Harbour Scenes have always been a favourite with Model makers. The following pictures show  a history, on  how I went about composing such a scene. At times I became frustrated that I could not achieve that compressed realistic look, but after juggling the mockups around, over a period of a week, it was all starting to come together.

Knott’s Landing is just one 1200 x 600 small section, of an overall concept.

regards  “BIG M”

Aluminium Framing - General Notes

Maxwell Harbour

Maxwell Harbour illustrates just one typical “mini” seaport scene. It started out as an idea. Main focus was a busy scene. The overall project will included 100’s of people, thousand’s of detail parts, mini scenes, city skyscrappers towering in the background. Many small details have been completed.

Once I had the “feel” of the project, I setout to construct a much larger scene.

“Storyboard” showing the overall project. It will take many years to complete.

Day 1 .  Setting out incomplete structures.

There are few modules here.  Knott’s Landing located Front Right.

Rivers allow for extra mini scenes and detail

One Sunday morning, I decided to be more radical and compress the scenes. 

It worked.

I was now getting excited and motivated about the project.

It was coming alive. The hard part was achieved.

Taking several pictures help’s me visualize the mini scenes

The candle stick shown will be replaced with a future light house structure.

Still juggling things around and adding more structure mockups.

I am not very cleaver at doing this sort of stuff, so the process is slow going, but rewarding.

Compression is a major factor to obtaining realistic scenes. Also the buildings must serve a purpose. Many modelers around the world, have submitted ideas on the various service industries needed at seaports. Thanks guys for your input.

Part of my magazine collection. Articles that may help me along the way.

I glue the pages to white board and have them in sight all the time.

Roads play an important role. They link to the various structures and other modules. Here I am setting out the rear buildings, make sure they look alright, then will start to design location of the narrow roads and walkways.

Seems my little rivers will have to find another spot. This is the beauty of planning this way.

New wharfs constructed and structures taking on a new 3D look. I now start to consider how the roof lines will blend, in the overall scene.

Building a wharf

I reckon you can never take enough pictures and things appear differently, than viewing with the naked eye.

More structures being raised above sea level

My inspiration for this project, was by the work of Dave Revelia.

“Boat Repair Diorama”

Typical module construction, using my aluminium framing technique

Can you imagine how much detail I can place along this future roadway.

Ramps from ground level to sea level are great little details.

Typical of what many modelers include such as Dave Revelia and Steve Pettit.

I have recently purchased a number of resin boats. Incredible detail included with these kits.

That’s it for now......

...  hope this helps with any project you may have in mind.

regards

Mario