I started modelling in the spring of 2020 after about a 6 year break. Long story short, I got out all my old models stored in boxes, started looking at magazines and I picked up the old #11 blade and scale ruler. I settled on the Fish Fluke Lighthouse that once stood on Grand Manan Island just off the coast of New Brunswick as my first model to build. The lighthouse was totally destroyed but it took a long time and multiple storms ... a testament to her builders. I put down my xacto blade early in the build and started looking for a used laser cutter. A day after I started my search I found a great deal on a used laser, the same kind I once owned when I use to manufacture kits under the name Full Steam Ahead. I'll post some more photos as I complete my diorama. I built 2 with two different techniques.
Nice work — and welcome back to the fold!
Great that you went and got yourself a laser cutter. I've been thinking about it for a while myself
Great to hear from you again Joe. I have still one of your kits to make in my stash. Lovely job on the lighthouse.
Mike
Joe,
Well done on the lighthouses. Welcome back.
Tom ;D
Nice lighthouses. Your skills didn't suffer during the break.
Jeff
Very neat! 8) Welcome to the forum and back to the workbench.
Very nicely done.
Joe,
Welcome aboard. I have a couple of your kits left in my stash, too. I hope we see a lot more of your modeling. Great job on the lighthouses!
Well done with the lighthouses and welcome to the forum. 8)
I always liked the cannery kit that you did, but missed buying it at the time. Good luck and keep the pictures coming. :)
Thanks for all the words of welcome and compliments.
I started working on the diorama with hydrocal and castings. Coloured them with grey wash, burnt sienna splotching and highlights with black and raw sienna.
The hydrocal foundation looks uneven on the poured hydrocal and I am going to fix that error.
Here is the photos with the colour washes and dry brushing with white.
That looks outstanding.
Joe,
Love the look of the rocks.
Tom ;D
I hope the light works in the lighthouse, I'd hate to have my ship ground on those great looking rocks.
Jeff
Challenged accepted Jeff! Your post made me laugh, I will see what I can do, I know I have lights in my stash somewhere ... Joe
Chipped away the wavy gravy hydrocal. I cast a new foundation and set it into the flat ground before I carefully poured some new hydrocal. I had to replace a few rocks because I was a bit rough in removing the hydrocal.
Great work, Joe.
That Hydrocal casting looks wonderful. Do you use foam board when casting?
Hey Joe:
WQW!!!!! That is just beautiful.
Karl
Great looking lighthouse!
Jerry
Very impressive, Joe. Your eye for detail is evident. Love the colors of the rock castings. Of course the lighthouse is a triumph, too.
--Opa George
Karl! Great to hear from you, thanks.
Still a bit of work to do on the lighthouse, George. I have the back door and chimney to install (more to come) I will finish up some of the landscaping tonight. Here is Canada it is -18 C or 0 F (great temps for modelling)
Craig, in my big comeback I have devoted a ton of time to casting, trying different materials, techniques, etc. My next project is a mill, I will document all my progress and techniques shortly. (some experiments have been complete failures, that is why I know I will be successful someday!)
Joe
Added a bit of scenery on the rocks and around the lighthouse. I still have to add a chimney, back door and the wind vent on the light structure, then lights. I was worried about a ship wreck until the lights were installed so I placed a scratch built fishing shack with rescue boat beside it for now :)
Excellent job on the diorama.
Joe,
Welcome to the Forum...your lighthouse looks great !
Thanks for the bowling alley signs you sent me over a decade ago too...
Tommy
Hi Tom, 10 years ago, seems like yesterday I made the Bowling Alley (that was a good one)
I added the a brace doors on the different foundations. Made and cast a couple of brick chimneys (will explain that process in another thread). Installed the chimneys, would been a more enjoyable process if I did that before shingles!
I made some scratch hurricane vents for the top of the lighthouse superstructure.
I started to make a flock of seagulls too! I am getting close to done and can't wait to start my next project.
A couple of final lighthouse pictures. Complete with chimney, painted stairs, vents, seagulls and a light!
Very cool.
Excellent build Joe.....great scene. 8)