Hello everyone.

Treemendus makes a wonderful product for recreating a sandy/rocky desert scene for an African diorama. My question is twofold: are there any products out there that you use to create these same kind of dioramas in order to have variety (Egypy vs Libya vs Tunisia).

Also, I notice that the mud stuck to the panzers in Tunisia is rather dark, almost like red clay. What would you use to create this weathering effect. I have Hudson & Allen Red Clay as well as other pigments.

Thanks.

Alex

Alex,
Check out 'The Scenic Factory.' I've been using their 'Roots Material' for desert foliage. I just pinch and pull off clumps and glue them down to the surface -- added a few twigs too. Then I airbrushed 'Vallejo Grey Primer' for very subtle highlights. My base surface was very simple -- not much relief -- just vehicle tracks.

The Scenic Factory link: http://www.thescenicfactory.com/category_s/1866.htm

My DAK diorama ("Zum Sturm Vorwärts!") link: https://gallery.kitmaker.net/showphoto.php/photo/410778

Hope this helps,
--mike

For mud and dried mud effects I use artists' matte acrylic paste (Liquitex, or similar). A small jar will last a lifetime. Since it is white in the jar, and dries clear, you can color it with the pigment of your choice. I am sure this is what the various weathering companies put in little bottles, only a LOT cheaper. Available at all fine artists' supply stores.

Mike: that's an awesome diorama you have made and some great advice. Thank you for your advice and photos.

Also, I will make sure to invest in some matte acrylic paste.

Thanks.

Alex

My first diorama - thank you for the compliment!

I was just looking through my supply stash. 'Woodland Scenics' makes 'Talus' and 'Ballast' in varying sizes. I can see building stone walls and water wells out of these products to resemble North African village details. Also, 'The Scenic Factory' makes German Vehicle ID flags out of actual cloth; these add a lot of realism to DAK vehicles.

http://www.thescenicfactory.com/product_p/fl-02.htm
https://gallery.kitmaker.net/showgallery.php/cat/29044

-mike

Mike.

That's a great idea to use ballast/scree from Woodland Scenics to provide some differences in terrains throughout the North African countries in which battles were fought. Those flags would be perfect draped over the bin of the Tiger I I'm currently building.

Thanks.

Alex