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Post by mbailey on Dec 2, 2017 1:00:32 GMT
Hello everyone, just thought i'd post a few picks of one of my works. I love to work in both plaster (AKA Hirst Arts) and also XPS Foam. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. I have created a bunch of terrain pieces in both. lately I have been getting more into working strictly with the foam though. Here is a piece I did in which the forge is Hirst Arts and the base its on was all XPS. total dimensions are about 1 foot square. thanks for checking it out and comments and critiques are always welcome. Cheers!
 
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Post by mbailey on Dec 2, 2017 1:22:18 GMT
here are a couple WIP pics.   
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Post by grandmasterwang on Dec 2, 2017 1:29:15 GMT
The Forge is an impressive Tabletop piece
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Post by mbailey on Dec 2, 2017 2:47:25 GMT
thank you grandmasterwang.
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Post by Naitsabes on Dec 2, 2017 3:43:19 GMT
sweet piece. I do like the base especially and the stone work of the forge itself and the fire. really well done. If I had to find something to pick on I guess I would say the baseboard of the forge doesn't really blend in well with the rest of the base. While I've never worked in a forge I propose that you wouldn't want wooden floorboard around a forge to begin with so that may be another reason why the flooring looks out of place to me.
Keep the good stuff coming!
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Post by mottdon on Dec 2, 2017 4:51:04 GMT
Absolutely lovely work, mbaily!
I will mirror what Naitsabes said, the wooden flooring does seem a tad out of place and makes for a very definite break in the terrain. In architecture, we call this a ground/sky connection. At times, a hard line can be a very welcome outcome, as with many instances of modern architecture, but with a structure such as this one, there should be a more gradual transition. This is one reason so many houses have small shrubbery or other plantings near the base of their walls. In this case, I don't think the Blacksmith would be too worried about planting small pockets of flowers on either side of his front door, but rather, would be very eager to be able to start his craft. A dirt floor or one of stone would be much more likely here. You even started playing around with the rocks on the piece. It might be nice to see then forming the floor of the shop and out to the path before fading out to a dirt road.
Secondly, the fire and chimney look great, but there are a lack of other elements, such as a large vat of water for cooling the forged metals, or bellows for stoking the fire.
Minor details, I know, but critiques are meant to provide us with new avenues of thought. And as always, it's take it or leave it. What you've done is beautiful and I hope to see more in the future!
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Post by mbailey on Dec 2, 2017 13:38:13 GMT
Thank you guys for the comments and critiques. Love them. I totally agree with what was said. The forge is actually a project straight from the Hirst Arts site. It was my first one to get my feet wet in using plaster and their molds. (It actually has a removable roof but I never made it for some reason, lol maybe in the near future) I need to definitely get more involved with the fine details. Foliage is a must and a life saver I'm finding out. I make my own grass flock which I think works better than store bought as far as texture and realism. (Besides the static grass) Bushes would have added a lot too. Future project will definitely get more love in those aspects. Thank you again for commenting. I will try to post more later.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 5, 2017 20:11:45 GMT
I would be curious to know how you made your own grass flock. I like to go the homemade route when possible as the customization is endless!
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Post by mbailey on Dec 5, 2017 21:26:11 GMT
I would be curious to know how you made your own grass flock. I like to go the homemade route when possible as the customization is endless! Hello ryryak, I'm a teacher at a high school so I have access to tons of saw dust down in the shop dept. In a cold cuts container, I use a squirt of my favorite paint (Golden high flow acrylics) in whatever color I am needing, mix in a bit of water to create a dye. (Probably about half cup or so) and toss in the saw dust. I mix it for about 5 minutes or so untill it is all coated with the dye and then spread it out on a sheet of paper to dry over night. I personally like this flock way better than that powdered store bought stuff. In my opinion its much more realistic, plus I can create any color or shade of great I need. Hope this helps ya. I'm going to try to include pics for ya but not sure if it will work because I'm on my phone. Cheers bud.   |
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Post by mbailey on Dec 5, 2017 21:27:52 GMT
I would be curious to know how you made your own grass flock. I like to go the homemade route when possible as the customization is endless! Not sure if this pic went through.  |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 5, 2017 21:33:36 GMT
Thanks! Sawdust and paint...nice.
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Post by mottdon on Dec 5, 2017 22:12:56 GMT
Oooooh! I love the golden tub! That would work wonders as a wheat field that just had an army stomp through it! Great job!
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