Building The Winter Diorama (1 Viewer)

[Rob]

Great work Harry,really very good.

Rob

 

[Harrytheheid]

Great work Harry,really very good.

Rob

Cheers Rob.
Right, that is that one done and dusted. Its back to the desert for me.....although not in real life - thankfully.

 

[sv288]

This makes me want to do something like this. Superb!!!!!!!!

 

[mikemiller1955]

Harry,

All the photos have been delelted.

I know this is asking a lot, but is there anyway you can restore them or send me a link to your gallery?

Michael

 

[Harrytheheid]

Sure Mike,

There's quite a few and unfortunately I'm pushed for time right now cos we're heading off to Beijing for the weekend fairly soon, so it'll be sometime next week before I can get the initial photo's of the various steps in construction posted and I've no idea where the commentary that goes with them might be. But it ought to be fairly obvious how it was put together when I post different snaps I took when building it and was deciding on figure layout and what vehicle to use.
This was only my second attempt at putting together a proper diorama and I made lots of mistakes while I was at it, but it was an excellent learning curve.

Apologies to those who've seen these pictures before - but it's a direct request from Mike - and other newer members of the forum might like to see them as well.

Meanwhile here's a few pics of the finished item that I have available at the moment. Hope you like them.

This is one of my personal favourites. This guy is obviously "Not Too Happy" at the freezing conditions - and the thought of what might be coming up that road later in the day.

Like I said, gimme a few days and I'll see what I can dig out on the construction of the dio.

Regards
Harry

 

[mikemiller1955]

Harry,

Thanks so much, you've really gone to a lot of effort to help me.

The original photos with the text that adjoins them probably showed the detail of the making.

These are beautiful, extrodinairy work, but if you ever come across the originals that belong with the text, please let me know.

Your work is really gorgeous.

I have been thinking of buying an ice sickle set and playing around with it.

Your pictures have sold me on it.

Thanks again,
Michael

 

[Harrytheheid]

Harry,

Thanks so much, you've really gone to a lot of effort to help me.

I have been thinking of buying an ice sickle set and playing around with it.

Your pictures have sold me on it.

Thanks again,
Michael

No I haven't.
I just dug out some old photo's, which was no biggie. As per my latest PM, I'll try and get them posted on Thursday (my time), but you'll have to bear with me, cos I'll also be playing with the new toys we're picking up tomorrow - including 1st Legions 3 new Samurai figures - Huzzah.....!!!!!


Regards
Harry

 

[Harrytheheid]

Mike,

Here's some photo's in colour. These were taken before I finished off the edges of the diorama base. I hit on a cheap and chearful method of doing it neatly and, dare I say it, almost professionally. I got some wooden picture frames made to measure then just dropped them into place over the dio. Refer to the first photo below (of an experimental Charge of the Light Brigade layout) to see what I mean.

Regards
Harry

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[debrito]

Harry, This is your best yet diorama, very realistic.

Good job

 

[UKReb]

Harry

I fully agree with Mike & Rod they are some of the best winterised dios I've ever seen. Simply great work.

Reb

 

[kilted vampire]

Harry these are great! I am glad you are back! I just do not have enough insanity to spread around. What did you use to get the snow to stick to everything?

 

[Harrytheheid]

Harry these are great! I am glad you are back! I just do not have enough insanity to spread around. What did you use to get the snow to stick to everything?

Well KV, it gets down to minus 20C, sometimes minus 30C, during winter in Dalian, so I stuck the diorama out the window for a couple of hours - Abracadabra - realistic freezin' conditions......

I used 2-part clear epoxy for the ice. It looks ridiculous in the front view photo of the m/c gun pit cos of the reflections, but once I toned it down it looked okay.
As for the snow, a light spray of diluted white glue prior to sprinkling it on through a fine flour seive fixed it in place.
I also generally use (a lot) of superglue as well. Chinese superglue - isn't super, so just a smear of it keeps loose equipment, spears, rifles, and so on in place on figures, while dropping it around at random from a distance of a couple of inches fixes rocks, shrubs, groundcover, etc. to dio bases pretty effectively.
I blend the figure bases in with watered down plaster to which I've added a bit of the basic acrylic colour. Seems to work as once dry the entire diorama base gets a final colour wash which makes the figure bases (almost) invisible - and if necessary I can easily remove the figures. A wash with warm soapy water and scrub with an old toothbrush gets rid of the painted plaster and restores the figure base to its original condition.

Thanks for your positive feedback Mr Bob & Mr Rod.

Regards
Harry