Hey guys,
Heres some pics of my newly started diorama. If any of you have some comments, questions, ideas for this, Im all ears. This is my first attempt at doing a full base and as you can see its pretty effen big! Its also my first real attempt at making groundwork. Hope you guys like it!





I will still be adding details to the base, such as a telephone pole and accesories...

Thanks for lookin guys and happy modelling to all!

That is looking really good so far. Its a shame the pictures are slightly out of focus.

There is a book by Osprey Publishing called 'Terrain Modelling Masterclass,' written by Richard Windrow. You may have already seen it, but its brilliant if you want to make terrain.

Harrison, very nice work so far. I would love to see some better pics though. Maybe a few close ups of key points like the trench wall and tree? I agree with DAve about the book. I have it and its full of info. I havent read very much of it but I see a lot of ways to do things. What vehicles will be going on this? Is this the base for your halftrack? Also what are the demensions? and I am very curious about your frame did you have it done at a frame shop of some sort? If so could you give me an idea of the cost? I love the frame and think its a great Idea Cheers Kevin

Aw come on! Details! What did you use for the original fill of the ground? Where did you get the grass and how did you apply it? Those bushes look pretty impressive. How did you make them, or where did you get them?

Vinnie

Ok guys,

The wooden base isnt a picture frame, I had it custom made by a professional wood worker for $65. This is not the halftrack dio, i finished that one and slodder is making a feature on it. The demensions are 12 by 20.
For the original fill of ground I used styrofoam. The grass is WS medium green static grass and I applied it by a mixture of 50% water %50 elmers glue. The hedgrows are made of WS fine leaf brush.

That's a really nice start for a full base.




Same question.

One thing, maby you should spray the grass a little with different colors becouse it is now too certified.

How did you made the mud????

Greetz Hilbert

Hilbert: thanks for the comment.
I will have a firefly IV(dragon), PAK 40(dragon), and Willys jeep(tamiya). The mud was made by white glue and water and puttng WS fine ballast over it. Than washing it with raw umber and raw sienna. Than i drybrushed the highspots with a light tanish sandy color. I really didnt want it to look like mud though, i wanted it to be a dirt road, but heck this looks cool.
BTW, about the grass, i will be laying some heki grass over it, since im not impressed by the WS static grass.

Well Tsunami I was going to say in addition of modeling talent you have a lot of woodworking talent. Then you said you had the frame made.

Well the ground is coming out really well. Looking forward to seeing to kits on the terrain

Your off to a great start T-Bo. Keep up the good work and keep us posted.

Thanks alot for the nice comments guys!
ShermiesRule you crack me up... I am definatly not any kind of woodworker, all we have around here to cut wood is a saw...

shaping up nicely Harrison.

wow mate, looking very good.
I knew you were a bit worried about the trench line, but it turned out great.
keep us posted.
Cheers

Harrison, great start man, keep at it and show me more. - Cheyenne

Amazing work with the base, Harrison! Looking forward to seeing the rest of the dio!
Cheers and happy modelling!
Prato

Thanks alot for the comments guys. I really appreciate it!

Looking very cool so far! Can't wait to see it finished!
What did you make the wood out of and what did you paint it with?

cheers

Philip

Great looking groundwork Harrison.

Thanks for the comments guys...

Procrazzy, the wood is made of wood. LOL, but its made out of thin sheets of balsa wood that i cut to length. to answer your question about the painting of the wood its testors italian sand, but I will be weathering it somemore.

Looks awesome! What did you use for the dirt and trees?

Thanks for the comments bro. The dirt was fine ballast by WS wich was glued on with 50/50 water/glue. the tree and hedgrow were woodland scenics fine leaf foliage.

hey harrison thats an awesome start to an awesome dio. I especially like the bushes you made from the WS tall grass, ive never had incredibly good luck with that, but you made a nice effort. Looks like the wind is blowing through it. Looks great, keep it up and show us some progress shots as u progress.
Ian

Thanks bodymovin, im not to sure about the tall grass, i will probobly be rippin it out and throwin some heki in its place. I will keep you guys updated!

Tsunami- With shrubs/hedges that thick there would probably be dead foliage underneath the thick stuff. I've had some good luck with using the tea leaves from inside tea bags as falled leaves that gathers up under trees and bushes. It is already a brownish color so they already look like dead leaves. Just spread the tea leaves underneath where things might normally fall off and lump up and give it a spray of your 50/50 white glue solution.

Just another possible helpful hint.

Hi Harrison:

Great start on your diorama. I would love to see some more detailed, close-up shots of your hedgerow. Also, think about leaving the WS tall grass in place and put your Heki grass over the static grass leading up to the hedgerow.

Keith

Thats what I will be doing, but also taking out all of the weeds in the middle of the grassland. Thanks alot for the comment kbm! Shermies, I am not yet finished with my groundwork, i will most likely be doing that towards the end of the groundwork...