Completed Verdun 1916

[Merryweather]

I'm going to start the weathering with the Bill H approach by mixing some earth tones into the uniform colours. Fingers crossed......

I like the sound of that, I must try and remember to try it myself...
Looking very good Nigel

 

[Rocco82]

This is gonna look awesome. Looking forward to seeing the base etc

 

[NigelR]

Thanks guys. I'm starting planning the base, I've made some barbed wire and now I am thinking about other elements to add (like tree stumps and more). This will all be key to the composition and could make or break it.....

 

[Briggsy]

If the base is only half as good as the figures it'll shine.

Cheers Simon

 

[NigelR]

Some initial progress on the base. I've laid in the mud "undercoat" using VMS "Smart Mud". This product moulds nicely and allows you to build up the required shape of the ground over the foam base. I find it easier to build the groundwork shape with this product and then apply my soil mix over the top rather than try to do it all in one go with the soil mix.

I think I have the basic layout ok - the posts behind the casualty will be covered in barbed wire and the trees will be worked a bit more (the branches will be integrated using putty and the base of the trunks made wider). I think I need to move one tree slightly as it appears to be growing out of the officer's head......

 

[DioramaArt]

Looking good Nigel, those figures are your best yet IMO. Looking forward to seeing the base progress.

 

[Briggsy]

That really is looking the part. With the extra work you mention it will be stunning, just need a smoke generator to add a low laying mist or smoke.

Cheers Simon

 

[MalcC]

This is so good. Love it.

Malc

 

[NigelR]

Thanks very much Marcus, Simon and Malc. It's going ok so far......

Looking good Nigel, those figures are your best yet IMO.

Thanks Marcus, I feel like I am making progress, which is what it is all about.

That really is looking the part. With the extra work you mention it will be stunning, just need a smoke generator to add a low laying mist or smoke.

Oh for the days of smoking when you could casually blow some cigarette smoke across your models to get a great effect for the photos.....

 

[Briggsy]

Oh for the days of smoking when you could casually blow some cigarette smoke across your models to get a great effect for the photos.....

I sat at the display table at BC this weekend, vape in front of me, the number of times I had it to.my lips is or would be a crime. Couldn't afford to go back to smoking these days, a 30 a day habit would send me into insolvency these days. But if you want I'll sit there and blow the occasional smoke screen across the scene.

Cheers Simon

 

[NigelR]

OK, I have done the trees. I took some twigs from the garden, added some additional branches and neatened everything up with some Milliput. Then painted and weathered them, I think they came out OK. Apologies for the iffy pics, I used my phone rather than the DSLR.....

I will be pausing over the weekend as we have friends staying, but it's the groundwork next week......

 

[Briggsy]

Good work Nigel they definitely look she'll blasted. Have a good weekend.

Cheers Simon

 

[Rocco82]

Nice progress Nigel . Coming together nicely. Great scene. Trees turned out very well.

Good spot on the tree and the composition

I have that Smart mud too. Peculiar stuff. Like foamy sand. Only used it once so far now but it's really nice stuff yeah

 

[Nap]

Hi Nigel

Those figures look so good , nice start on the groundwork

Look forward to seeing the figures weathered in !.......oh and the water ....you’ll be fine

Have a good weekend with friends

Happy benchtime

Nap

 

[MalcC]

Treemendous. ( Excuse the pun)

Malc

 

[NigelR]

Thanks everyone, the feedback is much appreciated

Nice progress Nigel . Coming together nicely. Great scene. Trees turned out very well.
I have that Smart mud too. Peculiar stuff. Like foamy sand. Only used it once so far now but it's really nice stuff yeah

It really is weird. Kind of works a bit like Sculptamould but doesn't dry out once you have opened the container. I can't understand how it sticks so well when it dries but it is great for building up the shape of the groundwork.

Treemendous. ( Excuse the pun)

Pun gratefully accepted!

This is the first time I have tried to properly model the trees rather than find a suitable twig and just drybrush it a bit. It seems to be worth the effort.

 

[NigelR]

So I've spent all of this week so far working on groundwork and mud. Here's a couple of in progress shots. I have laid in most of the mud, detritus and tree roots. I've tried to show the exposed roots of the two trees from the effects of the shell impact. It's not fully dry yet, and when it's dry there will be a lot of painting needed to make the groundwork more varied. There will also be some more soil and detritus to add at the end after the paint has dried.

The figures are only loosely placed in the groundwork. Once I have painted it all I will then fix the figures in place and fully bed them in with additional mud so they are properly integrated into the groundwork. And after that, it's pouring a load of resin over it all to fill the shell hole. That's when it could all go wrong......

 

[marco14]

that is looking absolute very nice already,very beautiful and a nice diorama
Mario

 

[MalcC]

Now, that looks so realistic. superb.

Malc

 

[Ferris]

Very effective Nigel! Liking the composition, mud effects and how you did the trees and their roots. Looking forward to the water!

Cheers
Adrian