Advice requested for painting diorama base (vignette)

Hi guys,

I’ve recently scored a Verlinden diorama kit (vignette) for Christmas from my other half - thanks babe! I’m normally a Formula 1 kit builder, but I’ve been eyeing this kit off for a while now, so I’m glad for the change.

You can see the specific kit (No. 1506) here:
http://www.verlinden-productions.com/vp_htm_1201_1800/1506.html

Anyway, I have a couple of questions:

  1. This kit didn’t come with any instructions. Is this normal for Verlinden kits and diorama bases? I suppose it could be, given what the kit actually is.

  2. I’m curious to know how others would tackle this kind of kit, with regards to painting specifically. The base is loaded with a wealth of detail, including half a figure embedded in the rubble. I’m assuming a light coat of primer, then airbrushing a light base coat of a colour I’m yet to figure out. There’s so many different colours on the base/kit, I’m not sure which to go with, or if there’s a rule of thumb.

I’ve read/searched a lot of threads and articles, ordered a few books from Amazon on figure painting and diorama creation/building, and I’m starting to get a ‘feel’ for what’s required.
I figure I’ll use a combination of enamel and oil paints for the majority of painting after a base colour coat is applied. After that from what I can tell the key is using washes for recesses and shadows, and drybrushing using lighter colours for highlights. I’m talking about the buildings more so than the figures.

I have a reasonable understanding of these methods of washes and drybrushing, but as my main area of skill is getting shiney, glossy paintjobs, my experience with using these techniques effectively is minimal.

So… can anyone give me any tips on how best to tackle the painting of this kit?
Any advice much appreciated!

Thanks guys,
Mark

Mark,

After constructing what needs to be put together, I would shoot a med to dark grey primer color. The darker grey primer will help in producing the shadows and dark spots in your diorama. Your groundwork requires airbrushing or hand brushing earth tones, then touching up several areas in different earth colors, followed by dark brown and black washes. Dry brushing a slighter light color to highlite the rubble. I would paint the brick mortar first by painting it a concrete color. The bricks will come next by painting each brick by alternating the brick colors by darkening and lightening the paint so all bricks don’t have the same tone. Several dark washes would follow in order to bring out shadows and details in the brick. I would also use some pastel powders for additional detailing like dust, grime and dirt, grimy walls etc. A flat clear coat seals and protects everything. Hope this points you on the right direction. Sounds like a fun project.