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Cleveland Street Workhouse

Cleveland Street Work House

At last I finished it. I never did get the measurements so I counted the bricks and multiplied by 3.5.  The old fashioned way when one only has a photograph to work from.The other problem was getting it out of the work room door it only just made it.

Fun with Foam Board

I recently purchased a very good book  Model making Materials and Methods  by David Neat. It is an absolute must for the model maker and deals with techniques, many of which I have never come across or tried. Much of it is for set and diorama design and construction so it is ideal for the scenic modeller. It  introduces foam board of different types and textures and explains the use of the same in construction. This incredible material which I found in 4D Models has so much potential. The picture /diorama below of a Cornish sea scape and Tin Mine is layered foam board, carved and sanded , and painted in Windsor and Newton tube acrylics. As a first off I found it most pleasing to work with and has much potential for broader usage. The picture is 10" x 8" on 6mm ply.

Cleveland Street Work House

Cleveland Street Workhouse Project.
The Cleveland Street Project is progressing nicely, but I desperately need an image of the main entrance, either as it was, (preferably) or as it is now. So if anyone would like to hang over the front wall with their digi camera, and email me some images. I will be forever grateful. Cleveland Street, Fitzrovia, Londinium! It was the old Middlesex Hospital. Ask Mr Bumble he knows all about it.

London Cockney Museum

It was a long day when I mentioned the Cleveland Street "Wharehouse" it should have been WORK HOUSE! which is where I should be if I make any more daft mistakes...

London Cockney Museum

Recently I was approached by The London Cockney Museum with regard to constructing a  scale model of a street in  the old East End of London. Also to build a scale model of the Cleveland Street work house which is linked with Charles Dickens and his novel Oliver Twist. The Work House has attracted much attention recently as it is the subject of a preservation initiative. I am pleased to say that I am able and happy  to be involved in this exciting project, which starts in their mobile exhibition in a large Bendy bus, presently being fitted out in Kent.
The top image is a  model of Red Lion Street Wapping, the bottom is the actual location in the early 1900s.

Theatrical Scenic Flats for 1/32 figure collectors

Many of my modelling friends are always finding problems with space, especially when working in 1/32nd or 54mm Toy Soldiers and collectable figures. My recent Islamic scene was large to say the least, and I was asked to come up with something to enhance this but not to take up more than around 3 inches in depth. I have allways been interested in the Theatre and all things scenic , so I mugged Amazon for three brilliant books on set design and model dioramas to illustrate forthcoming productions. These have opened up a whole new dimension in materials and techniques, and working to the dimensions and subject matter given to me I came up with these.

The Hill Fort and Mountain Diorama was inspired by Afghanistan and the Khyber Pass region. The castle walls were Ancient stone work and flaking plaster  while the town scape was a typical desert village.