Modeling Town Square - Park

[Lemosteam]

Doesn't that depend on where he decides to put the entry gate?

[eric220]

To some degree, I suppose. I still think that most people who would be viewing this statue would be doing so from the station across the street. I just think it would look a little more balanced.

On the note of the gate, are you planning to enclose the park with the fence? I can see the need for a fence to keep people from wandering onto the tracks, but if this is a public park, why does access need to be restricted?

[rogergperkins]

Yes, I do plan to enclose the park with Gold Medal Models 160-29 and -30 spiked tip wrought iron fence.  I have about 1000 n-scale feet of fence and will do the park and a cemetery in another area of the layout.  I am using the small gate for the park and the larger, double gate for the cemetery.

Concur that having the rider and horse face the Union Station changes the scene.
Since "politically correct" was not a thing of the 1940s, it seems okay for passengers on the train to see the rear side of the horse
as they ride by. 

[peteski]

I disagree about rotating the statue. Doing so would basically have the pedestal blocking the narrow park area. The shape of that part basically dictates the location and position of the statue. If the part was square (or rectangular on the other direction) then the statue could be positioned in a way so it faces the station. Besides, the side view of a horse and a rider is much more interesting than a front view (for both the people at the station and for the 1:1 person viewing the layout from the isle).

I like the fence and I agree that some park benches and/or blankets with N scale people will liven up the scene. I'm sure that Roger will add those later.  Some bushes/trees on the ends might also make the park more interesting. How about paved walkways?  Water fountains maybe (the ones you drink from)?

[Roger Holmes]

IIRC I did this statue starting with NYC Jade Green and then wash of black and some brown chalk.  It was 10+ years ago and memory fades.



Peteski's almost black statue looks to be from a city older than those in the US.  My recollection of the statues near Grant Park in Chicago was a green patina.  We don't have enough history to turn them that dark yet.

[Roger Holmes]

This statue of Shakespeare was installed in Chicago's Lincoln Park in 1894 and still has a mostly "NYC Jade Green" patina.



This is the horse on Congress Street Plaza that I was thinking of when I painted mine.  Bronze hue with some green patina.

[rogergperkins]

Roger, thanks for examples of statues.  My statue is intended to be about 25 years old; setting of layout in 1940s. Statue placed in park at 50 anniversary observance of the US Civil War.

Focused on installing spiked tipped wrought iron fence this afternoon after taking advantage of the nice weather to spray paint it.
Installation involves drilling hole every 10 n-scale feet to insert posts. About half done.

[eric220]

I disagree about rotating the statue. Doing so would basically have the pedestal blocking the narrow park area. The shape of that part basically dictates the location and position of the statue.

I definitely agree that may be the case. I just think that the statue makes more sense facing the station.

In regards to the fence, I really don't think that the entire park should be enclosed.  A fence both functionally and visually blocks access to a space.  If this is a public park, and especially a "town square" as the thread name states, access should be free and unrestricted.  I think that if you completely enclose it, it's going to look strange.  I would opt for fencing just along the right of way, or at least leave the edges that face the sidewalks unfenced.

If, on the other hand, this is an ornamental lawn, an enclosure (and "keep off the grass" signs) would be appropriate.  The statue blocking access across the park would also not be an issue.  It would be more of a statue with an ornamental lawn on each side.

Edit: I see that you posted while I was typing.  Look forward to seeing what it looks like!

[packers#1]

In regards to the fence, I really don't think that the entire park should be enclosed.  A fence both functionally and visually blocks access to a space.  If this is a public park, and especially a "town square" as the thread name states, access should be free and unrestricted.  I think that if you completely enclose it, it's going to look strange.  I would opt for fencing just along the right of way, or at least leave the edges that face the sidewalks unfenced.

If memory serves, he's going off of Gerry Leone's article in the lastest issue of MR; that was a much smaller town square which had a fence.

For where this park is in relation to the station and roads, I think it makes sense to fence it in, for the very reason you say it shouldn't be. The fence separates the park, a place for peace and fun, from the hustle and bustle from the outside world. It would also prevent people from treating it as if the park is another sidewalk to walk across, and defines the park as a specific place

[rogergperkins]

I have Gold Medal Models spiked tipped wrought iron fence that has been painted and which I am installing on top of
the grey solid base.
My spouse is also the artistic director and she suggested that the statue looks better when positioned to be viewed from the side.
 

[Alwyn Cutmore]

This statue of Shakespeare was installed in Chicago's Lincoln Park in 1894 and still has a mostly "NYC Jade Green" patina.

You got the point I eluded to but a lot more eloquently.

Regards

Al

[peteski]

I think that the color of the statues finish and patina greatly depends on the environment. The pH  of the rainfall, the type of air pollution in the area, and other things like that affect the color.  Even if the statue was to look metallic, in my eyes it would look "right" if it was dark brown metallic instead of the lighter shades.

[Lemosteam]

I have taken my family to many states now and we like to picnic lunch.  The first thing we do is look for a park by rail and if we cant find that, just a regular park.  Many times it is at a state capitol where there are always various statues, military, famous figures etc.  Most are not completely fenced in, but the big thing is there are ALWAYS paved walkways that lead to the various points of interest whether a small WWI or WWII memorial, a civil war cannon, a famous person or founding member of the area.  I think that might be what this scene is missing.  Rarely have I seen a statue with a granite base just placed on the grass (except at a sculpture park).

Personally I would add multiple "grand" entrances when you fence the park in to make it appear more accessible or scalloped each corner of the foundation with a cove and stopped the fence for an entrance.  Just my thoughts and I'm excited to see this finish.

[rogergperkins]

I agree that the color/patina of the statue needs to be changed.  I have already used a Tidy Track Steel Rail colored Track Painter as the 3rd or 4th layer of color.
This does not take it to the darkness of much older statues, i.e. ones in Europe or ones in Chicago from 1890's 
Environmental conditions influence the rate at which a new bronze statue would change color, oxidation probably.
No heavy industry in the city where the statue is located, primarily brewery, grain and wholesale food businesses

[rogergperkins]

This shows half of the fence installed.  Doubt on Valentine's Day that I will do anything on this project
beyond reporting on the status.
Dimensions of the park: 40 by 180 n-scale feet.
No plans for sidewalks or benches.   THIS IS WAR TIME, so ALL such Material go to the WAR EFFORT.