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Other Stuff => Workbench => Topic started by: mikedemana on February 10, 2013, 04:14:35 PM
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Hi,
I'm getting set up to run a Dark Ages campaign using "Song of Blades and Heroes" rules. The players will be Viking, Scot, Pict, Angle or Briton warlords. I decided I needed some scenario objectives for them to fight over. First up is a 8th-9th century Saxon church. I figured I'd post some WIP shots before I get too much further along.
(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww213/mikedemana/SaxonChurch_WIP01_zps89ae4fe8.jpg)
I used leftover Hirst Arts plaster "bricks" that a friend had given me to build a Pictish broch, years ago. It was kind of like a jigsaw puzzle, laying them out on my desk first to figure out how they'll all go together. But they make so many sizes, and I'm sure are intentionally proportioned to make it easier to fit together.
(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww213/mikedemana/SaxonChurch_WIP02_zps458d7196.jpg)
Here's a top-down view, showing the raised altar platform inside. There are 3 joined together sections to this building -- the long rectangular nave, a rounded chancery, and the small squarish portico entrance. I'm thinking of taking coarse gravel and making the floor a "crushed stone" type of effect. Not sure if that is historical or not, but it should look nice and be relatively easy to do.
The next photo shows the model with the three roofs in place. They are made to lift off for gaming, of course. These were completely scratch-built, using a styrene base, foam core eaves, and cardboard roof. Next up will be to put cardboard shingles on the roof. You can see the decoration I've added for the eaves. The coarse gravel and Hirst Arts bricks combine to give a mixed building material look. The angel will be painted stone, of course, and comes from the local craft store. I picked a bag of them up about a decade ago and am finally using a couple of them!
(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww213/mikedemana/SaxonChurch_WIP03_zps1710127c.jpg)
And one final view showing the portico entrance, with more simple decoration over the door. Those plaster bricks are heavy, so I based the whole thing on a soft wood plaque from the local craft store. I am liking how it is coming along, and will continue posting pics along the way, if anyone's interested...
(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww213/mikedemana/SaxonChurch_WIP04_zpsab183695.jpg)
Thanks!
Mike Demana
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I Cant get the images to display, anyone else having trouble or just me? Want to make sure you did not attach bad links so we can all see your work.
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I can see them. I love the Hirst Art blocks. There is so much variety and the buildings really have a good 'feel' to them.
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damned nice. Looking forward to some AARs :)
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Nice, reminds me of St Peter on the Wall
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chapel_of_St_Peter-on-the-Wall
Well worth a visit if anyone is in the area, though most of the Roman fort has disappeared into the sea.
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Thanks everyone! It was actually modeled vaguely on Escomb church (except I made the chancery rounded).
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Escomb_Church
I'll start the painting this week...
Mike Demana
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Nice Mike, IIRC St Peter's had a round chancellery which was later demolished. I have the guide book with the ground plan but unfortunately I couldn't find a copy online.
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Oh, this is going through a extremely nice way!
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Intriguing! Looking forward to more.
@Sterling
Here you go, mate!
http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=123312
If you scroll further done, you'll find it there. Good starting point for a model as well.
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That's the one - well done Remington!!
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This really looks the part! love it!
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Lovely! Looks like it could last until now like the real thing. Unlike my wattle and daub creation...
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It had been awhile since I used the Hirst Arts blocks. I put 2 coats of primer and two of watered down black paint to completely black coat it. There are still some plaster gray spots peeking through. Any tips on a less labor-intensive way to set it up for dry brushing the stone?
I was never one to use the min wax "dip" method, but now I'm wondering if it'd be quicker and do a more thorough job...
Mike Demana
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More work in progress photos taken this morning.
The roofs are all constructed, but still need painted. I used the method suggested by my friend, Joe (from "An Hour of Wolves and Shattered Shields" website). However, I stupidly used very thick cardboard for the first roof I tried -- the small portico entrance. You can see the difference in the photos. After that, I went out and got some ordinary black cardstock and it worked much better. Joe was right, cutting and gluing the strips of tiles into place was tedious. It took me two hours to do the large roof alone. I can't wait to see what it looks like when the tiles are painted. Speaking of which, since my building is already a gray tone, any suggestion on tile colors that won't make it look monotone. I am assuming (perhaps incorrectly) that 8th-9th century Saxon churches would use slate tiles rather than clay ones. So, suggestions on colors would be greatly appreciated.
