First diorama - The Choice

[PaulinKendal]

It's looking more and more tree like and following your progress is very interesting.

Thanks Jim.

 

[JR]

Depending on how well this works, I might get some liquid latex to use as a finishing coat - it should tone down the bobbliness. I think the Flexi-bark™ is basically liquid latex with a fine texture added, possibly ground cork powder or something similar.

Don't get a large bottle, I did , only used some and the rest even with the top on went hard. That Flexi Bark sounds good , I've used straight latex before for tree trunks .

 

[StephenN]

This all looks very, very good!! I love how you cut all the base terrain! Very inspiring! Please, keep up the good work!

 

[PaulinKendal]

Don't get a large bottle, I did , only used some and the rest even with the top on went hard. That Flexi Bark sounds good , I've used straight latex before for tree trunks .

Thanks for the advice, John. I'm now thinking I'll give the latex a miss and see how it goes just with Flexi-Bark. I've put on a layer over the foam clay and I'm really pleased with the effect - I'll post pictures once it's gone off.

 

[PaulinKendal]

This all looks very, very good!! I love how you cut all the base terrain! Very inspiring! Please, keep up the good work!

Thanks Stephen.

 

[PaulinKendal]

Here's the tree, with foliage on (postiche and fine scatter). I've used subdued colours - no brilliant greens. I may have been too cautious in this.

 

[PaulinKendal]

For scale.

 

[Jim R]

That is really impressive Paul. Very realistic. If you did feel the need to "lighten" it just airbrush a mist of lightish green from above.

 

[PaulinKendal]

That is really impressive Paul. Very realistic. If you did feel the need to "lighten" it just airbrush a mist of lightish green from above.

Thanks, Jim. Misting with a brighter green will be the way to go, as you suggest.

 

[PaulinKendal]

There's been a great big pause on the construction of this. It started when I couldn't decide on the best order of assembly - every option compromised some element of the build, so I just stopped. And then couldn't start again.

Finally I realised I just had to get stuck in and hope for the best. I stuck on the tree, and I've just added another layer of Sculptamold. Still a long way to go, but I'm now either going to finish it or die trying!


I'm not sure how to incorporate the figures, two of which come on dedicated bases. I'll probably mould Sculptamold around them, remove them while it's still wet, then tweak it all for final assembly after I've painted the groundworks. That's the plan, anyway.

 

[Jim R]

It started when I couldn't decide on the best order of assembly - every option compromised some element of the build,

That's a common issue I have, not just in dios but in kit building. "If I glue this can I still paint that?" "Will this part prevent me fitting that part?" You are right in that you just have to go for it.
It's coming together really well Paul.

 

[rtfoe]

You're not alone in this Paul, I too have difficulty in deciding when to and not to place especially with many items like figures and monkeys I need to decide where the light source falls on each item.
Tree is coming on well.

Cheers,
Wabble

 

[Andy T]

I'm another that struggles with that aspect. I can easily spend a whole evening just looking at things trying to work out which order to attack them in and still be none the wiser.

Looking very impressive so far though.

 

[PaulinKendal]

So, another massive pause while life intervened but, almost on a whim, I sat down and started on this again.

I've added those foam rocks and painted the whole thing black.

The rocks looked ridiculously obvious, and I'm amazed how they've integrated into the landscape just by painting the lot.

And I've just soaked the whole thing in dilute PVA and sprinkled on a mixture of commercial fine grit and baked garden soil.


Once this is all dried I'll add some static grass. I'll probably paint it all black again, à la Night Shift.

 

[rtfoe]

That's the beauty of priming as it gets everything neutral. Welcome back Paul.

Cheers,
Wabble

 

[JR]

Agree with Wabble .Looking really good Paul
Had wondered where it had gone.

 

[PaulinKendal]

Static grass on, and painted black.


And then resprayed.

And the first of several fiddly laser cut paper ferns.

 

[PaulinKendal]

 

[Richard48]

Wow love the foilage and scenic work.Really well done.
Richard

 

[rtfoe]

That's real neat Paul. Will there be more foliage added?

Cheers,
Wabble