Right , let's see if anyone is paying attention .
I have finally gotten around to take some photos of what I have been getting up to over the last few weeks and to prove that I am not just sitting around drinking Earl Grey and giving out instructions to the estate workers .
I have given myself a deadline of finishing this off by the end of July so that I can get started on my next project , or two , and with what is left to do is perfectly do-able .
I won't say much at the moment ( sounds of cheering all around) but will wait for the flood of a question if it comes !
Nick
Two more
Last two
Quote from: shropshire lad on June 10, 2012, 09:45:47 AM
Right , let's see if anyone is paying attention
...
I won't say much at the moment ( sounds of cheering all around) but will wait for the flood of a question if it comes !
... well, I expected at least a selection of Yes songs while presenting your latest progress ... ;D ... (putting my cup of Special Gunpowder away) ...
I really like your Diorama and am wondering what there should be left to do? Looks the part to me. I'd like to know what kind of tubs you used. Are they scratch built? metal? And what gauge is it? And where did the track lead to back then ... apart from "over the edge" ...?
Cheers
G'day Nick,
I quite like where this is at as far as a different idea for the scene, it's rather a unique and novel approach to setting the scene for the whole flying boat thing. The mine skip hanging from the edge is pretty cool, and kind of makes you follow down the underside of the island as the eyes wander over it. I like the mine entrance as well, nice iron.
The only thing I would maybe do different would be the tree up top...feels like it should either be bigger, or more of them, or just a foliaged piece, which I think mighjt make the balance of the scene feel a bit more comfortable. There is a lot of "weight" in the underside of the island, and I feel there just needs to be a bit more height up top.
Question then...is it nice a light and carved in foam, of is it 30 bags of plaster poured as one massive paper weight?
Cheers,
Dan
I just watched Avatar for the first time so this kinda reminds me of the floating islands in the movie.
I guess there is little or no gravity; otherwise the skips would have tumbled into the abyss long ago.
The coloring and foliage are quite nice, I too agree the tree needs to have more foliage.
Where are the people? or inhabitants? Eradicated by the military for unobtainium?.....
Cpl. Jonezy
For a fantasy piece, it's showing a huge amount of reality. Wonderful foliage and rust effects.
Looking good so far. Good job on the crusty ore cars, are they made from some kind of food tins? The one hanging over the side is a nice touch.
Quote from: shropshire lad on June 10, 2012, 09:45:47 AM
Right , let's see if anyone is paying attention .
Oh crap, are we suppose to pay attention now? 8)
Cool stuff! Dig the ore cars falling off the island and the overall look ... tending to agree with the others about more foliage at this point ... but look forward to whatever else it is you might have in mind here.
-- Dallas
Fantastic job. It's all great, but I particularly like the "eaten-through" look of the ore car tubs. Very impressive.
Bill Martinsen
Nick
A great job on the ore cars. Just a really awesome scene. My opinion keep doing what your doing!!!!
Jerry
Great stuff with a big WOW!! It seems to grow by the day - So what's next how can you possibly top this one
Barney
Nick,
this looks great. I was wondering what you should do with your island. But the mine entrance is a nice touch on this. I hope there will be some inhabitants? in my opinion that will complete the diorama.
Leon
Fantastic work Nick. Your foliage and vegetation is by far the best I've seen.
In my personal opinion I'd leave the people off. I like the deserted look and feel that is portrayed without them.
It should make a nice addition to your switching layout. -- Russ
Thanks , one and all , for your favourable comments I shall now have a go at addressing the points that have been made . Firstly , this " little" project started out as merely a way of supporting my Remora/Lorelei boat but has developed a life of its own . Almost to the extent of dwarfing the boat . It has also become yet another experiment in the use of new and different materials in my never ending quest for high quality scenery . Some of what I have done so far has been reasonably successful ,other elements have room for improvement .However , although the theme for the diorama is fantasy/sci-fi based all of the ideas and techniques I have used could be utilised in railway and military modelling .