(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww213/mikedemana/Dark%20Age%20Skirmish/SaxonChurch_WIP05_zps5656443e.jpg)
As a facing, I glued on a piece of textured bass wood to hide the edge of the corrugated cardboard roof. I could have done a better job measuring and trimming the pieces up so they match. Live and learn!
(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww213/mikedemana/Dark%20Age%20Skirmish/SaxonChurch_WIP08_zps5d016eb4.jpg)
I've also added in a few detail elements, as you can see. First, I took some craft store crosses and glued them to the peak of the eaves of the large roof. They'll be dry-brushed to resemble stone when I get to the stage of painting the roofs. I also put a washer over the door of the portico, and then cut off the head and shoulders of a 1/72 scale plastic figure as relief carving of a saint or Mary.
(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww213/mikedemana/Dark%20Age%20Skirmish/SaxonChurch_WIP07_zpsfc30c562.jpg)
As you can also see, the dry-brushing on the stone walls is mostly done, too. I will probably add some discoloration, random off-color stones and ivy on the walls, too. I have begun the windows, too, after making a serendipitous trip to the craft store. I found some cheap, clear plastic material that scores and snaps easily like styrene. I also found a black mesh knitting aid or something or other that will go well for the diamond window pattern. More on all that later, in the next installment.
(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww213/mikedemana/Dark%20Age%20Skirmish/SaxonChurch_WIP09_zpsd32a54a8.jpg)
All in all, I think it is coming together relatively nicely. Comments and suggestions would be greatly appreciated...
Seeya!
Mike Demana
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Wow, this is really coming along nicely!! I love the details. I can see myself coming back to this project for inspiration :)
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Wow, this is really coming along nicely!! I love the details. I can see myself coming back to this project for inspiration :)
Thanks, Christian!
I painted the roof tiles, today. I decided to go with a dark, grayish-green slate. Turned out nicely. I wanted to make sure it wasn't just a straight up gray. I was afraid the model would look like a big gray blob, if I went with gray tiles.
I'll take some more WIP pics after I paint the windows. I was happy that they popped in relatively easily. I'm going to guess that my Testors dullcoate will "frost" the clear plastic windows, when I eventually get around to spray sealing the model. So, I plan on painting only the wooden frames of the windows. I may go back and do some bluish sky reflection on the windows afterwards (and if) they're frosted...not sure yet. Any advice would be appreciated...
Although is consuming a lot of time, I am happy with how it is all going together...
Mike Demana
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More work in progress shots. The roofs are done, as well as the window frames. I may yet do something to the windows themselves -- I haven't decided.
I went for a dark, greenish-gray look to the slate. It may not come out so well in the photographs. I was hoping for a different tint than the gray stonework and think it came through fairly well. Yet, it still looks slate grayish.
(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww213/mikedemana/Dark%20Age%20Skirmish/SaxonChurch_WIP10_zps018ba42b.jpg)
I made a little stone platform for a fee standing bell tower. I want to put some sort of rope hanging down, but haven't finalized what material I will use.
(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww213/mikedemana/Dark%20Age%20Skirmish/SaxonChurch_WIP12_zps98d53802.jpg)
I painted the window trim green to hopefully bring out the green in the slate tiles of the roof. I may yet go back and give it a dark wash to tone the green down.
(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww213/mikedemana/Dark%20Age%20Skirmish/SaxonChurch_WIP13_zpsc02f1cf8.jpg)
Another close up of the relief detail on the eaves of the roof. The cross is from a craft store packet of cross charms -- as is the one on top of the bell tower. You might be able to see the greenish cast to the slate better on the half-octagon roof.
(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww213/mikedemana/Dark%20Age%20Skirmish/SaxonChurch_WIP11_zps0a2db67c.jpg)
Comments and suggestions greatly appreciated, as always!
Mike Demana
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Looking!
Almost science fictin from the view point of my year 500 Saxons. lol
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I think you've nailed it, mate. The cherub is a little advanced (it seems to be an impression of Raphael's work) but this is really a minor, minor thing. I think some greenery will set it off nicely :) Good job! I like the bell especially!
