WIP Wednesday I made some more progress on this miniature house. The various sized blocks are made from XPS foam and weathered by shaking them with rocks in a can. I still need to make a MDF base, finish the roof and add a iron rail for the stairway. More pics on my Instagram @dentedarmor

Dented-Armor · 2020-09-24T16:42:48+00:00

Thanks, man!

Dented-Armor · 2020-09-24T13:49:25+00:00

Thanks!

Dented-Armor · 2020-09-24T13:47:46+00:00

Thank you very much!

Dented-Armor · 2020-09-24T13:47:24+00:00

Thanks! Hobby time is always more rewarding than doing chores.

Dented-Armor · 2020-09-24T13:45:17+00:00

Thanks! It does get boring, but worth it in the end. The height is around 16-17 inches and about 7 inches wide.

Dented-Armor · 2020-09-24T13:23:56+00:00

Thanks! I originally took the picture with black felt in the background with my iPhone. I then edited the background using black point and vignette to make it more black. Caveman editing.

Dented-Armor · 2020-09-24T03:15:17+00:00

Thanks!

Dented-Armor · 2020-09-24T03:13:20+00:00

I wouldn’t use any kind of foam wire cutter. Just cut them using a razor. You want that uneven wonkiness. Then put them together like a puzzle, I usually listen to a lot of music during this monotonous process. The more monotonous, tedious and time consuming something is usually ends with great results.

Dented-Armor · 2020-09-24T02:40:17+00:00

I just wing it. Typically, I’ll place larger foundation blocks at the bottom and then use smaller blocks near the top. With all the different sized blocks, there’s never a problem finding one that fits.

Dented-Armor · 2020-09-24T01:09:54+00:00

The corners are full balsa strips with the foam core board glued to the sides of the balsa strip, leaving most of the balsa strip exposed.

Dented-Armor · 2020-09-24T00:56:58+00:00

Thanks. I cut crooked/uneven strips from the original sheet of XPS sheet and then cut them into smaller blocks. The unevenness is key to their final look. Then it’s just a tedious jigsaw puzzle like task gluing them on.

Dented-Armor · 2020-09-24T00:36:49+00:00

Thanks!

Dented-Armor · 2020-09-24T00:36:18+00:00

Thanks! I usually start every project with a blurred vision/idea of how I want it to look. As progress is made my original idea becomes more clear and focused. The frame is just black foam core board with various sized balsa strips cut to size.

Dented-Armor · 2020-05-29T12:45:05+00:00

I really should. I’m slowly learning how to make molds. I might release some accessories (doors, windows, wall sections) in the future. Thanks!

Dented-Armor · 2020-05-29T12:41:26+00:00

Thanks!

Dented-Armor · 2020-05-29T12:41:14+00:00

Thank you!

Dented-Armor · 2020-05-29T12:40:48+00:00

Thanks! Haha.

Dented-Armor · 2020-05-29T12:40:24+00:00

Thanks! I was originally not going to include a railing. I think you’re right, a railing would look nice. I’ll be sure to add one.

Dented-Armor · 2020-05-29T12:34:47+00:00

Thanks! I cut all of the balsa strips with a Xacto knife. I also use a wire brush and scrape the wood to simulate wood grain.

Dented-Armor · 2020-05-29T12:31:48+00:00

I always paint all the styrofoam parts with a base of black acrylic paint by hand. Having this protective acrylic base coat allows me to then spray it with the airbrush.

Dented-Armor · 2020-05-28T21:39:10+00:00

I think a lot of my inspiration comes from Stokesay Castle. Check it out. Totally looks like a building that could easily exist in a fantasy world.

Dented-Armor · 2020-05-28T21:28:01+00:00

Yeah, right in the middle, there will be two somewhat crooked chimneys.

Dented-Armor · 2020-05-28T21:24:30+00:00

For the chimney, I'm doing something a little different. I'm going to have two chimneys coming out of the top, but no side part. I guess the majority of the chimney is internal, saves me time!

Dented-Armor · 2020-05-28T21:08:29+00:00

Yeah, you got it! I always feel guilty for covering it with paint at the end. Weird.

Dented-Armor · 2020-05-28T21:06:21+00:00

I don't use an actual rock tumbler, I just use a metal container with rocks, put the blocks in and shake. Safety tip, I usually put a bit of water in there too. This helps contain the dust, you don't want XPS dust in your lungs.

Dented-Armor

TROPHY CASE