I was inspired for this project by a photo of the Denver, South Park, and Pacific (DSP&P) water tank at Jefferson, Colorado, in the 1880s. I quickly determined that a standard paper towel tube had the correct diameter for the proportions of the tank, and experimented with textured colored paper techniques to give a quick finish to the models.
DSP&P Jefferson water tank, c. 1880.
Two pieces of cardboard tube are wrapped with textured yellow paper.
Top and bottom of the tanks are closed off with chipboard.
Very fine strips are cut from dark bronze cardstock.
The strips are applied to the tanks to simulate the bands that held the staves together.
Spouts and counterweights are applied using basswood and bits of plastic sprue.
Foamcore is peeled and scored to simulate stone foundations.
The tank supports are built up from basswood.
Stone foundations painted and supports weathered.
