Also this year, on the Minimondi website the annual modeling contest will take place.

This time, the selected theme will be the Stronghold.

Uncertain whether to participate or not because of my countless commitments, in the end I chose to give it a try, and I will try to realize something similar to the photo as a model:

The maximum size for the contest is 80cmx80cmx80cm. This means that if I want to make something similar to what you can see in the picture, the model will necessarily have to be on a 1:72 scale.

I could opt for anything akin to 1:100 or 1:120, but then the distinctive features would be lost... so it would be best to stick to something more modelable... At most I will reserve some creative licenses for sizing where I'll think it would be advisable.

The first thing I'll do is try to delimit the volumes from below:

I'll start with the construction of the left façade, relative to the foundation. This panel will be 30cm tall, which represents about 22m on the scale used:

I'll add three laths to the panel, approximately 2cm thick. These will represent 3 columns as high as the base.

Unlike the image, for the construction of the model I intend to proceed just like the Townhouse, that is to say with the technique of stone by stone. This is one of the longest, but also the most satisfactory, techniques from the point of view of graphical rendering. I think that, on a model of this size, the final effect will be truly impressive!

The laying of the stones should not be sequential, it should be done in small clusters. This will allow, other than giving time to the glue to dry, to create different shapes in a completely natural way. This way, it is possible to obtain mini spaces at various points to fill with smaller and finer stones, those that provide a touch of realism and harmony to the whole scene.

To create a more articulated design, I'll insert small exposed beams here and there into the wall. These, once the model will be completed, will have chains attached that will hang along the wall and to which (possibly) I will attach some miniatures as if they were prisoners condemned and left to die (all this is very horrorific and creates a lot of atmosphere!!!).

Another thing I would like to add are small loopholes which, once the model will be finished, will have to be completed with rusty iron bars:

The stones in the corners should be alternated:

Some images of the wall, just as it looks when laying the stones:

When laying smaller stones, it is advisable to use tweezers (a pair of standard eyebrow tweezers is fine):