Luib Bridge

I'm also a mutt sitter. can't do that much more until the casts are ready. The first batch are about there. Then I'll get the next lot on the go. That should be just about it. Maybe one or two odd bits but not much. As far as exhibitions go, a long way to get it to that standard but reasonable leaps being made.

Cheers

Toto

 

First lot of casts popped from their mounds and the second lot poured into the moulds. Just about out of plaster of Paris now but two bags ordered online for delivery tomorrow. Had to pay a big extra but at least I'll have it.

Onwards.

 

Naaaaaaaah nobody is that gullible...... are they ......

I've ordered another 2.5kg bags from Amazon with free delivery tomorrow. £ 16.98. A bit dearer but the delivery is worth it given I will be tied to base camp for the most of tomorrow.

A small price to pay to keep progress moving.

Cheers

Toto

 

A couple of visits from workmen over and one delivery of Plaster of Berlin later. Could be a visit to the shed later.

Toto

 

Well,

got started again. Back on the rock moulds and plastering.

trying to keep the rock phishers going the same way.

Loads of gaps to fill in. Also some fairly large pieces of rock to place in yet.

But, it is getting there.

I also need to look at the top surface of the rock where it follows the contour down the rock edge. Dont know if I may leave some of this to vegitation or go along the ridge in places with some finer chards of rock mould. To be decided.

cheers for now

toto

 

Got some more done. Most of the bigger gaps have been filled which leaves some neat plaster and tissue to be worked into what remains. So, tomorrow starts off with plaster mix in small amounts as it goes off so quickly and working it into the gaps to get the rock face completed ready for its base course.
There will be a little 1 inch slither left to do down the side of the tunnel opening at ground level but that will be a little later as I want to form the tunnel mouths etc before tying that in.

So, we are getting there. The next thing will be a little vegetation here and there and then onto ballasting and ground cover. We're gathering a bit of a pace again now ...... About time as well .....

Cheers

Toto

 

Should have the rock sections out of the way by tomorrow. That's the plan anyway.

Toto

 

I always have taken orders Paul ........ usually from SWMBO ....

 

Well,

More progress tonight on Luib Bridge. Some more smaller castings in place, some filling and tidying up of the plasterwork done. Still not quite finished but definitely getting there. Still a bit more of the same before I can get the base coat of paint applied. Possibly tomorrow.

One or two pictures to follow later. I'm out for a beer right now. Took some pictures but got the chance of a lift into the pub so abandoned the camera for now.

Cheers

Toto

 

Good am,

Another day at the funny farm. Awaiting a couple of deliveries today. Some more DAS Clay and some scenic stuff from Hattons. They could arrive any time so I need to be within earshot of the front door. ( not bad for someone that's hard of hearing ). Anyway, looking forward to getting back into the shed at some point today and finishing of the last of the plaster of Moscow tasks.

Gagging to have a go at the painting again. Base coat, black washes and then dry brushing highlights, yes, I remember Paul ........ vertical strokes downwards only. His nibs is back at work today so no daily Skype. Norman nae mates today.

It's funny how you look at a task and think ...... that'll take a day then I can move on to something else, and it ends up taking three days. Well, I will be a realist and say that I should get onto starting the DAS tunnel mouths by the weekend. If I get started any earlier ....... it's a bonus.
The idea is that I will cut a piece of thin plywood the length of the tunnel mouth front section, cut in the openings then role a thin coat of DAS Clay across the ply. I'll then cut out the tunnel mouths in situ and start sculpting the stonework into the DAS. I am going to then lay another thin layer of DAS around the sides of the tunnel mouths to show corner stones and key stones etc. I should be able to paint and weather the structure " off site " prior to fixing the whole thing in place permanently on the layout.

I'll also need to paint and ballast my way out of the tunnels prior to fixing the tunnel mouths in place. Easy as that. I also have the single track road above the tunnel mouths to consider. I think it will be a rough drovers track, rather than a asphalt road. Some nice ruts and a bit of vegetation to add a bit interest rather than a featureless tarmac road. Maybe even some sheep poop.

Anyway, that's enough for now. I'll report back in later with any updates.

Cheers for now

Toto

 

Photo's from last night ......

another .....

one more .....

Still a bit more work needed to fill in and shape a couple of areas but I am on to it now.

cheers

toto

 

Ok,

first coat of base paint on. A secret mix of light grey with some black added. We started with this .........

then got cracking .........

and kept going .......

until we got this ........

and this ........

and finally ...... this .......

Next up once it dries out is a black wash all over to start picking out the detail in the shadows.

Ill see how long it takes to dry. I may get the black wash on tonight with a bit of luck.

cheers

toto

 

I keep spotting tiny white bits .... Its been touched up since the last pictures. Just means a longer drying time prior to being able to apply the black wash ......

 

Black washes have been added. Not very good light for photo's but here it is anyway .....

another .....

and the last one for now ........

and that will be it for tonight. I will do the highlights tomorrow once the washes have dried out.

cheers

toto

 

One little step backwards. I knew that I still had the rock face around the edge of the single tunnel mouth to model as I install the tunnel mouth frontage. However, I think it will be a bit easier to take the rock fave another step closer before I start the tunnel mouths. It meant opening up the rock face a bit in order to try and keep the interface tying in with the main rock structure as realistically as I can do.

This will be easier now rather than later so I've made a start. I'll post up a photo or two of the damage done in order to facilitate this tomorrow. It's no big deal as it's all easily recoverable. It should give a better job in the end.

More tomorrow.

Cheers

Toto

 

Whilst I'm in repair mode I'm going to lighten the main Base coat as the transition is a bit harsh. No big deal. I'd rather try and get it a bit closer now as opposed to blending it in. As you have said yourself, if you don't like the finish, it's easy enough to redo it.

It's getting there.

Toto