As I said in my introduction this is very much a work in progress and there is still much to do , which includes more work on the tree . I take Dan's point about the tree either needing to be bigger or having some companions and I shall give it some thought and have a look to see if I have got any others that might be suitable . However , I need to be careful that the level of detail that I put into the tree(s) matches the scale that I am working in , so I don't reckon the use of poly fibre and scatter foliage would cut it now . This means the use of individual leaves which in turn would require significant time spent on sticking them on . Not a problem in itself as leaf-sticking is quite therapeutic but I need to make sure I don't spend too much time on it . I am also thinking that I want to borrow/steal/continue Bexley's idea of a single toxic fruit on the tree . I have been debating whether it would have a greater scenic effect having just the one "apple" , like Bexley's , or have the tree covered with them . Any thoughts welcome .
With regard to figures , I don't normally include them as I am a lazy modeller and I haven't got around to learning how to paint them properly but I feel that in this diorama I need to include a couple . However , I think I am going to cheat a bit . The ones I have in mind are a couple of Fichtenfoo's Red Star 47 crew figures so I won't have to paint their faces as they are covered by gasmasks . I thought about his deckhands but came to the conclusion that in this instance they wouldn't be suitable . My thinking at the moment is to have one of the figures up a ladder trying to pick either the single , or one of the many , toxic apples , and the other holding the bottom of the ladder . I reckon two of the crew figures lend themselves nicely to these poses but as they won't be available for several months things could easily change .
These figures would be crew members from the boat but I quite like the idea of having a single permanent resident in the shape of a billy goat . Possibly eyeing up the backside of the guy holding the ladder with the intention of butting him off the island .
I also thought about having a pair of red eyes light up in the mine with a figure approacing the entrance oblivious to the dangers within ... but not this time .
As for what it is made of ... 300kg of plaster ontop a foam base . It is bloody heavy . My eyes would definitely water if it fell on my foot .
As the story of the diorama is of the island breaking away from the mainland and floating off into the sky the track would have gone deep into the ground to where the inhabitants mined an unspecified ore . At the time when the island broke away the mine tubs were attached to the winch and were being pulled up to the surface which was suddenly accelerated as it broke away . Just as the tubs were about to be pulled off the island the winch cable snapped , but not before one of the tubs went over the edge but as it was still attached to the other two their combined weight kept it from dissappearing . However , it will only be a matter of time before something decays so much that it will suddenly part company with the other two and dissappear forever . I reckon with the amount of decay that has occurred to the tubs this event happened maybe 40 years ago , so give a few more years and there won't be much left .
As to what they are made of , I have included a photo of the main " ingredients" in their construction . Basically they are scratchbuilt around a resin casting that I have in my possesion . I used aluminium foil that I bought on a roll from the British company called Tiranti and shaped it around the resin casting . I then did the usual etching using Ferric Chloride acid to give the much rusted look . After priming with the Tamiya rattlecan brown I gave them numerous washes using 4 Life Colour rust paints and vaious pigments . I built the chassis using one photo as reference and the wheels came from James Coldicott . I could do with two more pairs to finish them off .
I hope that has covered everything . I'm off to get my typing finger seen to ,
Nick
Oh ,and , go stand in the corner Reinberg .
Hi Nick,
For trees, in case you don't already have a copy, and since scenery is one of your things, I highly recommend getting Gordon Gravett's "Modelling Trees, part one - Broadleaf Trees" ( http://www.titfield.co.uk/WSM_TECH.htm ,see bottom of the page at this link). Great tree results, and pretty good descriptions of the process. The trees aren't quick to build, but for a piece like this where there is only one or two for the scene, perhaps worth the effort to finish off the statement. Lots of wire twisting, shaping and texturing, and leaf foliage. Atleast in 1/35, the foliage options are a bit better than the 1/48 selections.
Cheers,
Dan
Really nice work Nick!
