WW1 Diorama

[nikharwood]

Leon asked me to do a WW1 diorama as a Christmas present for his father-in-law: it's now completed & will be winging its way northwards in the morning...he's assured me that it's safe to post this diary before Christmas though..!

Basic construction is onto a nice laser-cut Minibits base [to a custom size to match the Pendraken display cases]; I've used various stuff from my various bits boxes - to build up the terrain & give shape to the trench - along with ze Germans:






Then the tank & Brits got added  








Texture then added to the base: this is a pre-mix Polyfilla, PVA, sand & water mix at 40:40:10:10 ratio:








Spray-black undercoat followed by base colours:






Then highlights & painting the mud:














'Magic' wash & re-highlight...and then spray-matt varnish:








Final pics:

[Leon]

Excellent stuff, there'll be a happy father-in-law on Xmas morning!

[OldenBUA]

A great present indeed, I would think.

I've used various stuff from my various bits boxes

I recognize various boxes, sacks and the stove. But what are the bits that look like planking/corrugated metal, and the bit (revetment?) that goes around the resin thingie in the corner?

[nikharwood]

The planking /corrugated metal are truck sides IIRC [poss from MF...dunno...]

The metal bit around the resin thingie is indeed a revetment - it's from Irregular & is part of their 2mm terrain range [it was in a goodie bag at Nikfest  ]

The resin thingies are odds & sods I got from Nigel at The Square I think a couple years ago at Legionary. 

[fred.]

Really nice. Surprised to see you put the figures  in place before basing let alone painting.

[nikharwood]

That's what I always do...it's easier to blend the bases into the terrain, both for modelling & painting; there's nothing I can't get a brush to really either. Simples. 

[Pruneau]

Only just noticed this, but this is a very nice display, Nik!     I did dad-in-law was really chuffed with his present!

[Leon]

The father-in-law was definitely a happy chappy with this, he's moved a load of stuff in his cabinet so that it can proudly sit front and centre!