How to make a Westeros Map - Pt.3

Finishing Touches

To finish off the map I decided to add some moulded hardwood trims with brass nails and brass corner brackets. I wanted the edging to look like it was straight off of a carriage, so I used 3 coats of gloss, lightly sanded between coats and applied with a clean cloth. The holes for all the nails/tacks were pre-drilled to ensure the wood didn't split and that positioning was perfect.

Above: You could use a compound saw or take it to your local hardware store to be cut to size, but I prefer the old fashioned way; a hand saw and a mitre box. It also allows you to make adjustments on the spot and be incredibly accurate.

Below: Each nail hole was pre-drilled and nails placed for ease of attachment. A tip - line up all your edging and only half nail in the centre nail for each side. This allows you to easily check placement, how they line up and allows you to make sure all the mitres align correctly. If not you can easily remove each piece and adjust it, then put it back on with the same nail. Whatever you do, DON'T put more than one nail in each side until you're sure it's a perfect fit.

Below: Brass corner brackets were added mostly for aesthetic purposes, but also because they protect and hold each corner together tightly.

The Final Product

It took three months of my spare time and more than a few curse words but here it is, complete and ready to hang. I may still change my mind about putting a clear lacquer on it, but for now I love it just as it is.

I'll be making a new tutorial soon for a custom piece I'm making for a friend. It'll be based on one of his (and my) favourite video game series, so keep an eye out. I hoped you enjoyed this tutorial as much as I'm enjoying my new map, all the best!

Companion Cube Wedding Cake and Toppers

I got married last weekend, and I enjoyed every minute of the big day. My wife looked amazing, the guests all seemed to have a great time, the open bar was well utilised and there was much dancing. Oh, and there was cake. Boy was there cake. My wife and I both adore the Portal and Portal 2 video games and its silent protagonist, the humble and helpful Companion Cube. Naturally this meant that we had to have a huge Portal cake, and we did. And it was delicious. And there was so damn much of it...

It truly is beauty and the beast. I might add a handsome beast at that.

First thing's first - I only did the toppers, I didn't make the cake. After chatting with the folk at Fantasy Cakes and eating some samples of their product we were sold, and the final product didn't disappoint. Each cube was a different flavour - orange, chocolate and cinnamon apple. The icing was seriously thick, and got to 25mm (1") on the corners. We polished off what was left of it after the wedding and I am seriously pretty damn fat right about now. Good times.

Anyway this cake is great, it's so delicious and moist

At around 25kg the cake had to be carried by two people.

The cake toppers were key rings to begin with that I'd purchased online. First the chains and key rings were removed, carefully, and then both toppers received three base coats with five highlight layers. 

The dark blue Personality Core was painted with Chaos Black, Shadow Grey, Fortress Grey, Enchanted Blue and Skull White. 

The cream and pink Personality Core was painted using progressively lighter blends of Crimson Gore, Tentacle Pink and Skull White for the pink areas, and Bleached Bone and Skull White for the cream panels. 

The reflective highlights were simply spots of Skull White. They came out really well and everything took around three hours to finish. The look on my wife's face it was totally worth it. They now take pride of place on her desk, flanking her PC monitor.

Left - Straight out of the box. Right - After 1st undercoat layer.

Both after 3 undercoat layers and a little detail.

Above and below - The finished toppers. 

What remains (well, remained) of the demolished cake.