Bag End Build Off !

DurinsBane · **Posted:** Mon Oct 13, 2008 6:17 am

Quote:

I did make a mistake though on the parlour facade and thanks for showing me the full picture the other day - it's more of an octagonal section than flat like I have it.

This pic shows how quite severe the angle actually is, its deceptive on other images.

This one is deceptive too however, I think the main parlour window is almost on par with the angle of the front entrance, its the side parts that have severe angles.

Corsair · **Posted:** Mon Oct 13, 2008 3:16 pm

DurinsBane wrote:

This pic shows how quite severe the angle actually is, its deceptive on other images.

Makes a nice holiday home though! :lol:

wow, the progress on this is really good - keep it coming

Dorthonion · **Posted:** Mon Oct 13, 2008 6:16 pm

Great progress guys. You have moved on from tree-rage to window-rage.
Rage must be all the rage this year....

I am an impertinent git, aren't I? Somewhat jealous of your skills too. I am too busy being up to no good elsewhere in Middle-earth...

Natarn · **Posted:** Mon Oct 13, 2008 6:32 pm

If you worked together, you'd have an even better Bag End.

Alan's tree has a great natural shape, but the foliage isn't so good.

Brian's tree looks like it's had an electric shock but the foliage is excellent and compensates for this a bit.

Combine Alan's tree with Brian's foliage and we have one of the best trees ever made.

:wink:

lorderkenbrand · **Posted:** Mon Oct 13, 2008 8:11 pm

You guys have been working hard. It will be interesting to see how the foam pieces fit together, the front door looks very convincing, and where is the other door going?

As for the Balrog, I'm totally stunned as to how you've got that armature looking so good! I thought you might have to do more sculpting work to it but the sea foam looks incredible!

This is really hotting up!

DurinsBane · **Posted:** Mon Oct 13, 2008 8:33 pm

Quote:

Alan's tree has a great natural shape, but the foliage isn't so good.

I think you'll find Alans picture doesnt do it justice, I know, Ive been having the same photography issue. I'm having to take a pic late at night without the flash, then lighten it in photoshop, and it still doesnt look anywhere near as good as it does to the naked eye.

Quote:

As for the Balrog, I'm totally stunned as to how you've got that armature looking so good! I thought you might have to do more sculpting work to it but the sea foam looks incredible!

Thanx Jack. Its not the first time Ive played with these armatures. If you spend enough time on them hacking, slashing and twisted, the result is pretty damn good. I think from my images they look a little bulky, but thats not the case in real life, especially when the Sea Foam is added which naturally thins the branches out.

I should have the tree completed some point tonight.

DurinsBane · **Posted:** Mon Oct 13, 2008 9:40 pm

Just this minute finished the tree. Tom Bombadillo wanted some miniatures next to it for size comparison, so here it is...

I am really happy with how it came out, but dont look forward to the aspect of making more.
It still needs some touching up with Brown paint to cover some of the branches that are too light, but overall, its done !

lorderkenbrand · **Posted:** Mon Oct 13, 2008 10:38 pm

DurinsBane wrote:

I think you'll find Alans picture doesnt do it justice, I know, Ive been having the same photography issue. I'm having to take a pic late at night without the flash, then lighten it in photoshop, and it still doesnt look anywhere near as good as it does to the naked eye

I often have trouble remembering how to take pics with the right amount of lighting. To be honest I can't see anything wrong with the ones you two have posted above but seeing the object in the 'naked eye' is almost always better than photos. I sometimes use a spot light situated behind the camera to the side about 2-3 feet away from the object, however natural light is a better option.

Now, time for some criticism! :twisted:

....

And time for some compliments! Beautiful work, the leaves are perfect, the tree looks awesome!. The shape works nicely, I've tried making trees and they've come out looking odd, which is incredibly difficult considering almost anything could pass for a tree. Oh and I see 'nipples' at the bottom of the trunk

And is that the new Gandalf or a conversion?