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The cherub is a little advanced (it seems to be an impression of Raphael's work) but this is really a minor, minor thing. I think some greenery will set it off nicely
Agreed about the cherub, but after probably 10 years they've been sitting unused in my odds and ends box, I couldn't resist! Yep, after I finish some interior detail and the church door, I'll be flocking the base. Plan on strategic use of ivy and moss and other details to offset the gray.
Thanks for the comments!
Mike Demana
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My pleasure, can't wait 'til the next update!
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When I saw the first set of pictures I was a little put off by the thicness of the blocks, but once you had added the roof I thought that it was coming along very nicely.
Now it is really starting to pop.
All the little details and the time taken on the roof have really paid off.
This is going to look absolutely wonderful when finished.
:-* :-* :-*
As for roof tile colouration, I do not know what would have been historically accurate, but slate sounds about right to me. Just so long as it is not too uniform (which goes for the stonework as well) with a few different coulours used, it should look great.
I find a few light layers of drybrushing and washes of different tones is the easiest and most effective way of doing this.
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Thanks, Mason! Okay, so a busy couple weeks with school, plus throw in a convention in a nearby city. That all totals out to less progress than I'd hoped. Here's one WIP photo that shows a couple new features. One is the door. I made it by trimming cardstock to size. Then, I took soft wood "craft sticks" and trimmed them to size and tacky glued them to the cardstock. I snipped off a piece of a hanger for a picture frame to be the bronze reinforcement. The ring is a craft store gold jewelry link...certainly not gold, I'm sure! I bought a pack of them years ago and haven't even made a dent in the supply!
(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww213/mikedemana/Dark%20Age%20Skirmish/SaxonChurch_WIP15_zpsf229fbfb.jpg)
The other feature, of course, is the beginning of the flocking job. I started out by mixing white glue, water, and my favorite ground color -- an earthy reddish brown. Then I poured on medium ballast from Woodland Scenics. After it had dried, I went back and painted it with more white glue, earth red and water. I sprinkled on sand while it was wet. Then I lightly sprinkled on Woodland Scenics dark brown "turf" in patches. Next up will be the greenery, of course.
I do intend to go back and selectively dry brush tiles in other tones in a scattered, irregular pattern. I just haven't found the motivation to do it yet. I also have been working on the inside. I have two statues made from 1/72 scale plastic figs to resemble a Virgin Mary with child and a preaching saint. I also have two tombstones laid flat on top of the inside flagstones. A number of the medieval churches I've been to would bury people directly in the church, with people walking over top them as they go through the church. I don't know if Dark Age Saxons did it, but it should be a nice touch. I also put green felt on the window sills so they give a bit more color on the inside.
That reminds me....I don't think I've shown the inside in a photo for awhile! Oh well, next time...!
Mike Demana
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Mike, this is great!!!
There's an inside?? :o :o
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Yes, though it still has a couple major things to do. I plan on buying some gold & white ribbon material to make a curtain to separate the nave from the chancery. I'll use a brass rod and jewelry clasps to hang it, I think. I will also have an altar on the raised dias. Those are all for sure.
Some vague ideas include candleholders mounted in the walls of the nave. I'd love to have frescoes on the walls, too, but I want to think hard about how I'd pull that off without painstaking painting. Maybe I'll download a good image and print it out on paper. Then I can cut it into sections to go over the stones and kind of seal it on there. Not sure yet.
As for things that ARE done, the flocking is done and I am sealing it today. Nice couple days of weather to take it outside and spray it. Tomorrow, I should be able to upload pics of the outside completed....!
Mike Demana
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Your church is looking good.
At first when you were doing the roof, it looked to me to be a little to modern.
But painted it looks great.
Glad I was wrong, (what else is new.) lol
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So, here it is, the completed outside of my 28mm Saxon Church. As I mentioned earlier, it was scratchbuilt for my Dark Age Skirmish games using Hirst Arts blocks, cardstock, and various craft store jewel bits. I still have some work to do on the inside, but I finished the flocking over the weekend. I finally got a chance to take some quick photos of it tonight. I expect I'll eventually do a full layout of it on the tabletop and post some more photos, but here it is, for now.
