warren haywood
Western Thunderer
Looks like it's painted by Brack to me
On Heather's Workbench - going wide
- Thread starter Heather Kay
- Start date
adrian
Flying Squad
You see I read it differently I don't think Heather was claiming it was the same coach, I thought it was in response to Graham's comment, showing that Ian had done that style of lining as well.
oldravendale
Western Thunderer
That's really helpful, Warren. I am that man who has metallic smears all over otherwise perfect (to me) paint jobs.......
Brian
Heather Kay
Western Thunderer
This morning I tried out my idea for producing that fine brown line round the cream panels.
What I was trying was a Faber-Castell colour pencil (burnt umber). I formed as fine a point on the end as I could. The effect is sort of okay, but dependent on the underlying paint finish. You can see parts of the slim panel on the left where the pencil hasn't "taken".
So, a worthwhile experiment? Yes. Would I use it again? Probably, provided I can get a nice smooth flat or satin surface to draw on.
Plan B is to try the good old bow pen with some dark brown water colour paint.
What I was trying was a Faber-Castell colour pencil (burnt umber). I formed as fine a point on the end as I could. The effect is sort of okay, but dependent on the underlying paint finish. You can see parts of the slim panel on the left where the pencil hasn't "taken".
So, a worthwhile experiment? Yes. Would I use it again? Probably, provided I can get a nice smooth flat or satin surface to draw on.
Plan B is to try the good old bow pen with some dark brown water colour paint.
Heather Kay
Western Thunderer
Plan B does work, it I'm not happy with the consistency of the line. It comes out too thick, which I put down to limitations of the medium and the raggedy nature of my bow pen. I do intend to buy a new one, but that's by the way.
I decided to try one more thing before forgetting about the whole concept of lining the cream panels. In this shot, the S6 has the slightly blobby and over thick water colour lining, where the V8 has a 0.5mm graphite propelling pencil line.
I have to say, I'm thinking the pencil line is a good compromise. Yes, it's the wrong colour, but in the context of scale you can't really see the colour anyway. Surely, better to have something there than nothing, wouldn't you say?
I'm going to let things stew for a while. The passengers need finishing,
Graham asked if I would explain my figure painting, so I think I'll begin a fresh topic for it later.
I decided to try one more thing before forgetting about the whole concept of lining the cream panels. In this shot, the S6 has the slightly blobby and over thick water colour lining, where the V8 has a 0.5mm graphite propelling pencil line.
I have to say, I'm thinking the pencil line is a good compromise. Yes, it's the wrong colour, but in the context of scale you can't really see the colour anyway. Surely, better to have something there than nothing, wouldn't you say?
I'm going to let things stew for a while. The passengers need finishing,
Graham asked if I would explain my figure painting, so I think I'll begin a fresh topic for it later.
oldravendale
Western Thunderer
Hi Heather. I've no idea whether this will help 
but my 'er indoors has some/a lot of pencils by name Caran D'ache (or something similar) which are water soluble. They are available in a mind blowing range of colours. Neither do I think they are the only manufacturers. I s'pose the only down side is that you may have to buy a set.
But the upside is, if it works and you get the colours right you'll be able to line anything! I wonder if applying a damp tissue (perhaps when you are having a good cry about why my idea doesn't work - I would!) to the panel and following up with the sharpened point may "take" better than a conventional dry pencil? They'll need varnishing afterwards I expect.
Having said which the pencil lines look fine from a distance (master of compromise again) so p'raps don't bother!
Brian
but my 'er indoors has some/a lot of pencils by name Caran D'ache (or something similar) which are water soluble. They are available in a mind blowing range of colours. Neither do I think they are the only manufacturers. I s'pose the only down side is that you may have to buy a set. But the upside is, if it works and you get the colours right you'll be able to line anything! I wonder if applying a damp tissue (perhaps when you are having a good cry about why my idea doesn't work - I would!) to the panel and following up with the sharpened point may "take" better than a conventional dry pencil? They'll need varnishing afterwards I expect.Having said which the pencil lines look fine from a distance (master of compromise again) so p'raps don't bother!
Brian
warren haywood
Western Thunderer
I have a spare haff pen, if you want to borrow it I can send it to you,
Will want it back tho
Will want it back tho
Heather Kay
Western Thunderer
Thanks for the thought Warren! Now this job is nearing completion, I thank you for the offer but politely refuse.
I plan to purchase one in the new year. It would have been more sensible to have moved that purchase forward, but sensible is not one of my stronger points at times. As my Australian client has plans for more coaches, I really ought to invest before the next round begins.
