cyfi’s “the end is nigh” terrain challenge

I am covered in flock as always but I’m happy with the results thus far.

work in smaller areas, especially when the wether is hot like it is today, the size of this peace means it’s not such a concern but I divided it into 4 (top and bottom,left and right of path)

I used watered down pva and brushed it on to the ground section. I then use two different colours of woodland scenic ground foam flock. This will allow me to include some veneration in the colour, as well as gradually moving more towards the yellow as I approach the eventual position of the gate to make it seem as the grass is dying off under its influence.

next I will add some static grass

Added in some spots of static grass

this is one of those things that is not essential and frankly a pain, but really adds a dimension to a peace. I have used 6 mm fibres, in spring grass (green) and wild meadow (more yellow)

the applicator and grass fibres are from peco scene, it’s a battle to get the applicator working at times and the lid is likely to drop off when working ( might just be mine ) but the fact it’s battery powered means that it much easier to move around the project, and get in to some of the smaller spots.

there are a lot of fantastic tutorials on YouTube (I recommended Luke Towan) if you wan to know more about static grassing. But the one thing I will point out hear is the tights over the vacuum trick. Once you have you fibres down this will both collect you unused fibres and help bring the stuck fibres upward

Took some time to refine the concept for the gate, going to use super sculpey to make the gate. It is an oven back polymer clay (same as fimo)

Now begins the most challenging part out the build, the gate.

As I mentioned I am useing a polymer clay, the one I have is flesh colour which might give @warzan a giggle when he sees two fleshy columns erected  ?

I started by cutting two bamboo skewers to length against my image, you will notice that they’re left longer at the bottom. This will be pushed into the cemetery hill to anchor it down. Then the skewers are given a wrap of tinfoil, this will add bulk to the columns and mean that less clay is used and the thinner clay will back all the way through without the risk of burning the outside

useing some simple sculpting tools I added details then backed. Once cooled I test fitted then in ther final position.

i am going to use sanding and a blade to refine shape and add smaller details such as cracks and damage that in hindsight I maybe should have included in the first place before backing.

Now for the most challenging part of the gate section of the project. The gate keeper

I started by making a ruff anatomy and backing it, this will act like a armature on which I sculpt the cowl. Then I started sculpting using a set some silicon tipped tools that I got at a discount art supplies shop. Beond the odd conversion I haven’t done much sculpting like this before.

I am supper happy with what I was able to produce

More polymer clay sculpting today,

When creating something that has a fixed dimension such as the masonry blocks I figured it would be handy to use a simple jig to keep consistency. The two white stripes in the image are both 10mm thick and allowed me to role the clay out to a specific thickness before transferring my pattern to it.

the pieces wher given details with the same tools from befor and backed before assembling to form the arch of the gate.