Scenery looks really great too. The first layer of the ground cover is that one of the mats from ModelScene? Looks close to one of those. Not only are the Yes album covers suitable for this diorama......how about Small Faces´"Ogdens´ Nut Gone Flake" album? ;D ;D ;D
Anders
Quote from: danpickard on June 12, 2012, 12:35:12 AM
Hi Nick,
For trees, in case you don't already have a copy, and since scenery is one of your things, I highly recommend getting Gordon Gravett's "Modelling Trees, part one - Broadleaf Trees" ( http://www.titfield.co.uk/WSM_TECH.htm ,see bottom of the page at this link). Great tree results, and pretty good descriptions of the process. The trees aren't quick to build, but for a piece like this where there is only one or two for the scene, perhaps worth the effort to finish off the statement. Lots of wire twisting, shaping and texturing, and leaf foliage. Atleast in 1/35, the foliage options are a bit better than the 1/48 selections.
Cheers,
Dan
Dan ,
Thanks for the reference to Gordon's book . I am familiar with it but have only briefly browsed through it at a show . I will go back and have another look . I should get it to have on the shelf , but you know how it is , there is always something more pressing to spend twenty quid on ,
Nick
Quote from: Junior on June 12, 2012, 12:49:11 AM
Really nice work Nick!
Scenery looks really great too. The first layer of the ground cover is that one of the mats from ModelScene? Looks close to one of those. Not only are the Yes album covers suitable for this diorama......how about Small Faces´"Ogdens´ Nut Gone Flake" album? ;D ;D ;D
Anders
Anders ,
" Ogden's Nut Gone Flake " ? Been there , done that , built the diorama . See photo .
No grass mats have been used in the making of this diorama . It is all static grass , using four or five sorts in different combinations to give variety . When I do the next part of the diorama I'll try to do a sample board at the same time to show how I do it .
Nick
That sign has a typo. It should read, "Ogden's gone nuts." -- Russ
Quote from: finescalerr on June 13, 2012, 01:21:38 AM
That sign has a typo. It should read, "Ogden's gone nuts." -- Russ
I'm in good company , then . You looney , you .
Glad to see it almost done. Wow, 192904.2 pennyweight of plaster! Massive.
Stop whining and get on with making the trees.....seems others can do it. ;) ;D
(https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fsphotos.xx.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-ash3%2F562636_136734859792981_123961991_n.jpg&hash=8e345d5c47f1fa992fc43d60d0a539ed31ab3eed)
Now I'm confused Marc...I'd have said that was real, but there's something about the car's paint finish that looks like an oil wash and streaking, or maybe the oil's weatherings I've seen are just really good renditions of whats reality...I don't know what to trust, trust know one, its a conspiracy, now I feel paranoid, whats going on in here??? ??? ??? ??? :'(
I've been fooled before by pics on this forum, so I wouldn't be surprised if that is a neat little diorama. If those trees are modelled ones, bloody awesome.
Dan
Quote from: marc_reusser on June 13, 2012, 10:25:38 PM
Stop whining and get on with making the trees.....seems others can do it. ;) ;D
(https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fsphotos.xx.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-ash3%2F562636_136734859792981_123961991_n.jpg&hash=8e345d5c47f1fa992fc43d60d0a539ed31ab3eed)
I know " Whinging Pom " never stops complaining . What I'm really looking for is to see how you do them , as I'm sure they would be better than everyone elses .
Nice picture . I think it is real , but then again ...
Nick
The car looks modelish especially the windshield fit (what do I know about Citroens) , but if those are modelled leaves its time to get the balsa gliders out!
I don't think I'm qualified enough to have an educated opinion here, BUT! I can bring to the argument the fact that there are only two Citroen DS's available in kit form, both by Heller, the first in 1/43rd I think can be discounted, the second at 1/16th is a strong possibility for a dioramic basis of this standard.
However, I personally think those leaves are just to varied and specific to be modelled ....... I'll be truly eating my hat if it's discovered to be otherwise though.
Quote from: Andi Little on June 14, 2012, 07:17:17 AM
... BUT! I can bring to the argument the fact that there are only two Citroen DS's available in kit form, both by Heller, the first in 1/43rd I think can be discounted, the second at 1/16th is a strong possibility for a dioramic basis of this standard....
.... hmmmm .. what, if it's an model kit (i. e. scale 1/16) as mentioned by Andi (or 1/18 die cast), arranged with some
real, but bonsai like, small-leaved plants ... ???
