I went to Michaels today to pick up some thick foil to make terra cotta roof tiles.
I'm using the method Claude turned me on to, and while there I found some other interesting items.
They have a bakery section with stuff to make tiered cakes and such and I found these columns, plastic [ sturdy ], 3 inches and 5 inches, 4 and 5 U.S. dollars each package containing 4 columns.
Although Ionic in design I researched the types of ancient Roman columns and found that the Tuscan style was a Roman design. They also incorporated Doric, Corinthian and Ionic in a style called composite.
This way I feel safe to put them in the church/monastery build.
I could always fill in the Ionic scroll work in and square off the capital to give it a Tuscan look but I like the scroll, what do you guys think ?
I've seen pics. of the composite style and I could always add a little Doric or Corinthian work above the Ionic scroll also.
Glenn

Edit : These will be used on the church area of the build not on the monastery.

I didn't check my architecture books in some time so i can't tell about the style much as for today, but what worries me is that the details on the plastic seem to be a bit soft and especially way too clean -will you attempt to mould them so that you can use some plaster version that would be easier to "weather" by putting out some small chunks.
Anyway, you're on for another great addon on your diorama!
JB

Hi Jean, how's the family ?
The plastic is very sturdy and thick enough to chip. The pictures don't do the detail justice but the relief is excellent. I planned on adding Mr Surfacer or some fine sand paint to give it the " ancient " look.
This isn't to be an entirely ancient structure but I' m going to try and add different period elements of architecture to give it a look as if the church was the first structure to have been built [ Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque ? ].
Then as you look from church [ on the left ] to the far right where the monastery will be, the monastery will be the newest addition - yr. built ?
Glenn

Family's okay (and noisy for the latest addition) ! how's the Cajun food and the retirement?!
I reckon Mr Surfacer should do the trick.
I agree with you -i always found fascinating the fact that man always tried to reuse the old stones for their newer things. i have one good diorama idea along those lines in some bit of paper too.
good luck anyway
JB

Micheals is a gold mine. Something you might think about doing is making a mold of the columns using RTV rubber (available from micro mark) then you can make copies out of casting plaster which can be carved to sharpen the details, weathering or battle damage can be carved in as well.

Glenn -

No matter where or how many times I see this 'Monastery' project of yours, it is masterful in every way and truly outstanding in detail. As an 'old' Ancient/Medieval History major, it has been many years since I took Greek/Roman Art/Architexture classes, but IIRC the Romans, who were masters of 'copying a good thing', used columns very similar to those of the Greeks as you mentioned. I found these simplified references;

"Roman Doric columns were similar to those of the Greeks, with the exception that the Romans provided a base." - Plain even to the 'capital' (top), no fluting on 'shaft'.

"Roman Tuscan columns were refined Doric, but even plainer. The shafts had no fluting, the capitals no decorative carving."

"Roman Composite combined combined details of both the Corinthian and the Ionic." - These would have fluting on shafts and elaborate designs on capital.

I agree with you that these 'cake columns' are more Ionic, but I'd leave the scrolling to have them fit more with the Roman Composite. Maybe add some leafing (I've seen PE that might work?)

I love finding stuff at 'Michael's' too. I've used these cake decorations before, even to careful breaking and filling with plaster for use as damaged columns. Keep up the great work and updates. As always many thanks for sharing your works,

Mike (Blade48mrd )

Glenn,

For the moment i don't see where this could be leading (not yet at least)

Just pay attention that you don't overdo it and the whole building falls into something kitsch ( i think you use this word also)

Claude

Guys, yes Michaels and AC Moore are gold mines of things that can be utilized in modeling.
Mike thanks, I've got alot of ancient Greek and Roman architecture books, I've always been an Abe Lincoln type [ self taught ] when it comes to architecture, love construction.
I really don't think I'll have to make moulds of these. There are 4 in each size and very cheap so I can afford to carve up what I have to distress them. They are good in detail and quite thick. They are used to hold up wedding cake tiers, so they are beefy.

Claude around here we use the word " tacky " meaning ... like wearing plaid polyester pants with a Hawaiian flower print shirt and red Converse sneakers, l.o.l..
Don't worry, if the columns don't look right [ like the gargoyles ] they won't get used. I also won't over do the amount used, maybe a few for the front facade of the church proper.
Glenn

Dear Modellers,

Just for your information, Reality in Scale will announce a new diorama set next week which contains 3 partly ruined Ionic columns and an ancient Greek/Roman statue. The detail and historical accuracy are much higher than on the above examples.
We will try to announce it here, otherwise just check www.realityinscale.com somewhere next week.

I really like this monastry build, looking forward to see more!

Regards,
Olav

Olav, as soon as I go to my bank to figure out the money transfer thing I'll make an order. Now I'll wait a few days to check out the new items.
Glenn

hi Cheyenne. Iv'e got about a doz.. of those collums I found at a yard sale. I'm using them for a dio with a 75mm fanta-z resin wizard. At Michales I found some stuff I want to try, 2 part spray cans and you're supposed to have a piece that looks like marble. Comes in different colors also.

Hi Cheyenne,

Thank you, looking forward to the order. I´ll try to sent you some test shot´s of the columns asap. I promise you they´re quite stunning...hope you´ll like ´m

Have a very good weekend,

Olav

Dear modellers,

A beautifully detailed set of ancient Ionic Columns & a classic male statue are now available from Reality in Scale. Please have a look at:

http://www.realityinscale.com/epages/61537336.sf/en_US/?ObjectPath=/Shops/61537336/Products/35036

Thanks for watching!

Olav Smeets,
Reality in Scale