This just in from The Mearns...

Scubaidh Dubh

Western Thunderer
I'm conscious of the fact that most of my output on the forum so far is weathered RTR locos and stock so, wanting to show that my skills extend beyond this field I though I would share some other stuff here.
As a starter, I produce this NBR standard signal box.
This is from a Pop-Up Designs kit. Although these kits are fairly basic, they form the basis for a very nice model for those who, like me wish to take them further. The structure goes together easily enough although given that the sides essentially interlock at the joints, a bit of effort spent disguising the joins rewards the builder.
Once the model was at a suitable stage, I gave it a good coat of white primer and the next day started the Painting process with an overall coat of a suitable shade for mortar. I use Vallejo acrylics for this work but whatever your personal preference, it will probably do also. The next stage was to drybrush the basic brick red colour.
After that it was just random picking out of individual bricks ; I just nine shades in total including mortar and base brick. The darkest, well fired shade is a mixture of blue and black.
I personally enjoy this part of the process very much as it is virtually a meditative process by means of the repetition and concentration required.
The last stage is to rub a pale, mortar toned powder over the whole assembly. Again, what you use will be a personal choice. I used Ammo brand 'Ballast dust' from the 'Rail Center' range (available from Squires).
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Scubaidh Dubh

Western Thunderer
That box is still a looker, John.
What I like about these kits is that they take away the need to fabricate a roof. Something I've never really got my head around!

Davy
 

John Duffy

Western Thunderer
That box is still a looker, John.
What I like about these kits is that they take away the need to fabricate a roof. Something I've never really got my head around!

Davy
I dont know why, but I really struggle to do buildings. I see a structure and think it would be great to model and then, well, don't.

The thing for me with the like of these kits is that they might take away some of the drudgery and let me get on with something I enjoy more. Mostly wagon related!

John
 

Scubaidh Dubh

Western Thunderer
That's precisely it, John. I like the idea of doing buildings but I haven't truly got the confidence to tackle them as yet so I find these are a good lead-in skills builder.
I already have a Great North platform shelter on the go. I think I ordered the kit the week I came up here in 2021 scouting around for a place before seeing this gaff!
That's it there behind the 1948 Guy Arab!

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paulc

Western Thunderer
I'm conscious of the fact that most of my output on the forum so far is weathered RTR locos and stock so, wanting to show that my skills extend beyond this field I though I would share some other stuff here.
As a starter, I produce this NBR standard signal box.
This is from a Pop-Up Designs kit. Although these kits are fairly basic, they form the basis for a very nice model for those who, like me wish to take them further. The structure goes together easily enough although given that the sides essentially interlock at the joints, a bit of effort spent disguising the joins rewards the builder.
Once the model was at a suitable stage, I gave it a good coat of white primer and the next day started the Painting process with an overall coat of a suitable shade for mortar. I use Vallejo acrylics for this work but whatever your personal preference, it will probably do also. The next stage was to drybrush the basic brick red colour.
After that it was just random picking out of individual bricks ; I just nine shades in total including mortar and base brick. The darkest, well fired shade is a mixture of blue and black.
I personally enjoy this part of the process very much as it is virtually a meditative process by means of the repetition and concentration required.
The last stage is to rub a pale, mortar toned powder over the whole assembly. Again, what you use will be a personal choice. I used Ammo brand 'Ballast dust' from the 'Rail Center' range (available from Squires).
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Nice work especially the painting of the brickwork .
 

Scubaidh Dubh

Western Thunderer
Once I was happy with the brickwork I made a start on tiling the roof with York roof tiles then tried making some flashing from takeaway container foil. Almost got the hang of it now. Still toning it down but quite pleased so far.

Davy.

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Ian@StEnochs

Western Thunderer
You have made a nice job there. There are a couple of Popup buildings I am interested in but am a bit unsure as to how to conceal the quite prominent finger joints. Can I ask you a bit more about how you did your brickwork please? Is it just paint?
 

Scubaidh Dubh

Western Thunderer
I tried to hide the finger joints with a bit of sanding filling and scribing. You can still make them out a little if you look very closely but it's mostly down to knowing they are there that you notice. Most people who don't know will likely miss that. As far as Paint is concerned, being wood I prime it first. I used white rattlecan. The first actual paint to apply is a cement colour for the mortar. Once that's dry (happens very quickly with acrylics on wood), dry brush a basic brick red colour over the raised courses.
After that, it's a case of picking out random bricks in shades of brown and yellow with the last one being a sort of blue black representing those well fired bricks you often see. After you've done all that, you can use a cement grey type colour powder over all the brickwork. This ties everything in and tones and pales out the individual bricks shades whilst emphasising the mortar.
I'm putting gutters on the roof now. When that's done it'll be time for windows, interior and the porch/stairs.
 
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