my attempt to warm up PIKO US style brick buildings

[stevedenver]

the PIKO series is often so simple and sterile-so i tried to add some bits from stuff i had, to soften these plastic blocks.
The weathering , somehow , looks better in person than in the harsh , flash lighting here, (simply india ink and some white acrylic from a tube with some dilution to look like leaching)

i plan to overspray something a bit muddy too, as well as eventually adding something to the open window areas on the ground floor-trying to think of something other than a real interior and furnishings-will also add lighting in and out

since my layout gets a fair deal of water and sun, i try , if i can, not to paint too much, as i fear it will become another maintenance issue-the PIKO plastic looks like plastic, but im hoping with a few layers of overspray it will improve a bit -stuff i add is usually chosen to stand weather, like this canvas on plastic with plastic covered wire supports on the awning, as well as total loss from mishap and handling and general inattentivness on my part

i added the awning, made from a bit of odd POLA bit that fit and some old canvass from an about to be discarded car cover in the garage -
it hides the cavernous vacant front floor
added the POLA paper shades -as these things are just so bare out of the kit-although i was impressed with the quality of these and ..no cut- -them-out-yourself acetate windows!!! stryene panels like POLA !

added the entry floor with gumball, and the flower boxes in front of the windows, and all the stuff on the roofs but for the stacks-and i might change one out to leftover brick POLA

 

[stevedenver]

roof details help since thats often what we see when standing -plus the thing is so bloody plain and plastic looking

 

[stevedenver]

 

[stevedenver]

 

[stevedenver]

and another from the series-both have pola downspouts, bit of windows and shutters-that the little hatch you see above for the cellar, with a transom, and other stuff from the box of extra pieces i have-youll probably recognise some.
some posters were simply printed off the net and clear coated-dont know how theyll hold up over the summer

 

[stevedenver]

 

[stevedenver]

 

[stevedenver]

as you might tell, these were done hurriedly, had simply planned to get them built as they had been in the boxes for several months, and i had a bit of free time, then i tired to make a few adjustments quickly

they still dont have the dilapidated feel i like, but short of a repaint and some major surgery, i didnt see a way. I think an light overspray of mud and dark grey, together with dullcote might do the trick, and perhaps a change to the flower boxes-but these seem to really help the otherwise overly plain walls

i model narrow gauge, and see builidngs like this all over the west, and i am trying to make them look less urban and more small mountain/desert town-not sure im there yet

 

[stevedenver]

last one-thinking still about adding an electrical box and some conduit to the back
ideas are welcome as well a criticism and comments
i will add an LED to the lamp and perhaps some small porch lights simply over the doors in the brick

 

[mmts]

Marvellous
I can see in my head on that roof a tape out line of a body and some crime scene tape!

 

[stevedenver]

ill add a revolver down behind the folded canvass!

 

[lgbmad]

and while you are looking for the gun......can I have that ladies telephone number in the picture.......she may have a garden layout that needs checking out

 

[stevedenver]

well free to call me,
as thats me missus,
a few years back in st thomas

ill be sure to pass on the offer

 

[lgbmad]

You get that feeling when you know you wish you had'nt said anything (and just stuck to the subject in hand)....now is that time....SORRY.
Mega blush
Kev

 

[stevedenver]

doood, no worries
i too lust after things
some of which im not married to
it never hurts to at least enjoy the view

and its different than having one too many drinks and telling your host what a great rack his wife has, or worse still, the wife, ........ and indeed there is at least one such couple i know , and i refrain from excessive indulgence

plus it was fun knowing youd be nonplussed


now
any ideas on how to add a parapet and change those terrible roof to wall joints

 

[beavercreek]

Nice work Steve

As one of my projects I have set myself the task of detailing/weathering/making interesting a lot of my 'plastic' structures. I do like the way that you have come at it and will use it as inspiration (blatantly plagiarize) .
I have just began the total revamp of one of my homemade wooden large factory buildings to bring it up to scratch and your thread has reminded me to not only make it look respectable but to also make it look interesting!

 

[Madman]

You have a good eye for detail Steve.

 

[adeshers]

You have a good eye for detail Steve.

So does Kev

 

[Zerogee]

Nice work Steve

......I do like the way that you have come at it and will use it as inspiration (blatantly plagiarize).....

"To steal from one is plagiarism; to steal from many is research..."

Echoing comments so far, lovely job Steve!

Jon

 

[nico]

lovely job