My first ever Diorama.

Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, November 29, 2003 8:13 AM

Fantastic work Airbrush!! I think the grass looks fine, much better than the grass in my first dio. In fact, before I post pics of mine, I will go back and touch up a few things, After seeing your first effort, I'm too embarrassed to post mine as is!
About the grass, that was the main thing I disliked about my dio. Heres a tiger tank sitting in a farm field that looks like dad waters it every sunday and just mowed it. I think with my dio I will spread some watered down PVA glue over the existing grass in patches here and there and glue more static grass in these areas. I rekon that could work.
Look forward to seeing the next dio!! Wacky

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, November 29, 2003 12:09 AM

lol thats fine and dandy, but I didnt use that kinda turf, I used the stuff made for the Warhammer and LOTR Figures. but that is a good idea, I will keep that in mind for my current diorama.

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 28, 2003 9:31 PM

To get different heights if grass, next time you hit a hobby store, get a couple different grades of foliage. Grasses come in fine, medium, and course textures. Mix them up and have at it. Different shades also enhance the natural look.

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ILuv3ggs

Member since
December 2002
From: Brisbane, Australia

Posted by ILuv3ggs on Friday, November 28, 2003 8:30 PM

looks good

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 28, 2003 1:31 AM

what a dio at the first time......really good in wheathering the drum oil and road wheels

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beav

Member since
May 2003
From: Ft. Sill, OK

Posted by beav on Thursday, November 20, 2003 10:29 PM

Hey, thats pretty good!

"First to Fire!"

Steven

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 14, 2003 3:34 PM

Great tips and feedback from all... Keep us posted with your next project.
Good luck Approve [^]

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 14, 2003 11:53 AM

TRE cool base...very unique!

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 14, 2003 9:56 AM

I left out one thing I wanted to do on the Dio... for fear of ruining it along with 3 months of hard work.

I was gonna put a small pool of water right around where the drive sprocket and quickbuild table are but since I never tried water before I decided to hold off for another Diorama.

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J-Hulk

Member since
February 2003
From: Tochigi, Japan

Posted by J-Hulk on Thursday, November 13, 2003 7:15 AM

Looks great, airbrush! It has a very nice feel to it. Keep up the good work!

~Brian

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link955

Member since
October 2003
From: New Hampshire, USA

Posted by link955 on Thursday, November 13, 2003 4:46 AM

QUOTE: Originally posted by Airbrush

you know i was just thinking, does any one think that my diorama's grass looks to neatly kept? I was just looking at it, and it looks pretty neat like someone took a lawn mower to the grass and then photographed it. do you think i should go back and modify it to look a little less well kept???

Well yeah, the grass does seem a bit suburban, but then again the steppes in Russia are comprised mainly of short wild grasses, so your use of the short grass is not implausible. I usually use Static grass. Rather than using the sprinkle-and-blow method the directions call for, I apply a generous amount of white glue to the dry groundwork, then "pinch" a quantity of the Static Grass and dab it into the white glue. This causes the grass to clump in places, and makes it more uneven, as wild grass would look. After the clumps look like I want them to, I then sprinkle more of the static grass, and blow lightly over it. When it's completely dry I paint it and dry brush it for highlights. It ends up (if I'm lucky) looking like the coarse turf of the steppes or can represent a cow-munched pasture. Just remember, using Static Grass is like everything else in modeling: paint it, even if it's the "right" color. Hope this helps.

Ne cede malis (Latin: Yield not to misfortune)

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link955

Member since
October 2003
From: New Hampshire, USA

Posted by link955 on Thursday, November 13, 2003 4:33 AM

Well done Airbrush... I like the fact you used the oval base. You used the space well. Next time though, if i may suggest: don't let the size of the base determine your layout, rather let your layout determine the size of the base. This usually means shopping around for the right-sized wood plaque or going to a lumber yard to get a piece of wood custom cut, but it's worth it. For the subject you did here, though, that small base was right on the money.
Nice job with the camo scheme too. My only suggestion would be to be sure to coat the finished model, before weathering, with a flat laquer spray, to minimize or eliminate the shine from the decals. Aside from that you have a good eye.
Keep working and let us see more! Thanks for sharing.

Ne cede malis (Latin: Yield not to misfortune)

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, November 13, 2003 12:46 AM

I'm late, but it looks sensational, good effort.

I too am starting my first shortly, the only problem I see is that I may lose sight and concentration on the subject, as at times I am strapped for time, I lead a busy social/sporting life.

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, November 11, 2003 1:47 PM

lol the grass is something I got at a place that sells games workshop stuff. it is usually for putting on the base of those Warhammer 40k and LOTR figures.... but I found it to be very good... except that if u dont toy with the terian lvl and longer grass, it looks to neatly kept. I also I believe took a brush and after it was dry on the base I believe I used Khaki drab (Tamiya) and painted it... well more like dry brushed it because it has a great color scheme if its not shown in huge quantities.

