Aug 22nd 2016 - Devil in the Details

I've been rolling with the detailing phases and it's working out wonderfully. I'm digging the additional foliage and I've been making a few attempts and street markings, though I've rushed them and I'm not happy with what I've done there. The street markings are just going to require more time and effort. That's ok. 

I've started covering up bare deck areas - painting them or covering them with foliage and scenic elements. A huge help.

I had a layer of paint down in this center Shizuka section, but I went in with a second coat and it's much better.

More painting in the back area.

I purchased a plastic kit from a Chinese company recently - Outland Models on eBay. I was a little weary at first due to the low price - around $9, I believe - and the fact that they said that it didn't come with instructions. However, I took the leap and gave it a go.

The kit was simple. The plastic they used was super sturdy and felt like it was quality stuff. It arrived quickly in a little bubble pack. All grand.

The building went together with no glue - very sturdy and tight. I was very pleased with the overall construction and it was very simple to sort out what went where. No worries there. I did my usual fluffing up of the interior adding a few bits and bobs to make it look like something was happening inside.

I added a few splashes of color on the outside. I wasn't looking at this as a foreground building. I see it as more of a mid-ground or background filler building. But, the color was nice.

I have lots of room to add additional details like the poster items I've been tossing into the mix.

I placed the building on the layout when the paint dried and did a literal double take when I placed it next to this Kato building. "HEY! hehehehe  It's the SAME BUILDING!"  I had a good laugh. I guess the folks I got it from used the Kato building as a mold or scanned it. Rather humorous.

Some small differences, but...yeah...it's the same damn building. :)

I masked off the top and did some painting there as well.

I was going to do a bunch of weathering on the building, but I thought better of it after driving through my neighborhood and checking out some buildings. My wife was driving and I was taking in some details and thought, "You know...these buildings are pretty dern clean, really. Not a lot of grime." They really were clean. And any details that were on there would have been invisible in N scale. I think the roof could use some grime, but I think I'll go easy on the dirt on the buildings in Shizuka. Now...the factory area will be a different thing all together! :)

 The new lights are working out well. I dig the overall feel they give off. It's working for me. I can tweak images via Photoshop or Instagram, so it's really about the "glow" in general for me.

I switched the building I built in memory of my Father over into a more prominent spot.

I added yet ANOTHER bus to my bus lineup. This time an offering from TOMYTEC that features characters from the Anime LUPIN! Fun stuff! 

I also added the TOMYTEC Bus Terminal Roundabout which is a fen little detail. I'm going to use it close to the Kiwamura Station area, so I'll have to work at blending it into the area properly. It plays well with the KATO Uniplates due to the height of the base, but I'll need to build up the area so buses could roll up where I'm setting it. The ramp they provide is...not acceptable. :)

And lastly, I made a purchase of a few other items - people, some motorcycles, and some additional cars and trucks.  I also got a building and boxcar to try out the project I had in mind of the spot I saw back in Maryland where they had boxcars up on a building used as storage.

However....the buidling I got was a bit small to do this with. :::sigh:::  I didn't even think to check. I was rolling through my order process too quickly.

So, I may do this with a building I already have, I might try to kitbash up something using the building as a base and rolling some additional structure elements off to the other side of where the stairs are now, or may work with it as storage just off to the side. I think I need to work out a building that this boxcar can sit on top of - I dig it too much! hehehe I think the kitbash will be the most fun. And I'll have something really unique when I'm done.

I'm still making an effort to fit my modeling in around the edges of my schedule making use of lunchtime and the few minutes I have before walking up from my office. It's working so far and better than not doing any hobby time at all! (This might explain away any typos that may be present in these blog posts as well! hehehehe)

Thanks for reading! 
<><>