Two methods for wood buildings, which looks best?

[Smokeyrone]

Builds for my "Shadow over Sebastian" TSATF game.

Kinda worn out, typical 19th century plank houses.  Not done detailing and roofing yet.

The first is scribed foamboard.  Just drawn in wood planks with pen.  Advantage is I can kick one out, painted, in a half hour.

Second is foamboard frame with straps of balsa and card as planks.  Takes 1 and 1/2 hours.

Which looks better?  Thanks.  And any other suggestions appreciated.

[fred]

I prefer the green one - which i think is the scribed one - adding a couple of pieces of card to represent main beams works well.

the red/brown single story which I think is the added planks looks a bit over scale.

[Pattus Magnus]

I agree - definitely would choose the green one (unless you’re specifically trying to match a more cartoony style).

[carlos marighela]

The first one looks better and given it takes a fraction of the time it's a no brainer.

[Kikuchiyo]

The first is scribed foamboard.  Just drawn in wood planks with pen.  Advantage is I can kick one out, painted, in a half hour.

Definatly this one - when you say drawn in i assume you put pressuer in to make the plank effect 3D rather than just inked? The plans look real

[jon_1066]

Also agree first one.  Second one planks are oversize and look more messy.  If you are going for a "crudely built by an orc" type of vibe then go with the second then.

[Mick_in_Switzerland]

I also agree that the foam looks best.

I have some texture rolling pins that simulate brickwork. Mine are from Green Stuff World but there are other makers.

I am sure they are also available to do planking.

[FramFramson]

Nice use of Lego windows... don't think I didn't notice! 

[Smokeyrone]

Nice use of Lego windows... don't think I didn't notice! 

Lol

[Codsticker]

I quite like the scribed one myself.

[Daeothar]

I'll be the odd one out then and advocate the frame with added 'planks'.

Even though in the given example, things look kind of crooked (possibly intentionally), the end result is still better than the scribed one. I feel the wood is more realistic this way, since they're actually individual planks.

The scribed one feels off to me because the planks are all rounded because of the pen, which makes them look less like planks and more like very long bricks. Put differently; the edges are out of scale.

Horses for courses, obviously, but yeah; I like the more labour intensive one best...

Oh and consider the Lego windows and doors idea thoroughly nicked; that's a great idea! 

[CookAndrewB]

I like the scribed version, but I think that it is because the popsicle stick looks out of scale to me. I have found wooden coffee stirrers to be a better source of materials for wood structures, and maybe even cheaper than popsicle sticks?

Here are some examples (20mm) of buildings using the stirrers. Hopefully, that gives you an idea of how that might translate to 28-32mm construction.

[Cacique Caribe]

Smokey, the green one also, unless you can get thinner sticks like Cook did.

Dan

[Smokeyrone]

Smokey, the green one also, unless you can get thinner sticks like Cook did.

Dan

Thanks Dan, and great to hear from you.  Lol, probably my oldest gaming friend I've never met