Normandy Bocage diorama
- Thread starter AlanG
- Start date
Truly excellent work Alan. The whole scene looks superb.
Started to add the oak leaf on one figure now. Really wish i had cleaned up the seams far more as they are standing out with the camera. But hey ho. Lesson learned and all that. But these are a test mule for painting and i can always strip them back down at a later date and re-do them better.
He’s looking good Alan, and it does get faster with practice, but not by much 
Jim R
SMF Supporter
Hi Alan
Figures! One of the hardest aspects of the hobby. You're doing fine, looking great.
Jim
Figures! One of the hardest aspects of the hobby. You're doing fine, looking great.
Jim
Finished the camo on the body. Probably isn't a decent replica of the real thing but i think it looks ok. Need to paint the boots and webbing. Then it'll be sealed in and probably try and add a wash to it. Not sure what colour though.
Then it's the joy of flesh part next.
Still another three figures to go yet
Then it's the joy of flesh part next.
Still another three figures to go yet
Gary MacKenzie
SMF Supporter
What distance do you expect someone to be looking at the finished diorama ?
I reckon that some of the model detail people are painting for camouflage is way beyond normal eyesight ability to differentiate at the scale distance. ( my eyesight isn't a good test of the theory, and I certainly can no longer paint accurately enough for that level of detail )
If my maths is correct, If you are picking the figure up and looking from 6" it would be 17 1/2 ( scale) feet away from you.
Congrats on the level of detail you have managed.
I reckon that some of the model detail people are painting for camouflage is way beyond normal eyesight ability to differentiate at the scale distance. ( my eyesight isn't a good test of the theory, and I certainly can no longer paint accurately enough for that level of detail )
If my maths is correct, If you are picking the figure up and looking from 6" it would be 17 1/2 ( scale) feet away from you.
Congrats on the level of detail you have managed.
Cheers Gary. Never really thought about it that way. I suppose if someone other than myself was going to look at the dio it would probably be from at least 1ft away. so scale effect would really come into play.
GerryW
Rest In Peace
Think that we're all 'guilty' of 'as much detail as possible', as we sit with our 2x, 3x, or 3.5x specs on peering closely at the offending bit of paint, we forget that the closest anyone will look at it will be the photos on here - and in 'real life' about 2 feet away! 
scottie3158
SMF Supporter
He looks good to me mate. My figure viewing distance is about 50mtrs.
Well I calculate my viewing distances in miles,not metres
That's gotta be one of the most difficult camo patterns to do Alan,and I reckon that you're making a superb job of it
Excellent stuff mate, well worth the obvious effort you're putting in.
Andy
That's gotta be one of the most difficult camo patterns to do Alan,and I reckon that you're making a superb job of it
Excellent stuff mate, well worth the obvious effort you're putting in.
Andy
That more than looks the part to me Alan. Nice job.
Be very careful with an over all wash though, it can really darken the finish and potential ruin what you’ve done. I’ve tried it several times and never really been happy with the results.
What I would recommend is to outline each area with a dark pin wash using a fine brush. This will make them stand out from each other. Pre made washes, like the Vallejo game and model washes I bang on about all the time are great for this. They are consistent straight from the bottle and save a lot of mixing time. You can make your own wash with paint, water, and flow aid, but the issue is getting them consistent so you control what you do. Too thin and the effect is too subtle so the areas don’t really pop off each other. Too thick and the figure starts to look like a China doll. 76.517 model wash dark grey is excellent for this, as is 73.201 game wash black.
Be very careful with an over all wash though, it can really darken the finish and potential ruin what you’ve done. I’ve tried it several times and never really been happy with the results.
What I would recommend is to outline each area with a dark pin wash using a fine brush. This will make them stand out from each other. Pre made washes, like the Vallejo game and model washes I bang on about all the time are great for this. They are consistent straight from the bottle and save a lot of mixing time. You can make your own wash with paint, water, and flow aid, but the issue is getting them consistent so you control what you do. Too thin and the effect is too subtle so the areas don’t really pop off each other. Too thick and the figure starts to look like a China doll. 76.517 model wash dark grey is excellent for this, as is 73.201 game wash black.
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Well that figure looks great to me and I am a blooming long way away!
Neil Merryweather
SMF Supporter
I would be very pleased with myself if I was showing that on here.
And for a first attempt it's quite something!
And for a first attempt it's quite something!
Exactly what Neil said Alan!!! He's looking great. Oh, and if anyone mentions the seam lines, Just tell them he's wearing a freshly pressed uniform. They're supposed to be there.............
Prost
Allen
Prost
Allen
Cheers guys. I know i'll get better the more figures i do so not sweating on these so much. At some point in the future i'll probably get some resin ones for a diorama or two. But these plastic ones will still work too. It'll be interesting to see what the plastic ones are like with the Das Werk Pak40 i intend to buy compared to these Tamiya and Dragon ones.