10mm LotR II - The Two Towers - Rohan Horse Archers 03/08

[Commander Roj]

Are we looking at the back of the piece of fabric in the second picture? Very effective piece of work. I am thinking about some lost world/ Island At The Top Of the World Pulp action

NB:  It's best to do one side of the roof fully and let to dry before doing the second side - this avoids sticky fingers and messed up thatch

Started with a solid card former


Cut the fur fabric slightly oversize and make sure its cut square to the warp and weft - this is important in order to allow the separation of the layers





Glue the fabric to the card former using a non-waterbased adhesive (I used UHU) - if you use water based it will come unstuck in the next few stages.  The 'join' at the top is the edge of the fabric which gives a reasonable impression of the hazel 'liggers' used to secure the thatch


Liberally coat the fabric in a thinned (50:50) mix of water and PVA glue and then working along the warp thread, separate the fur into ridges


Using a pair of sharp scissors, trim the tops of the fur ridges by a couple of mm.  The more you trim off the more pronounced the layer effect on the final roof


Picture of one side of the roof with all the ridges/layers trimmed


Finished roof - just needs to dry before being painted. To speed up the painting process next time I'm going to add a dark brown paint to the pva/water mix so the roof is shaded during the build.  As it is now I will need to ink or undercoat which can cause the PVA to loosen a bit.

[Dr DeAth]

Are we looking at the back of the piece of fabric in the second picture? Very effective piece of work. I am thinking about some lost world/ Island At The Top Of the World Pulp action

Yes, it's the back of the fur fabric.  The trick is to cut it at right angles to the grain so you can separate the fur in lines along the length of the roof.

[grant]

Great thatch technique - I fought with teddy bear fur once, and lost rather badly ... 

[Dr DeAth]

First 6" x 6" terrain piece finished, Rohan Hall and Barn:









farm base is next . . .

[AndrewBeasley]

 

[Malamute]

That my friend is a triumph

[OSHIROmodels]

Nah, it's shit 

 

It does need something to bring out the scale, like a coin or a 28mm figure, just to show how good it is 

cheers

James

[Silent Invader]

Exquisite Mark!

 

[Suber]

Outstanding result! I am amazed 

[thebinmann]

Yes, that's magic

[Mason]

Bleedin' gorgeous, mate!
 

I must say that is a lovely blonde thatch too.
 

[Argonor]

I must say that is a lovely blonde thatch too.
 

I bet you say that to all the girls! 

[Major_Gilbear]

Really good thatch tutorial, thanks! 

To speed up the painting process next time I'm going to add a dark brown paint to the pva/water mix so the roof is shaded during the build.  As it is now I will need to ink or undercoat which can cause the PVA to loosen a bit.

You can get PVA which, when dry, doesn't soften again when wet (well, unless the water is very hot). I think I got mine from B&Q - it's a few quid more for a litre, but I found it to be worthwhile.

Colouring the PVA mix for a pre-shade also works well!

[Cherno]

Excellent work, museum quality I'd say. The roof technique is genius.

[Argonor]

Really good thatch tutorial, thanks! 

You can get PVA which, when dry, doesn't soften again when wet (well, unless the water is very hot). I think I got mine from B&Q - it's a few quid more for a litre, but I found it to be worthwhile.

Colouring the PVA mix for a pre-shade also works well!

Here in Denmark it's known as outdoor PVA. A bit more expensive, but well worth it!