Build an ULTRA-REALISTIC Bridge - Realistic Scenery Vol.24
A complete tutorial from start to finish 😃 Watch as I take some basic materials and turn them into an amazing bridge diorama. A project like this might seem daunting but if you take your time and with the right tools you too could make something similar or better!
I had so much fun building this, it took ages to finish but it was worth every minute! The tips and techniques I used are specifically targeted to those building model railway scenery however the same techniques can also be applied to any type of model making whether you build war gaming terrain, military models or even doll houses all of these methods can still be applied.
I used the new Beamo laser cutter to complete this project and all of the files I used can be downloaded from my website:
www.bouldercreekrailroad.com/...
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:34 Beamo Laser Cutter
02:33 Assembling the Bridge
03:58 Cutting & Assembling Bridge Abutments
04:48 Foam Bricks
07:22 Adding Brick Mortar
08:19 Building the Base
09:25 Building up Landforms
11:25 Painting the Bridge
15:27 Painting the Abutments
18:18 Dirt Texturing
20:25 Painting the River Bed
20:42 Pouring Resin
23:33 A New Way to Protect the Surface
24:04 Road Lines & Markings
26:06 Static Grass
28:02 Bushes & Weeds
29:12 Trees
30:08 Moss, Grime & Weathering Effects
31:22 Street Signs & Street Lights
32:09 Water Effects & Ripples
33:02 Ending Sequence
Also don’t forget to check out Jeremy at Black Magic Craft, his channel is packed full of handy tips and tricks to make scenery and terrain building easy! @BlackMagicCraft
/ @blackmagiccraftofficial
Hey Luke thanks for the shoutout! You made my day....oh who am I kidding? You made my week. Cheers man!
lol... you were an inspiration for sure! I've been enjoying your stuff for ages 😃 Hopefully you get some more viewers because if they are interested in what I'm doing I know they will love seeing your stuff as well, keep up the work 😉
And you got a new subscriber thanks to Luke mentioning you.
Two of my favourite "terraformers". Sheer epicness. Thank you so much guys.
My two favourite model/ scenic crafters in YT too. I wish I had more concentration span to start making models of some sort, but for now I just watch your videos! Cheers from Finland!
It goes both ways. This is the first video of Lukes I've seen, and I'm pretty sure it was recommended to me because I watch your videos. And like that, Luke got a new subscriber.
Jesus I thought this was a real image Luke's powers are getting too strong
ha ha... lots of practice 😎
Something is rong I can feel it
Luke's definitely grown a huge amount in these past years.
I did, too. Sometimes I think he’s used a photo of the real thing as the thumbnail then shows how to make a replica!
Twist ending he modeled the very universe we sit in.
You know it's going to take a while when Luke uses words like "extremely time consuming". Another beautiful diorama, thanks once again!
He fortunately got help by his partner (just guessing, of course to be the "Lebensabschnittsgefährtin"). Good for you! All the best!
"there's no tricks to the construction" *Proceeds to levitate a wood plank with is mind*
"Use the force Luke" 😀
Came here to say that; honestly has to look twice ... Dammit Luke. But it made me notice the extra detail he put into the time tracker on the video; you can go to the area you need like 'Painting the Bridge' or 'Adding the mortar' And that's a neat trick.
Valerie Pallaoro yeah, I noticed that too... very nice.
@@macf4426LOL😂😂😂
Hey all, hope you enjoy this one 😎 even though I use some pretty unique and specialist tools there are still heaps of tips and tricks throughout the video that all modelers could apply. I’ve included chapters to make it easier to navigate through the video and with the new KZhead update you will be able to see the different chapters as you scrub through the timeline, or the full list of chapters is in the description 😉
Thanks!
👌👍👍💯😉
thanks luke. these will definitley make it easier to navigate your videos.
GG for Million
is static grass called static grass because it uses static charges to make the static grass stay straight when applied
Man, I'm shocked, you placed a couple of THOUSANDS bricks ONE-BY-ONE?! I felt like giving up even while watching, you got some patience!
