stone house DIY

This week's little project is a two in one: build a piece of scenary and recycle some stuff while doing it, in the way I suggested in the previous post.

 The main material - sometimes we buy meat packed it this material. It's light and easy to cut (along the longer side).

 I made a simple shapes house, one door and two small windows. It's not to be open, just to lay on the top of the table. 

I made all the stone patern. Such a small amount of surface and I still got bored.... Imagine a castle wall!

 In the junctions of the walls you can see what happens when you have to cut across. 

I painted the space between the stones black, then grey, then another black wash and some highlights on some stones.

 The roof is made of K-Line but I guess I could have done it with the same material as the walls. Again, black, then red, orange next and black wash to finish. And some brown here and there...

See the space between the two sides?!  

 The solution was miliput...

 Size? 16x10 cm - It's meant to be used with 1:72 stuff.

 The final result. Simple, light, easily breakable...

from all the modelers from all the places...

A friend involved with a community center asked me if I would help with Summer activities for teenagers, suggesting it would be nice to show these kids what I do as modeler. However, the budget is low and it was sugested that an emphasis on recycling would be appreciated.
I warned that I would be at the bottom of any list of "modeling tutors", but as I am the only one available, and I am such a nice guy, I said yes.

Also, the schedule isn't quite the best, as I'll have 4 hours with each group, but on the same day (morning or afternoon). I can't even think on something that needs a rest time before a second fase, like glueing and painting!

Anyway, I am thinking about having an introdution on modeling, wargaming and toy-building with a "do-it-yourself" aproach and using different materials.

I already have ideias - a plan, actually! - but sugestions/tips would be welcome.  

My plan:

1 - show some works / getting them interested (hopefully)

2 - show some of the tools (and advices on how to use)

3 - (finally getting the hands on the stuff) there's no money for a kit for each one, but a box of plastic figures should provide one or two figures each! And I have a few Hong Kong "versions" of WWII figs!
Anyway, that would give them an idea of what it is supposed to do before starting to paint a figure.
I guess I will leave one figure with sprue bits and have another already ready to paint.

4 - After doing whatever we can with the figures, time for scenics. Terrain, trees, constructions, ....

5 - Paper stuff! Junior Soldier site provides everything I need for this.

6 - If there is time yet, I am thinking on a naval wargame with DIY small ships. Living at the countryside helps as it will be easy to get materials for this.

More Guards for Hougoumont

Well, these are the last two companies of Guards that were at Hougoumont farm just before the inicial shots.  These aren't the usual poses of firing or marching, but I think they fit well for that close combat that the Guards had to fight when the French made through. The uniform of that officer seems to represent an ADC... Close enough to Lieutenant-Colonel James Macdonnell? Hope so! This group may be "requested" to close the gate!

FIGZ today...

...and the morning has already gone!!