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My first dio (LOTS of Pics)

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  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: USA
My first dio (LOTS of Pics)
Posted by senojrn on Tuesday, March 18, 2008 6:48 PM

This is my first (successful) diorama.  I built the figures about 7 years ago; repainted them and assembled the dio about 3 or 4 years ago, but just today got the chance to photograph it. (Special thanks and credit goes to ski4jeepin for the "studio time" and equipment!)  It is very simple, tells no story other than some Wehrmacht Soldaten (Tamiya's 1/35 German MG Team) moving up to or back from the line, near a hedgerow. 

I'm sure there are many inaccuracies and the vegetation is pretty poor quality.  I used painted and cut-up hemp twine for the grass, and the Woodland Scenics foam (junk) for the "leaves" (not making the mistake again Dunce [D)] ). 

I would appreciate some CONSTRUCTIVE feedback on this dio as to how I can improve it.  Thanks for looking!

  • Member since
    October 2007
  • From: N.H.
Posted by panzerguy on Tuesday, March 18, 2008 7:16 PM

 

   Senojrn, don't sell your self short my man this is pretty darn good.The only thing I might suggest is place a GI laying down behind the hedgerow like he's waiting for the germans to pass by.It would give more drama to the scene.

"Happiness is a belt fed weapon"

  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: Los Angeles
Posted by dostacos on Tuesday, March 18, 2008 7:20 PM

Well the grass might be a tad large for 1/35 scale {I would hold off judgement until the GOOD modelers comment Wink [;)]}

I don't think the tress look that bad nah, looking over the trees I do like them alot and the grass may not be off either, as for the figures, when I get that much detail on mine I might feel comfortable commenting Make a Toast [#toast]Thumbs Up [tup]Thumbs Up [tup]

Dan support your 2nd amendment rights to keep and arm bears!
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Massachusetts
Posted by ajlafleche on Tuesday, March 18, 2008 7:21 PM

Nicely laid out and well painted. I think the vegetation is okay and makes a good backdrop. The grass looks okay, like a field that hasn't been tended.

I really like that you have one of the figures looking out towards the viewer, darwing the viewer into the scene.

The only noticeable issue is the last guy has a mold line on his buttstock. (no, not his buttocks, his buttstock.)

Remember, if the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy.

  • Member since
    February 2007
Posted by Boomerang on Wednesday, March 19, 2008 2:28 AM

   Nice diorama Senojrn. It is a nice change from vehicles and buildings. It may be simple but it is effective. I noticed too, as AJ said, the soldiers are looking at the viewer(obviously only from a particular angle) and getting the attention of the viewer, almost making the viewer part of the dio.

   Your figures are not bad either. I like this figure set. The poses are natural and i think portray a sense of fatigue. The soldiers in your dio are looking pretty keen for rest break away from the fighting.

   Nicely done!....Bow [bow]

   Boomer...

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Philippines
Posted by Dwight Ta-ala on Wednesday, March 19, 2008 2:50 AM

I like it very much. It has a very peaceful and calm atmosphere...like calm before the storm kind of feel.

It is a job well done in my opinion! 

 

 panzerguy wrote:

   Senojrn, don't sell your self short my man this is pretty darn good.The only thing I might suggest is place a GI laying down behind the hedgerow like he's waiting for the germans to pass by.It would give more drama to the scene.

That is a great suggestion. In fact I did something similar many moons ago.

  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Australia
Posted by Fast Heinz on Wednesday, March 19, 2008 6:55 AM

I like this. The detail on the figures is impressive and their positioning looks realistic. The foliage could be better but you've already mentioned that yourself. Is that lichen you've used on the bushes? I don't have much time for lichen myself, it never looks realistic whatever its used for.

 I think the overall effect is really good.

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, March 19, 2008 7:14 AM

I'll tell you what, this is an excellent little dio...I really cannot (honestly) find much too criticize at all...the figgies are excellent, especially for injection molded...the foilage on the helmets, attention to detail on the ammo belt, etc. make this very fine work (maybe a tad bit much mud on a couple)...outstanding...As far as placing a GI in hiding, etc., I disagree...I think the mood doesn't always have to be high drama or impending doom...the story tells me: this infantry section has been on the front-lines for awhile and is heading back for some R and R while maintaining military discipline in spacing, etc...very good stuff...It was hard to tell but did you paint any of the figs with NCO or Officer insignia on the shoulder boards? Maybe the fig w/ the goggles? 

 

EDIT: I went back and looked and you did paint NCO trim on the goggled figgies's collar---EXCELLENT!!!

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: USA
Posted by senojrn on Wednesday, March 19, 2008 8:58 AM

Fast Heinz, no it's not the lichen, it is the "Foilage" material that Woodland Scenics makes.  It's the foam stuff that you cut in irregular patterns and pull apart/stretch to make tree cover.  I had a package of it that I got for free from a friend of mine years ago; now I know why he gave it to me--it's not really good for large scale trees at all, better in HO or something like that.  At the time, I didn't know any better tree-making techniques, but have learned a few since then. 

Thank you all for the compliments and comments!!  Thanks again for looking!

  • Member since
    January 2007
Posted by the doog on Wednesday, March 19, 2008 9:54 AM
Again, senojrn, an excellent piece of work! YOu have nothing to hang your head about with the vegetation, and the figures are excellently portrayed! Big Smile [:D]
  • Member since
    November 2005
  • From: Somewhere over the rainbow
Posted by m1garand on Thursday, March 20, 2008 1:31 AM

Excellent work Senojorn!

 

  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: Staten Island, New York
Posted by kenny_conklin on Saturday, March 22, 2008 6:51 PM
excellent job realy well done
"Rakkasans Lead the Way!"
  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: The Great Wet North
Posted by jaysun on Saturday, March 22, 2008 10:58 PM
 Dwight Ta-ala wrote:

I like it very much. It has a very peaceful and calm atmosphere...like calm before the storm kind of feel.

It is a job well done in my opinion! 

 

 panzerguy wrote:

   Senojrn, don't sell your self short my man this is pretty darn good.The only thing I might suggest is place a GI laying down behind the hedgerow like he's waiting for the germans to pass by.It would give more drama to the scene.

That is a great suggestion. In fact I did something similar many moons ago.

 I've seen this one before...it always gave me the creeps. Only because the Germans know he's there. My heart would be pounding up my throat. 

I love the smell of super glue in the morning. Smells like...victory.
  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: Colorado
Posted by psstoff995 on Sunday, November 16, 2008 3:16 AM
Although when I focus on the foliage, it does look a little harsh in some spots (in my oppinion something is more off with the twigs... maybe its the way the foam almost rests on top of it? I can't tell... it really looks fine just... something a little off...), the only reason I would have even diverted my attention from the figures was your mention of it. It's an excelent backdrop and you managed to create such an interesting group of figures that, in that first picture, it almost looks like you had the man with goggles looking at a wartime photographer who snapped the picture. I wouldn't be surprised to come across a similar layout in an old grainy black and white, very well done in making almost what I'd call a 4D model by removing the "4th wall".

-Chris

US Army Infantryman

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