Hi guys. I've started my first ever diorama using a 10x12 inch picture frame and base/balsa wood for the sides. I've used polystrene to fill the inside and overed using plaster of paris and a top coat of Woodland Scenics "Mold-A-Scene plaster". What do you think so far???

It is to depict a rural Normandy scene. The hole at the front will be a small pond/pool of water. The road (lower level) runs across where is the tank will be positioned. I will include a oak tree at the top left (or right) corner and have a wooden fence with barbed wire running across from left to run to follow the line of the road - either on the top of the road or the bottom, I haven't decide where.

What should I do now to prepare the base?

Should I add perhaps a top level of fine play pit sand for the road to give it texture??? The road will be fairly muddy to match the textured mud paint on the tank. Should I colour the bottom of the pond in readiness for the real water stuff ??? Should I add a overcoat / base of paint to the whole ground???

Any advice please. Thank you.

Hi Paul,
Well your 1st DIO,COGRATS,looks great so far,stick with it.The road is going to be muddy?How I did a muddy road once I toke a mix of 75% powder(baby)and and some white glue and the MUD paint I was using mix it till I got the look I wanted.Then place it on the dio where I wanted it.Let set for about 5mins then take the Tank and STAMP the tracks in it so it looks all torn up.As for your water well I just toke white glue and layered it where I wanted it,It takes time and the last layer mix in you water color maybe a green+some brown.Then coat it with HIGH GLOSS VARNISH the GLOSSY you can find.As to the top coat I use flat varnish and thinned abit and I just shot it thought my airbrush.ALLWAYS! TEST SPRAY VARNISHES,and "DULLCOTES" that companies sell.You don't what to mess up all your hard work.
Hope that helps you out.
Cheers
Mike

excellent! Thanks for the advice

Instead of white glue, which will take ages to layer, get some Liquitex 2 part epaoxy at the LHS or an art & craft store, e.g. Michaels or AC Moore. You could also use 2 part epoxy that's used for decoupage. They will dry solid and clear in about 24 hours with minimal shrinkage. You could even just go to the hardware store and get soem 5 minute epoxy in tubes and use that. Paint the bottom dark browns and grays first.

I would add the sand and texture to the road if you're going muddy. You should also look to add tank tracks to the road.

The pond should be colored a dark brownish green just in case you can see through any of the water that you add. Better safe than sorry.

What's in store for the bottom left? Maybe a well and watering trough for some farm animals? Maybe a few pieces of farm equipment?

Well, I've been busy doing my diorama and I hope you like the look of it so far. I'm nearly finished.

The sprig/hedge along the road is made out of horsehair and I will place a barb wire wooden fence just in front of that and the road. I've needed reeds to the pool and a few clumps of taller grass around. I intend to add the scenic water/gel stuff to the pool at the end. I also intend to place a tall Oak tree towards the back and slightly to the left (off centre). Once this is done I hope to buy the new Tamiya US Infantry at rest 1/48 kit and place two or three men around the tank.

I thought about added a well and a peasent person, but intend wanted to keep it simple. Perhaps I could add some live stock instead, perhaps a sheep or something.






I've just done the fence using 1 inch tall dowels painted red brown weathered look. I will then add barbed wire once I make it.




I've added some more grass around the fence so that glue is still drying, hence why it is still a bit white.

Looking good so far. Will you be using any figures?
-Mike

Yeah I hope to use the 1/48 scale "Tamiya US Army Infantry at rest" figures - perhaps two or three. Not sure what they will be doing yet, standing around the tank perhaps

just a proposition.
a)A raw umber oil wash to cover all the ground.
b)Airbrush the grass and the plants to make different shadows.
and dry brush ( yellow oil ) them for the same reason
petros

Well I've done the fence with the barbed wire and done a bit of weathering using powders on the grass and in particular the road, but I am unsure how to go about using the Scenic Water.

The product I brought was "Deluxe Materials Scenic Water" remeltable. It says on the instructions you heat it in hot water 60 degrees C and pour it in the pond or pool. I assume it is a similar product that Woodland Scenics make "E-Z water".

Anyway I have a number of questions to ask:

1) Should I seal the base of the pool using varish?? to prevent it soaking into the plaster?

2) Is it possible to tint the water as as shown in the white container it is a slight yellow colour. ???

3) If it is possible to tint it, what colour should I use???
I thought about :

Tamiya Blue X-4
Tamiya Clear Blue X-23
Humbrol Clear green 1235
Humbrol semi-matt green 364

I have already painted the base of the pool a murky colour, darkest for the deepest (Nato black) to a murker green (Drab olive) in the outer areas.

What would you do???

This is my finished model, all I need to add are the figures.

Hope you like it

wow looks really good

Very well done for this scale, Very impressive
My only suggestions would be that I can see a shadow under the track links, which makes it look like it's riding on top and not sinking in a little. The only reason I mention it is because you stated it was to be a wet road.
Maybe a beat up road sign would also help to show location. I don't know if they have any in 1/48 or not.
Congrats, good job.
Bob