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53rd Street outside MoMA

Started by nk, October 17, 2011, 11:37:54 AM

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nk

Moving right along at my usual snail's pace, I started getting the base together. I used plywood (to avoid any warping problems) and added a riser on the back so that the base is not flush with the display surface (a wall). It adds a lightness to the whole construction. I also have some hangers in place, which I will install after the whole base gets a good shellacking.



On the front I added ribs to give the correct shallow crown of this type of Manhattan street. I have also put in a series of nails that will give some extra supoort to the plaster that will become the sidewalk.





Then I measured out the size of the access panels and precut the long piece of wood before installing it, and used various scraps to fill up the other spaces using the access panels as a template to get a snug fit.





The next step is to stain the wood for the edging of the whole piece and install it. More soon.

You may ask yourself: "Well, how did I get here?"

http://public.fotki.com/nkhandekar/

Ken Hamilton

Another Masterpiece-in-Progress...... 
I love watching your street scenes come together, Narayan.
Can't wait for the next installment.
Ken Hamilton
www.wildharemodels.com
http://public.fotki.com/khamilton/models/

pwranta193

I love that it is going to be a vertical piece when finished (versus a horizontal flat as with most of our dioramas).  Do you post photos of the original space/subject as well, or do your pieces stand alone when when done?
Paul

"Did I mention this is a bad idea?"

nk

Thanks Pwranta. These are stand alone pieces. I don't have any reference material on display with the dio once it is done. Sometimes the reference photos are nice pictures in their own right, and I have thought of framing them, but never got beyond the thinking stage.
You may ask yourself: "Well, how did I get here?"

http://public.fotki.com/nkhandekar/

nk

#19
I've been very quiet on the modelling front as a lot has been going on in my real life that has taken me away from the bench. I've been making some slow progress on my current build. (I can only build one thing at a time)

I have the sidewalk laid in plaster and inscribed with expansion gaps. It took a couple of goes to get it right, which was frustrating, but I finally am happy woth the results. I have also laid the patchwork of asphalt that was there in the real street.



I have always been impressed by the steel curbs you find in Manhattan, and this was an opportunity to model it and also to try out some weathering techniques. I made some adjustments to a plastruct shape, then painted it a variety of rust colours from a spray can, then with the red kerb colour, and then the light grey of the red pigment after it fades in the sunlight, and then went at it with a wire brush when the paint was touch dry but not fully cured. I think it worked beautifully. Its not finished, I will do the final toning, rust etc when I am about to install it. (I did try the hairspray technique and it was a complete mess. I had to clean it off and start over. )



And I have started adding asphalt into the metal hatch covers. Its a very simple process of using Elmer's glue and 80 grit silicon carbide.





And added a pothole or two



Again, its not finished, and the final weathering etc are yet to be done, but its taking shape.

More soon.
You may ask yourself: "Well, how did I get here?"

http://public.fotki.com/nkhandekar/

finescalerr

Good to see you modeling again. It's been a while. -- Russ

Chuck Doan

"They're most important to me. Most important. All the little details." -Joseph Cotten, Shadow of a Doubt





http://public.fotki.com/ChuckDoan/model_projects/

Ray Dunakin

Visit my website to see pics of the rugged and rocky In-ko-pah Railroad!

Ray Dunakin's World

marc_reusser

Yes great to see you back at it, and sharing your progress. Nice work and texture on the asphalt.

M
I am an unreliable witness to my own existence.

In the corners of my mind there is a circus....

M-Works

Peter_T1958

Hey Narayan

Not only in watches you have good taste (IWC ;)) but also in the subjects you are working on - I admire your work and I love your street scene very much. In particular your asphalt looks similar papescent as in the original photo. Very convincing technique!

(BTW: Damn realistic muddy water in your Amsterdam canal dio!!!).

Cheers, Peter
"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication" -Leonardo Da Vinci-

https://industrial-heritage-in-scale.blogspot.ch/

nk

Thanks for the welcome back guys, and for the nice words Peter (talking of the Amsterdam diorama, its nice to look back and see I can finish something!). Its good to be back at the bench.

Here is a quick update. I am working on the weathering of the steel plate. Its half done and starting to head in the right direction. I have added the asphalt and made some dings in it using my favourite tool, a spatula from Tiranti
http://www.tiranti.co.uk/EdgeImpactShop/category.php?Category=8&Content=Modelling+Tools++ .
These are sculptors tools and worth their weight in gold.
The photo is a test fit into the base. I had some serious worries, but after seeing this I am now sure that everything will be okay

You may ask yourself: "Well, how did I get here?"

http://public.fotki.com/nkhandekar/

Chuck Doan

Looks really good! Interesting subect.
"They're most important to me. Most important. All the little details." -Joseph Cotten, Shadow of a Doubt





http://public.fotki.com/ChuckDoan/model_projects/

Peter_T1958

Quote from: nk on December 18, 2012, 07:22:54 AM
I am working on the weathering of the steel plate. Its half done and starting to head in the right direction.

The steel plate is stunning by now and the asphalt looks top class indeed!

Peter
"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication" -Leonardo Da Vinci-

https://industrial-heritage-in-scale.blogspot.ch/

finescalerr

Before you came along I never would have thought of an old asphalt street as a work of art. -- Russ

marc_reusser

The steel plate looks perfect...but the asphalt is stunning. I need to back and find where you describe how you do it....definitely something I want to copy (umm...err...learn  :) )
I am an unreliable witness to my own existence.

In the corners of my mind there is a circus....

M-Works