to the drawing board! (er, make that “back to the cutting board”)

Click the thumbnails to biggify.

Gandlaf the Grey · **Posted:** Mon Nov 11, 2013 10:19 am

Eek, this could be huge !!! And like you say, it may take some finishing.
I've had a close look at the bridge and it looks seriously good. How have you achieved the textured look of the stone work ? Because in my experience, polyfilla does not dry like this.

Rivendell - updated 27/04

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