The Docks:

“Designing and sculpting the docks:”

Since the boat and sub projects are well under way it was time to start adding docks. From the first moment on it was clear that I wanted to make a modular system so I can alter the docks any time I use them.

This project started with some drawings on possible pavement structures. I tried bricks in certain formations, flagstones but finally I ended up wit a cobblestone like pattern.

After drawing some dock forms I started of with a set of basic forms from which the docks could be made. A simple mold of a basic block, cast in plaster would get me going.

For both the stone dock piece and the wooden walkway I used a basic form cast in plaster . The first form that I practised on was the wooden walkway part. The front and sides where cut in a bit and a wooden plank structure with grains was added on top.

The stone dock piece itself was quite labour intensive. I started to cut all the outlines of the blocks which are the larger stones forming the edges of the block. Lowering the surface on top a bit and then added the hundreds of tiny cobblestone lines.
To break the patter a bit I added the 2 sewer entrances which also kept me from getting totally de-motivated when it came to cutting all these tiny stones.
The sides of the block where getting a more brick like structure. The horizontal lines where cut in a way that the to of the stones got a softer line and also more depth. Every now and then I deliberate miss formed some stones to make it all look a bit more worn.





“Painting the docks:”

The way I painted these docks is just an example of how you could paint these elements. The use of colors is limitless so this is just a brief explenation on how I did this just in case you might wander what colors I used.

I wanted the docks to have a colourful and also more or less realistic look. With the use of “Valejo Paints” I painted the elements going through the next steps;



Step 1:
The first coat of paint is black, used on all elements of the dock set.
Step 2:
The basic colour for the cobblestones is “Green Grey” (nr. 866).
All the cobblestones are painted in this colour first.
Step 3:
In an ad random way about 1/3rd of the cobblestones are painted in “Brown Violet” (nr. 887)
The colours “Black Red”(nr. 859) and “Gunship Green” (nr. 895) are used for adding 2 more colours to the cobblestone pavement. Both colours are used only on a few of the stones scattered over the surface.



The sides of the stone dock element are painted in 2 shades of red. This colour setting looks best for my taste since it is a brick like structure.
Step 4:
The basic layer is painted a mix of “Cavalry Brown” (nr.137) mixed/darkened with "Chocolate Brown" (nr.149).
Some of the bricks are ad random painted “Hull Red”(nr. 146)



The stone edges of the dock element are painted in light colours. In this way the edges stand out more and give the element more depth.
Step 5:
All the larger stones are painted “Beige” (nr.008). Some of the stones are then painted again using “Pale Greyblue” (nr.153).
Step 6:
The metal bars on the sewer entrance are painted “Copper” (nr.176)
Step 7:
Once the dock element is fully painted it looks bright and shiny and has a clean and tidy look. To make the entire element look more dirty I go for a very watery wash of “Chocolat Brown” (nr.149) Now the over all look is more worn and the colours blend in more nicely.



“Painting the Wooden Walkways:”

The Wooden walkways are painted in a few shades of brown. After the basic black layer I used the next paints:



Step 1:
All the woodwork gets a black basic paint layer first and a second layer of “Chocolat Brown” (nr.149) next.
Step 2:
The first brush is done with "Goldbrown" (nr.126), followed with "Cavalry Brown" (nr. 137).

Step 3:
The final brush layer is "Goldbrown" (nr.126) again. Reason for this is to give the woodwork a slightly redlike glow.

This way of painting the woodwork also goes for the wooden poles and the little stair.

"Some impression shots of the docks:"