Miniature castle models

Question

I want to make a model of a castle like those in the movie of the Lord of the Rings. So:

How much would it be?

Is there a site that could help me?

What do I need?

Where can I buy those items?

Answer 1

You could use various materials --from papers to clays to other things (especially if you'll also be painting them)-- to make models of structures, including castles.  

You haven't mentioned the exact size though, or how realistic you'd want it to be though, so it's hard to give more info.

You might want to check out some of the castles and other structures that have been made with polymer clay though on this page at my site for some ideas and lessons if you're interested:

http://glassattic.com/polymer/houses_str...

(...click on "Basic Construction, Houses"

.....and there will be more castles in particular under "Few Particular Structure Types" which is a subcategory under Basic Construction)

There might be more castles on this page as well:

http://glassattic.com/polymer/Halloween_...

(...click on "Scenes, Dioramas & Houses"...)

HTH,

Diane B.

Answer 2

The movie castles were made with a variety of materials. The special editions of the DVDs have a report on them. If you want to make them yourself the replies to your questions will depend on what you want as Diane mentioned. Paper, plastic sheet, clay, cardbourd, foamboard, styrofoam, plaster, etc. is all possible

Diane already mentioned a few options. Here are a few for  wargames as some of these castles have been recreated for that.

http://www.terragenesis.co.uk/ - Terrainbuilders forum, also check the articles for examples.

http://www.hirstarts.com/ to get moulds for resin or plaster building parts. There are also good articles over there.

http://www.nwa.org.au/lotr/minastirith/m... An article on a model of Minas Tirith made for wargaming.

http://www.ziterdes.de/ziterdes/en/index... is a German company which also has terrain pieces for LOTR

http://uk.games-workshop.com/thelordofth... makes miniatures for the games. This page contains terrain building articles on some of the monuments.

Edit: in reply to the email you send (might be useful for others too).

I don't think you will find any step by step instructions for these buildings anywhere. So you will have to go from pics etc. Basic instructions on the http://www.nwa.org.au/lotr/minastirith/m... models are found in the articles themselves. They make a basic 3D design in Autocad to get the proportions right and from that they can take views to get the measurements.

The models are mostly out of foamboard and cardboard. Foamboard can be found at art supply stored and cardboard can be found anywhere. Apart from that, paint, glue, probably pins too and anything they can find to make it look good.

You could contact that wargamers group for more info on their project. They may be willing to give some advice.

Do you have experience at building these kinds of models? If not, then I'd recommend creating some smaller buildings (like some of the LOTR ruins) first. Isengard en Minis Tirith are not exactly starter models.