* I too am in the building contest... Update 23/10/2010

[Christian]

Well, I want to build a village for my pygmies.

I'm thinking giant bird nest made out of mud:


Also, here: http://be.photos.com/search/royaltyfree/92278486

But because they're pygmies, it's not going to be THAT big, right? So, fit on a CD? Check!

Clearly, there's no effort here to relate to history... anyway, let's see how this pans out!

[Christian]

Here's a sketch:


Looks more like an ant-hill at the moment, which is fine as Pygmies can't fly anyway.

Any thoughts? Comments?

[OSHIROmodels]

I like that, maybe a balcony or two wouldn't go amiss 

How are you going to go about the texture? Obviously not chew up bits of paper etc with saliva 

cheers

James

[SBRPearce]

Well, he could...

[Christian]

You mean... there are other ways?

Probably get some kind of structure underneath, then cover it with clay and carve that up!

Some balconies would be cool, then they can shoot blowpipes from there!

[Malamute]

Very nice idea.

[Christian]

First pictures...


And with a figure for scale:


Unfortunately I didn't have any Bolton to sacrifice... although I wonder if the pygmies wouldn't be impartial to having Bolton over for dinner.

[former user]

excellent and inspiring idea
if there are several level, You could add timber platforms
Possibly a big tree is supporting the structure?

[Christian]

I have been building a big tree but I thought it would be unfair to enter something I had already started a while ago I do like the idea though... balconies are a must!

[Christian]

I was finally able to put some more work into my pygmy village tonight, after spending many hours on a commission for a book cover. So, as soon as I sent my photos away I whipped out some clay and got stuck into it!

The first picture is of the back:


... because the front:


...looks like a dog's breakfast.

But it's taking shape! Just have to let this dry, and if it doesn't shrink too much overnight tomorrow should yield at least a main entrance. I can't even remember when the due date was...

[Malamute]

Looking great already

[Blackwolf]

Jolly nice.

[Bako]

Well, at least it doesn't look like the dog's afternoon walk, if you caught my snow drift . I like it. There's this termite mound "look" to it, though that might have something to do with the red clay.

[Argonor]

Nice idea with the hive/nest form.

Have you thought about using paper mache?

If you grind the stuff many electric appliances are packed with (in DK also egg trays are made of it, but I don't know if that's common to other countries), and soak/mix it with wall paper glue, you get a very 'plastic' material that can be draped onto the base form and naturally create the impression of mud layers that 'ran/flowed' a bit.

Just an idea, but your village would be less heavy 

Heck, as soon as my workshop is available to me (November 1st), I'll start messing about with such ideas myself

Consider your concept borrowed, I can probably get my kids to grind the pulp material for me, especially if I let them do something with the mache, too   

[The Dozing Dragon]

Looking great.