Scale Model-making Course at CSM

My Scale Model-making Course at Central Saint Martins is part of the college’s short course programme. It is offered a few times in the year, first usually in February-March, again during the Summer and finally around November. It’s a 5-day course normally run over 5 consecutive Saturdays (except for the Summer School) and it takes place at CSM’s impressive new building at Kings Cross.

Booking needs to be made online through the CSM website  www.csm.arts.ac.uk but the way they’ve designed the navigation you’ll need a free evening to find this course! .. so here is the direct link:

http://www.arts.ac.uk/csm/courses/short-courses/three-dimensional-design/architecture-and-spatial-design/scale-model-making/

.. or, if your system can’t swallow this mouthful, it will probably be quicker anyway if you just Google ‘David Neat Scale Model Making CSM’.

Next course dates: October 21 – November 18 2017,  January 27 – February 24 2018 

Here is the outline as advertised on the CSM website:

‘The course is broadly designed to help all those wishing to learn more about making scale set models, whether theatre or interior designers, stop-motion animators, artists or those pursuing a hobby. Some prior making experience is preferable though not essential. The course provides a basic introduction to methods of constructing in sheet materials (whether card, wood or plastic), shaping or modelling soft materials to achieve difficult forms (using modelling clays or soft foams), achieving realistic textures (using fillers or ready-made coverings) and finally methods of painting. Participants are guided through set exercises each day, alongside demonstrations and showing of prepared examples. In addition certain specialized methods (such as mouldmaking/casting, scale figure-making or soldering metals) can be included according to group consensus.’

The course is very similar to my original ‘Model-making Techniques Course’ which I have been running since 2006. One significant difference in the ‘Scale Model-making Course’ at CSM is that more time is devoted to creating surfaces and painting in the final two Saturdays, including new work on the use of digital images to create effects in ‘real’ models. The other significant difference is that since it is normally run over a month as opposed to Monday-Friday, advantage can be taken of time between sessions, perhaps to finish off exercises or even try additional ones. However this entirely depends on personal circumstances and is not a compulsory aspect of the course.

I do feel it’s important though that the course is kept a little flexible, allowing it to adapt to individual needs and to any shared interests in the group. For this reason some of the following are either/or options which can be decided while we are working. For example, both soldering and scale figure making are included in the schedule here but their relevance to the group (or individual) will be discussed beforehand.

Day One: Base construction using sheet materials

Aspects of construction and ‘themes’ covered

Introduction: Fundamentals of good model-making. Looking at selection of materials for construction. Working with ‘foamed Pvc’. The importance of drawing. Measuring and marking out using scale ruler and try square. Guidance for accurate cutting. Using customised sanding tools. Building in layers using the ‘template method’. Using superglue, double-sided tape, Pva wood glue and UHU. Technique of gluing ‘from outside the join’.

During the day you will:

Make a section of wall using sheet Pvc and Kapa-line foamboard, including interior wall mouldings and window.

Day Two: Fine construction – model furniture

Aspects of fine-scale making and ‘themes’ covered

Looking at selection of fine-scale materials for detailed construction i.e. thin sheet materials and ‘rod & strip’ materials. Building furniture in stencil card or Pvc using the ‘template method’. Using obeche wood or balsa. Quick method of ‘turning’ chair or table legs. Demonstration of how to solder in thin brass.

During the day you will:

Either make 1-2 pieces of 1:25 scale furniture using stencil card, sheet Pvc, styrene or obeche wood or make a 1:10 scale upholstered chair using sheet Pvc and foam.

Day Three: Shaping and modelling

Aspects of shaping/modelling and ‘themes’ covered

Achieving regular curved shapes in polyurethane foam (Kapa-line) and styrofoam. Ways of coating/strengthening foam. Materials for soft modelling. Using wire or wire mesh as armatures. Modelling on an armature with Super Sculpey polymer clay. Figure reference sources. Applying decoration using a liquid ‘relief medium’.

During the day you will:

Shape a curved cornice decoration for the wall piece using foam and styrene strip. Model a 1:25 scale figure in Super Sculpey.

Day Four: Creating surfaces

Aspects of surfacing and ‘themes’ covered

Creating scale brickwork and other relief surfaces in foam inc. breaking down or embossing. Different methods of texturing with polyfilla. Using ready-made relief papers such as vinyl wallpaper. Creating surfaces using digital prints i.e. repeated patterns, photographed textures. Ways of ‘texturing’ photos. Creating plant/tree effects using ‘scatter’ materials.

During the day you will:

Create surfaces for interior and exterior sides of wall piece. Produce small samples of other materials and effects to start a sample book.

Day Five: Painting and finishing

Aspects of painting and ‘themes’ covered

Importance of preparing or ‘priming’ surfaces. Using acrylic paint, gouache, watercolour, tempera and ‘cold enamel’ paints. Useful brushes. Techniques of ‘light to dark’ washing or ‘dark to light’ dry-brushing. Using stains or varnishes. Importance of making tests and keeping samples. Using special additives such as crackle medium and paint retarder. Simulating wood with Pvc or styrene. Using pencil or pastel colours.

During the day you will:

Use the materials and guidance provided to paint/finish your model examples and test- samples.