Belvedere Printer Friendly Version   By ABAROTH - Dec. 31, 1969 M. C. Escher’s Belvedere – another impossible building inspired by one of Escher’s lithographs, and built in HA blocks. Measurements: Length 15” Width 15” Height 20” Moulds Used: #41 Gothic Dungeon Accessories #45 Gothic Dungeon Builder #54 Gothic Church #55 Bell Tower #61 Turret #62 Roman Temple #63 Octagon Tower #201 Chipped Floor Tiles #202 Smooth Floor Tiles Other Materials: 1/4” plywood 1” expanded polystyrene foam Ready-mixed filler (spackle) Static grass, flock, reindeer moss, cork boulders generously donated by Skullcrafts.com Statue figure (English Heritage) Cereal packet Basswood Kebab skewers Fancy toothpicks, generously donated by Mr. Fibble Cocktail sticks 5/16” dowel PVA glue Superglue Inscribe acrylic paints GW inks Klear (Future) floor polish From the Top: Rectangular domed roofs I made these from cereal packet, with a strip of basswood glued around the inside of the base to enable them to be fixed securely to the model. Large arches I discovered that by carefully cutting some of the “B” arch pieces from the belltower mould, I could make a 2.5 inch semicircular arch. A 2 inch arch proved to be more difficult, but I managed to make one with sloped sides using the “C” arch and arch trim pieces. (See pictures below for instructions) Railings Various sizes of basswood strip. Window Bars Kebab skewers, carefully drilled, with cocktail sticks inserted to make the vertical bars. These had to be made first, and the window assembled around them – VERY fiddly. Doors Basswood sheet with a cereal packet band around the outer edge. Banister Rail Kebab skewer hand-rail, with fancy toothpicks used as spindles. Slate Roof Card tiles, with cocktail sticks at the corner ridges. Rocky Outcrop Carved polystyrene foam, painted with watered-down PVA and then sprinkled with dry plaster. After about half an hour, I tapped off the excess plaster, and misted the entire area with water to ensure that the remaining plaster set properly. The “mister” was just an empty kitchen spray bottle, cleaned and refilled with water. Scenic products from Skullcrafts.com, including flock, static grass, cork boulders and reindeer moss.   12 Ratings     12345      Public Comments Please log in to post a comment    Created  Comment  Aug. 21, 2008, 01:32PM  By: PETERCRO An excellent Build. The setting up of the optical illusion must of taken a great deal of time and effort. My Hat Goes Off To You. But the illusion, which i think is great!!!!!!! is out-classed by the superb, Paint job and cleaness of the whole piece. 9/10....... I knocked off one point because I can't find fault  Aug. 20, 2008, 02:51PM  By: ATHANADROS This piece is amazing! Simply astounding how Aba is able to recreat this!  Aug. 19, 2008, 06:12PM  By: ARTGUY@HOTMAIL.COM Great build, I think I know the technique involved here and understand the subtleties. Paint is superb, very well executed model of a difficult subject.  Aug. 19, 2008, 08:10AM  By: BOSSMAN Perfect execution and beautifully finished. Ima put up the challenge and you have delivered in spades. Great entry the difficulty of which is hidden by the expert craftsmanship.  Aug. 17, 2008, 04:04PM  By: DUKEDREAL A great build here Aba. As usual the painting is handled to perfection. The optical effect on this one is very convincing but also very percise. Being off in any direction would have ruined the effect. Overall an excellent build!  Aug. 16, 2008, 09:36PM  By: YRM Great entry. I can tell what you did to pull this off but it's still very impressive. It must have been annoying to get all those pillars and things just in the right places on the rail for the camera shot. If someone came in and moved your tripod... haha... Seriously though, great job.  Aug. 16, 2008, 12:55PM  By: ABAROTH I just noticed - I made a mistake :-( The 2.5 inch arch diagram used the "A" arch pieces, NOT the "B" pieces as posted.  Aug. 16, 2008, 07:51AM  By: CLIFF There's a critical photo that I'm not seeing. (perhaps its just me) But I need to see a close up or "how its made" or dry fit expanded view of the lower part of the balconies. I get the top part, but there's no illusion there. The optical illusion part where the vertical columns cross over to the other railing is not explained. I want to know how you did it! If its just me and everyone else is getting it, could someone please explain it to me?

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