I have started the structure for Swee’Pea’s. The walls I’m using are from FOS Scale Models. Some have been cut to length, others have been added to for height. All lumber not specified is from Northeastern.
Also, I got some new 3D parts printed, including a cornice and storefronts. These all look wonky right now, but they’ll shore up once the bracing is in.
My build is bigger than George’s ‘prototype’, but this is intentional. I’ve added more windows and there will be a small street-level walk up for the rooming house upstairs. As with the previous building, it’s a tribute to — not a copy of.
Here’s the original, note it’s odd triangular shape:
Here’s mine, alongside the Scale Supply Store for scale:
After I was happy with the size and shape, I went on to staining and weathering the walls:
For the staining I used a combination of black alcohol mix, along with a light wash of “Anthonian Camoshade” from Citadel. Other light colors were added to random, single clapboards for variation.
Finally, pastel chalks were used to finish the weathering and make the model appear dusty and well-worn in it’s environment.
For the signs, I took my time to find and match the original fonts. It’s one aspect of the build I was keen to replicate faithfully, as opposed to putting my spin on things. Seeing as George would’ve made these structures some years ago, I knew to limit my search to classic/OG fonts. For the main “Swee’Peas” sign, for example, it was simply the classic Arial Rounded. Easy, Swee’Peasy.
All my signs are made in “Pages” – which is Apple’s answer to Microsoft Word. Pages is incredibly intuitive and extremely powerful in its simplicity. Basic 2D shapes are laid down first, with borders added where necessary. Text is then laid on top, sized, positioned and colored. For me, this is a very quick process and an entire sheet of custom-made signs takes me under an hour.
On the building’s rear is an old ad for “Wonderful Rat Destroyer”. A few Google searches later and I had a close match that I printed pre-faded and weathered with chalk. I sourced the Dr Pepper ad (found on the Swee’Peas banner) from Google too.
Moving onto the roof, I carefully cut cereal packaging for a base and 220 grit sandpaper, glueing it on top so it replicates old gravel roofing. The rough sandpaper is a great match for scale gravel.
I then made a roof trim and cap to thicken the appearance of the roof. This was made from plain strip wood from a variety pack purchased in Hobby Lobby. Using fine steel wool to remove the wood fibers often found on this cheap lumber is recommended.
I also made a roof access shed from the same cereal packaging and 1/8″ strip wood. This will later be cladded with boards and tar paper roofing.
But that’s for the next post.
by on November 14, 2020
