Painting Laser Cut Brickwork

A video showing how I paint brickwork detail which has been laser etched into the surfaces of kit buildings.

[@Tonyd5996]

Just come here after Paul Apps recommendation. I was not disappointed, it is a very interesting video. I have subscribed and will now look back over your earlier videos. Thank you for sharing your work. Tony.

[@BexhillWest]

That's really very kind. Thank you.

[@Sandlingjunction]

Hi James great insight into painting laser cut brick, simple and useful. I now understand the brick forms thanks to this video, cheers Paul at Sandling Junction

[@BexhillWest]

Thanks Paul, I'll make you some samples to have practice with before the new TMD arrives.

[@darrenhillman8396]

Hi James! I came here from Paul Apps channel and have been binge-watching your back catalogue! You are a master of so many arts! Anyway, my Dad was a Foreman bricklayer before he retired and he would take great delight in pointing (excuse the pun) out the different brickwork bonds as we were out and about, so it is great to see your brickwork swatches come to life! I still have my Dads brickwork technical manuals which he had to learn as an apprentice - they were printed in the ‘fifties and are a joy to read - the technical illustrations alone are almost works of art, but sad to say, I imagine that a good number of the techniques and processes explained have now been lost to history. So, it is refreshing to see you treating these brickwork bonds with the respect they deserve. Your closing comments about differences in brick colours in the same wall gave me cause to explain how this would occur where a new batch of brick has been used in a build, which may have come from a different brickworks and be finished slightly differently. A similar colour change can be seen in different batches of mortar and sometimes you can see where a brickie has continued a course with new mortar which then dries slightly lighter. Also, something to consider when doing washes on brickwork - an effect seen on newer bricks is where salt is washed out of the finished bricks, which results in a white staining to the brickwork - this effect is called “efflorescence” and is something I have never seen modelled! Probably because modellers don’t know about it. Dad would have been keen to watch this video, but sadly he passed away in 2015. I look forward to seeing you progress with all aspects of your model, but other than brickwork being of particular interest, my other area of interest is with the signalling and associated equipment; I spent forty-one years in the rail industry in the signalling and telecommunications department and retired in 2018. I shall cease and desist now. Best wishes from up here on Wirral.

[@user-fn1bh3qr6m]

Found your video by accident. It was informative and I was surprised I watched it all the way through. Who knew talking about brick patterns could be so interesting. I have subscribed and will now check out your other videos.

[@jo-bahn8737]

Excellently presented and new insights on patterns and techniques. Thank you very much!

[@medwaypeninsulaMR]

Hi James- I have a couple of laser cut buildings with brickwork and was looking for guidence for painting them . So after searching KZbin I came accross this one which I cant believe I missed the first time. - I have duly saved it. Cheers Kev

[@Chris-BognorRegis]

Thoroughly enjoyed the video James, fascinating. Your a natural in front of the camera, I still look like a grumpy old git, but then the missus says I am. Keep em coming. Regards Chris

[@BexhillWest]

Thank you Chris, I appreciate the support.

[@dinmorejunctionmodelrailway]

James your brickwork is stunningly good giving a real depth to your buildings. 🚂🚃🚃🚃

[@BexhillWest]

Thank you very much, that's very kind. I hadn't see this technique shown on KZbin, so I thought it worth sharing. Thanks for your support. My best wishes, James

[@edleewwp]

Great stuff! Really looking forward to learning more about your processes. Thank you so much for sharing!

[@BexhillWest]

Thank you Edward, lots more to come. Hopefully you will find the content useful. Thank you for the support.

[@martinpattison1567]

I mentioned in one of your previous videos that I am building a 3D Printed Roundhouse. For the brick work I use acrylic paint and then when dry i coat with a Gloss Lacquer and again when dry I use a homemade wash. The Gloss Lacquer allows the wash to run down the gaps in the bricks and I wipe it. Sometime I do more than one coat. After drying I spray with a Matt Lacquer. I have never thought of using a filler. I will try it on another building. I am making the models for a Train Layout for my son. (And me) I do not have any baseboards yet, so that is why I am just making the models. I only have one large one to do and that is a Turntable in 4mm scale (90 Feet) with indexing set at 15 Degrees. I have some alignment problems with the Roundhouse, but I have decided to wait until the new front walls and doors are ready. A very interesting Video. Thank you. Martin. (Thailand)

[@BexhillWest]

Thank you Martin for sharing your technique on here Martin, that will benefit all, not just me. Your project sounds interesting, good luck with the turntable.

