This is a huge project, floor to ceiling eight foot canyon inspired by Yellowstone, Bryce and Yosemite canyons. I hate to admit it but I have had to learn to use the hot wire. It is slow, but it does make a good hoodoo. The steak knife is still the main tool, both for cutting and scraping. Here is a pic of the area before any foam was added. The wood is oak to support the stream as a walk in access to the back.
Here is a couple with the foam in and carved some.
Here is a pic of the lower insert being carved. It needs to be removable for access to the two falls at the back of the canyon.
Here is a pic of the prototype.
Do I have a way to go or what.? How about some more pics from you guys who have done one of these.
Art, it looks like you are making some really excellent progress. I like the idea of forming the inserts on the bench. Do your arms ache from reaching up high?
Very nice method, and the results will be spectacular, Art. I wish you success.
-Crandell
Nice photo. Yellowstone Falls is a great inspiration, and your work so far seems to be meeting the challenge.
When you get down to fine details, make sure to include lots of chipmunks. The little bandits are everywhere around the prototype!
Chuck
Art: Have you considered using Plaster Rock Castings over the foam base? It seems to me that carving natural rock formations into foam may be a difficult ask to pull off. However, having never worked with foam myself, this opinion might be a bias one. Please share some pics/ tips of the finished product when you can. I might want to give this method a try.
Thanks…
Bob.
oooo if only if only. Wow that looks like it is going to be great. Don’t forget to send pics.
Stephen
Lots of work - messy too I imagine! This thread might be better absorbed if the subject was spelled correctly - “terraforming” and not “'tarraforming”.
Bob Boudreau
Man that is some nice work
Keep up the good work
Alexander
Thanks Bob B. I missed the spelling error in the title. Bob G, I have plaster casts elsewhere and in some ways they are better. The challenge of doing foam carving is part of the challenge, as well as the size and the fact that Hoodoos are not in my cast collection. I also am using real rock from our rockhounding days, but not in this scene. I may have to add some later to get the finished look I am after.