Saruman’s Stronghold

The Making of Orthanc

© Lotrscenerybuilder 2010

We didn’t have the means to decorate our 2feet high copy with the same amount of details. Instead, we hoped that a sloppy layer of texture paint in the end would yield the same effect.

The flat surface of the working table simplified the assembling process considerably: of course it was essential to keep the line all the way to the pinnacle. There were seven separate parts for the back wall alone, and they tended to warp ever so slightly when the green and white standing panels were glued on top.

Because of the corner strips, the decoration of the walls didn’t become a routine job. We had to stay alert for an odd window, a sneaky spine�

There’s a series of triangular canopies, situated at the first floor – or second? – just above the arched windows. We decided to prefab them separately by using a paper template.

In the shadow of Mordor, Saruman’s stronghold took shape…

… while elsewhere, things went to pieces.