I have scratched-built simple structures using scribed wood or clapboard wood sheets.  When using the scribed wood, I have pre-painted and weathered the wood prior to cutting and assembling the structure.  I have used strip wood to reinforce/brace the corners and critical junctures.  However, I have still experienced warping of the wood within the face of the structure.  I would like to scratch-build a structure that has been taken from a historical photograph and scaled based on the height of the men standing next to the structure.

I am re-posting this as the link was broken sorry about that. My son build a foam cutter that we use to build a hatch over the staging yard ladder using pink foam and plaster cloth. I do not dip the cloth as that is messy. I work with the cloth dry and use water and a paintbrush. I buy the cloth in bulk of 64 rolls and it works out to less the $2.00 per roll 4 inch wide by 180 inches ( http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Mark-Plaster-Cloth-Large/dp/B0049V1BY0 )

hope this is helpfuly to you

Mike

Sorry for the title, but sometimes I can't help but love a bad pun.  Anyway,  PROGRESS!

I made a lot of great progress on my layout over the weekend. As I mentioned before, I wanted to get all of the exposed pink and floral foam covered in an initial base coat of scenery and I was able to get that accomplished!

Having watched the Trainmasters TV feature on painting backscenes with Chris Lyon, I decided to paint the back boards on my N scale modules.  The modules depict a small town in Michigan.  After some practice I have mastered painting the trees to my satisfaction and I don't need large hills in southern Michigan.  However, I do need buildings to show that the town is larger than the one foot width of the module.