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General Category => Modellers At Work => Topic started by: Carlo on December 04, 2015, 01:13:17 PM

Title: La Strada (the street)
Post by: Carlo on December 04, 2015, 01:13:17 PM
Hello, all -
Recently, I started a 1" scale diorama of a typical Italian street scene, "La Strada". The first building is made of brick and stucco, 2 stories tall, with a second floor balcony. Below you can see the beginning of the second floor, with a plaster-cast brick veneer, and a balcony railing made for me by Antonio Malacario. I sculpted the figure, Nonna, who will eventually be painted and have real hair. More pictures when I have made progress.
Regards, Carlo Spirito
Title: Re: La Strada (the street)
Post by: Ray Dunakin on December 04, 2015, 05:21:47 PM
Nice start!
Title: Re: La Strada (the street)
Post by: mad gerald on December 05, 2015, 01:22:17 AM
... looks very promising indeed, Carlo ... I especially like the figure you sculpted ...

Any idea how to get rid of the tiny "bubbles" caused by air intrapment while pouring the plaster into the mould?

BTW: I always get in trouble with this kind of scale indication - 1" scale (one inch to the foot?) is corresponding with 1/16 scale ... or even 1/12 scale?

Cheers
Title: Re: La Strada (the street)
Post by: Carlo on December 05, 2015, 05:55:10 AM
Gerald - Thanks. Yes, it's 1 inch = 1 foot, or 1/12 scale, or 1:12 scale. They're all the same.
Spraying with "mold release", or a very thin soap solution helps with bubbles, but doesn't totally eliminate them.
I just fill them, or use them to make "damaged/worn" bricks.
Carlo
Title: Re: La Strada (the street)
Post by: Lawton Maner on December 05, 2015, 06:01:51 AM
After using the soapy mold release, vacuum treat the plaster and vibrate the filled mold.  I find using a sabre saw without a blade in it for about 15 seconds more then enough to shake the bubbles loose.  Also can be used when casting in resins.
Title: Re: La Strada (the street)
Post by: Chuck Doan on December 05, 2015, 06:05:21 PM
Nice start Carlo!
Title: Re: La Strada (the street)
Post by: Carlo on January 18, 2016, 09:19:39 AM
Here's an update on my WIP diorama, now called "La Strada", an Italian street scene, in 1" scale (1/12).

The major buildings have now been painted, and propped in place (green stick). I tried for a variety of materials and Mediterranean colors. Note the Gnome peaking out of the hole in the far corner. Now for a base, and lots of details and figures.

Carlo
Title: Re: La Strada (the street)
Post by: finescalerr on January 18, 2016, 12:02:15 PM
The brickwork looks very good. The gnome needs a shave. -- Russ