my first dio, titled "It's Not Over".

hey it's nice!
is it a GI with his arm off or an SS?
and why did it happen?

Its a very interesting piece so far. Nice job on the tank. Good job on the ground work as well. What else do you have planned for the scene???

That looks good joe. I especially like the guy with his arm off. The dirt looks awesome, just dirt from outside you say?

Nice work Joe

Thaad

I won`t inindate you with ideas on what you could do as this is your first effort and it is a work in progress but I will say it looks promising and has potential,as you learn more about the lay of groundcover and get more creative in ideas to add to a diorama it will
come easier to you.I must admitt my first efforts were a little shy of what you have done here. Your vehicle and figures are very good.

Joe, several things jump out at me.
First, the tomb is sitting on top of the groundwork. You need to lay such a structure on the base and build the ground work ou next to it. Look at the foundation of a house and you'll see what I mean.
Second, the one armed man. His uniform says American and Americans are shooting at him, or so it seems. If he just got shot, as gruesome as it seems, you need to have the arm next to him. If he is supposed to have just gotten there, there needs to be a blood trail, but a traumatic would that severe would cause exsanguination very quicklly. He's be in shock in seconds and dead moments later.
Third, the ground work is confusing. You have barren soil and deal looking trees with oversized clumps of very tall grass.
And lastly, get away from those old Tamiya figures. Painting them is like trying to make the proverbial silk purse from a sow's ear.
I'm making the assumption you posted these pictures to get advice and not just hollw praise.

hey all thanks for the comments. this dio is done. all figures are to represent american. the idea is this is a scene from the mopping up of the caves. the tank crew and the infantry are taking a rest in front of a tomb. the figure coming from the opposite end has been wounded in the cave clearing. this is to show the moment of recognition of the resting figures to the fact one of their own is wounded. your comments are greatly appreciated and i will take them into my next work.


thanks.


joe

Hi Joe,

Personally, I think you done a GREAT job for your first dio! I wish my first one came out that well, and in saying that, I am not heaping "hollw" praise on you, it is Genuine!

You could sprinkle a little more dirt around the base of the monument and that will take care of that... also, I've discovered mimicking the ground to be a lot like painting clouds; it can be represented in all shapes and textures, as there's no absolutes... and lets say those clumps of vegetation are Pampass Grass plants, fitting for a cemetery I think. Also, if the stumbling one armed man has just surprised the tank crew, it would be common practice for them to draw down on him until he's recognized as being a friendly.

Thanks for sharing your work, Joe, I enjoyed it!

Take care buddy,
Frank