😂 I know exactly how you feel, sometimes I watch KZhead videos of people making things and literally feel exhausted for them and I'm just sitting on the couch!
Some patience? He has it all.
Normally, when hobbyists call their own projects "awesome" or "amazing," it seems immodest, and I don't like it. But your work is so photorealistic and superlative that it's justified and proper. Never ceases to amaze.
You know what would be cool to see you make? A coral reef.
yes!
Ok this one is insanely realistic like, damn
Thanks Abdu, I was definitely happy with the end result.
Lol they all are!
Your comment gave me an idea, maybe he could do an ultra realistic scene of a hydroelectric dam.😁
No it’s a bridge
@@DrCrowPHD wanted to say exactly the same.....
First thought to the first shot of the video: "this is not a model". Zooms out Damn.
lol... yeah I spent ages setting up the photo, I actually did quite a lot of research trying to find that location just so I could take the photos. Google maps was very helpful 😃
You have been bamboozled friendo
@@LukeTowan a mountain side diorama with a railroad through a tunnel would be amazing 👍👍👍👍try to make it
tbh. it's always like that :D
thats every video lol
That shot where you pull away and reveal the real background blew my mind. As always, incredible work man!!! Amazing!
Luke ist Bob Ross in 3d
Even his voice is soothing
True, true... the happy tree is that small one on the edge of the river :D
1. "That looks nice, but he can't reproduce this as a model?" 2. A few seconds later: "Wow, this IS the model"! Most impressive.
That's what gets me every time. I told my mother about him. "There's this Australian scene modeler on KZhead..."
Can we just take a second to realise not only how long it took to physically make, but also to shoot, edit and do the voice over too! Mad insane work rate dude! Amazing as always. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
That was CRAZY. If I had a billion lifetimes to try this, I could've NEVER done this good a job. Amazing
Pro tip for the laser cutter. Make sure it's really good wood. There can be air bubbles in cheap wood that will make small fireballs when the laser cuts through then which can damage the lens.
One by one.......bricks...next video: A mini-Asylum. You could clearly put me in there after bricking away like that :p
@@neoncircus2365 You dont get it.
@@LaserGadgets uh-oh, looks like you're an non-getist as well. Jk, love ya
@@LoisoPondohva : *
I love this bridge. I love how you photograph your dioramas. Inspirational.
Thanks Merrick, I spent a while researching a location to photograph this model, thank god for google maps! I had to make sure the river was accessible with a bridge so I could get close to the middle of the river and it also needed to be in the right direction with respect to the sun. Glad you liked it 😃
@@LukeTowan that's dedication!
It looks like iron bridge in the north of England
I watch your channel for a while now and it's not only inspiring for me as a modeler but also to relax. For over a year now there is a lot of stress with bad nights but watching one of your projects in bed calms me down and I fall asleep. Don't get me wrong, it's not because it's boring but your voice and the music you choose are like a meditation. It steers my mind away from the stress. Thanks you.
Words can't describe your shear brilliance in your modelling. I'm flat out glueing 2 bits of paper together
This videos are not only relaxing but also very inspiring to me. Every second of these videos are full of perfection and professionalism. The narration, presentation and editing even. Love it.
Wow thanks Anik, really glad you enjoy the videos and it's good to know all the hard work is appreciated, thank you 😊
Luke's editing and composite is out of this world. Every time I'm surprised.
Thanks mate, I do put a fair bit of effort into editing, glad you appreciate it 😉
@@LukeTowan Oh it's one of my favorite things. Love your content!
I'm not sure why this showed up on my feed but I'm glad. I used to work for a fella who sold model trains on eBay. Used to travel to auctions where he'd buy up to 50K worth of stock. Once we got it all back I would type up descriptions of the trains as he dictated. Miss those days.
