I use Aleene's original Tacky Glue and PVA/school glue.

A trick for adding cast rock to backdrops and ground work is to dab some joint compound to the back then press it in. Use a wet brush to clean up the squeeze out. Some people add PVA to the compound. I don't.



The pink is Dap DryDex Spackling it will dry white.



The texture is Sheetrock all purpose Joint Compound, Walmart's brand.
This is the second coat applied with my finger. It can be textured further by adding a thin coat to a sponge or wash pad and *dabbing it on.You can use it to soften the texture of the brick as well. I think Hirst Arts sanded stone might be the texture you want.


*To apply with short poking strokes: dabbed some paint on the worn spots. 2. To cover lightly with or as if with a moist substance. 3. To strike or hit lightly. I realized it was a doper expression as well no telling what it might mean over there.

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"the same as a duck you must be made of wood"

Lol, dabbing is the same in England.

Is the joint compound used in tiling as I am not sure what it is?

Do you stick the times to the wooden board?

Thanks

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Harfoots-The first of the Hobbit people to cross over the Misty Mountains and enter Eriador.

grout is used for tile. Dry wall/sheetrock a link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3ME-c96874 Joint compound/mud is special purpose but should be available at any hardware store. The small pre mixed is best. A pro sheetrock/drywall finisher mixes his own.



For wood spread a generous portion of the mud on the back of the casting.




Press the casting to the back drop and push it toward the joint. The excess should squeeze out.



Clean up the excess with a wide wet brush



A mine section for Moria

If you use the castings over plaster bandage, wet the casting and use more mud because of the more irregular contact points.

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"the same as a duck you must be made of wood"

I used the Woodland Scenic pigments to seal the cast.They can be painted or just flocked'
The major tip when using this method, You can not get glue on the unsealed surface. The glue will act like a seal and you won't get an even coverage.

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"the same as a duck you must be made of wood"

Very impressive Charlie, it looks vey easy.

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Great thanks, I will call into b&q (Home Depot) and try to get some

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Harfoots-The first of the Hobbit people to cross over the Misty Mountains and enter Eriador.

I have to fill a few cracks/voids with Dry Dex. I have not built the round column that holds up the arch yet. There is also a decorative part on the top left corner that needs to be attached.
Celevue's model includes the next flight of stairs. I plan to add that to the next section. I want the main model to fit on a shelf in the game room. The next set of stairs will need to be separate.



I have often wondered where is the rest of this? I need to find one. So if any one has one for trade please let me know.

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"the same as a duck you must be made of wood"

The stair is really beginning to look majestic now.

Harfoot, I *think* that over here "joint compound" is called drywall compound.

Great tutorial there. I swear Woodland Scenics should be paying you royalties OMW- every time I read your thread I find another product they make that I simply must have! .

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Wow, the stairs are coming along great..! It looks really majestic, very fitting for an old Gondorian structure.
I really can't wait to see it finished!

Majestic is indeed the right word; the tall walls look very regal.

@OMW, the half-buried head is probably close to the size of the Argonath heads - perhaps PJ (or whoever came up with the concept) thought it was a prototype, and was not used on the great pillars. Hope you find one for sale somewhere...

The picture of the statue head, is that what you are after.?

Thormarillion used to do it, not sure if they still do

Let me know if you want one

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Harfoots-The first of the Hobbit people to cross over the Misty Mountains and enter Eriador.

I've checked Thormarillion and I can't seem to find it, I will keep an eye out for you.

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Some of the stuff Thomarillion sold was Ziterdes but again, I cannot find it on there either.

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Thanks for the nice comments and the help with the head.
The cold weather has been bothering my old back injury. It is difficult to sit or stand. So I will have to spend a day or two in by recliner with my foot up. I have some new books to read but it is going to be hard to stay away from e bay

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"the same as a duck you must be made of wood"

the stairs look fantastic.

When contemplating the ancient worlds of a fantasy book, I often wonder if the imagined masons of the author spent as much time getting the details right as the fans they inspired. You see these awesome works and hints in books of great cities of old, and the timeline to build such a great cities and sculptures is staggering, and then they allow it to fall into ruin for an age so that an author can have a history to base his present story on... mind blowing.

Snow is still hitting us up here, we got a foot yesterday and another storm is coming for Sunday. At least GA should start to creep towards warm again soon.

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Get back on you feet soon mate.

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I too hope you get to feeling well soon! And it's looking amazing! I'm very excited to see the finished product! Although I know that's a ways off

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Hope you back on your feet soon, watch out for ebay, don't get carried away!

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Harfoots-The first of the Hobbit people to cross over the Misty Mountains and enter Eriador.

Thanks guys. I was able to make it to the kitchen for lunch. I am feeling much better.
I have been looking at some of the Art books. I have some new ideas.

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"the same as a duck you must be made of wood"

Man, I love your work. If only I had the same amount of time, money and talent as you!

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