How to Make Model Ancient Egypt Pyramids
Making a model of one of the ancient pyramids of Egypt is an enjoyable project that can be done by anyone with a bit of modeling experience. These four-sided structures are simple shapes to work with, and by adding a modeled base, you can re-create the experience of seeing these majestic structures in the midst of a desert landscape.
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Things You'll Need
- Cardboard
- Ruler
- Pen
- Hobby knife
- Masking tape
- Plaster cloth
- Scissors
- Bowl
- Water
- Polystyrene sheet, 10 inches square by 1-inch thick
- Spoon
- Water-based glue
- Cornmeal
- Spray paint, sand colored
- Paint brush
- Acrylic paint, light tan
- Acrylic paint, brown
Instructions
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1
Take a piece of cardboard 21 inches square, and mark out the dimensions of your pyramid. Begin by drawing a square in the center of the cardboard with each side 7.7 inches long. This square will serve as the base of your pyramid.
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2
Draw the sides of the pyramid, each consisting of a triangle rising from an edge of the square exactly 6.2 inches high.
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3
Use a hobby knife to cut the drawn shape, complete with base and sides, from the cardboard.
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4
Fold the sides of the pyramid upward at the line on the bottom of the triangles, meeting the square base.
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5
Use masking tape to tape the sides together in a point, completely covering the seam line.
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6
Cut the plaster cloth and wet it in a bowl of water. Layer the cloth onto the model of the pyramid, rough side up. Allow it to dry, and then cut away the excess.
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7
Cut strips of plaster cloth, wet the strips and lay them onto the polystyrene sheet, slightly overlapping the edge. Place the model of the pyramid onto the center of the sheet binding it to the plaster cloth. Move the cloth using a spoon to simulate rises and dips in the terrain. Allow it to sit overnight to dry and then trim the excess plaster.
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8
Spread a layer of water-based glue onto the base surrounding the pyramid, applying in some areas slightly up the sides of the model. Sprinkle a thick layer of cornmeal onto the glue to simulate sand. When the glue with the cornmeal has dried, remove any excess cornmeal.
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9
Spray paint the model a sand color. Allow the paint to dry, and then dry brush the model with a brown paint slightly darker than the sand-colored spray paint, and the simulated sand surrounding the model with patches of the darker brown and a lighter tan. To dry brush, apply paint to the paintbrush and remove most of the paint using a napkin, leaving the brush with only trace amounts of paint. Apply the paint as normal, leaving only slight traces on the surface to add the complexity of shadows and depth to the painted objects.
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10
Spray a layer of clear coat to the model and base to protect it from the elements.
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Tips & Warnings
When spray painting, make sure you're in a well-ventilated space.
