Maxwell's Stone Barn - Sculpting the DAS thatch

A recent comment over on The Lead Adventure see here made me realise that I needed to better explain how I sculpt or model thatch from DAS modelling clay.

Image 1

Shows the model before any DAS has been added. The MDF kit has had the roof trimmed and sanded flush and I would recommend a layer of diluted PVA glue - just to make sure that the DAS sticks in place.

Image 2

The initial sculpting is quite rough and ready, this is done my applying medium sized (about the size of a large grape or small plum) DAS and then spreading it out with your finger or with a flat sided sculpting tool to the depth of about 6mm - 8mm and then adding some texture - in this case I use a scalpel blade over some stippling with a stiff brush.

NB. how I have not tried to sculpt the whole roof - the edges in one go. This can be competed or tidied up later.

Image 3

I have 'cooked' the DAS in an electric oven at low heat for about 15 minutes. Do not try to increase the temperature as it can cause cracking in the DAS, loss of texture in the blue foam and warping of the plastic card base. Guess how I know?

The edges of the thatch are then added by sculpting sausages of DAS over PVA along the edges and then texturing with the stiff brush and the scalpel.

Do not worry if the effect is not perfect as thatch was usually a little 'wonky'. You can always carve or sand the DAS once fully set to refine the shape.

Image 4 and 5

The Terracotta DAS upper section was added in one go. Terracotta was used because I had run out of the DAS white.

I like to add upturned ends, something that is seen on actual thatched roofs (and it looks so much better). The additional texturing/detail on the upper thatch was done with a stiff brush, a scalpel used in a scoring action and then other detail was prodded into the DAS with a trimmed cocktail stick.

Image 6

After sealing the fully dry DAS with a layer of dilute PVA glue the model was spray painted with black, grey and finally white spray paints in a zenithal highlight

Image - 7

The painted yellow gold thatch which was built up over a Snakebite Leather base, drybrushed with mid brown and then again with yellow. This can take some time as yellow is notoriously difficult to get right. Prior to taking this photo, the thatch was 'washed' with a mid tone wash.

This is my technique for sculpting thatch and I believe it to be the best for adding the bulk that is needed for a realistic thatched building.

I hope that this clears up any questions that you may have about sculpting thatch on wargame buildings.

Tony

Maxwell's Stone Barn - Improving a simple MDF kit - Miniature Wargames issue 486

Issue 486 (October 2023) of Miniature Wargames features this highly modified MDF kit re-built by me from blue foam and DAS Modelling clay. For more information you can see this link or pick up the magazine from WHSmiths.

The two images below show the model prior to painting and then the bare MDF kit which was bought from Warbases. For more information of the basic kit, see this link.

Tony

Broadway Museum, Cotswolds

Sue and I have been planning an away-day in Broadway, Costwolds for some time and earlier today we drove out to this jewel of the Cotswolds for a quiet walk along the main street and a browse of the shops.

I saw this book - Recreating the Past by Victor Ambrose and Mick Aston in the secondhand book lobby of The Broadway Museum. I thought it was a real bargain for just £1.00, but when paying for the book we were informed that because it was the tenth anniversary of the museum, entry and cookies were free of charge.

It's been many years since we visited this museum, I think the last time was when the children were young. It was a great museum to browse and we both enjoyed the exhibitions - particularly the Tudor room display and the GWR exhibition.

For more information, see this link.

This is not the only Victor Ambrose book that I own - last year Holly bought me a similar book also full of illustrations.

Tony

Flintloque - One figure at a time part eight

The Todaroni character is nearing completion, just a couple of tiny touches and he will be finished.

I have really enjoyed converting and painting this figure and look forward to painting more of my Flintloque lead mountain.

I also look forward to seeing the other competition entries.

Tony

Shrewsbury Steam Rally - part two

One of the highlights of the Shrewsury Steam Rally was the Sentinel Historical Society tent which had a display of models, books and photographs on display.

I was particularly impressed by the wide range of literature and spotted this SKODA - SENTINEL pamphlet. Given my on-line name I thought Dampflastwagon was great fun to find.....

Earlier in the day a series of three new photo albums had been donated and here are some of the images from the first album. I believe that these are the first time these images have been seen on-line.

The second and third album showed images of the WW2 period and were mainly stills of the different production lines and factories.

Another Dampfwagen SKODA - SENTINEL 

And finally this beautiful model of the LMS 7192 Sentinel. The owner was very pleased to pass on information and show work-in-progress shots of this huge battery operated model.

Tony

Shrewsbury Steam Rally

Last weekend, Sue and I visited the Shrewsbury Steam Rally and here are just some of the photos I took. It was a great day out with loads to both see and do. I would recommend it.

I'm sure I will be adding more images soon.

Tony