Luke - I suppose this is as good a place as any to add my thanks to others.' This bridge tutorial is stunning, but honestly it's the sort of imagination, ingenuity, craftsmanship and quality we've long come to expect from you. Your hands are those of a true master and your mind works hard. I especially want to comment on your generosity. There are a raft of others who post what is sometimes excellent material. There are also those who jealously guard their techniques and what they've learned, or who are not as able as you are to put the material they share across as artfully as you do. Your posts are the product of as much hard work to get the video, and the occasional related linked extras, down perfectly as much as the design and construction of what you present. Your videos are now on my short list of go-to sources because I know you won't waste our time, your methods and instructions are tested, reliable and superbly well thought-out. Your results are an inspiration. So, thank you as much for your generosity in sharing every detail as for the excellence of the materials and techniques you introduce us to. Your presentations are one of the best representations I know of, of the welcoming kindness of the modeling community worldwide. You are one of our best examples. I'm an old Navy man. We take a sort of proprietary view of an old blessing that's been around as long as sailors have been, and I offer it to you with my thanks, respect and admiration: may you always have fair winds and following seas!
THE BRICKS! if it were me i'd give up after placing 10 bricks lol
That's not even enough for an OUTHOUSE.
I've been to Ironbridge. Amazing part of history to go and see.
I don’t build models and diormas but I still watch these videos, their so relaxing and seeing the outcome is epic
I can’t understand why anyone can give this a 👎🏻 let alone 44 people. This model is so realistic that you expect a car to drive over the bridge during the final shot with the running water off to the side.
just about had a heart attack when you turned it upside down to tap the grass off. I'd be too terrified to do anything like that, after so long. Actually I seem to get a small version of that feeling every five minutes in your vids, like, "noooo what are you covering all that up with paint/glue for? it already looked great, you'll ru--- oh, ok, yeah, that's even better." Amazing end result
Luke your wife is GORGEOUS!
Lady Towan is no joke.
You have one patient wife!! Great work, it’s incredible.
I recognised the shape of the bridge straight away! A beautiful bridge in full and miniature forms.
When working with masking tape you can spray your first coat with a clear, either matte or gloss and it should block most of the spots where subsequent paint coats may bleed under the mask. It really helps get clean lines.
Awesome tip! Thanks so much for sharing
@@LukeTowan you can also lay down another coat of the color under the mask, that will form the same seal.
Seeing how realistic this looks, I'd love to see a video that goes over how you take these photos and videos to give the illusion of scale!
I bet all of you school projects rocked.......you are a true artist!
You sure it is Towan and not Skywalker as the force seems to strong with you. Wow, utter top quality modelbuilding, no one does it better.
Yesterday: "I haven't seen a new post from Luke Towan for awhile. Whatever he's up to will surely be worth the wait..." Today: The clouds parted, and I was right... :) p.s. Nice to see the shoutout to Black Magic Craft. You guys are two of my favorite crafters.
Awesome, glad you enjoyed watching, yeah Black Magic Craft is one of the channels I will always watch new videos!
@@LukeTowan ok
Doing this kind of stuff would truly be my dream job. Props to you man, you're insanely good at what you do!
Wow, this looks absolutely amazing! And this is from someone who lives right by this very bridge made by Thomas Telford and now made by you! 😮
1 million!!!!!!!!!! I’ve been watching your videos since I was 11 getting started on my very layout!! Congrats!
Things are getting high tech in this channel.
6:45 Hello Mrs. Towan!! (?)
素晴らしい 世界一の 造形作家!
Something about your videos makes me think of the show 'how it's made' everytime. I used to watch it alot when I was sick as a kid or just for fun so there's some nostalia to it.
You deserve a veterans discount for all these amazing creations you have made
Aw, I’m flattered.
I live near this bridge in Shropshire, I like how you built it, it's a fantastic structure of history. Shame you didn't build her the way she is, no cars cross her only foot traffic. Looks like you have transported her across the world.
If only the street lights worked... omg! That would have been awesome. Fantastic model.
