scratch building for your dioramas (1 Viewer)
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Mitch
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tiking...
Thanks. I am going to be putting some trees built from scratch for winter dio's in the next few days and a couple of other bits and bobs which, hopefully will be of interest. Look forward to seeing some more of your work also
Mitch
Thanks. I am going to be putting some trees built from scratch for winter dio's in the next few days and a couple of other bits and bobs which, hopefully will be of interest. Look forward to seeing some more of your work also
Mitch
Mitch
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Denver...
Here are a few pics of the trees made from wire being coated in pva glus and plaster (as I had ran out of flexi bark) and weathered for a winter dio. I have only to add some snow to the branches for an appearance of having been in a snow storm.
The pictures are not great but, I am about to do one from scratch and have taken some pics from conception and will post shortly as a basic tutorial of how I do them. These give the idea though the armatures are made from craft wire 24 gauge and then flexi bark usually (from all good model stores) but, you can use plaster and PVA glus painted on to the frame. You can then add foliage as cheap or as expensive as you like.
Mitch
Here are a few pics of the trees made from wire being coated in pva glus and plaster (as I had ran out of flexi bark) and weathered for a winter dio. I have only to add some snow to the branches for an appearance of having been in a snow storm.
The pictures are not great but, I am about to do one from scratch and have taken some pics from conception and will post shortly as a basic tutorial of how I do them. These give the idea though the armatures are made from craft wire 24 gauge and then flexi bark usually (from all good model stores) but, you can use plaster and PVA glus painted on to the frame. You can then add foliage as cheap or as expensive as you like.
Mitch
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thebritfarmer
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Looks good Mitch and will be keeping my eyes peeled for the follow along !
Mitch
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Guys…
Here is, hopefully, an understandable way to make your own trees. I use thin wire to
make an armature and what I have done in the photo’s is show the basic steps to get the shape you want.
I use craft wire but, as its silver (see other pics) I have used red and green for the structure. I have cut nine length’s of wire about 90cm’s then fold the wire in half. I place three fingers (but, its not essential two may do) inside the folded wire and begin to twist about twelve times will do and, divide the 9 individual large loops into groups of three. Now, twist each of these 3 loops together until they each have little loops at the end, this gives you a tripod which, is how your tree stands upright.
Now, I twist all the remaining loose wires to form the tree trunk whatever size you want. Take four wires and twist them a few centimetres and this will form the first branches separate the four into two branches of two and, twist the wire this will begin to form separate branches from the main trunk when you get the length you want snip with pliers.
Repeat this process all the way up the tree until the wire runs out. You will only be able to get a few branches from the initial wire which, is why later I say you need to add shorter strips of wire and add as many as you are happy to do. This will give a decent looking naked tree. I then cut smaller strips of wire and add where I feel extra branches would be coming out from various points of the trunk. Again, smaller strips of wire are twisted around the main stem and pointed in the directions you wish. The ends of the wire from all the branches will allow you to split them similar to a snakes tongue which, gives more realism to the branches.
Once done you can add with a paint brush flexi bark or, if you don’t want to buy that product then any plaster and pva glue will suffice paint on the wire. It may take a couple of coats but, its an individual thing when it looks right. I leave mine overnight to cure and then paint with pigments or acrylics.
Foliage is again dependent on taste and type of tree your wanting winter you can get away with very little if any. There are many products to replicate foliage from litchen to purpose designed foliage laden branches which, can be attached to the frame you have built.
It’s a very easy way to make trees and you can have then any size depending on the length of wire you start with. The longer the wire the bigger and, the more lengths of wire the thicker the trunk will be.
I hope this made sense and that the pictures helped. Ask any questions if its confusing its fun to do and will save you plenty cash as they are not cheap
Mitch
Here is, hopefully, an understandable way to make your own trees. I use thin wire to
make an armature and what I have done in the photo’s is show the basic steps to get the shape you want.
I use craft wire but, as its silver (see other pics) I have used red and green for the structure. I have cut nine length’s of wire about 90cm’s then fold the wire in half. I place three fingers (but, its not essential two may do) inside the folded wire and begin to twist about twelve times will do and, divide the 9 individual large loops into groups of three. Now, twist each of these 3 loops together until they each have little loops at the end, this gives you a tripod which, is how your tree stands upright.
Now, I twist all the remaining loose wires to form the tree trunk whatever size you want. Take four wires and twist them a few centimetres and this will form the first branches separate the four into two branches of two and, twist the wire this will begin to form separate branches from the main trunk when you get the length you want snip with pliers.
Repeat this process all the way up the tree until the wire runs out. You will only be able to get a few branches from the initial wire which, is why later I say you need to add shorter strips of wire and add as many as you are happy to do. This will give a decent looking naked tree. I then cut smaller strips of wire and add where I feel extra branches would be coming out from various points of the trunk. Again, smaller strips of wire are twisted around the main stem and pointed in the directions you wish. The ends of the wire from all the branches will allow you to split them similar to a snakes tongue which, gives more realism to the branches.
Once done you can add with a paint brush flexi bark or, if you don’t want to buy that product then any plaster and pva glue will suffice paint on the wire. It may take a couple of coats but, its an individual thing when it looks right. I leave mine overnight to cure and then paint with pigments or acrylics.
Foliage is again dependent on taste and type of tree your wanting winter you can get away with very little if any. There are many products to replicate foliage from litchen to purpose designed foliage laden branches which, can be attached to the frame you have built.
It’s a very easy way to make trees and you can have then any size depending on the length of wire you start with. The longer the wire the bigger and, the more lengths of wire the thicker the trunk will be.
I hope this made sense and that the pictures helped. Ask any questions if its confusing its fun to do and will save you plenty cash as they are not cheap
Mitch
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Private Ryan
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Lookin good, the enjoyment of making your own pieces is almost as great a bonus as the money saved
mikemiller1955
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Mitch...this looks very interesting...I really appreciate your taking the time to show photos with an explanation and the specfic products used...I'm very anxious to see your tree complete and hope you will continue your "step by step" tutorial...
this is the best thing about this forum...to watch and learn new stuff from people generous enough to share their tips and techniques...I hope you will finish this project so I can learn...
this is the best thing about this forum...to watch and learn new stuff from people generous enough to share their tips and techniques...I hope you will finish this project so I can learn...
thebritfarmer
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Thanks Mitch following along with interest.
Mitch
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Guys...
Here are a few pics of one of the finished desert wells in a small diorama. They were done earlier in the thread. All adhered to foam board and I leave the board ragged before its attached to a base board I think it gives it a more battle effect than all covered nicely in plastic card .
Mitch
Here are a few pics of one of the finished desert wells in a small diorama. They were done earlier in the thread. All adhered to foam board and I leave the board ragged before its attached to a base board I think it gives it a more battle effect than all covered nicely in plastic card .
Mitch
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thebritfarmer
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Very cool Mitch !!
