WARGAMING >> Making Dioramas
Diorama of 7 Years War Figures
MATERIALS
Figures, a large base or plinth, Miliput, Terracota, Flocking Gels,
Gel knives, Tree Flock, Ground Flock, Glue, Paints and Brushes.
REASON
The reason I decided to do this diorama was because I had these
magnificent Front Rank 7 Years War figures painted by my friend Jon Azurmendi and wanted
to give them a setting befitting their quality.
IDEAS
As a good Diorama conveys a story, and, like in a film, it sets
the scene for the observer to imagine what is coming next you must plan carefully.
I had a base with a square stuck in the middle and a hole in that.
It was from a toy car box and I could see the possibilites of making use of it. But I had
to cover over the square. This gave me the idea for placing a tree in the hole and then
covering the terrain with a material. As I had a lot of unused Terracota which dries in
the air without having to cook it I decided this would work for the basic terrain. I
first stuck in the tree, which was from a bunch of grapes, and used Milliput to base
it and cover the protruding square and then covered the area with Terracota. I decided
it was a top of a hill.
DEFINING THE TERRAIN
From the picture on the left you can see the foundations laid
and the silly looking grape stork which at the moment does not resemble a tree. It was
time to define the terrain and paint those rocks. What rocks? See pic on right.
PAINTING THE ROCKS
A second lighter coat is applied with dry brushing, noticeable
on the lefthand rock not a thick layer of paint. Then a second even lighter coat, seen on
the nearest rock in the photo, but with minimal paint which is practically drying on the
brush as you flick it accross the outer or jagged edges of the rock. This defines the 3D
effect and makes it look real. Right a close up.
PLACING THE FIGURES
I placed the figures using Blu-tac to secure them in several
combinations before I was satisfied. I wanted depth as well as symmetry and to draw the
eye from the centre to the sides. It is important to be able to view the scene from
different angles.
ADJUSTMENTS
I put some more terracota under the Hussar's base to secure him
and to give the effect that he has just reached the top of the hill.
USING FLOCKING GEL
Flocking Gel is an acrylic based material used for texturing
the bases of figures and can be mixed with acrylic paints before application to give a
ground or grass colour depending on which type you use. There are four types: 1) Xtra-fine
for making water. 2) Fine for simulating mud or snow/ice. 3) Medium for grass or earth
such as ploughed field or open field. 4) Coarse for rocky ground.
MIX WITH PAINT
I first put the medium flocking gel I have chosen for texturing
the ground onto a plastic ice cream top where I add the paint to mix it.
I use a spatula to get it out of the pot and in a matter of seconds the acrylic paint is absorbed.
TERRAIN COLOUR
I wanted a more reddish colour for the earth so I applied a
different colour paint to the original colour and mixed until I was happy with the result.
APPLYING FLOCKING GEL
Use the spatula to apply the gel texture over and around the
bases of the figures to hide them.Be careful not to smudge it on the legs. If you do you
can easily wipe it off with a tissue or wet paint brush. A thin layer is all that is needed.
GRASS FLOCKING
Once the whole surface is covered with flocking gel you can
apply the grass flock immediately. No waiting! Just get the grass flock and pour it
liberally over the gel texture which will remain damp for over an hour. Flocking Gel
normally dries solid within 1 to 2 hours depending on the heat and humidity of where you are working.
~ Right: Notice I left a part unflocked to simulate a hill track on the right of the Diorama.
CLEANING UP
After allowing it to settle for a few minutes just pour the excess
off onto some newspaper to be used again.
MAKING THE TREE
apply glue to the grape stork which at the moment looks just that!.But
the bulbous storks which held the grapes can hold a fair ammount of foam flock which is what I
am going to use to make it look like a tree.
(...to be continued)
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