The rather raggedy priest exhorts a local woman to be more forthcoming in her tithes...
(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww213/mikedemana/Dark%20Age%20Skirmish/SaxonChurch09Portico01_zpsadd2b980.jpg)
The priest looks out from beside the entrance, ready to welcome his Saxon parishoners with prayers to spare the church from Viking raiders....
(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww213/mikedemana/Dark%20Age%20Skirmish/SaxonChurch01Front_zpse5160c94.jpg)
Closeup of the portico entrance and its wooden door constructed from cardboard, wooden craft sticks, and a snipped piece of a picture hanger...
(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww213/mikedemana/Dark%20Age%20Skirmish/SaxonChurch03PorticoClose_zpsb3c7121e.jpg)
The priest contemplates Heaven while gazing out from beside the rounded chancery...
(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww213/mikedemana/Dark%20Age%20Skirmish/SaxonChurch04ChanceryBell_zps175b5ea9.jpg)
The rear of the chancery, looking like it could use a little attention from gardeners...
(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww213/mikedemana/Dark%20Age%20Skirmish/SaxonChurch06RearChancery_zpse23b1f67.jpg)
Hope you like it, and thanks for all the suggestions and comments...!
Mike Demana
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Stunning amazing work! :-*
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Mike, this is bloody great! :o Plenty of gorgeous details. I can't wait to see the inside...
I still love that little bell, it's a great touch. It could be to call the faithful to prayer, or to warn the nearby town of Viking raiders!
:-* :-*
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Mike,
I can only add to the praise. Wonderful build, full of detail and character.
:D
Cholly
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A fantastic project, and taken to a great finish!
Loving all the little details, they really take it to the next level.
:-* :-*
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Thanks, everyone! Definitely the most involved and intricate building I've created. Thanks to everyone who gave advice and encouragement along the way.
After I finish the interior, I think I'll do a couple of the Acheson Creations medieval buildings. I picked up 4 at a recent show. Then, I'll start my next scratch-build: A Celtic monastery inspired by Skellig Michael, a UNESCO site off the coast of Ireland.
I'll add pics of the interior when it is complete....
Mike Demana
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And here they are, seen through the eyes of our rustic priest who comes to the "big city" to tour the new church.
The Portico Entrance
(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww213/mikedemana/Dark%20Age%20Skirmish/SaxonChurch10_Portico_zpsa66cda09.jpg)
Overview of the Nave
(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww213/mikedemana/Dark%20Age%20Skirmish/SaxonChurch11_Nave_zps6049c089.jpg)
The altar in the Nave
(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww213/mikedemana/Dark%20Age%20Skirmish/SaxonChurch13_NaveAltar_zpsa28b82c1.jpg)
The tapestries on the wall and the gravestones set into the floor of the Nave
(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww213/mikedemana/Dark%20Age%20Skirmish/SaxonChurch12_NaveTapestry_zpse7fc0cef.jpg)
The rounded Chancel attached to the Nave
(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww213/mikedemana/Dark%20Age%20Skirmish/SaxonChurch14_Chancel_zps0f10237b.jpg)
If anyone is curious how I did any of it, be sure to ask...! It is now officially complete, though I still have to get around to adding a page about it on my own website.
Mike Demana
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Great stuff, Mike.
Fantastic attention to detail.
:-*
All the extras really bring it to life.
8)
Tell us the secret of how you made the tapestries.
Please!
:D
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Fantastic work :-* :-* :-*
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:o wow those soft furnishings do wonders in pulling the church together. And the grave stones give it a really good ' lived in' vibe. Nice work!
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This is astounding! Very well done! :o :o :o
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Wow! I love it!! :-*
Yes, do tell us how you did all these wonderful details :)
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Cracking stuff :-*
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Great stuff, Mike.
Fantastic attention to detail.
:-*
All the extras really bring it to life.
8)
Tell us the secret of how you made the tapestries.
Please!
:D
+1
Great work!
Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks, everyone! Sorry that I haven't replied for awhile....I'm on holiday in Iceland at the moment. The tapestries were easy. I searched the Internet for good pics, downloaded and photoshopped likely ones. Then I took them to the local print shop and had them print them in color on high quality, linen paper. Cut them out, paint the back with white glue and you're done!
