I just finished this structure recently, so thought I'd show how I made it.
Again I used blue foam, to give the walls a stucco look. I wanted some of the mud brick stone work exposed, so this time I did several sections of that, especially a large part of the back wall.
So started off with the ground floor level.
This is the back and two side walls. These are each about 12mm thick
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/1641-270125052925.jpeg)
Back wall detail
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/1641-270125052833-5359891.jpeg)
Cut out the window and door openings first. Then assembled it all.
I used yellow carpenters glue, and toothpicks for reinforcement.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/1641-270125052833-53601967.jpeg)
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(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/1641-270125052834-536041484.jpeg)
Then gave all the exposed stonework and crack a coat of Raw Sienna paint
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/1641-280125013558-536112354.jpeg)
The 3D wall features you are getting at this early stage with just one base material is amazing! Your sculpture work on it is convincing. I run across various rigid foam insulation off-cuts frequently, so I'm very interested.
I'm looking at the unsculpted wall texture on the foam in the first picture, do you bandsaw 12mm sheets from bigger chunks? Or do you attack smooth foam with some sort of texturing process?
I'll be following along, thanks for sharing.
Thanks Mark.
The sheets I have are 1200mm x 600mm and are 50mm thick.
I cut out a piece to the size I need for the largest wall, then slice this into 10mm - 12mm thick pieces just using a razor saw, so get 4 walls from one original piece.
I then smooth the rough cuts by rubbing each piece over a smooth garden paver, usually in a circular motion.
I try to get it fairly smooth, but any small imperfection are OK, as that just some added character.
The rounded corners on the structure and openings are done with sandpaper.
Yes a bandsaw could be used, if you have one. I'm also thinking down the track, of getting a Proxon foam cutter.
Currently just have a hand held foam cutter for carving foam rockwork on the layouts.
This threatens to be a wonderful thread to behold, construction techniques and final result, both. I mean, using a paving stone as a Blanchard grinder.
I'll be ACC-ed to my screen.
Thanks Critter. Unlike sandpaper, the paver is great for doing larger, whole surface areas at once.
So I gave it all a coat of paint. Originally the walls were all the darker green, but it just wasn't looking right, so decided to give it the split colour treatment. All the paints are just craft paints
And also did some drybrushing of a lighter tan colour on the exposed stonework.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/1641-280125013559-536121721.jpeg)
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Rob, glad you've started your build thread so we can all admire your modeling.
neat!
Great job Rob. Thanks for sharing how you did it.
Jerry
Thanks Rick. Nothing you haven't seen, but still appreciate you following along.
Thanks Philip & Jerry.
Next up I made the window frames & doors from stir sticks and balsa
The window headers are also balsa
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/1641-310125024654-536481176.jpeg)
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Well done Rob..... 8)
Rob,
Wonderful job on the build. I'm fascinated with your work using foam. It looks very real to me.
Tom
Thanks Greg.
Thanks Tom. I follow a lot of military modellers online, mostly YouTube.
Most of them these days, if not using a
building kit, will use foam to construct their buildings, walls etc.
My favourite is an armour modeller call Nightshift. Brilliant if you want to learn all about weathering etc. Whilst Martin mostly works in 1/35, it can be used for most scales.
This is a wall he did in foam.
So next I decided to add a 2nd story. Thought it would be OK to use clapboard siding.
This is how it turned out. Whilst it looks good, upon some further research I couldn't find any Mexican buildings that were like this. Just wasn't screaming Mexico to me.
So I will keep this upper story for another one of my Maine USA structures, so not a complete waste of time.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/1641-310125024654-536522368.jpeg)
So ended up instead building the 2nd story out of foam again, to continue the rendered / adobe type look.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/1641-310125024655-53653735.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/1641-010225013325-536811308.jpeg)
Rob,
Second story from clapboard is good for another model. As you said, definitely not Mexico looking in any way.
The second story - second story is perfect.
Tom
Thanks Tom.
The second story is now painted and attached. I used a very pale mint green for this.
Many colours I mix myself.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/1641-310125024832-53656464.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/1641-310125024832-5365552.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/1641-310125024832-536541116.jpeg)
I decided for this one to use a sort of barrel style tile, terracotta roof.
This was castings I got from the estate of one of our recently deceased NMRA members.
It was originally just white, so I did a mix or different colours, so when the final colour went on there'd be some colour variation showing through.
I also covered some tiles with cut down straws, to give them a loose look.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/1641-010225013326-53683542.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/1641-010225013326-53684174.jpeg)
Final colouring
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/1641-010225013326-536851657.jpeg)v
Then glued it onto the structure. I'm quite happy with the effect
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/1641-040225041655-5408535.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/1641-040225041655-54086631.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/1641-040225041656-540872434.jpeg)
Where are you Rob? The roofing tile looks good! Any updates?
Hi Philip. Yep I'm still here.
Final update for this one, before it goes on the diorama.
I added some cap stones to to top of the front façade. Also added a small landing to the upper loading doors and a pulley and rope. The pulley wheel is an N scale cable sheave.
I made up the big sign by importing a an anchor drawing found on the web, then added text to it in Excel.
And printed it on pale yellow paper for a more faded look.
The smaller tin signs I also just got off the web.
The footpath around the outside is mat board, with joint lines and cracks cut in and painted & weathered a suitable concrete colour and washes applied.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/1641-080225002103-541761420.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/1641-080225002103-541791415.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/1641-080225002103-541802216.jpeg)
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Rob,
Wow, what a wonderful model and it looks fantastic. I find it impressive that you can turn out something this detailed from foam. This has me giving you all thumbs up Rob. Extremely well done - love it.
Tom
Rob, totally agree with Tom's comments.
Top notch modeling from top to bottom.
Nice work. (https://www.kingstonemodelworks.com/memes/finework.jpg)
B
Quote from: Bernd on February 08, 2025, 10:42:54 AMNice work. (https://www.kingstonemodelworks.com/memes/finework.jpg)
B
Stand in the corner Bernd ! LOL!!
Well you ironed out every problem I saw. I was going to recommend a balcony and some sort of pediment to flash in the tile. Great job Rob!
I'd add some rust drip stains from the nails or whatever fasteners in the framing around that massive NEPTUNO sign, to match the aged and decrepit state of the building. But that's the only hair out of place.
Masterful modelling.
Nice looking building. Interesting how you colored the roof. Looks great.
Jeff
As others have said, Rob, that building looks fantastic!
Thanks Tom, Rick, Bernd, Philip, Critter, Jeff and Rich.
I'm very happy with how it came out, especially the exposed walls sections. The foam is actually a good medium to work in, especially for the larger scales
I may do a little bit more weathering as suggested, but for now that's it.
I can now start on the diorama, and finish off the 2nd boat for that too.
Need to paint up a ton of detail parts also.
As I will be exhibiting the layout again, in mid March, but this time with the diorama extension, I need to get a move on.
Well done Rob, great build..... 8)
Thanks Greg.
Second floor is a good, no, a great idea. Now the owner has a place to sleep when his wife kicks his sorry drunk butt out again!
😅😂
Thanks Dave. Yep plenty of borrachos need somewhere to sleep it off.