Some weeks ago, I came here for advice regarding building my first military diorama. I finally decided on a make shift tank repair station. Here’s a few photos of how it’s going. Although there are many more months of work ahead, I’m happy with the progress so far.
Any and all sugestions are welcome.
I did the groundwork with plaster and later painted over it to get an idea of the colors I wanted. After that, various grass types were used. The board is scrap I picked up and I cut four pieces of semi circular wood to make the frame. Still a lot to do to the frame and everything else.
There will be a tank, repair crew, tools, the tank crew playing cards while waiting, a motorcycle and side car along with its riders.
~E.B. This is looking very good. Sounds like it will have all the makings to be “The Kind” Your grasses look good,the tree too. I like the ruts in earth maybe the best. I could leave it there…only thing I’d say is maybe personalize the structure a bit more / some weathering to roof & stonework(and get those wall-bottoms underground. Anyways, I like what I see and will be checking your progress.
I see what you mean about the wall bottoms and I’ll correct that. Adding ivy won’t be a problem either. I agree the walls and roof need more weathering but I’m not sure what I should do about it or what technique to use. They do need “something” though.
I don’t know what “The Kind” is. Can you fill me in?
Hey Electric Blues:Iam leaning toward a dio. of that very same subject only in italy.Building the Hornisse with the drivers compartment roof removed for some driveline repairs.I have a base I plan to use,just trying to get the hornisse finished as it is part of the 1000 Roadwheels group build.Looking forward to your progress.Looks great so far.
Yeah those vacu-form walls are a bear to get together ! There’s way more work involved in even the simplest of those MiniArt buildings than it seems like, though once they’re all done and carefully painted, they can look great. I built this one for my Dio “In Russian Hands”, but replaced the cobble street, and added another lampost from another Miniart kit.
I painted it very much like the Boxart, but added alot of weathering by way of pigment powders(particularly to the bottom area) and some smoke damage wwith airbrush(minimal though) You may note I keyed the walls the the ground with a cement foundation(made from some shaped spakle-like Elmers Wood Filler.
E.B. I’d say your building would benifit rom some color varriations maybe added by drybrushing some different greys on the stones and some MORE different red-oranges on the roof tiles, maybe some pigments dusted on theat tie in the groundwork colors, maybe bring the dirt up the walls a little to make them connect more.Possibly an airbrush pass with a dust glaze? Something to take the "newness’ off
~I hope this gives you some ideas and helps~!~~~~~~~~~~Indy
Indy, speaking of devil I am workin on 1/35 German figures and I plan to use tiny cobblestones as bases to keep them from falling. I really liked how you painted yours and I’d like to know more how it was done if you don’t mind. What was the base color before you painted different gray colors on the stones. I plan to use MIG at the end too… my first attempt too.
No problem Andy. Here’s the link, read it through and comment at it’s end & let me know what you think or ask any questions… /forums/1175194/ShowPost.aspx
There’s some good info about the base there, but there’s more about painting cobbles(and finishing them with pigments too) on this build… /forums/1194187/ShowPost.aspx
Wow Indy, that’s a great looking Dio! I see what you mean about the need for more weathering. I have a three day weekend so I’ll be able to do some work on mine. I’ll post on Sat. or Sun. and see what you all think.
I added more weathering to tiles and walls as suggested. Also added some more vines. As far as the terrain, I added a little mud texture so I could show some track marks… nothing exagerated though, just here and there to suggest them. There’s a little campfire thrown in for good measure.
I think it still needs “dust”, a whole bunch of it, especially on roofs and roadway but I guess that should be one of the last steps. If I apply it now and then try to fix it with matt clear, it kind of disapears. I also have to work on the frame.
Thanks for your help guys and I’ll keep posting updates as I go along. If you guys agree, I’ll call the terrain finished and start building all the stuff that goes on it!
Thanks very much Indy! I’m enjoying the project inmensely and again, I’m grateful for the suggestions you and the others have made. If ou have any more, please keep the coming.
I have a motorcycle and sidecar with it’s two man crew that will be parked at the edge of the roadway. I think the guy from the sidecar will be taking a leak over by the tree. I might put up a little road side where he’s parked.