When I first looked at the thumbnail pic I thought "that looks really familiar". I used to live near the real iron bridge here in the UK, over 40 years ago!! Woodworking type joints were used to assemble the individual pieces together and the bridge was considered a technological marvel in its time. If memory serves me well its in a slightly different setting to what you've done. I think It's built in a gorge that had terraced houses running parallel to the river on one side and trees along the opposite side, it used to be a beautiful place but I expect its changed somewhat since I last saw it. Superb tutorial as always. And it literally DOES look like the real thing. In my opinion your the best scenery expert on KZhead and your tutorials have helped me a bunch. Thank you for your hard work.
It has changed quite substantially since then its now a busy highstreet with many shops restaurants and pubs including a world famous butchers and you'll probably remember the 4 cooling towers of ironbridge powerstation whish were some of the largest in the UK well they were demolished no more so it looks rather different there now.
@@kallumwilliams5020 I lived in Telford not far from the Thomas Telford school in a place called Wigmore woodside from the age of 5 or 6 and at about 7 my best friend and I got hold of a map book and decided it didn't look very far on the map so we walked to iron bridge from Telford. We got there OK but couldn't find our way back and my parents had to come and get us. I don't remember too much about the area around it but I will never forget the bridge. Oh, and the old iron works that was close to it, the school took us there on a field trip showing us how things were made back when the bridge was built.
Automatic like even before I watch. I love how soothing your voice is.
Thanks so much Mikaela. glad you enjoy the videos 😉
Luke Towan You’re welcome! I love them! I haven’t tried to make anything, but your videos are just so satisfying to watch. ☺️
Ahh Thomas Telfords Ironbridge, have so many photos of that, even painted a picture of it during lockdown.
not Telford's
Thanks. Now I see the world in miniature everywhere I go, and now I can't unsee it! 😦
Luke you are a true craftsman. Awe-inspiring to watch.
Great work Luke , i like all the brick work plus I need to get a laser cutters .
😂
Love your videos Andy, I always base my models off them 🙂
Me: Woow, that looks so real! Luke: Let me add another 100 layers..
that high impact polystyrene transition was very satisfying :)
This + Good CGI support = Realistic
Awesome build, i live very near to the real Ironbridge (designed by Thomas Farnolls Pritchard) and its amazing to see you make something i see repeatedly in the flesh. What gave you the inspiration to build this particular bridge?
Thanks mate, I actually first saw the bridge on Thingiverse as a downloadable file and thought ooooh that looks cool and then I googled the actual bridge and immediately knew I had to make a model of this!
Luke Towan that’s awesome, glad you did! Hope you’re well!
I live in Telford where the briage is lovely model
Also in Telford! Shropshire squad assemble
I lived in Much Wenlock as a kid, saw the thumbnail and immediately clocked it!
Another amazing build Luke, stunning levels of detail in this one. Thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the video, and (as always) was totally blown away by the finished product 😀👍
Once again, I am astounded by your talents and creativity. You leave me speechless, not to mention green with envy!! Thank you.
A new video just bring so much joy...... Thanks for all Mr. Luke Towan. Greetings from Canada.
This is the 1st time I’ve actually found Waldo in your videos o.o I feel like I’ve finally levelled up haha!
There's Waldo in the middle of the bricks ^^ And you called your Laser Cutter R2D2 :)
Why would someone thumbs down on this marvelous work? I enjoyed every video, even though I will never do one 😉.
I really don’t understand why someone would dislike this lol
I had the chance to go to Ironbridge on a high school ‘holiday’ trip once, but the alternative choice was the Lake District, and I picked to go there instead. It was quite memorable, mostly because my classmates behaved like dicks and I got food poisoning, then someone else had to get medical attention for a cracked rib at 3am. Good times!
Was that your wife who helped you? She's really pretty!!
Thanks mate, yeah she is my wife 😉 I'm lucky to have someone who also enjoys what I do and is keen to help and get involved.
