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Other Stuff => Workbench => Topic started by: Brandlin on July 26, 2010, 01:42:04 AM

Title: Watchtowers, stockade walls and bridges...
Post by: Brandlin on July 26, 2010, 01:42:04 AM
Some of you may have seen my small start up venture into creating terrain kits. http://brandlin.blogspot.com
I pimped the earlier models here which are in my store.

I've been working on the CAD models of my next buildings for a few weeks and have got to the physical first cut stage. I normally post updates to my blog, but thought i would share here too...

This is first build of the Stockade wall section - more to come over the following days...

***

I got a bundle of plastic in the post yesterday which included the prototype kits for the walls, bridge and watchtower. This is the first quick and nasty assembly of a 6" section of stockade wall just to make sure that all the bits fit.You'll see from the pictures I have done little to clean the models up and there were a couple of 'glue incidents' - but thats what you get for having a 9 year old son as your Glue Marshal. ;)

(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RRKBhA-2I4w/TExTMVMZ9-I/AAAAAAAAC_o/_Xb-UW7phx0/s1600/wip1.jpg)

Its the simplest of the kits so far - it's nice not having to fit everything to curved surfaces for a change! I need to adjust the lengths of he beams a trifle (a trifle is a technical engineering term - i wont bother you with the full definition) and the template for the foam core is a little large... but other than that Bingo!

And just because some of you always complain about the lack of pictures with figures in.

(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RRKBhA-2I4w/TExWvWdfxGI/AAAAAAAADAQ/hG1Qcn4gHcw/s1600/wip3.jpg)

Left to right: Hasslfree Grymn, Spyglass Inga, Wyrd Minaitures Mad hatter; the latter two on 30mm display bases.  Assuming the rest of the builds go as well this week I'll be opening up pre-orders for the kits with an availabiity of mid August.
Title: Re: Watchtowers, stockade walls and bridges...
Post by: Brandlin on August 11, 2010, 03:33:53 PM
OK, slower progress than I expected but i have to resolve some real life problems before I getthis little venture going again.
I was quite pleased with this. (finished)
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RRKBhA-2I4w/TGKtxjJXckI/AAAAAAAADBg/kb74uriUpdc/s1600/towerwalls5.jpg)
and this. (WIP)
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RRKBhA-2I4w/TGKxvoSh20I/AAAAAAAADBs/JnlSubtpF-A/s1600/towerwalls6.jpg)
Title: Re: Watchtowers, stockade walls and bridges...
Post by: Dewbakuk on August 11, 2010, 05:06:09 PM
That's looking pretty cool, nice wood grain but I suspect I'll be trying a wire brush due to my low boredom threshold when painting. How did you do the rock layer? I was just wondering (while in a builders yard) whether I can fit the thin (embossed plasticard) rock sheets in behind the wood supports for that level...

Got back from the trip down to the in-laws last night so I'll have a play with Sketchup later :)
Title: Re: Watchtowers, stockade walls and bridges...
Post by: Brandlin on August 12, 2010, 12:32:23 AM
rocks are a layer of PVA with this sprinkled on and then sealed with more PVA.
(http://www.emodels.co.uk/plastic-kits/images/products_images/JFGSTxl1.jpg)

and then painted in foundry Stone (57) tones. It's what i had to hand.

You could use the embossed styrene sheet cut to fit inside the squares i guess, or replace the foamboard backing with the sheet (as long as the embossing isn't deep)
Title: Re: Watchtowers, stockade walls and bridges...
Post by: Brandlin on August 24, 2010, 01:58:41 PM
slow progress and as yet no idea of when i shall be able to get my model making venture back onto a commerciial footing but i thought i would show you the complete painted watchtower prototype.

(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RRKBhA-2I4w/THO679xVzZI/AAAAAAAADB4/e5uyouCuwRQ/s400/watchtowerwithoutroof.jpg)
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RRKBhA-2I4w/THO6-Pz_NEI/AAAAAAAADCA/Ha-pi8U2DDk/s400/watchtowerwithroof.jpg)

More discussion and bigger pictures on my blog.

Comments and suggestions are always welcomed.
Title: Re: Watchtowers, stockade walls and bridges...
Post by: Dewbakuk on August 24, 2010, 02:21:35 PM
Very cool.
Title: Re: Watchtowers, stockade walls and bridges...
Post by: Brandlin on September 01, 2010, 03:26:48 PM
some more pics on my blog - including some like this one:

(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RRKBhA-2I4w/TH5fo7pHleI/AAAAAAAADFw/lEOC--t86pg/s1600/townscene05.jpg)

http://brandlin.blogspot.com/ (http://brandlin.blogspot.com/)
Title: Re: Watchtowers, stockade walls and bridges...
Post by: anevilgiraffe on September 01, 2010, 10:05:49 PM
I do have some ideas for this stuff, but I need another project like I need a hole in my head...  :-[
Title: Re: Watchtowers, stockade walls and bridges...
Post by: Brandlin on September 02, 2010, 12:58:28 AM
I do have some ideas for this stuff, but I need another project like I need a hole in my head...  :-[

oh, ok then I shall stop making any of these then. I'd hate to tempt you in any way.