I reckon it's the other half of the photo Marc posted in " photo of the day" .
How the hell did I miss this? Looks awesome! Really nice work. You'll have to pick up a few of the Ian McQue "Sky Mark" Buoys we have coming next month to go with it. ;)
Quote from: FichtenFoo on October 18, 2012, 05:52:07 AM
How the hell did I miss this? Looks awesome! Really nice work. You'll have to pick up a few of the Ian McQue "Sky Mark" Buoys we have coming next month to go with it. ;)
You're forgiven . We can put it down to you being too busy creating your next masterpiece .
There has been some progress since the last photos were taken but at the moment it is on hold waiting for the big push to finish the last 10 percent . I , like , Reusser don't seem to have it in our makeup to actually finish anything .
I also , like everyone else , have been waiting patiently for the Sky Marks to appear . Didn't you say something about " two for the price of one " ?
Nick
Ahem....Excuse me; I have finished 4 things in these past 4-months. And will have two more finished by January....and when I mean finished, that doesn't mean dragging an old shelf queen out of the closet and prettying it up, because if that were the case I would have 5 things counted as finished. :-* :P ;D
BTW....how much does this island of yours weight? ;D
M
Quote from: marc_reusser on October 18, 2012, 04:32:04 PM
Ahem....Excuse me; I have finished 4 things in these past 4-months. And will have two more finished by January....and when I mean finished, that doesn't mean dragging an old shelf queen out of the closet and prettying it up, because if that were the case I would have 5 things counted as finished. :-* :P ;D
BTW....how much does this island of yours weight? ;D
M
Define " things " !
It is somewhat over 16kgs . I don't think I'll be taking it to Ostraylier !
Nick
Ahem...1/24 scale model, two 1/35 mini scenes/dios, 1/135 model, ...and the 1/20 shelf queen. By December will have finished one more 1/35 mini scene, and a seperate 1/35 vehicle. :P ;D. (No can show though....for eventual tree-ware)......Gordon can vouch for the two mini-scenes...as I know he has completed 3 if not 4 in the last couple of weeks. So I think you are now lagging behind.....better get busy with those bricks. ;D
16kg!?......are you daft man!?
What's tree-ware?
Guess he is referring to "paper"
Marc, knew you would not be able to keep quiet about your "finishing" :D
Quote from: marc_reusser on October 19, 2012, 03:59:40 AM
Ahem...1/24 scale model, two 1/35 mini scenes/dios, 1/135 model, ...and the 1/20 shelf queen. By December will have finished one more 1/35 mini scene, and a seperate 1/35 vehicle. :P ;D. (No can show though....for eventual tree-ware)......Gordon can vouch for the two mini-scenes...as I know he has completed 3 if not 4 in the last couple of weeks. So I think you are now lagging behind.....better get busy with those bricks. ;D
16kg!?......are you daft man!?
Mmmm , you have been a busy Boy . So it looks like you are taking your desire to win lots of awards at Pasadena very seriously ! I look forward to hearing the podcast of your acceptance speeches with interest .
Who on Earth models in 1/135th scale , other than you ?
Maybe Gordon will bring his works with him tomorrow when we meet up at Barney's . Talking of whom , has been rather quiet recently , maybe he has been digging some his rejects out of the dustbin and finishing them off .
You do make me feel very inadequate I shall have to redouble my efforts .
Yes , it is rather heavy , but with all that plaster on it , that is not surprising ,
Nick
Cool. Yeah, there will be a two-fer deal. We're doing releases with different colored LEDs to choose from so the two-fer will be one red pair and one green pair of blinking LEDs. Red/Green denote different sides of a channel.
Old nautical saying: Red, Right, Return!
Does anyone know what POSH stands for? And, no I don't mean the Spice Girl.
Lawton
It's originally a maritime terminology (as a lot of "sayings" are) based on the affluent and their cabin allocation, they could afford the better and more desirable cabins: and so the designation "Port Out, Starboard Home" (POSH) slipped into the local vocabulary, and then general usage as a term for the more refined members (or aspirational thereof) of society.
Simple!