@James- Outstanding work dude! Lots of color now and it all looks very real.

@Jerry- Thanks for that man! I had forgotten it completely. I want to finish it now that James' beautiful coposition has rekindled the "flame".

Cheers Dave

Cool work James! I think you perform far better than my rectangled cobblestones project, and more efficient! By the way, about the figures you purchased, I found an old DML's WW II German halftrack kit, an Sd.Kfz. 251 Ausf C Rivetted Version that gives bonus similar figures you have. I was failed to finish such kit from the first purchase due to broken & missing parts everywhere and decide to build another one at the second purchase, and also the figures, again!!

Good luck until the finish line of your outstanding diorama!


Cheers


Garry

Thank you guys ! Progress has been very slow on the figures. Need motivation forbthem ! I found some moss that looks pretty good so I zapped it and coated in varnish paint and glue. Examples are in the images below.
I am going to experiment with paper ferns tomorrow, and see what I can make.

Right photos. They were taken on my phone and then cropped in.

Here is some new foliage along the edge of the trench


These small bushels are scattered around too







Slow but determined progress... I got the idea for an autumn feel after a bit of googleing, found some shots of rural / woodland with greeny paches amongst a leafy cover.

Hello All! another , yes another minor update!
i have been shading the figures bit by bit. and touching up things in not happy with on the soviet grenade thrower.


His hand needs to be finished. oops. plus some more outlining.



I'm quite happy with the face, although when shot on the diorama, it looks pale!



the german soldiers back is the main focus of this figure, and the most visiable on him.
this here has the penultimate highlight..


the front will not be seen so this is only painted basically, with minor shadows and highlights.

this is the crouching german with the final highlight.

and his pal

I have been silent for a bit in this thread. But I have followed it with every update and I have to say that you are definately on your way to create something nice.
The groundwork is ace and actually looks like woodland area. Great job on that.
And your figure painting work is also looking the part. Great job. Those greens on the German are really neat and the Russian soldier looks awesome too.

Thank you Robert, I took inspiration for the figured from your Germans presented earlier. I think I was worried to add to bright a highlight and to dark a shade, but, Experimentation prevails and i am happy with the results!
the crouching figure is nearly complete, some photos should follow before the day is out.

Really nice progress on everything and the shading is coming along nicely as well.
J

Cheers Jerry!

sorry for the seemingly repeated photos, there is a change in every upload I promise!


To do list...
Tank needs a little blending with the base,I have started doing this with some warm green filters. I need to add some od mud to the sprocket and Idler, and the Tracks are missing a link and some final weathering.
The final figure needs work
Ferns and final mushrooms.
the grass needs toning down with more ochre drybrushing.

photo time. It does look like more of the same, but there are small changes and additions each time so sorry for the seemingly repetitive photographs.

I see the subtle differences my friend, excellent stuff. Jealousy is a strong word, but I'm pretty jealous of your painting skills. I gotta get me some primer...this is perfect proof of how it great it works. But yeah, awesome job here, can't wait for the finished product. Apologies if I'm sounding a bit, off, jsut had surgery and the drugs are probably still in my system hahaha.

-Conor

it's a great job, you have made, don't worry about the soviet figure it looks really nice. congrats it's a very good work in all of it's parts!!!!!!!!!!!

Well Now you have done it.

Your diorama made me purchase a T26 of my own... well that and the fact it was on sale cheap. Exactly the same kit. If mine comes out just as good as yours I'm a happy man

Great work James I'm itching to start a trench dio of my own after seeing yours

hey Conor, I hope it was nothing serious, and I wish you a speedy recovery. The Trick goes beyond having a good primer, if you want I can put up a step by step on the figure forum as I work through one of the spare figures if you would like? trying to be as accurate with describing what I am doing as i can! ( im not great at that lol!) My painting skills evolved over a few years due to Armorama, and historicus forma and the amazing folks on here, that pushed me to better myself. I used to knock out a figure in around 30 mins of painting, now its more of a 2-3 evening jobby. I appreciate you looking in.

Jose, Thankyou for watching, the last figure will hopefully be done soon!

Robert, take care with the tracks, the pins have a tendancy to be a pain!( or so they seemed to for me) and I have no reservations that your build will surpass my attempt.

Pat, looking forward to seeing it !!

Folks, we are near the end, one figure left to paint, and a little work on the base. happy modelling. James

Yeah nothing too serious...Just nasty and uncomfortable hahaha. And yes please sir! A step by step would be great. I learn a lot from those. Hope it's not too much trouble.

-Conor

OUTSTANDING

James, Coming along nicely, still following your beautiful "work".

Cheers Dave

Thanks guys. I appreciate the feedback as ever !
Conor , I picked up the dml barbarossa set ill use them shortly and try and document everything !

A small update. Figure #3 is coming closer to completion.





Apologies for the mobile phone photos !

I've actually got that very same figure sitting on my workbench. Only real difference is that I haven't touched him in over a year, seeing as I accidentally dropped him in a Tamiya paint can... Now I feel like giving him another shot

Good stuff.

-Conor

This has really moved along! You are really getting good James. Everything looks terrific. I think your figure painting is going good!

Nice painting going on and I really like your color values. If I may make a suggestion. The last figgie has his ammo pouches too low. The MP40 pouches had loops in the back for the waist belt to pass through and a ring at the top to hook onto the y strap adjuster. They were worn canted to the sides so you could bend at the waist easily. Just sayin.
As you paid so much attention to getting a great paint job going I thought you would want to know? Cool that you got the color of the canteen cup right as well,most guys don't.
J

Conor, go for it! a oven cleaner soak should see to any tamiya paint hanging on!
Greg, thankyou! there is always room for improvment though and im no happy with my shading! more practise for me!!..
Jerry. I dont want to risk moving the magazine pouches, although its annoying me now. I may move them if im feeling brave enough, we'll see!!

ill try and get some better quality photos in a moment, I'm fussy and phone pics don't cut it for me.

hey guys, I think the figures are done now. ( think..)

Well done!!
J

Thanks Jerry, don't worry about the mg pouches, that has been saved in brain/memory/references for next time

James, Sorry if you already dicussed this, but what were the brand of paint and colors called out for the Ger figs trousers and tunics? Thank You dude

Jerry- Thanks for that input. I would've been hanging the MG pouches too low probably as well. It's greatly appreciated!
I have a fairly lrg East Front dio in the works and on one fig it's all good, but not when multiplied!!

Really impressive James, Cheers Dave