@@LukeTowan How do i build one myself?
hyper realistic pls
@@thegigantico bruh moment
@@LukeTowan dat is a bridge I know
after watching this, I think I will not be a model builder. That is talent squared on that bridge build.
I'm just impressed that you matched the colour of the water so well
I actually thought the thumbnail was a real bridge
Technically it is.
5:47 I FOUND WALDO (in the heap of bricks)
I scanned the comments to see if anyone else noticed. Lol!
Personal opinion here I'm no expert on such things. But I feel like a few small boats or kayaks in the river could've done wonders. I get that the main focus is the bridge. And doing ripples around such things would be a major pain but I feel like it would've added something who knows. In any case your amazing at what you do and I hope you keep blessing us with great content!
You should 3d print some Death Star personell to stand next to the Laser tube of the laser cutter, remember: no guard rails! Great modelling as always!
Haven't even watched it all yet but holy sh*t dude, this looks incredible. Yeah, watched it all now and my opinion was spot on. Ridiculous quality again. Sickening really. :)
ha ha nice, glad you enjoyed it 😃
So this is how god made the world🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
lol... If only it was that easy 😄 oh wait a minute! I made one bridge... imagine trying to make a million bridges 😲
Humans made the brigdes God made the resources ;-;
@@LukeTowan hahahahahhaha 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Luke, always amazed by your creations. Thanks for sharing your techniques with the world. YOU THE MAN!!
Great to see wally helping out
I showed someone this and they legitimately thought it was real. Also who else found Wally?
ha ha nice! Well done on spotting him! I'll have to make it a bit harder on the next video 😉
I wish I had the patience, materials, and experience to create something this amazing
I love ironbridge and the museums near it. It’s an amazing place
i appreciate your cheeky camera work
This guy is freaking sorcerer. Man, what a great job!!!
We comment on every video about the beauty of these dioramas but we never comment about the amazing camera work that goes into the videos. The production values, trick photography, music and overall quality of these videos is really far and above what every other You Tuber produces. Thanks for the amazing videos especially in these hard times.
I love your Bridge. It is super realistic indeed. Greetings,, Kitty.
Oh Luke, that is simply beautiful, and so good to see Mrs Luke helping you......thank you sooo much. Please take care and be safe. Much love from south africa
What an amazing diorama, drank two cups of tea watching this one Luke. What next the Forth Bridge !!!!!!! Well done.
One of your best models yet! The outdoor photos are incredible, I was looking at them thinking, "Ok, so that's the reference of the real bridge, now how does that compare to the model?" but actually it was the model the whole time!
I thought I was experienced enough watching your videos to tell when something is real or a model. NOPE. Your models still seem too real! Incredible craftsmanship. I wish there was a museum with all of your work that all get to part of a giant scene. Maybe one day!
oh that's awesome, I'm glad you enjoyed it and thanks for the compliment 😊
This is one of your best ones as far as realism goes!
Thank you 😉
Those bricks look incredible.
Beautiful. Nice seeing you again.
The bricks = WAWWW
Those bricks look amazing! You keep mentioning how eye catching water dioramas are but I think the bricks stole the show
This looks exactly like the ironbridge i love it, it was the very first of its kind and I live just down the road from it, hats off for the detail
One suggestion on your masking. A shot of dull coat once you get the masking in place helps seal the edges. Great videos and appreciate you sharing them.
Your skill is so impeccable! It blows my mind that the bridge wasn't a real life size bridge.
Your scenes get better and better. Amazing to watch
Absolutely incredible, Ironbridge isn't too far from me in the UK. What a fantastic recreation! Joe
i was so sure that lighter green bushes and trees were part of the diorama. the seam on the water line was so good on that shot, you couldn't tell at all. thats crazy dude
I am learning a lot from you from watching your videos 😉😁👍
You did quite a few things differently this time, masking the water with glue, using a laser cutter for the bridge. It paid off because all of it looks amazing in the end.