WIP ICM Diorama 1915 Italians

[David Spencer]

I guess this now counts as "work in progress."
The intention is to put four 1/35 figs on a base with rocky terrain to represent a high altitude landscape.
It's going to take a long time, and pose some interesting challenges.
So far, the base is all that's underway: plywood, polyfiller, laminate, coffee shop stirrers for trench revetments, and Milliput sandbags - there's gonna be a lot of those
.

 

[Malkie]

Hello David.
An interesting start, I have dabbled with ICM figures but find them a little small for my elderly eyesight. I will follow this with interest.
Regards Malkie

 

[Briggsy]

A nice winter project mate, going to be a bit of a bind making loads of sandbags, at least you'll be in the warm doing it!

Cheers Simon

 

[David Spencer]

A nice winter project mate, going to be a bit of a bind making loads of sandbags, at least you'll be in the warm doing it!

Cheers Simon

They're pretty easy, although the Milliput takes some washing off my fingers.
It's warmer inside, and the sound system is better (Steely Dan are currently top of the charts here).

 

[Briggsy]

An under rated band I think, good choice. Rather than milliput have you tried Magicsculpt, available from El Greco or Sylmaster, better and easier to work with and doesn't stick to your fingers. It's a purpose made modelling putty as opposed to a misused plumber seal. It really is good.

Cheers Simon

 

[NigelR]

A fun WWI project, ICM figures are always a great starting point. Looking forward to this.

Simon speaks wise words, Magicsculpt is really good stuff, and can be mixed with Greenstuff as well to give a stiffer mix that is great for clothing.

 

[David Spencer]

Thanks for the suggestion, gents.
I bought a new box of Milliput on Sunday, so will continue with that. It's my standard gap-filler for figs and so on, and the mess isn't too bad.

 

[David Spencer]

The hardest part about making the sand bags is achieving size consistency.
The new stuff is less dense, and it's tricky getting them the same length and width as yesterday's batch.
What the YouTube videos don't say is that the best medium for softening this stuff and minimising stickiness is saliva.
What a glamorous hobby this is...

 

[Briggsy]

The hardest part about making the sand bags is achieving size consistency.
The new stuff is less dense, and it's tricky getting them the same length and width as yesterday's batch.
What the YouTube videos don't say is that the best medium for softening this stuff and minimising stickiness is saliva.
What a glamorous hobby this is...

Yes and it tastes terrible, like one of the things I don't miss about painting with oils is the taste of turpentine. Not sure if it would work with milliput but fellow PFer Paul Handley suggested using oilve oil to smooth Magicsculpt. It works very well and when it dries doesn't seem to leave any residue. Might be worth a try mate.

Cheers Simon

 

[MalcC]

Looking forward to seeing this come to life.

Malc

 

[VerSacrum]

Yes and it tastes terrible, like one of the things I don't miss about painting with oils is the taste of turpentine. Not sure if it would work with milliput but fellow PFer Paul Handley suggested using oilve oil to smooth Magicsculpt. It works very well and when it dries doesn't seem to leave any residue. Might be worth a try mate.

Cheers Simon

Huh, I guess it doesn't have to be the pricy extra virgin stuff

 

[David Spencer]

Thanks for the comments and suggestions, everyone.
I would point out that I don't chew the Milliput, or lick it.

But I won't go into detail about how it gets wetted, cos no-one needs to know that...

 

[Briggsy]

Huh, I guess it doesn't have to be the pricy extra virgin stuff

No not at all, I assume other oils would do a similar job, I haven't tried not when the suggestion works so well.

Cheers Simon

 

[Briggsy]

Thanks for the comments and suggestions, everyone.
I would point put that I don't chew the Milliput, or lick it.

But I won't go into detail about how it gets wetted, cos no-one needs to know that...

LOL no I didn't think you did chew it but repainting a brush or wetting a sculpting tool isn't a pleasant experience but is the best expedient!

Cheers Simon

 

[David Spencer]

LOL no I didn't think you did chew it but repainting a brush or wetting a sculpting tool isn't a pleasant experience but is the best expedient!

Cheers Simon

Thanks Simon
It's a learning curve, and I appreciate your advice.
Good, messy fun, mind you.

 

[Briggsy]

Thanks Simon
It's a learning curve, and I appreciate your advice.
Good, messy fun, mind you.

Talking of messy, I had a rush of blood to the head and tidied my desk, now I don't know where anything is!

Cheers Simon

 

[David Spencer]

That'll learn yer

 

[DioramaArt]

Great start David,

A good way to get some sandbag texture into the putty is using a bit of rolled up cheese cloth, as used in cooking. It gives great imprint for a realistic look.

ICM are great plastic figures and easy to convert if you need to repose, nicely detailed and loads of spares on the sprue for dioramas. For boxes etc value gear details do some great 1/35 usually cheaper than their competitors and if you want to make for some different looking soldiers facially, hornet are probably still the best heads for 1/35 figures.

Enjoy your WW1 diorama build and good luck.

 

[David Spencer]

For boxes etc value gear details do some great 1/35 usually cheaper than their competitors ...

Enjoy your WW1 diorama build and good luck.

Thanks for that tip. I will investigate Value Gear.

 

[phil_h]

A very nice start, looking forward to seeing more. (You also can't go wrong with Steely Dan )