i am going to make a memorial day diorama, it is going to consist of 2 ameracan soldiers walking down a road, they will be looking in the direction of a german grave under a tree, i will use natural roots for the trees. it will be set in the winter period, i will use baby powder for the snow and stick it down with hair spray (i got that idea from FAUST). does any body have any more suggestions?

Yeah, do a Harley with an MIA flag behind it, failing that a single figure in front of the Vietnam memorial or even a NY fireman... Jim....

How about a bit of a rock wall, low, kinda broken down a bit in sections. Just something to separate the road from the 'yard' area. Gives visual separation and also gives some other vertical movement in addition to the tree. You can also play some snow affect on the wall.

I would recoment an octogon shape and maybe have a bend in the road to give some extra flair to the scene.

Just some thoughts....... Have fun with it.

I got the impression the two soldiers were looking at the grave to signify respect for fellow warriors. If that is the case maybe have one or both soldiers saluting the grave?

I`m with Slodder here

A small stonewall (these really rough ones) kinda like this one would add a lot more to your scene


and add one of these small stones at the side of the road (Kilometre stone) It`s a small stone, about 20 or 30 cm high with a more or less rounded head and the upper half of it was usually painted red... This is probably the oldest way of Km indication and you really see it across whole Europe.

Well as already said you could do some with the road but that`s up to you

As you are going to make it a winter dio with snow, I suggest you make it a fresh grave with fresh soil and stones and not covered in snow to make it stand out more! Lots of soil scattered around the immediate area and footprints in the snow and mud. If you cover everything with fresh snow ..... it may be harder to portray a grave other than a white mound and a cross/gun. maybe even a few of his personnal items left on top to show he was german. It would stand out then as everything else would be toned down with snow cover.
So the striking picure would be a dark brown grave and 2 figures and everything else in shades of white. Good luck........ this sounds like a very interesting little dio.