Here you guys go, hope you like the diorama, btw the pictures are a bit dark but it works. The diorama isnt done yet but is almost, once i get the diorama completed I will get some really nice pictures! The reason im not posting all the pictures here is because it can take a while to load all those files on this thread so just click the link to see them all!!!

THE PICTURE BELLOW IS A SAMPLE!!! TO SEE ALL THE PICTURES GO TO:

http://groups.msn.com/digitaldioramas/cottsfirstdioramabouttime.msnw?Page=1

Wow! Pretty audacious for your very first dio. That thing is huge!

The men advancing through the field look awesome and you certainly capture the chaos and confusion of battle.

I will point out a couple things that you could try to improve upon next time. Of course, it's hard to tell in photographs sometimes, but I think the vehicles could use some more weathering. Dust them up a little (see the threads on using pastel chalks) and make the paint look faded in areas to provide some more natural looking variation (can be done with pastels, drybrushing, or preshading with an airbrush). I can't tell if you've done this or not, but having track imprints behind the vehicles always looks cool, especially with the Tiger going through the field, the grass would be flattened.

All in all, you should be very proud for this being your first attempt at a diorama, ever. It simply looks cool, what else can I say........ oh yeah, welcome to the site!

Nic

that's a nice dio for a rookie, love it and it's a nice looking work. i agree with folgore that your models is a little bit straigt out of the box, but 'm sure you can manage that problem

keep up the good work

greetzz
dmd

Yup $cott

I can really feel there is something going to happen there in that scene.
Lovely dio. I like the action and it`s a mayor project for a first timer.
That took a lot of courage I guess.

Great job and I`m looking forward to see more of your stuff

-$cott,

It looks like a real nightscene! This is the first nightscene I ever seen on a diorama. Very nice Diorama, for your first try.

$cott
Wow - impressive, you really went from the edge of the pool and dove into the deep end for your first diorama. To tackle all the aspects of this fine hobby on your first go-round is awsome.
One thing to remind you of is that you first build for yourself and enjoy the hobby. You will get great feedback here and everyone is great. I believe we are all trying to help each other, no matter of age, style, location, etc.

A couple of teaching points I would like to add are, the 1/2 track on the road has one of its wheel off the ground. This probably wouldn't happen on this level of ground. Easy to fix if you want, build up under it, or raise the back end.
Ask yourself "How did this happen?" "How did this get here?" "Why (militarily) is this here?" Walk yourself through the five or 10 minutes just prior to the scene you are depicting and think about how the tank got there, the guys got in the grass etc. Two points wtith regard to this, how did the 1/2 track next to the creek actually drive to its location? Honestly, I can't tell for sure (from the picture) if it could get under the tree limbs of the tree. The two poor Americans, wouldn't want to be them. They sure will be getting a lot of attention . How did they get there, why are they still there. Again easy to fix, maybe just rotate the 1/2 track a smidge to give it a clear path and add some camoflage to the machine gun nest to give them more of an ambush feel.

Now with that said - Please don't take this as negative at all. I truly think you have done an outstanding job. I only raise these points because they are things I have gone through and added to my building tips through experience.
I agree with Folgore - The guys in the grass are Great, I love that.
The rock and moss is AWSOME, I want to hear how you did that. That came out great!
I noticed that you hand painted the ensignia - way to go! I didn't try that until I had a bunch of building under my belt.

Good Job - Keep up the good work.

Well the "rock and the moss" where the mg'er and his loader are next too is actually supposed to be a crater from artillery or a mortar, it does look to "rock" like in its color so im gonna have to tiedosly give those "earth" debries a little dirty color or something, same with the dirt road, you can obviously see the plaster beneath it... So this diorama is definatly not done. I stll need to finish I what i said above and get my structure in, im looking at a verinda product like a farmhouse or something. Ok well thanks for all the nice consrtuctive critisim just what i needed. Oh and I really want to weather the armor, and im thinking about making one of the half-tracks blown up... not sure yet but I would want it to look like:


Well what do you guys think??? Gimme more of that input :-)

I am impressed with the shell hole on the turret.The missing Zimmerit from the impact was just right.If you or anyone tries flames on any other project,try a clear piece or pieces of plastic,cut in flame shapes and painted with a transparent color.I wonder how that would look?

the guy who did that blown pather used putty or something then he took cotton balls and got them colored and streched out, i think that looks really good...

First Dio Right who are you kidding great job on the figures and Panther.

So lets ask what figure set did you use? I think the paint on the Panther looks great not to dark but just right. plus as I said the figures look really good nice Camo and all different so to break up the scene
A hats Off

thanks, but that really is my first. i wouldnt lie!