Lost my way a bit with this one. The water didn't turn out as expected so I'm considering taking it off and re-doing it. Also have to complete the figure for the bicycle, which is missing at the moment. Any comments would be welcome.

Vinnie

I think the dio is great. The water looks a bit calm I suppose, but how will you get it off? I wouldn't risk damaging the dio!!

I think it looks fantastic!!
Maybe just add a little brown and green tints to the water and a few more coats varnish?
Anyway, I would be very pleased of myself if I could build a dio which looked half as nice as yours does!!
Where did you find the swimmerfigure?

grtz
Warvos

Thanks Bjorn, I think you're right about the different tints and hues needed in the water. I used some scenic stuff for it that melts an then you pour it. What I don't like about it is it stays soft like Jelly. It effectively becomes a dust trap that can't be dusted. I want to scrape it off and use something thats hard...laquer is an option. The swimmer figure was kindly sent by Engin (greywolf), for which I am truly grateful as I couldn't find a bare-chested figure anywhere. Thanks Engin!

Vinnie

I do agree with your impression of the water, however, there is so much more to look at that it's secondary.
Very nicely done.

Nice dio Vinnie. I'd like to know what you used for coloring and finishing the signpost. I have a similar sign already cut but I'm not exactly sure how to proceed with making it look good.

If possible, closeups would be really appreciated but I would be happy with just a description of what steps were required for the signpost.

Druid,
The signpost I used was one cut from cardboard in the Tamiya 'signpost' pack. I cut it out, stripped off the back thickness of the cardboard and mounted it on thin balsa wood. The post is styrene which is also in the kit. I airbrushed this buff then washed it with Citadel 'Brown Ink'. All was then airbrushed with Humbrol flat.

Vinnie

what kind of grass u use? heki?
ian

Ian, yep. Heki.

Vinnie

Grass is first class man, it looks sooooo good

Thanks, now I know how to proceed.

Vinnie, I have been wondering what had happened with this dio. I am glad to see it finished. I also have to agree with the meltable WS water, it sure leaves a lot to be desired. I wonder if it is possible to seal the WS water with the varnish? You could possibly try that with a little left over sample to see how it does. I as the others have been intrigued by your grass for a long time and now i see you finally let the secret out Was the heki product hard to work with? What did you use to glue it down? And one final question, is this the wild grass product? Again I have been following this since you first posted it and I still love it!! Cheers Kevin

Excellent dio Vinnie. The layout shows off all the details well. As already mentioned the grass is stunning. Its a pity the water doesnt shine and reflect the bridge. Im sure its possible to salvage this easily enough with a few coats of gloss varnish .... and add some ripples around the figure with superglue gel. Theres even enough room on the bridge for another vehicle ...not neccessary but would fill up the space nicely! A nice back drop fitted in with phot-shop would be a great first picture!

Yep I used Heki. Looking around the forum's there is quite a bit of excitement about this stuff. When I first began this dio nobody had seemed to have heard of it! I've got to say it's fantastic stuff, and all the excitement is totally justified.
The WS 'jelly' is just too unstable to put laquer on top of it...its' going to have to come off completely. Then I'm going to have to build up the level of the river bed somehow, before trying again with a diferent product. Somehow. There is some space on the bridge, and I was thinking of putting the donkey with the 2 fallschirmjager's by Dragon on it. I'm in the middle of doing these at the moment.
Scott asked me ages ago if I would be interested in writing a feature on this one, something I'm still trying, but I'll keep it on hold until I've solved the water problem as it might help anybody else with similar problems to overcome.
Thanks for the kind comments guys!

Vinnie

Mate

Dio looks great, bit of a bother with the water as you say and I hope you can salvage it.

I found your bike rider - that's him in the water. I'd be wanting a swim to cool down if I had to chase a Panzer all day on a pushbike!! :-)

Brian

Vinnie which WS water product did you use? I am getting ready to pour a river, and I dont want to mess it up. Is it the EZ water or realistic water that you used? I also have casting resin So any help or tips on what to avoid I would be grateful for them. Cheers Kevin

Vinnie,
the dio looks great. I love the brige (espcially since I'm trying to do something similar). This has certainly inspired me to keep improving mine. Thank you

the overall looks great Vinnie. I was wondering what happened to this dio and why you are silent for awhile.good to see you back in action .did you weahered the kubelwagen and the figure holdingthe water botle in pastel chalks?
congrats

Vinnie, the dio looks great. Nice & lighthearted.

I agree with all the comments about the water.

Not too sure about adding the donkey and the 2 extra figures... don't you think the dio will become too busy then?

Hi,

Here in Canada, we have a product named "Envirotex Pour-On" also available in the US. This product is use to protect wood table and it shines a lot. I have use this product in a dio where I had about 1inch deep of that product and you could see the bottom very clearly and you could see all the reflection of the dio on it , depending on the angle.

Im sure that if you put only 1/8 or 1/16 of a inch on your dio it will be perfect.

Try it, if you can find the product or something similar.

MagicBart #:-) #:-)

Me again,

How did you do your beautiful bridge ? Plaster ?

Thanks

Magicbart #:-) #:-)

WOW, that is an awsome dio, the bridge looks a little clean, is it in a city or small village, cuz if it was in a city scene i was thinking you might wanna add some trash on the ground....but i love it, the grass looks really good as well as the trail to the river, awsome dio

Well what to say . That scene shows many nice techniques all in one . Composition, setting , ground work, water, vehicles, figures, detailing. All well carried out
i like very much the big height level difference that sreally good to see adds a lot

BRAVO


Costas

Thanks again guys,
Kevin, The Heki grass is indeed superb stuff. It comes in quite small and expensive roles as you might know. I first covered the grassed areas in that brown-paper backed stuff that railway modellers use, and then stretched out the Heki and basically just put it where it 'looked' right by dabbing the base with a solution of PVA. And you're right, this is the Wildgrass. Up close it looks even better, with small brown bits giving the impression of leaf litter....it's amazing stuff! As to the water.....yuk! I can't remeber what it was called as I have ditched the container, but it was like a jelly that had to be heated...knew it was a mistake as soon as I had started.
Engin, As you correctly guessed I did indeed weather the Kubel with powdered chalk pastels...a lot cheaper than Mig pigments! Magicbart, the bridge is plaster and is from Great North Roads over here in the UK, they make some fantastic gear.
Thanks again guys!
Vinnie

Nice Dio Vinnie.