Rohan buildings 2

The 'proper' Rohan building is coming together though there are some small fitting problems. The roof is not easy. I glued the end (wood) frames to both ends of the roof, waited for it to dry, then tried to fit in the thatch top. It was difficult to seat at all well and there were small gaps, now filled with liquid Greenstuff. Putting both wooden ends onto the roof at the same time as adding the top thatch would have been extra tricky. I've gone with the double horse head at each end, this time.

GW suggest leaving the roof detachable for gaming purposes.

Bit daft really as none of the doors open.

I suppose the Uruks would batter them down.

Next up is the porch. Then I can start spraying and painting.

Rohan buildings 1

In parallel with the work on the Hobbit Hole I've starting on some Rohan models.

 Remember, I'm no longer in my 'hobby room' but must squeeze in a bit of work

late in the day, in the kitchen.

These are a couple of Renedra 'Timber Outbuildings'.

They are similar enough in style to the Rohan buildings from GW,

the first of which, I've just started.

I wanted to spray the thatched roofs separately from the timber walls so glued the two halves, not firming them down onto the walls. The angle they meet at is not accurate, so that now there is a small gap between the wall top and the thatch. If you want them to fit as snug as possible, you'll need to glue them to the walls at the same time as gluing the apex join.

I think they'll work OK with the GW kits apart from the look of the thatch.

We shall see when the paint's on.

 

Hobbit Hole 8

Now with various flock applied, partly by little helpers.

Having spent this amount of time and money, I'm thinking of buying an static grass applicator.

Usual story. Lots out there, none with a storm of enthusiastic reviews.

Just some good and some terrible for each of them with prices between £20.00 and £160.00 !

Hobbit Hole 7

Just some rough fencing for the front garden.

I knew those coffee stirrers would come in handy.

About the right thickness and split easily.

I started by gluing them and them painting them.

Soon realised that doing it that way is a fiddle.

A quick check shows that there are these rough fences in Hobbiton

as well as neater ones with rounded tops.

Bilbo has wattle fencing. Cheapskate!

The large pole, next to the frontage, was intended to be one end of a washing line.

I soon realised that the other end would either drape the washing across the flower bed

or run it too close to the chimney. Result - smoked underpants.

So I used the sawn off timber to support the back of the timber store.

 

Hobbit Hole 6

The rear window seated in (I was talked out of putting in a backdoor!)

and the whole turned from a Christmas cake to a chocolate sponge.

 

Hobbit Holes 5

It's shaping up nicely though it would be better and quicker if I did things in the correct order.

I've painted the gaps in the path with a FOW paint, perhaps Beige Brown.

The Garden is Brown Earth with ruts for the veg and rough ground for the flowers.

Not sure how to model mini cabbages/carrots/beetroot.

I've set the frontage in place with more filler/glue, reset the window

and bedded in the chimney. Shame about the lean.

The doorstep is now permanent, if lethal.

There is another window to place yet but I have another little experiment in mind.

Hobbit Holes 4

I'm finding inventive ways of cocking things up. Using old filler is one - it sets too quick. Then there's the advisability of checking from all angles. The tall chimney leans a little and the window on the right does a lot - so out it will come. I'll reset it later but perhaps leave the chimney as it is and hope that it doesn't come through the roof in the next high wind.

The patch of green painted poly, on the right, is a check on what undercoat looks best.

Above - an experimental path which may well put the first hobbit to use it in need of athelas.

I've put pieces of slate under the frontage with a view to giving it steps to the front door.

I've also topped the frontage with timber tiles which are painted in the same way as those at the windowsill and on the dormers.

Hobbit Holes 3

 

Just practising with the new poly wire cutter (and not doing very well)

Of course, I started with a poly block which was far too small, didn't I.

Hobbit holes 2

                                                          They're coming along.

I've used GW Rhinox Hide (Weymouth purchase) for the timbers on the second one and undercoated the chimneys with it. The second door is Shadow Grey and the stone front dilute Shadow washed with Devlan Mud. I might be changing that.

I've also painted the 'glass' in the first one with Shadow as a tester. Glass is either dark or reflective or bright with internal light. The 'real' windows in Hobbiton are dark with light curtains.

Warp Fire Thrower Team

 

I'd forgotten about this nearly completed Skaven Warp Fire Thrower Team.

However, it seems that, while my back was turned,

GW have changed the design and we now have oval bases.

Hobbit Hole 1

The invaders are here and it's allotment time so very little is getting done.

I did some more machinery for the Skaven but can't get at it because of the visitors.

I've also made a start on one of the two Hobbit Holes. The side I've started was sprayed with Cobra dark brown (Rhinox equivalent) The bricks are in Death Claw brown though I think Skrag was recommended. The wood was then painted with Model Colour Burnt Umber (and dry brushed with Karak Stone then washed with Seraphim Sepia though not yet done in this shot). The tiles - Mournfang, then Wazdaka, finally Squig Orange, using less paint each time. The bricks surrounding the door I washed brown as the mortar wasn't showing. 

I'll experiment with the black painted chimneys but think the brown spray works well.

I've gone mad and purchased some Rhinox and Scrag and a Warpainter flower set from a little shop

in Weymouth. Also from him, some Greenstuff for Osgiliath Vets when I get around to them.

Madder still - I've sent for two Rohan Houses from Wayland Games (% cheaper) and two small

out buildings and a medieval cottage from Renadra. Don't know if they'll work but worth a try.