PS> Dont throw away your first Diorama.... It can come out looking better than mine if u work at it. This was originally to just pass the time when I was bord but as I got in to it, this is the result Big Smile [:D]

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, November 9, 2003 8:13 AM

Very nice, airbrush! I'm toying around with a first diorama myself, and now I'm tempted to just throw it in the trash! How did you do the grass?

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DocTG

Member since
March 2003
From: USA

Posted by DocTG on Thursday, November 6, 2003 11:01 PM

Airbrush,

First of all, it looks great. Djmodel's suggestion about the wear on the drive sprockets is a good one. The method I use is a bit more labor-intensive, but I've been very happy with the results. I first airbrush a thin coat of primer on the area to be painted, then cover that with a coat of Humbrol metallic (it seems to work best because it's an enamel). The can says that you can't overcoat the metallic, but it's not true. I usually use the Tamiya acrylic for the topcoat--camo, solid color, whatever. Once that cures, if you take a swab or piece of tissue lightly dipped in rubbing alcohol, you can carefully remove small segments of the acrylic topcoat without damaging the enamel metallic coat underneath. The result is a very natural-looking wear pattern, and it works especially well for drive sprockets, though you can use the same method for wear on stepping points, right angles, leading edges on aircraft, whatever.

DocTG

Doc

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mark956

Member since
February 2003
From: USA

Posted by mark956 on Sunday, October 26, 2003 10:21 PM

Very nice!!!
mark956

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, October 26, 2003 8:59 PM

you know i was just thinking, does any one think that my diorama's grass looks to neatly kept? I was just looking at it, and it looks pretty neat like someone took a lawn mower to the grass and then photographed it. do you think i should go back and modify it to look a little less well kept???

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, October 16, 2003 9:36 PM

HistoryinScale, it isnot that hard, I actually built it as I went, kinda to give that battlefield feel of just being thrown together to accomodate the need of the time. Post some pics when you are done of your new Diorama.

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, October 15, 2003 11:37 PM

Looks Awesome and realistic space isnt overly cluttered and as mentioned before it really doesnt look posed! I've started the base work on my first dio lastnight. I can only dream that my 1st would turn out that nice.

Chris

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, October 13, 2003 3:06 AM

Wow, I hope my first looks that good! I was very impressed. The fit between what's going on and the base was great. No wasted space, no extra space, and not to tight, IMO. One question though; Did you make those sanbags, or were they kit? They looked a bit big compared to the guy, but they were nice and saggy(looked authentically real). I have filled quite a few bags in my day, but they may have been bigger back in WWII, I don't know. Definitely a masterful looking piece though, I can't wait to see your next.
Tokyo Slim

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, October 13, 2003 12:12 AM

Wow, thats like 15 new posts since I last got on. I'll be starting a new Diorama soon, assoon as I think up another good Idea. I got a really good idea already, but the kits I need arenot made anymore. I'll see what I can do about the focus of my camera, next time I pick it up. Maybe I could have my hobby shop special order the kits I need. I think they still do that.

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, September 17, 2003 12:17 PM

Magnificent detail. The oil drums, you can smell them. I like dioramas that tell a story. Try to add a little activity to your already awesome technique and you're there. Thanks for the inspiring pics. There's a good article recently in FSM about model photography that was very informative. Keep it up.
Paul

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renarts

Member since
April 2003
From: Sunny Florida

Posted by renarts on Monday, September 1, 2003 2:15 PM

Nice job Airbrush. I like the choice of base. Nice groundwork. The vehicle build looks good. More lighting and should fix your fuzzy pic problem. They look a little underexposed thats all. Natural light from a window?

Mike

Mike "Imagination is the dye that colors our lives" Marcus Aurellius A good friend will come and bail you out of jail...but, a true friend will be sitting next to you saying, "Damn...that was fun!"

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, September 1, 2003 1:35 PM

Looks good, keep it up.

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, September 1, 2003 12:26 PM

Hi there
That looks great. Airbrush u hav outdone yourself. Thanx 4 letting us c. On another note my King Tiger should be here sometime soon. I just need 2 hav the pics posted.

Keep well.

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, September 1, 2003 10:42 AM

Excellent, Airbrush!!
If this is your first dio I can only imagine what your future ones will look like.
Keep up the good work and don't forget to show us the results. Smile [:)]

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nmayhew

Member since
July 2003
From: Kent, England

Posted by nmayhew on Monday, September 1, 2003 7:08 AM

hey airbrush,
very very cool Cool [8D]

!!!!
i've never had the guts to do one, but it looks fantastic!
one point, and it's probably just the fuzzy picture, but for a beaten up tank with war damage etc on its side skirts and all, you'd think that the cross on the back and also the division insignia should be a bit more dirty? the cross looks factory new... i usually apply a wash over decals etc to add that battle -torn look to my armour (i leave my aircraft factory style...don't know why! Tongue [:P]