I plan to purchase one in the new year. It would have been more sensible to have moved that purchase forward, but sensible is not one of my stronger points at times. As my Australian client has plans for more coaches, I really ought to invest before the next round begins.
Heather Kay
Western Thunderer
That would certainly work. With a bit of thought, I'm sure the minimum variations on panel could be worked out. Cut-and-shut would work, too.
Heather Kay
Western Thunderer
I'm happy for any daft ideas to be put out there. What may seem daft at the time often has some merit when it's had time for the old brain cell to mull it over!
In the end, I went with my "better some fine lines than none", and the end result - after a couple of rubbings out and redrawings - ought to pass muster. The innards of the V8 have been painted black, and if I am well enough tomorrow I shall apply a nice coat of gloss varnish on both bodies. While that dries, I will set to and get the bloomin' brake rigging sorted out on the S6 at long last.
Today I had two attempts at fitting wiper pickups on the outer wheelsets. The client has an idea he wants lighting in the passenger vehicles. We've agreed I shall fit the pickups - well, it is easier before the brake gear goes in, after all - and he will fit suitable lighting units when he finds something he likes.
And here we have the chassis, undergoing continuity tests with a dummy load (har-har! A little electronical jokule there).
(It must be the stuff they put in that cough mixture.)
Happily, no shorts noticeable. The weight is an abrasive block which is handy as a body ballast substitute and is compressing the suspension properly to ensure the wipers contact the tops of the wheels and not the floor.
I honestly don't know why I let myself in for these things!
In the end, I went with my "better some fine lines than none", and the end result - after a couple of rubbings out and redrawings - ought to pass muster. The innards of the V8 have been painted black, and if I am well enough tomorrow I shall apply a nice coat of gloss varnish on both bodies. While that dries, I will set to and get the bloomin' brake rigging sorted out on the S6 at long last.
Today I had two attempts at fitting wiper pickups on the outer wheelsets. The client has an idea he wants lighting in the passenger vehicles. We've agreed I shall fit the pickups - well, it is easier before the brake gear goes in, after all - and he will fit suitable lighting units when he finds something he likes.
And here we have the chassis, undergoing continuity tests with a dummy load (har-har! A little electronical jokule there).
(It must be the stuff they put in that cough mixture.)
Happily, no shorts noticeable. The weight is an abrasive block which is handy as a body ballast substitute and is compressing the suspension properly to ensure the wipers contact the tops of the wheels and not the floor.
I honestly don't know why I let myself in for these things!
Heather Kay
Western Thunderer
Yesterday I applied gloss varnish on the bodies. I used, for the first time, Precision's pre-thinned varnish. What a time-saver! No faffing about mixing more than I need. I just stuck the syringe in the tin, sucked out what I needed and injected it back into the airbrush cup! I wish they did the same for the paint, but then they already do. It's called an aerosol…
Anyway, I also primed the roofs. Just a light dusting of grey acrylic primer, which I thought would be enough to act as a base for some weathering later. Only…
The V8 roof wrinkled. Oh, poop.
I brought the roofs down and stuck them in the AADF overnight, hoping the wrinkles might dry out and shrink back. Sadly, they didn't. I think what had happened was, since this was the first roof I tried the "canvas" technique on, there was insufficient Spraymount applied to the tissue before sticking it down.
For a personal project, I would have left it. It doesn't look too far off a worn out roof, and could be distressed further. For a client build, though, it wasn't good enough. So, off it had to come. Along with the lamp tops and plug brackets.
I got the roof back to bare metal, cleaned it all up and degreased it. More tissue was acquired, trimmed to near the right size and stuck down with a lot more Spraymount this time. As before, two layers were applied. Fingers crossed.
Anyway, I set about painting the other roof. Officially the roofs were painted white lead, but obviously wouldn't have stayed that way for long in service. I used white and black enamel, randomly mixed and more or less dry-brushed across the width to give a patchy effect. I repeated the exercise on the newly recovered V8 roof, and both are now baking in the AADF.
Anyway, I also primed the roofs. Just a light dusting of grey acrylic primer, which I thought would be enough to act as a base for some weathering later. Only…
The V8 roof wrinkled. Oh, poop.
I brought the roofs down and stuck them in the AADF overnight, hoping the wrinkles might dry out and shrink back. Sadly, they didn't. I think what had happened was, since this was the first roof I tried the "canvas" technique on, there was insufficient Spraymount applied to the tissue before sticking it down.
