The early terrain pieces — Robert Dempsey

An essential starting point.

The first piece dates from January 2021, during the Covid lockdowns. A roughly 20-kilometre area of the Wicklow landscape became something beautiful to give to a friend.

It covered Glenmacnass, Scarr Mountain and the wider Roundwood area in Birch Plywood, the ply layers revealing the elevation lines.

The first lockdown terrain model in plywood — The first lockdown model · Photograph dated January 2021

The early pieces

Letting the material contribute.

More gifts, ornaments and larger landscapes followed. Each was a chance to explore a different combination of place, timber and scale.

Front view of a terrain model cut into birch plywood — Layers exposed in birch plywood

Grain across a dark timber landscape — Grain running across the relief

Walnut terrain model mounted on a white backing in a dark timber frame — Walnut on a white backing

Birch plywood reveals its layers as the cutter moves through the landscape. Solid timber brings its grain and colour to the surface, with a white backing setting the relief apart.

A local landscape

Oak, in layers.

Displayed at The Roundwood Stores, a local café, this Wicklow Mountains model was made from a blank of 2.5 mm oak veneers, mounted on white acrylic before machining.

The oak layers give softer elevation lines than birch plywood, with less contrast where the cutter passes between layers.

A subtle copper pin marks the café’s location. The scale and the locations of Bray and Wicklow town on the backing help viewers find their bearings.

Oak veneer terrain model displayed on the wall at The Roundwood Stores café — On display at The Roundwood Stores

Framed oak veneer model of the Wicklow Mountains on a white acrylic background — The Wicklow Mountains in oak veneer plywood

Low angle view of the subtle elevation lines machined through thick oak veneers — Thick oak veneers reveal softer elevation lines

White backing with the model scale and labels marking Bray and Wicklow town — Scale and town labels help locate the landscape

Small copper pin in the oak terrain marking The Roundwood Stores location — A copper pin marks the café’s place in the landscape

Made for your place

A landscape of your own?

A favourite walk, a familiar view or a place with personal meaning. Terrain models can be made in different timbers, sizes and scales.

Get in touch with the area you have in mind.

Enquire about a terrain model