Recreating "The Hobbit" in 28mm scale
This is going to be a big job. Creating a class project for 28 grade 4/5 kids to model five different scenes from the book. I'm going to be using 28mm scale figures for the characters, so the terrain will work nicely for my own gaming table after its done. So far I've been concentrating my energy on the buildings of Hobbiton and Esgaroth. Its very early so far, and its all still looking pretty rough.
Photos below show the project fleshing out a bit. So far I have models made up for Hobbiton houses, and the Lake village of Esgaroth. Two versions of the Lonely Mountain and Gollums lair are in the process of coming together, and I've got a pretty sweet Evergreen tree template up and running. So far so good, but lots of work to go yet...
Hobbit Project Day 1
We got the supplies into the classroom and started the kids off with roughing in the models and building some of the accessory terrain . Plaster, paint, and twenty eight kids no older than 10.
It was a big mess, and of all things, the fire alarm went off in the middle of it. A cup of plaster got kicked over and all the paint dried on the brushes.
Nothing a little class cleanup couldn't fix though.
So we're ready for day 2 tomorrow. Adding ground cover, finishing painting and painting the 28mm miniatures to use as models for their little world.
It was a big mess, and of all things, the fire alarm went off in the middle of it. A cup of plaster got kicked over and all the paint dried on the brushes.
Nothing a little class cleanup couldn't fix though.
So we're ready for day 2 tomorrow. Adding ground cover, finishing painting and painting the 28mm miniatures to use as models for their little world.
Hobbit Project Day 2
I didn't think day 2 could be more hectic than day 1, but sure enough it was. I think all of the really messy stuff is dealt with now though, as the bases have been painted with brown latex paint and the first layer of texturing has been added.
The kids got both types of trees built up, and I sprayed the evergreens with brown latex and added the leaf and needle flocking to both.
Painting continues on the Dale buildings and the 28mm miniatures.
The kids got both types of trees built up, and I sprayed the evergreens with brown latex and added the leaf and needle flocking to both.
Painting continues on the Dale buildings and the 28mm miniatures.
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Hobbit Project Day 3
Things went a lot more smoothly today, as I'd hoped. No more slopping paint, sand and ground foam around makes for a lot less stress.
The kids are starting to visualize the finished model, and had a lot of fun making additions with plastercine, popcicle sticks and cloth.
The kids are starting to visualize the finished model, and had a lot of fun making additions with plastercine, popcicle sticks and cloth.
Hobbit Project Day 4
Things are coming together nicely now, with just some fine tuning of the models going on. While it might not win any awards, I'm very happy how well a group of kids with no prior experience has done.
Jungle Swamp
This is my first attempt at making jungle type terrain, and I`m using a couple new methods to get a textured, mucky, feel to the swamp area. These pics are prior to adding the water colouring and tree foliage, so I`m about halfway done now.
Urban Apartment Building 28mm Scale
This is the first stage of a building style I'm working on. The pics show it prior to fitting the window inserts, finishing work on the wall joints and final details on the flooring. As you can see, the plan is to have a couple of pull up floors, but I think I will be switching to a "pancake" type modular floor design, so you will be able to access the lower floors easier. Not quite sure yet...
Here are a couple shots of the new wall design, with the window inserts added. I think the inserts go a long way to sharpening up the look.
Below are the first trial run of one of the buildings, using a rough brick texture with decrotive window frames. I haven`t added the textured floor yet, and will be using a `tar and gravel`` texture for the roof level.