For a personal project, I would have left it. It doesn't look too far off a worn out roof, and could be distressed further. For a client build, though, it wasn't good enough. So, off it had to come. Along with the lamp tops and plug brackets.
I got the roof back to bare metal, cleaned it all up and degreased it. More tissue was acquired, trimmed to near the right size and stuck down with a lot more Spraymount this time. As before, two layers were applied. Fingers crossed.
Anyway, I set about painting the other roof. Officially the roofs were painted white lead, but obviously wouldn't have stayed that way for long in service. I used white and black enamel, randomly mixed and more or less dry-brushed across the width to give a patchy effect. I repeated the exercise on the newly recovered V8 roof, and both are now baking in the AADF.
Heather Kay
Western Thunderer
Here are the patchy roofs. I have to refit the V8 castings, and repaint the S6 lamp tops. I shall also be painting brown up to the rainstrips.
Heather Kay
Western Thunderer
We've reached the stage of this parallel build where it's all little things coming together. The refurbished roofs have now got the patchy white, brown up to the rainstrips and the lamp details repainted in black. Once it's all hardened off, some subtle weathering to represent boots tramping about.
The window mouldings have been painted properly, I've primed the drop lights and they'll be dealt with in a day or two. The inside of the coach has a coat of "mahogany", which will be dry brushed a little to give some panel detail effects. Adjustments have been made to allow for the lighting wires up behind the end seat, and the floor has been marked up for seating positions.
Meanwhile…
Another box arrived from the Broad Gauge Society. This one is a low-roof 1st/2nd composite with a centre luggage section, diagram U21. Another narrow body on a wide frame. Add this build to the existing narrow gauge V13, and at least one more BG coach to come, I seem to have cornered the market in this line of work!
The good news is, with the client in the UK until the second week in January and nothing decent on the idiot box over the festive season, I ought to get the current pair completed on schedule!
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Heather Kay
Western Thunderer
Today I finally felt strong enough to begin the task of the outside clasp brake gear.
The fulcrum points, brake shoes and levers are fitted.
Then I ran out of steam. With a fair wind, tomorrow will see the various rods and linkages go in.
The fulcrum points, brake shoes and levers are fitted.
Then I ran out of steam. With a fair wind, tomorrow will see the various rods and linkages go in.
Heather Kay
Western Thunderer
I make no apology, incidentally, for my appalling soldering. It's been one of those models. Plans are afoot for a better soldering station in the new year.
Jon Fitness
Western Thunderer
Don't worry Heather...my way of thinking is a coat of paint covers a multitude of tins...
(sorry!)JF
Heather Kay
Western Thunderer
Yay! Brake gear knitting complete!
Can't be bothered with a photo right now. I've stopped for the day, and will enjoy a bit of much-needed "me time" for the next 24 hours or so.
Can't be bothered with a photo right now. I've stopped for the day, and will enjoy a bit of much-needed "me time" for the next 24 hours or so.
Heather Kay
Western Thunderer
After the Christmas break, during which I forced myself to be utterly bored idle and not to do any work at all, I sit here at the bench assessing the situation. I think a couple of days away from this build has cleared the head a bit.
We have no snow here in Chatham. Just the north wind blowing a hoolie right down the street at the front of the house where my workbench lives! Here are the two coaches with bodies perched on underframes. I think it's fair to say, we are getting there.
I thought it a good idea to prepare a check list of the remaining tasks. One or two large jobs, like painting the underframes and fitting the S6 interior, but it's mainly little jobs. Best to be methodical.
Incidentally, the new kit mentioned a couple of posts back is to be the wide body variant (U21?), so that'll be a little easier than the S6. It'll make a nice train of elderly carriages when the final kit arrives, with varying body widths and one clerestory (to come).
Right, coffee and on with the motley!
We have no snow here in Chatham. Just the north wind blowing a hoolie right down the street at the front of the house where my workbench lives! Here are the two coaches with bodies perched on underframes. I think it's fair to say, we are getting there.
I thought it a good idea to prepare a check list of the remaining tasks. One or two large jobs, like painting the underframes and fitting the S6 interior, but it's mainly little jobs. Best to be methodical.
Incidentally, the new kit mentioned a couple of posts back is to be the wide body variant (U21?), so that'll be a little easier than the S6. It'll make a nice train of elderly carriages when the final kit arrives, with varying body widths and one clerestory (to come).
Right, coffee and on with the motley!