:)

See, THAT'S customer service!
Title: Re: Watchtowers, stockade walls and bridges...
Post by: anevilgiraffe on September 02, 2010, 11:08:53 AM
 lol

I must admit though, a more symetrical gateway could push me over the edge...   ;)
Title: Re: Watchtowers, stockade walls and bridges...
Post by: Brandlin on September 02, 2010, 11:26:58 AM
lol

I must admit though, a more symetrical gateway could push me over the edge...   ;)

Well I am looking to relaunch the kits in October so i shall add your request to the verrrrrry long list of requests.
(not necessarily at the bottom though :) )
Title: Re: Watchtowers, stockade walls and bridges...
Post by: Brandlin on September 02, 2010, 01:49:33 PM
anevilgiraffe: will this do?

(http://lh3.ggpht.com/_RRKBhA-2I4w/TH-dGQMiFZI/AAAAAAAADGc/nN03jZdqg3E/townscene06.jpg)
Title: Re: Watchtowers, stockade walls and bridges...
Post by: YPU on September 02, 2010, 02:10:10 PM
Your saying buy 2 sets, then?
Title: Re: Watchtowers, stockade walls and bridges...
Post by: richard jackson on September 02, 2010, 03:36:40 PM
I would use them for my Tekumel figures-
Really excellent finished stuff
Well done again
Title: Re: Watchtowers, stockade walls and bridges...
Post by: Mister Rab on September 02, 2010, 03:59:08 PM
First time I've come across these - what a fabulous concept! Looking really good, too. Nice work, Brandlin.
Title: Re: Watchtowers, stockade walls and bridges...
Post by: anevilgiraffe on September 02, 2010, 08:35:47 PM
anevilgiraffe: will this do?

yep... but in no way guarantees my involvement whatsoever  lol
Title: Re: Watchtowers, stockade walls and bridges...
Post by: Brandlin on September 02, 2010, 08:48:56 PM
Your saying buy 2 sets, then?

No - I am teasing anevilgiraffe by reversing half the image to make the gateway look symmetrical. I probably will make a symmetrical gateway at some time though.

First time I've come across these - what a fabulous concept! Looking really good, too. Nice work, Brandlin.
Why thank you Sir - I hope to be backup and running in a few weeks.

I would use them for my Tekumel figures-
Really excellent finished stuff
Well done again

Thank you. I'm not familiar with tekumel. I know people are using them for their Quar and Twilight figures
Title: Re: Watchtowers, stockade walls and bridges...
Post by: Dewbakuk on September 02, 2010, 08:56:30 PM
I'd like a symetrical gate too  ;)
Title: Re: Watchtowers, stockade walls and bridges...
Post by: Brandlin on September 02, 2010, 10:03:04 PM
I'd like a symetrical gate too  ;)

Awww you guys have no imagination  :?

Title: Re: Watchtowers, stockade walls and bridges...
Post by: Ramshackle_Curtis on September 02, 2010, 10:08:01 PM
The wood work effect is very well done, very neat. Is that just freehand painted?
Title: Re: Watchtowers, stockade walls and bridges...
Post by: Dewbakuk on September 02, 2010, 10:16:20 PM
Awww you guys have no imagination  :?

It's a very nice off centre gate and fits the style well, but it just doesn't fit with what I play, sorry.
Title: Re: Watchtowers, stockade walls and bridges...
Post by: Brandlin on September 02, 2010, 10:28:12 PM
It's a very nice off centre gate and fits the style well, but it just doesn't fit with what I play, sorry.
Originally it was a bridge - its doubling as a gate too though.


The wood work effect is very well done, very neat. Is that just freehand painted?

Yes it is. Its a lot less difficult than i thought before i started

I have a painting guide here  (http://brandlin.blogspot.com/p/instructions.html)
and plenty more pictures of the finished kit prototypes here  (http://brandlin.blogspot.com/p/building-pictures-gallery.html)

Title: Re: Watchtowers, stockade walls and bridges...
Post by: YPU on September 03, 2010, 12:00:52 AM
Judging by those holes, its all modular, and I mean modular after assembly, right?

Oh and I do think they are nice models, the bridge does do that job quite nicely.
Title: Re: Watchtowers, stockade walls and bridges...
Post by: Brandlin on September 03, 2010, 11:51:27 AM
Judging by those holes, its all modular, and I mean modular after assembly, right?

Yes.

The holes have magnets glued in them, so that the walls and towers and bridges connect in any orientation - simply snap together strong enough to hold together on the tabletop, but not so strong you rip the model apart trying to separate them.

Likewise the roof cover on the watchtower is modular.

These models are also scaled to match the Pryn-Gul Tower (tall model with the turret) and Haft-Oob Stables (with the external staircase) models. So eventually the whole range will be able to be put together to make a cohesive multilevel platform system, or walled town or just a group of buildings.

That's the idea anyway.

Some bad financial news meant i wasn't able to continue so am on a bit of a hiatus, but i hope to be back in business in October.
Title: Re: Watchtowers, stockade walls and bridges...
Post by: YPU on September 03, 2010, 11:57:32 AM
Take your time, good miniatures age well.  :D

Or was that wine...