here we are...this is what I am working on since xmas...
the scenery shows some german soldiers from different units hiding somewhere in south-germanys forests waiting for the end of war...
biggest problem for them as for most of the germans to that time is getting something to eat. They discovered some nice looking fish in the water and the question is: "...does someone have a fish hook?".

I don´t want to show historical accuracy with those soldiers from different units. Just want to have fun with building and painting it.

Hope I can bring the whole scenery to life.
If wanted I can post some more pics from how I did the water.

Any comments welcome...

her some pics of how it roughly should come out...







not sure whether I like this bridges??? I was thinking about something like those


first pic is from Romania and second from Mallorca. looking very similar!

Holger,

my first reaction is to say that with the short distance betwen the rocks there is no need fo a bridge!
At least the one on the right side is not needed.

I also think that a simple plank would be enough here.

Did you put some fish in the water?

Claude

I agree on the need for a bridge. I think your biggest issue is the log/tree floating downstream. This really takes the attention off of the rest of the scene. I think I spy a fish behing the tree/log, but can't be sure. Something else you may want to consider is the availability of fish vs. the availability of other wild life. IMHO the soldiers would be more likely to set traps for small game and shoot larger than trying to fish with an absence of hook. The water and rocks look great. The scene appears to be a little far fetched. Once again, just MHO.

Wouldn't they be likely to just toss in a grenade?

I think the bridges look too precarious. They are okay to have there if its a well used path but they need to fixed in place better. I certainly wouldn't feel safe sitting on one

Problem with tossing in the grenade, who wants to go for a swim? Especially having to navigate the crevase, both up and down.

bonjour Claude,
yes there are some


thx for comments...
don't you think it is to empty without the bridges? and what if you are carrying thinks would be easier or?

*exer


they are not fitted yet cause I'm not sure whether I like them...

as I said its just a rough idea of things so far...

Holger

I like it. Very nice and unusual type of scene. I like your bridges that you have made. I have seen real life foot bridges that were a lot less sturdy looking that yours.

Very nice scene and I am looking forward to seeing the finished project.

Randy

It may look empty without bridges, but i don't see the need here. If they want to fish, they can do it from one side, no need to be on both sides.
I know it is difficult now for you as you had a specific idea and are in doubt now with our comments.

One solution may be to limit the soldiers on one side and overgrow the other side with green stuff, reinforcing your idea of a forest.
A nice little evergreen in the middle would be great also.

Just an idea

Claude

I like the idea a lot. Very creative. My main concern is I can't identify the focus and the story without being told. I don't have a lot of suggestions at this point except to reconsider the layout. The title is fun (once the scene is explained, but what if it were altered with a few fish already cought on the rocks? This would draw the viewer to see the fish in the water (which are almost invisible unless you're looking for them)? Just a thought.

Holger, I like the idea for this scene and there have been some good suggestions and comments so I'll just say I'm definetly following this, good luck with it!

Hi Holger

I like your composition a lot...the bridges, rock, water and poses look great. I agree that maybe you should add some fish to the rocks (or in an up-turned helmet!). The soldier could be using make-shift (improvised) poles out of tree branches and string, or even for fun have a soldier trying to "spear" a fish with a sharpened stick.

Thanks for sharing your theme, keep it up and I'll also be following your progress!

Good luck

Forgot something:
You definitely need some "white Water" around the trunk in the water

Claude

just some more pics of "the making of..."
groundwork(would have worked out well even without water)






those fish




more fish on a second level







here we have the two different water levels...

...and some closer views of fish and water moves...

I like this a lot. The fish are more readily identifiable. Make sure there is a pole and line, even if no hook. Very cool ideas. How did you make the fish?

Cool idea and I like the water and groundwork. The terrain looks a lot like scenes from Northern Italy in the Dolomites. Very nice area to visit. The fish are well done as well.
Nice topic.
J

Grenade fishing probably won't be a good idea in a stream or river where the dead fish would float away. It does make me recall a story from WWII that my Grandfather used to tell. Apparently, his unit was stationed in a small village after Germany's surrender.

One day a few guys went fishing with explosives (he was in an engineering unit with access to them) in a lake. The local population was hungry having been unable to conduct much farming or commerce in the waning days of the war in Europe. They eyed all those fish floating up. With just a simple nod of approval from the US soldiers, they quickly jumped in and began collecting fish to feed their families.

just added some movement to the water...

Nice project, a bit different.
Don't forget to add lots of weathering to the walls, lots of greens and blacks and browns to show the layering of dirt and grime that would have been splashed on the wall and left over time.

awesome!
being a rookie diorama builder, yours is truly inspiring. thanks for sharing.

reb

I love it. You did a nice job with the water effects. I also like your theme very much. I can't wait to see it finished.

-Joe

It looks much better. For some reason the dead tree doesn't draw attention as much; at least, not from this angle. The addition of more fish or the repostioning of them is fantastic.

...ok...this is what I did the last few days.
bid of "planting" and cleaning the surface of the "water"...
I leave the "bridges" until the figures are on and then I will have the decision whether I want them or not...








...2 be continued...

Overrall I think this is looking real good- the color of the rocks and the look and color of the vegetation is spot-on- it looks very natural. The only thing I would say is that the tree roots? look awfully strange protruding out the way they do. If that is supposed to be branches and will be covered with foliage then I think it would be okay, but it they are meant to be roots then I think it looks a bit strange. The roots would likely be protruding out of the side of the cliff.

Anyway, good work and good luck with it!

I honestly wanted to comment earlier but I have been busy, this is a great little diorama … I really liked the idea and the way you executed it. Looking forward to seeing the painted figures in place.

Regards,