[@Locoforce]

those buildings look incredible! i have subbed and cant wait to see more exellent work! - cheers, adam - magor junction

[@BexhillWest]

Thank you so much Adam, you are very kind. I've had a quick dip into your channel and I like what you are doing. Thank you for the sub, it's appreciated -I've subbed back!

[@fmheathen2800]

Hi James, thanks so much for this video, I've been struggling for weeks with various washes and the like to try and get a light mortar to no avail but this is the first time I've found a video using polyfilla - I shall be trying that on my new platform walls later in the loft!

[@Knappist]

Excellent tutorial I will use this on my loco shed many thanks 👍

[@andrewjditton]

Thank you so much for this! So glad I found your video. One of the problems I have with such kits is the obvious join between sections, and your method of course hides those joins. I’m just doing a LCut loco shed which I sprayed with Poundland red primer then picked out bricks in Acrylic. I find using the damp kitchen roll takes off the acrylic but it’s fine dry. I’d LOVE for you to do a weathering video when you have the time. Many thanks.

[@philnewman1110]

I must be honest James the brickwork looked stunning on that building, excellent video as always, well done!

[@BexhillWest]

Thank you very much. :)

[@paulofbramleyjunction4270]

Hi James, it was recommended by Paul from Sandling Junction. I have to admit, I am absolutely amazed by your skill making such beautiful buildings. Obviously I have subscribed to your channel, in the hope I don’t miss a video. Keep up the great videos, and I can’t wait to see the TMD shed you are going to build Paul

[@BexhillWest]

Thank you so much for your kind comments. I've got lots more to come, and I think Paul's shed should be a belter.

[@Richardsrailway]

Excellent!

[@BexhillWest]

Thank you very much. :)

[@peterjhillier7659]

Excellent.Thank you.

[@BexhillWest]

Thank you for watching Peter, and for your encouraging feedback too. It's always nice to hear that a video has been appreciated. Take care, James

[@tomhiggins4124]

Excellent !!!!!!!!! 👍

[@BexhillWest]

Thank you Tom

[@martinpattison1567]

I forgot to mention that I have a Facebook Page for the layout. I do need to up date it with some of the latest models i have completed. "Yorkdale LNER Preservation Railway" Martin.

[@BexhillWest]

Hi Martin, I had a look at your facebook page and have sent a join request. Looking forward to see what you've been up to. Thanks so much for your interest in my own work. Take care, James

[@chazzyb8660]

Really enjoyed that, I came over on Paul's recommendation. I assume in your neck of the woods you are familiar with Nathanial Lloyd's 'A History of English Brickwork', from which I learnt a lot, many years ago now. He of course was Christopher Lloyd's father, of Great Dixter fame - not far from Bodiam as the crow flies. But to be honest you put it across much more understandably! Great reference though. I'll be fascinated to see your project unfold.

[@BexhillWest]

Thank you so much. Yes, I know the book I used to have a copy and still refer to a couple of excellent books on the subject by R W Brunskill (I think). I'm fascinated by brickwork. To be honest I made a 10 minute video segment on brickwork which I cut-out as I thought that on reflection 'folks of the internet' might not be as nerdy as me. However, I could always put it into a future episode for the insomniacs among us. On the theme of brickwork, and just in case anyone modelling an East Anglian location is reading this - 'crinkle crankle' walls are very interesting and not especially well known of outside of the area. One would make a great talking point at a model exhibition. Google 'crinkle crankle', and you'll see what I mean! My best wishes, James

[@TheDaf95xf]

Hi James. Absolutely fantastic 👍🏻 I’m a Metcalf card modeller with some detail 🙄 But nothing as grand as what your doing lol 😆 Cheers Stevie 😎

[@BexhillWest]

Thank you Stevie, I'm sure your models are fantastic. I think the Metcalf kits are superb. Thanks for watching, and for the sub. I appreciate the support. Best wishes, James

[@Polygonblasting]

Hey thanks for this! And thanks for showing us it so simply and easy. It's inspiring me to take on a MDF model for my first layout. Can I ask what glue you use? And also what paint you would recommend for a slate roof? Thanks Matty

[@elffski7915]

Im new to laser cutting and have enjoyed your videos showing 'how to' do various laser things. One thing I'm trying to do is laser cut flint work for a station building, is this something you have done? If so how did you go about it? This is for a station building that has brick edges with flint infill.

