Here's the Church and Here's the Steeple--and a modeling tip

[SpaceMouse]

I've been working on this church for forever. I bought it, based upon looking at the box.....

...and assumed it was a clapboard church that would fit perfectly in the West and be an easy model to build. Well, when I opened it, it turned out to have a stone or marble design. So determined to make it work, I set about painting it. It took a lot longer than I expected, more than 6 hours per each of the main sides and less for the smaller pieces. Working 16-20 hours a week on it, it took 3 weeks to paint.

Now for the tip. After getting it together, it looked naked without the stained glass. But when I put it in, it made the work I put so much time into, look like a cheap plastic model. My wife came up with a solution. She mixed a purple mix of acrylic paint into acrylic gloss medium. This had the effect of toning down the plasticy look and making it look more like real, slightly faded stained glass.

 

[jbaakko]

HOLY COW CHIP! That looks like it was a PAINSTAKING process!

 

[IronBeltKen]

That's a major work of art Chip, hat's off to ya! And to your wife [can't remember her name ] for discovering the purple gloss solution.

I noticed there is a 2.5-D relief image of the Blessed Mother and the Christ Child on the steeple - did that come with the kit?

 

[SpaceMouse]

I noticed there is a 2.5-D relief image of the Blessed Mother and the Christ Child on the steeple - did that come with the kit?

Yes, it came with the kit. I know what it must be like to paint N scale. My hats off to you guys that model with a microscope.

My favorite part of the building is the front door. That is actually painted with two colors on the brush at the same time. Didn't take that long to paint.

Edit: I just noticed you said the solution to the toy-like glass was matte medium. It is actually gloss medium.

 

[IronBeltKen]

OOps...OK, I corrected it!

 

[rhoward]

That's a major work of art Chip, hat's off to ya! And to your wife [can't remember her name ] for discovering the purple gloss solution.

Not only that, it is a major work of CHIP! Mouse, that is one great looking building! WOW! Nice, nice, nice!

 

[RexHea]

It's Beautiful, Chip. Excellent work.
You can certainly see the extra care and craftsmanship you put in it. I really like the weathered roof and coloring of the stone sides.

 

[NZRMac]

Crikey! that looks great Chip, now for a working bell!!

Ken.

 

[GrandpaCoyote]

Chip,

Fantastic work! That is an incredible job and kudos to Mrs. Mouse for the great save on the windows.

Peace.
Coyote

 

[Steve B]

I give you 10/10 for that Chip and 10/10 for patience

 

[grande man]

Very nice work. I love the stained glass.

 

[L&N Castle]

Chip,your church model looks absolutely magnificent. Fine work there boss. I only wish I had that much time and patience. I only have the patience,but not the time,at least not right now. Beautiful model. Well done sir. .William.