I'll cover the wall sconces and candles next post....
Thanks again for all the very kind comments...
Mike Demana
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Yes this is a beautiful piece of work Mike. Excellent!!
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For the wall sconces, I went to a local craft store, Hobby Lobby. I found some "hook and eye" clasps in the sewing section. I bent the hook or the eye -- not sure because I don't sew -- so that it's two projections were at a 90 degree angle. That gave me more surface to attach it to the wall. I glued the prongs that were going to attach to the wall to a piece of thick cardboard so they had even more surface area. I then glued on the aged metal cup like pieces (from the craft store bead section) you see in the photo below onto the prongs with Tacky Glue. Two were glued down to hold candles, while would cover the prongs that would attach to the wall. I hope this is making sense.
(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww213/mikedemana/Dark%20Age%20Skirmish/SaxonChurch11_Nave_zps6049c089.jpg)
For the candles, I bought something from Hobby Lobby called "Floating Candles." They are little tiny wicks that look remarkably like white wax candles. They even squish up and can be trimmed and shaped. I put a bead of tacky glue in the bottom of the bowl and pushed the wick down onto it. It mushroomed out nicely at the bottom when given a bit of pressure to give it more of a stable base.
http://shop.hobbylobby.com/products/floating-candle-wick-kit-167270/ (http://shop.hobbylobby.com/products/floating-candle-wick-kit-167270/)
For the curtain, I went to the local fabric store, Jo Anne Fabrics, and found a likely spool of ribbon by the foot. I trimmed it to size and folded it in half, gluing it together with tacky glue. I then used gold jewelry links you can buy from a craft store by the bag as my curtain rings. I pierced the ribbon with a thumb tack, inserted the rings through the hole and tacky glued it into place. The curtain rod is a simple piece of piano wire trimmed to the right size. The rod rests on two screw eyes -- like the type you put on the back of picture frames. The ornate end pieces of the rod are beads from the craft store. Those same beads form the candle sticks on the altar.
(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww213/mikedemana/Dark%20Age%20Skirmish/SaxonChurch13_NaveAltar_zpsa28b82c1.jpg)
The altar table is a piece of balsa wood with two of the "hook and eye" pieces for legs. The altar cloth is simply a snipped piece of fabric heavily painted with white glue, and then when dry, painted white. The cross above the altar I got from a pack of charm crosses from the craft store. I glued it onto a piece of balsa wood again (figuring the lighter the wood, the more the glue will make it stick to the wall).
The statues in the corner are simply 1/72 plastic figures of a preacher and a woman with a baby. I painted them to look like statues. I should have made a more ornate base, or given them a gloss coat or something. I am not 100% happy how they came out.
Did I miss anything? Sorry I don't have step by step WIP photos for things like the wall sconces. I was playing it by ear and improvising when I created them. Feel free to let me know if anything doesn't seem clear...
Thanks again for all the kind words...!
Mike Demana
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Wow! Seriously nice work there!!
-Michael
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hirst arts molds is where i started, lovely piece this, and i know you have had fun doing it :D
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It is an artwork! And you used craft and fantasy to bing all these materials together in an harmonic final result! Many congrats!!!
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This is a great job. I love the candles, the cobblestone the floor and the graves. I only have a couple of questions to ask: I don't know much about Saxon Churches but I think they had not luxuriously painted icons with bright colours. Perhaps I am wrong here. Another thing is, about the statue on the right. Does it wear shorts? How many people were wearing shorts in the Dark Ages? I mean this is obviously a modern figure [he wears socks] and you may find an other one like the figure on the left of the altar. Replace the statue and your Church is perfect! ;)
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Hey, shouldn't that be a "died in look"? lol
After all your work I do hope the priest's prayers are total wash - and the Vikings come along for a raid.
Someone whisper to that bloke about Kristmanbogga, that ought to scare him good; he'll want to be rid of that crucifix proper pronto, methinks.
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A beautiful gaming model.
The skills of the people on this forum are amazing, from this church to scratch built armoured vehicles, a real treat to the eye.
Well done.
Just build the rest of the village now... ;D