Building the Ruined Fieldstone Tower

[rob]

I'm building this:

Actually, all the pieces are done.

I'm not too happy with the build. It's the first time I've built entire wall sections that needed to be fit together. Variations in block heights really impact this. Bruce's old FS blocks are fractionally taller that the new FS blocks (He didn't allow for the height increase caused by the glue holding the master in place.) Since I used a mix, this really messed me up.

Normally, I build a row at a time and fix odd blocks as I go.

Another HUGE mistake I made was using Aleen's (sp?) Tacky Glue. It's got a long set time and I'm used to the concrete like hold of Weld Bond. Pieces that would have been set in minutes normally (for me) shifted or fell apart. Really, really annoying.

Painting this beast without the sections would be a pain but I'm still thinking about it.

Now that the bits are done, I have to figure out basing. I don't want to do the raised foam base like in the instructions. I bought .25" MDF in a 2' x 2' sheet and had it quartered, so I have 4 12"x12" sections.

I have a thought that if I make a bunch of 12x12 terrain sections, I can make a modular city... still playing with the idea.

[Highland_Piper]

I can't wait to see the build!  I really need to get this mould and the other new Fieldstone range.

[rob]

I hate this build :angry:

I had to break out the Mouse (Small power sander) to get the joins to fit.

I've decided to mount all the walls to the base except for the outside corner of the tower.

Link to full pic

You can see the 12"x12" base that I'm going to use (actually about 11 7/8" per side because of the blade width when you cut it.)


Link to full pic

Better view of the corner section. You can also see a color test that I did on a Fieldstone Wall Builder section. This is one coat of a brown Gel shoe polish. Took about 2 seconds to apply. It's a tad too thick to work for the whole model. I'm going to try thinning it a bit with magic wash.

If I was going to do this over, I'd build it in layers (a row at a time). It would be far stronger and less fiddly.

Before I start painting, I'm going to have to figure out what to do with the base. Knowing me... it'll be overly complicated. I'm not a fan of the tree in Bruce's version. I like to have a story behind a building. It should BE something. I can't see building a building like this around a tree so I need to figure out what it would be built around.

[Highland_Piper]

No, but you could have a tree or two growing out from the base of the outside wall.  That happens more often then not.  

Trees often grow up on the sides of buildings, and if not removed the roots will rip apart the foundation and help weaken the structure.

[rob]

Oh I know.... I'm going to dirty it up and age it... I just have to figure out what it was used for and what it should be now.

[Highland_Piper]

I used to be an Abbey and now it is used by evil cultists?

[rob]

I was thinking of some bandit hideout or something... I'm leaning towards a boarded up well or other underground entry... an alter would be nice too.

Maybe I'll make it convertable :blink:

[rob]

More work done. I've attached the floors to the fixed portion of the tower.

link to full pic

I've also put random half cast blocks in the courtyard. There's a 3" square removable section in the middle.

link to full pic

Dirt is next.

[rob]

added the dirt, sprayed the whole thing brown... This is the first time I didn't use Black... we'll see how that goes.

Before I can put the tower together, I had to paint the inside. Not too worried about the quality as it's inside so won't be that visible.

You can see the outside tower corner in the background.

I've put it together but haven't got a pic yet.

I don't know if my 12" format is going to work until I make a couple of more sections to see if they fit well together.

[Highland_Piper]

Looking good.  I can't wait to see more pictures.

[IbsontheGrey]

In general, most rocks are more brown and gray than black anyway. Now, get it finished.

[rob]

Pushy buggers.

Here is the section glued into place and the missing "dirt" added and painted. It's lighter because it's fresh...
 
I'm debating adding growth as I did here in my terrain monster article:

or trying something new (for me) and sculpting growth.

[rob]

Here is a pic of the courtyard:

 

The open square in the middle is a 3" square that's going to be a modular "theme" section.

So far I've thought of:

• An Alter
• A bandit camp theme (fire, cooking, benches, etc.
• A well
• A chained up entrance to the underworld (I'm leaning towards this one first)

[Highland_Piper]

ADD GROWTH!

[rob]

I've started to add growth. This is just the beginning of it.