[@dialwright]

Thank you, James, Paul Apps recommended we looked you out. What you do is right up my street, beautiful work. I love architectural modelling. I once had a rewarding heart to heart with Roye England, of Pendon fame, when he expressed admiration and approval of some of my efforts, which encouraged me in my endeavours. I subscribed immediately. (Have you considered colouring the filler before applying it, it might obviate one process?) Best regards, Mike.

[@BexhillWest]

Thank you Mike, I'm so pleased you enjoyed the video. I haven't tried colouring the filler yet, although that's a great suggestion. I have tried pre-coloured grouts, with some success also the two I tried had quite a gritty texture which looked a little over-scale. However, they'd be great ground cover material for roads etc. Thank you for your subscription - I hope you continue to enjoy the videos. All the best, James

[@tedsun2736]

good sharing, may I know how do you seal the mdf from water after the painting ?

[@chriskoroknay5798]

Brilliant detail; especially those sash windows in your signal box. Do you do your own laser cutting? I'd love to learn more about how that's done. Thank you!

[@BexhillWest]

Thank you Chris, yes I do. I'll be covering the subject in detail over the coming weeks and months, including setting-up a home laser cutting studio. I'll also look at outsourcing laser cutting, giving examples of how outsourcing can be the most cost effective way of proceeding with a project. Thanks for your interest. James

[@mpetersen6]

I see youare using MDF. I've been working on designing a series of modular wall sections for multi storied industrial buildings suitable for early to mid 20th century structures. Stressed Concrete frame with different brick bond patterns in HO scale. But the material I want to use most is Illustration Board about 1mm thick. Relatively cheap. But the only problem is that after laser engraving the bond pattern the bricks are incredibly fragile. They pop off if you drag your figure across them. I found flooding them with a 1:1 solution of PVA/distilled water and letting the wall section dry thoroughly stiffens them up nicely.

[@BexhillWest]

That's a great tip which I'm sure will be of help to many. Thanks for sharing. James

[@plastictop]

James, thank you very much for all your interesting videos. Brilliant and informative to watch, I have learnt a lot. I am new to this world of modelling and I have a couple of questions if I may. 1. Do you laser cut / print at home ? If so, what equipment do you use ? If not who do you use ? 2. I live in St Leonard’s, so pretty close to you, and I live in the apartment at the top of Marine Court looking towards Bexhill - the large Art Deco building on the seafront. Do you think I would be mad trying to model this building as a beginner? Cheers Stephen

[@BexhillWest]

HI Stephen, Thank you for your kind comments. Regarding your questions. 1. No, I don't laser cut at home. I use a combination of a machine at work if it is available, or I use a commercial service. I am working on a video which covers this subject in great detail, and as soon as the current restrictions end I should be able to get it finished off. I think you will find it helpful. 2. Why not? It's a beautiful building. I tend to focus upon one small element, figure-out the techniques I'm going to use and then design the complete structure once I've sorted out how I'm going to attempt the finer details. If I were you, then I would begin by designing the walls which sit behind the main external walls and which form the backs of the balconies. Then I'd figure out the floors which I'd extend outwards to the outer walls, thus forming the balcony floors. Then I'd apply the outer walls with the balcony openings cut-out. There is lots of useful information to be had from the Hastings Borough Council planning portal. I've just been looking at this for example: publicaccess.hastings.gov.uk/online-applications/files/F5A0ADA12A7D47157E7FC51472FB035E/pdf/HS_FA_21_00016-EXISTING_SOUTH_ELEVATION-843557.pdf Good luck with your project, it's one I'd like to attempt myself one day. My best wishes, James

[@plastictop]

@@BexhillWest Brilliant Thank you so much for the advice and I look forward to your future videos. Best, Stephen

[@ColtonsHobbies]

What file do you use for those bricks? Looking to laser cut my own buildings. I have a laser cutter but how do you design the bricks?

[@baronjutter]

When I'm too aggressive with my laser cut brick sometimes the card will delaminate and individual bricks will actually fall off.