Kasteel Nijenrode/Breukelen 1:100[ FERTIG]

A good discussion and good humour gentlemen.

Before we leave the concept of photocopying parts for templates, let me show you one shot where a copy of a part can enable you to have a good reference to the original when cutting. I want to achieve here an oversized opening for the arch on a piece of reinforcing card. The card will slip down into the assembly with good clearance. I'm actually getting more milage out of the one photocopied piece of paper. I've used it already to create the templates for the bottom of the entrance.

With a thought to learning by sharing,
John

Picking up on that last thought.

Here is one of the neatest tricks I learned from you, Ricardo.

For others reading this, Ricardo pointed out that triangular tabs are normally printed in triangular fashion, because when an arc is closed, the tabs in the concave region need room to come together without binding. But with a convex, or outward curve, the tabs spread open like the opening fingers of the hand.

There are many advantages to simply cutting slits instead of shaping the tabs for a convex curve:
The tabs are stronger, it is easier to cut them, and their rectangular regions provide more gluing surfaces.

Here's an example.
Thanks Ricardo.

Thanks Gianluca.

The entrance to the courtyard is a lovely structure. It has all the classic elements of Greek architecture. In these pictures we see the plinth blocks and the columns in place on the inner courtyard side of the entrance. Curving the columns into a semi-circular shape really added a lot to their appearance. When I first saw the parts on the sheet, I thought that the tabs would simply be folded back behind the columns and glued flat to give the columns some visual relief. Curving them was a nice design feature. Little templates hold the curves in place.

Hello Papercaptain,

Boy, am I glad I set the roof of the entrance on the courtyard for the photos above!

Thank you so much for pointing out an impending mistake. I would have blindly walked into this one and glued on the pediment thinking that the tympanum would be applied to the surface.

Now I see the little 'x' s on the tympanum. You have given me the opportunity to cut out the triangles and fold in the tabs so that they can be ready to receive the tympanum - on the workbench.

I've also learned a new word in Dutch.

Being recessed, the tympani (?) will heighten the very nice level of detailing on this structure. The lintels over the arch that sit on the columns are next. They look interesting...

Thanks again Papercaptain,
John

I must admit I am not very good with tiny tabs, especially when the card is thick. I find they oversize the job and often prevent crisp edges and tight joints. For the lintels, I simply cut them off and built forms to shape the parts.

P.S. Anyone like to have a go at some Latin?

You express my thoughts exactly Ricardo. I couldn't agree with you more.

When I first opened the package containing this model, I was so disappointed that I simply wrapped it up and put it away. It lay idle for almost a year. Those large, red' factory' walls just turned me off.

I think what brought me back to it was the challenge of modifying it to fit a specific spot. The scale was just right and the angles provided interest. The tower, the stairs and now the Grecian courtyard entrance are nicely detailed.

Good observation Ricardo.

I've been taking some time out to build the Christmas Train mentioned in 'Free Downloads' of the Vehicle section. Thanks hemingway.

John

It looks as though this model may be finished today. There is a storm watch posted for all of Southern Ontario. With the snow falling, hunkering down with this model will be a nice way to finish up.

The recessed tympanum in the pediment is a nice detail. It will cast interesting shadows and give nice depth perception from a distance.

I investigated flagpoles on the Internet and found that the flagpole in the painting is indeed a naval flagpole. One site offered metal ones for sale from 16 to 30 feet in height. I am assuming that the flagpole in our courtyard to be between 25 and 30 feet high. In metric scale units, 8 cm would be approximately 26.2 feet.

I'll go with that.

I thought I would be clever and attempt to taper the flagpole a bit at the lathe. It wasn't really necessary.

The flagpole guy wires are hopelessly out of scale - deliberately. This model will be viewed permanently from a distance of about 4.5 meters. At that distance, they may be noticed. I did not want any suggestion of a cruciform.

The china cabinet has an electrical cord coming up through the top of the cabinet. To raise the model so that it will sit flat and to allow the cord to turn and run across the top of the cabinet, it is being raised a centimeter with wooden trim. This MDF edge is rather raw and unattractive.

It is being covered with printed card that has been cut out of an unused keep wall.

Well, the storm kind of fizzled out. The wind might cause some problems tonight.

Friday, we had a much heavier snowfall. Here are shots taken throughout that day.

Today is the first day of Winter!!

Hi Wolfgang,

Yes, the end is in sight.

Merry Christmas to you and yours Wolfgang. It has been a pleasure to read your positive and supportive comments.

Merry Christmas!
John

Merry Christmas Papercaptain.

You have me rethinking my decision to maintain the 'architectural integrity' of the model. A guest sitting in my living room will not recognize any difference between the altered keep and the original. So, going for the best visual impact can take precedence.

I guess I can use some architectural license. Thank you for your persistence in offering constructive suggestions to enhance the castle. I think I can go you one better than adding the pepper pot.

At the rear of the tower in the corner furthest from the viewer, there is a long, deep tower with a larger octagonal turret roof. With a new view to make use of the remaining parts, I have had a closer look at it. It is not a stair tower than runs down to the ground. It appears to be attached to the corner walls like an oriel. Could it not be put on the suggested corner? Hmmm.....

Here are the remaining leftover parts. I'm afraid I don't have them all. Some parts will have to be built from scratch with this change in direction. I'm lucky I kept these.

P.S. Can't get my head around faux grass and plastic trees on card models, but perhaps...
John

Here is the castle to date:

Yes, Ricardo, those pictures were taken over a four hour period.

We are no strangers to snow here in Southern Ontario. However, I can recall quite a few 'green' Christmas seasons as well.

Here is a shot of my house last winter. You can just see the top of the coach light peeping through the snowbank.

Merry Christmas to you and your family Ricardo.

Good morning Hagen.

A bit of rain may be headed our way as well. You are right about climate change.

Merry Christmas Hagen. Thank you for your kind comment about the castle.

Greetings,
John

You were right Papercaptain. The tower really anchors that corner now.

Nijenrode Castle is complete. It was an enjoyable build. The challenge was to alter the courtyard so that it would fit a given polygonal shape using only the original printed parts of the model. Good fun.

We have been rather critical of the flat appearance of the walls of this model. There was not attempt to give the walls depth by recessing windows or doors.

To be fair to the artist, perhaps one must consider when the model was published. Two dimensional painting was very popular at one time. Skillful artists rendered beautiful facades without the aid of computers. Light and shadow was created with the brush. Indeed, some of the most valuable, hand painted card models are in museums today - uncut.

Nowadays, every window on a model can be cased, recessed and even mullioned. Photo enhanced computer renderings have greatly enhanced realism.

The history of the development of architectural card modelling is rich and ever changing. This is a good thing.

Merry Christmas everybody.
John