North African Build

[Jim R]

Hi Richard
That poor donkey. Arab gun will look great as part of the load.
Jim

[rtfoe]

No wonder that the donkey isn't happy! :tongue-out:

Gerry, there's still more room I think in the rear...this donkey can pack a heavy load. Worst comes to worst he'd just sink in the soft sand. :smiling2:

Patience is my third name.....LOOOOL

Hi Big Greg Patience... good to have you along for company. :smiling4:

Hi Richard
That poor donkey. Arab gun will look great as part of the load.
Jim

Thanks Jim. This guy may have nicked the Jezail from a camel rider. Most riders on horseback or smaller rides would have preferred an Enfield or a Mauser which was easier to reload while riding.

It would be fantastic if I can mimic the intricate designs on the butt stock and barrel handles...dream on.:smiling5:

Cheers,
Richard

[rtfoe]

Hi, I've been busy having a date with a palm...literally messing with the leaves.:tears-of-joy:

I brought the usual stuff to entice and attract...masking tape, copper wire, sharp blade, a pen and ruler.

I've done this before in my other post on the Pacific diorama. The palm fronds on this are a little different as they spread at four angles from the stem. I have sandwiched the tape with the copper wire in the middle. The tape is broad enough to take two rows of the leaf. I am making six on one go and may need a further more to make a lush top.



Here I have split one side of the palms individual fronds opposite each other and will do the same for the other side so you will have something representing a bottle brush and that's the date palm leaf.



This will be tedious so will take some time. I'll come back when I have sufficient amounts of leaves.

Cheers,
Richard

[rtfoe]

My progress for today...did at least 3 more fronds and managed to teeze the other leaves into place...



This is what I meant by the leaves jutting out four sides from the stem. Put on some Phil Collins and Queen to keep me company...haven't heard any complaints from the neighbours. :smiling2:



Cheers,
Richard

[BigGreg]

Those leaves....l mean..THOSE LEAVES are fantastic

[Steven000]

Those tape leaves look just amazing Richard, very nice work! :thumb2:
Steven

[Jim R]

Hi Richard
Well done with the fronds - great patience.
Jim

[rtfoe]

Those leaves....l mean..THOSE LEAVES are fantastic

Thanks Greg, not near as you sticking every single leaf on a tree. :smiling2:

Those tape leaves look just amazing Richard, very nice work! :thumb2:
Steven

Thanks Steven, I still have to do a little trimming at the edges.

Hi Richard
Well done with the fronds - great patience.
Jim

Thanks Jim, the music helps.

Cheers,
Richard

[JR]

Those leaves and musket typical of your approach to detail Richard.:thumb2:

[rtfoe]

Those leaves and musket typical of your approach to detail Richard.:thumb2:

Thanks John, they can't be bought so I got to make them...sigh. There's probably a simple pose on a figure that I have to make, can't seem to find an appropriate one.

Cheers,
Richard

[rtfoe]

Good afternoon guys,
Just an update on what I've done so far... still on a date with the palm. Sliced all the leaves out and now snipping the edges as they look better. You'll see the difference in the last picture.



It's laborious but worth it...



The difference is subtle but will be noticed...so now I have to get sharp nippers to cut the edges of the first one I did.



Cheers,
Richard

[Jim R]

Hi Richard
Shaping the ends on the fronds is worth while but must take a long, long time.
Jim

[rtfoe]

Hi Jim, Corvid has given most of us more time on our hands to do this sort of thing. Can't even go hiking and decided not to go for an old boys gathering last night to be safe. My ex-boss just passed away from corvid because his Hash buddies visited him while he was convalescing at home. Two of them were tested positive and were supposed to be self quarantined,,, so irresponsible.
People still don't understand how vulnerable they are if their immunity level is low or how easily they can spread the virus not knowing they can be carriers.
I'm familiar with closet building so the hobby suites me. :smiling2: In this case tedious stuff like this is no problem. Looks better anyway.

Cheers,
Richard

[adt70hk]

Great work Richard.

Love the palm leaves.

Andrew

[rtfoe]

Great work Richard.

Love the palm leaves.

Andrew

Thanks Andrew, glad you like it. I hope to make it as near enough to a real date palm.

Cheers,
Richard