Pacific diorama!

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

Know it's accurate but looks like palm trees in a snow scape.

IanS 

[nikharwood]

It's sat on the side now drying out before the next stage, which will be PVA and sand.  I'm not sure yet whether to highlight the sand, so I'll wait and see how it looks bare.

Try to keep up Ian 

Leon: looking good - I think that a wash on the sand once you've added it (& let it dry) will give depth: and then a very light highlight will 'lift' the whole thing. This is shaping up very nicely indeed though - your father-in-law's going to love it 

Oh - and isn't it about time you painted some armies then? 

[Leon]

Any reason you chose to do a (1944+) Pacific diorama, rather than NWE or Eastern front or whatever?

My father-in-law liked the TV series, plus I liked the range we've got, and palm trees are cool... 

Know it's accurate but looks like palm trees in a snow scape.

The flash on my camera is whiting it out a bit, it's a more sandy colour in the regular light.

Leon: looking good - I think that a wash on the sand once you've added it (& let it dry) will give depth: and then a very light highlight will 'lift' the whole thing. This is shaping up very nicely indeed though - your father-in-law's going to love it 

I'm undecided now actually, as the sandy paste has got a really nice texture to it.  So, now I've got two options:

- Stick to the original plan, PVA, sand, then shade/highlight as necessary.
- Paint the bases to match the paste, and then just put a brown wash over it as it is?

I'm not sure, so I might colour match the figure bases now, before deciding on what to do.

A couple of quick questions, which I'd love some feedback on:

Does it need a couple more smaller palm trees, for a bit of height variation?
Should I add some dark green clump style foliage dotted around the Japs?

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

Try a small test peice beforehand ?

IanS

[Leon]

Try a small test peice beforehand ?

Aha, great minds!  Test piece is drying as we speak!

[nikharwood]

Does it need a couple more smaller palm trees, for a bit of height variation?
Should I add some dark green clump style foliage dotted around the Japs?

Yep...I'd go for both:

TV series:

Real thing:

Both show heavy vegetation...

[Maenoferren]

looking good 
I would go for more foliage too

[Leon]

I've added two more smaller palm trees, and a load of foliage around them.  I've got some rocks which need to go on, plus I've got the wash to go over everything.  Hopefully I've got enough time to finish and varnish it!

[Leon]

The wash went on and promptly highlighted the different textures between the paste base and the figure bases!     I've had a play and disguised the lines a bit with some more foliage.

Everything's done now except adding a few rocks dotted about the place, and maybe a slightly lighter shade of foliage to add a bit of depth.  And I discovered the varnish we've got at Pendraken HQ has had the nozzle snapped off.  Might have to varnish after it's been handed over!

[O Dinas Powys]

That's awesome work Leon 

Even more so as it's your first ever attempt!   

[Steve J]

Looks great, especially for your first attempt .

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

Let down by the painting 

Well you didn't expect a compliment did you ? 

IanS

[goat major]

Blimey that's excellent ! I've heard Pendraken run some competitions - you should consider entering !

[fred.]

Looks really good, Leon.

[Maenoferren]

looks fab