Hi, im new to this site and i need some help with attempting to make a beach diorama as a base.

I would like to build a diorama of 2 navy seals in diving gear coming up out of the water and onto the beach, for this ill be using DML's 'SEAL team 3' set. i have it in my head of what id like to do, the crouching figure is already on the beach while the one standing up is about thigh deep in water coming out.

I need tips on the following - 1) how to make a realistic looking beach as a base, 2) how to pour the resin water around the figures to make the ocean, do i pour it in one go up to the figures thigh, or in small consistent amounts waiting for it to dry before gradually layering it to the thigh.

Any links to tutorials, or personal advice and step by step guides would be much appretiated.

regards,

tom

Hi Thomas
Welcome to Armorama!
You have chosen a challenging subject. I would start with the Diorama section in the forums. Click on Water Effects and have a look at some of the latest posts by some of the top contributors here. You will learn a lot about types of media and techniques.Using resin can be challenging. Generally, apply resin in thin layers, building up to the final depth. The groundwork (the beach) should be completed first. I am sure you will get many more tips and advice from more members in due course.
Good luck
Regards
Garth

I did a water front diorama and used sand from the beach. It looked awful. I did it over again using very fine sandblasting sand. I painted the base with Elmer's white glue and poured the sand on top. The next day I dumped all the excess sand off. I'm happy with the way that it turned out.
For water I used Magic Water. This stuff is great. I poured it about a half inch thick and it dried crystal clear with absolutely no air bubbles at all. It looked like glass. Here's the link to it: http://unrealdetails.com/default.htm
I went over it with Woodland Scenics water effects to make ripples and waves.
I took some pictures while I did it. Here's a link to them: http://journals.fotki.com/DaveInTheHat/tugboat-diorama/
There's so many different ways to do stuff look around and I'm sure you'll find several different options. Hope this gives you some ideas.

The other posts give good info on water. the more you research the better your project will be.
Plan out the composition before you move on. i would mock up the whole thing in paper cutouts. A figure on he beach and one in the water thigh high might require a lot of open space. Tides, and waves and natural sloping beaches may require more space or a twist in size.
You should also test the water material on the plastic, some two part water affects heat up and melt plastic. You may end up cutting the figure off at the knees and pouring less water.

ok well ive started this project, i got the figures through this morning and am just about half way through one figure. ive changed his kit around so hes got a silenced M4 with ACOG, and the ammuntion pouches are now M4 aswell, the other is going to be armed with a SR25 so it will depict a seal sniper team gong into action. The water effects i will be using is 'deluxe materials scenic water' it comes in a tub and is like a jelly, u just cut a chunk out zap it in the microwave with some food colouring and pour it, this stuff didnt give off any heat when i tested it which was good, just goes back to being a jelly and slowly solidifys over 24 hrs. thanks for the tips guys , ill get some pics up once ive painted both figures.

regards tom

For waves, I use clear acrylic chaulking. Work a bead from one side to the other and use an old brush to crest the tops and give it grooves on the down side. Dry brush to your color and add some white tips to the top. For my beach I use what they call baby sand. It's the stuff you use in sand box's, very fine stuff.

Hi Thomas
watch when you use the water effects ,as i have used this too only a teaspoon full of the stuff and after a period of time it will collect dust like bees to a honey pot which then takes away its sheen and looks very dull.

Darren

thanks for the advice guys, well i came to the conclusion after testing and failing with the beach idea that i didnt want to do it, i searched dioramas of seals and i found this -

https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/39404&page=1

so i started doing this earlier today, i made the base the ground work and poured the resin, and tbh i though its come out fairly well considering my lack of expeirience with the stuff. ill just let you guys, decide for urselves once the pics are up lol.

regards

tom

just completed my little project guys.

ragrds,

tom

http://gallery.kitmaker.net/showphoto.php/photo/336319/ppuser/41208
http://gallery.kitmaker.net/showphoto.php/photo/336318/ppuser/41208
http://gallery.kitmaker.net/showphoto.php/photo/336317/ppuser/41208
http://gallery.kitmaker.net/showphoto.php/photo/336316/ppuser/41208
http://gallery.kitmaker.net/showphoto.php/photo/336315/ppuser/41208

Hi Thomas
Your pics are out of focus a bit, but from what I can see, this looks like a good result. Try and back up a little and steady the camera a little better.
I would like to see more.
Regards
Garth