The Fall of Acre, 1191 (2 Viewers)

[Leadmen]

Last one thank God. I was hoping the diorama would be easy. Have to go get some more gas and bandages. John

 

[Leadmen]

I will delete it from your thread Mike if you wish. J

 

[mestell]

I will delete it from your thread Mike if you wish. J

That project is going to take a lot of Celluclay!!! Thanks for making me laugh John. Leave the pics if you want to, perhaps they will raise a good chuckle for others.

Mike

 

[mestell]

His companion mortally wounded, a Templar desparately defends himself against members of Saladin's body guard.

Mike

 

[mestell]

A duel in the dunes.

Mike

 

[debrito]

Nice clear photos Mike, but I don't recognize those Templares....

 

[mestell]

Nice clear photos Mike, but I don't recognize those Templares....

Thanks Rod. The Templars are individual pieces that were painted in Russia - St. Petersburg Collection. Pricey companions to my K&C Crusaders. The Saracens pictured with the mounted Templar are also St. Petersburg. The painting on these are very detailed. Here's another pic of them all together.

Mike

 

[mestell]

Here are some close-up shots that hopefully lets you see the painting detail of these St. Petersburg figures.

Mike

 

[bearybones]

Mike,

Those St. Petersburg Templars and saracens are really nice and are a great addition to your diorama. You're certainly putting together a wonderful collection of Crusade-era figures. Thanks for the landscaping tips you've given to us all. Your diorama is very impressive and I'm thoroughly enjoying your continuing submissions to this forum as your diorama progresses.

George
AKA: bearybones

 

[beating retreat]

Excellent Diorama

 

[The Lt.]

Great photos Mike and John what can I say about your photo other than it's priceless.....The Lt.

 

[Mister Dave]

Mike,

Just been catching up on this thread. The diorama is looking very nice indeed. Great setting for your ever expanding Crusaders and Saracens collection.

MD

 

[debrito]

Thanks Mike for the explanation about the St Pete figurines.

 

[Spitfrnd]

Here are some close-up shots that hopefully lets you see the painting detail of these St. Petersburg figures.

Mike

Those are nice additions indeed Mike. The horse is even pretty nice, the ears are too small but otherwise quite nice. It is interesting to see how well these fit in with the K&C figures. They appear to be the same size. Do you have a link to where you got them?

 

[mestell]

Those are nice additions indeed Mike. The horse is even pretty nice, the ears are too small but otherwise quite nice. It is interesting to see how well these fit in with the K&C figures. They appear to be the same size. Do you have a link to where you got them?

I agree with you - I also think the horse's ears are a wee bit small - didn't really notice that until I looked at the close-up pic I took of it. That's the trouble with close-ups, they not only show the detail but they can also show the flaes just as well. I got these at the Chicago OTSN show. Somewhere around here I have a card from the dealer. If I can locate it I will list his link. In the meantime I would certainly recommend AeroArt at their .com location for very nicely done St Petersburg items. Also, the Hobby Bunker and the Monkey Depot are authorized dealers for AeroArt, St Petersburg Collection figures. MIke

 

[mestell]

Its been an absolutely cold rainy mixed with snow flurries Saturday here in south central Wisconsin. Although the weather outside is frightful (gee that sounds like lyrics from a song) its been a perfect day inside to work on my diorama. I have been working on the east wall of "Acre" where I will be placing my K&C Siege Tower and my AeroArt Scaling Ladder. Took a few pics while I progressed. Taking a break from my landscaping now to allow the Celluclay, et al to dry. Here are four pics:

pic #1 is a before shot. Primed and painted table top is exposed. I have sculpted (out of floral foam) a few small piles of what will be sand and have glued then in place along the front of the wall.

pic #2 shows a large area that I wanted a small elevation in. I have shaped this elevation out of a piece of white floral foam that was 12" wide and 7/16" thick - didn't want a mountain just a small rise in the land to place the siege tower on.

pic #3 shows the area I am working on roughly covered with prepared Celluclay.

pic #4 shows the area smoothed out (damp paint brush), additional surface color added (raw sienna, yellow ocher, and desert sand), sand sprinkled on, and Woodland Scenics turf applied. Also presssed into the wet Celluclay the tracks of the Siege Tower where it was rolled across the terrain to the wall.

I'll let this dry overnight. Hopefull it will be dry enough to finish it tomorrow. Until then - Mike

 

[marco55]

Great Mike,
You could have become a professional at diorama making but then again it wouldn't be as much fun.Keep posting.
Mark

 

[aujj65]

Mike, you know my thoughts on your diorama already , but I would like to ask how are you going to finish off the background, with a backdrop or just plain?

Jeff

 

[thebritfarmer]

Excellent stuff Mike thank you for taking us along on the ride so that we can see your excellent work. Looking forward the next round.

Scott

 

[mestell]

Mike, you know my thoughts on your diorama already , but I would like to ask how are you going to finish off the background, with a backdrop or just plain?

Jeff

Thanks for the kind words Marc, Jeff and Scott.

Jeff - I have been asked the same question by my wife, and son-in-law. When it comes to painting I am "all thumbs". I really think it will look better if I don't paint a backdrop unless I did it in a solid color, for example sky blue. If I tried to paint a scenic backdrop myself I think I'll be very disappointed in it and I know it would look very amaturist. I have thought about commissioning a pro-artist to do it for me but I haven't researched local availability and cost yet.

Mike