Model of a medieval half-timbered house with a gray-tiled roof and a wooden door

“I know all about half-timbering!”

Depending on the period, the theme, and the inspiration of the moment, the preparatory work involves creating a scaled sketch of the structures to be depicted.

A simple stroll through your city's downtown area, along with consulting relevant websites and reference books on the subject, will serve as the basis for your work.

This step must be accompanied by careful measurement and proportioning.

Model maker assembling the half-timbering using wooden strips based on the plans for the medieval house

Wooden half-timbered frames assembled and held together with colored pins on cardboard

Carefully assemble and adjust your latticework. Secure it in place on a piece of thick cardboard or a polystyrene sheet using pins.

Wooden frame, stacked slats, and cut-out pieces for a 25-mm half-timbered house model

Two different scenarios: For a half-timbered house only, apply the glue as follows: Carefully place a drop of wood glue at the junction of each beam intersection, taking care NEVER TO LET the glue seep inside the timber framing.

For the barn, glue the main frames of the various facades together as usual, then attach the boards.

Wooden model of a medieval barn with a triangular roof frame currently under construction

Light-colored wooden frame of a miniature medieval barn being assembled, with a side opening

The different steps in building the barn...

Painting

Assembled wooden barn frame and half-timbered sections cut to size prior to model assembly

GRANGE: A first coat of VERY diluted matte black acrylic paint was applied to the entire structure....

HOUSE: On the side of the house that will be visible (not the side to be glued), the same process is followed, including a very careful treatment of the interior of the half-timbering....

Wooden model of a medieval barn with exposed roof trusses and disassembled half-timbered sections

All components are given a matte white dry-brushing treatment, varying the intensity of the effects to achieve a natural look...

Cladding made of weathered gray wooden planks forming the wall of a miniature medieval barn

The result of brushing....

Vertical siding made of gray and brown weathered wooden planks for a miniature medieval barn

Once the white paint is completely dry, apply a wash over the entire surface, using the following proportions:

3 parts water - 1 part dark brown - 1 part black.

Vary the effects by applying the mixture more or less thinly across the surface and wiping it away in some areas.

Two half-timbered gables painted gray, forming the triangular structure of a miniature medieval house

Before and after....

Half-timbered buildings

FILLING THE FRAMES

Hands rolling out modeling clay with a rolling pin to build a model wall

Black rolling pin and a jar of putty for spreading modeling clay on a board

Materials needed for this project: Plastiline, talcum powder, a flat, clean surface, a rigid PVC pipe, 2 wooden strips at least 8 mm thick...

Light-colored, quick-drying plaster board for half-timbered house walls with wooden strips

Plastiline after being spread out....

The goal is to create a smooth, even surface on which we can "set" our structures. Talcum powder acts as a release agent between each tool and the modeling clay. The battens, with the PVC pipe resting on them, will serve as shims.

Model half-timbered walls currently under construction, wooden frames on clay panels

Model half-timbered walls with papier-mâché frames and openings, currently being made

Press the painted side about one-third of the way into the Plastiline. Arrange all the structures on a flat, level surface. Prepare the Paris modeling plaster so that it is fairly runny, mixing it without creating an excessive emulsion, which can cause bubbles. Using a soft brush, coat the inside of each frame, then pour in the plaster. Next, gently vibrate the tray for 30 seconds to “degas” it.

Roofing

Engraving the grooves of a thatched roof on a polystyrene sheet using a rotary tool

Stone wall panels and engraved gray roof tiles for a model of a medieval building

While the plaster is drying, we can move on to building the roof.

There are two options: the first is to cut out the roof tiles one by one from sheets of cardboard that are thick enough for the scale. The second is to create a master model of the roof. Then, make a silicone elastomer mold from which you can cast resin copies (the subject of another tutorial). After degreasing, the roof is then painted with the appropriate colors.

Gloved hands holding a sheet of textured foam board for the half-timbered house model

Airbrushing a light-colored base coat onto a model panel held with gloves on

Model of a medieval barn with a gray shingle roof and dark wood siding

The roof is in place, painted, and foam has been added...

REMOVING THE COLOMBAGES FROM THE MOLDS

Model wall featuring white-and-black-painted half-timbering with a small square window in the center

Scrape off any excess plaster. Let it dry completely. At each beam junction, make a small, shallow groove and insert a dowel made from a piece of square rod split with a razor blade. Stain the dowels.

Model of a medieval half-timbered house with a gray-tiled roof and a chimney

Model of a medieval half-timbered house with a gray-tiled roof and a wooden door

Assemble your facade panels. To do this, on a flat surface, mark a right angle, prepare the cubes/brackets, align two facade panels, and apply two drops of cyanolite glue inside the framework—one at the top and one at the bottom. Repeat this process to fully assemble the house, then apply a bead of wood glue inside each joint. Gluing the roof and foam pieces...

Wooden model of a medieval barn with a half-timbered gable and a shingle roof

Model of a medieval half-timbered barn with a wavy slate roof on a white background

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Medieval half-timbered house and barn 25 mm scale

Painting

Half-timbered buildings

Roofing