Dagorlad · **Posted:** Mon Oct 13, 2008 11:13 pm

Brian and I are attempting things from slightly different perspectives - he is the ultimate dioramist and I am the ignorant gamer. And so his models are superbly crafted yet very fragile, whereas mine are intended to be as accurate as possible, yet be usable on a gaming table - often an unhappy compromise.

I like Brian's approach better to be honest. But unfortunately I can't get "sea-foam" here in Australia. It's made from a noxious weed that is an illegal import into this country, so I am a little stuck when it comes to that level of detail in the branches. But don't worry, I have a little trick up my sleeve to finish off with on the tree.

Natarn · **Posted:** Tue Oct 14, 2008 6:15 pm

That is a great looking tree, Brian.

Alan's still in the lead though!

king-kevino · **Joined:** Thu Jul 17, 2008 2:32 pm **Posts:** 12

that one is so cool
a real masterpiece !

but you allready know this

joris267 · **Joined:** Sun May 25, 2008 6:07 pm **Posts:** 112

amazing tree. only one thing and that can be just my lazy tired eyes but do the lower branches of your tree only have leafs on the ends?

TheBucklandBrewer · **Posted:** Tue Oct 14, 2008 8:12 pm

This threa dis getting so very interesting :-)

Those trees, from both look absolutely great!! :shock:

Well done you two

theOneRider · **Posted:** Tue Oct 14, 2008 8:13 pm

There's nothing wrong with that, though. I've seen trees without many leaves on lower branches all my life. It makes the tree look more real IMO.

DurinsBane · **Posted:** Tue Oct 14, 2008 9:44 pm

Thanx for the feedback guys, much appreciated !
There are leaves in the mid section of 'some' of the lower branches, but not all. With trees such as these (ie: Big Oaks), they tend to be trees folk climb on, hence the bottom branches would be most likely snapped off and entirely intact.

Been working today on the 'Roof Supports' for the front entrance. I have deleberately left them long for the time being, they will be cut down to size once I have everything I need for the entrance.

Olofér · **Posted:** Tue Oct 14, 2008 10:03 pm

Looking real good Brian...is that your own conversion of Gandalf? If so, which miniature is it made from?

DurinsBane · **Posted:** Wed Oct 15, 2008 12:25 am

Thanx Olofér, yes its a conversion I did quite awhile ago. Its basically the Fellowship version of Gandalf, his arms and staff were removed.
This Saruman was used...

the entire miniature was destroyed using only the hands gripping the staff.
The hands were glued onto Gandlalf, then the top and bottom of the staff added and finally sleeves sculpted.

EDIT: The bottom of the staff was NOT added, there is no base of the staff on the Fellowship version of Gandalf and the base of Sarumans staff was unusable. I used a piece of 'Cocktail Stick' to create the bottom of the staff simply by shaving it into a thinner form.

DurinsBane · **Posted:** Wed Oct 15, 2008 2:39 am

Seeing as my Beautiful and Loving partner FORGOT to post off my test samples for laser cutting :evil: , I have moved on to try and cut some myself.

I thought the Parlour window and the front entrance will be the most challenging, and seeing as I have sent off (or will do in the near future) my plans for the front entrance, I thought I would toy with the Parlour Window...

As with my last post, I dont want to attach anything until I have everything I need and am sure everything fits, therefore the outer circular frame still needs cutting down to the right shape, however there is a lot more to add to this window, so that will come later, but you get the idea

DurinsBane · **Posted:** Wed Oct 15, 2008 2:44 am

Quote:

so I am a little stuck when it comes to that level of detail in the branches. But don't worry, I have a little trick up my sleeve to finish off with on the tree.

If this involves copying my use of materials in terms of the Fine Leaf Foliage youv'e just asked me to order for you....I aint sending it :!:

Dagorlad · **Posted:** Wed Oct 15, 2008 4:19 am

When you charge me £23.47 for postage, I don't WANT you to send it!

Bag End Build Off !

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