discussion Overwatch

[Caustik Filth]

Hi folks
After jumping in with no reconnaissance and finding the locals very hospitable ! I'm hoping for some tips.
I hear that soil from the garden can be used in dios but should it be dried thoroughly? Would you go as far as putting it in the oven?
Here's what I done so far, I had the idea for a dug out with a radio operator in it but realized it was way to close to a live firing anti tank gun so gone with a flanking fox hole instead.

This may take a while but enjoying me self with a shant to get the cahoonaas to post it!
Cheers Rob

 

[Jim R]

Hi Rob
Looks like a nice plan for a dio. You can certainly use garden soil for a dio. I would spread it out on a tray in a low oven to dry it and kill any bugs.
Jim

 

[minitnkr]

Very nice start. One tonner & 5cm is a great match. Trees providing some concealment for the track & providing a backdrop for the gun & MG is one idea. I dry & sift garden soil w/old cookie sheets & different size screens so soil, stones & larger rocks can be stored separately and applied as needed.

 

[Caustik Filth]

Ah ha, cheers Jim a job for mora before the roast goes in!
Thanks.

 

[Caustik Filth]

Very nice start. One tonner & 5cm is a great match. Trees providing some concealment for the track & providing a backdrop for the gun & MG is one idea. I dry & sift garden soil w/old cookie sheets & different size screens so soil, stones & larger rocks can be stored separately and applied as needed.

Nice one cheers trees will be a challenge having not done them before, experiment fun to come!
Thanks.

 

[Airborne01]

If you put it in the oven at 200 degrees for 30-40 minutes you can cook a plate of chips at the same time - just a thought!
Steve :thinking:

 

[Caustik Filth]

If you put it in the oven at 200 degrees for 30-40 minutes you can cook a plate of chips at the same time - just a thought!
Steve :thinking:

Mmm, smoked earth flavour...

 

[Guest]

I put mine in the microwave, potatoes are optional if you want .5 mins on full power !

 

[minitnkr]

Kind of like char broiled potato skins.
The backdrop of foliage allows the track, MG & Pak to blend into it w/o being profiled. A heavy ground cover, dead fall & undergrowth allows the trees to be less the focal point, thus being a little less of an issue.

 

[rtfoe]

I basically sift my soil or dirt and save the finer portions after chucking them in the microwave on high heat for a few minutes. Then use it as a mixture with spackle and white glue for texture spread. Then sprinkle over the still wet spread with a combination of various sized dirt and stones and static grass. When dry I add more static grass with white glue in planned places then paint. I seldom leave the terrain in its natural color.

Cheers,
Richard

 

[Caustik Filth]

Thank you guys for your tips and advice,. I think I might get away with using the microwave be too quick for the other arf to notice! Best be off to the garden for some supplies
Thanks again chaps.

 

[Caustik Filth]

Hi ya, I didn't get much bench time and was struggling to get my machine gunners to hold their gear properly so made a base and did a little here and there then realized putting them on the base would make painting everything a bit awkward . Doh ( learning curve ) so I'm hoping cling film keep them safe enuf...
I seen Night shift Martin black out his dio bases totally, would this be the best approach for a novice like myself ? or do different shades in different areas? If I'm gonna do it, it must be my next step!
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Cheers Rob.

 

[adt70hk]

Rob

Sorry completely missed this. That's coming on very nicely indeed.

As for Night Shift blacking everything out, the first time i saw him do it I thought what the.... Of course it works brilliantly but it's a big step to take if it goes wrong!

Keep up the great work.

Andrew

 

[Airborne01]

May i suggest you take your (excellent) ideas on a small, sacrificial, and non-important unrelated piece; if it works, go with it - if not, play with the idea until you're satisfied then go for the 'Big One' - 'oorah ! (Then post the 'Masterpiece' to the envy of us lesser mortals!)
Steve

 

[Guest]

Rob .
Nothing amiss with the diorama , in fact the tree is suberb.
A black wash is best because you can always darken, rather than a full on black. I know because I've tried it ! :smiling3:
Keep it going .

 

[Caustik Filth]

Rob

Sorry completely missed this. That's coming on very nicely indeed.

As for Night Shift blacking everything out, the first time i saw him do it I thought what the.... Of course it works brilliantly but it's a big step to take if it goes wrong!

Keep up the great work.

Andrew

May i suggest you take your (excellent) ideas on a small, sacrificial, and non-important unrelated piece; if it works, go with it - if not, play with the idea until you're satisfied then go for the 'Big One' - 'oorah ! (Then post the 'Masterpiece' to the envy of us lesser mortals!)
Steve

Nice one cheers chaps,
So I reckon build a wee version paint it black and if it goes wrong ?
I can ignite it (where Matron can't smell the smoke)
Cheers Rob

 

[Caustik Filth]

Rob .
Nothing amiss with the diorama , in fact the tree is suberb.
A black wash is best because you can always darken, rather than a full on black. I know because I've tried it ! :smiling3:
Keep it going .

Wicked ! Cheers John , leave room to darken,
(No need to ignite anything ! Just yet )

 

[Guest]

Wicked ! Cheers John , leave room to darken,
(No need to ignite anything ! Just yet )

No that's normally my way of adding some excitement to the build as the guys will tell you Rob.

 

[Caustik Filth]

After Airborne 01 advice to make a mini dio (cheers Steve) to take to the testing range, the gorgeous wee shouty female resident got me one of these....Gawd bless her!
A not so subtle hint to get out of her hair more often perchance?

So I found an unused carpet coaster and filled it with miliput and added static grass .
then hit it with black spray can.
So now I'm realising how subtle the airbrush can be. Using various shades of green the changes on the grass were hard to distinguish, but far better than brush painting.
So next step go large...Looks like fire damage!
So I went on to get cramp from long exposure to airbrush trigger.
Another lesson learned.
Experienced a few blockages along the way so more useful experience there. A bit more practice before I tackle a kit me thinks but the results are better on the grass for sure!Then got me trusty hairy sticks out and got the ground coloured, still not sure but I'll do some touch up laters.
I then managed to get some foliage done on tree and bushes.
And the gunners appear to be unharmed by the fire but may hinder painting nooks and crannies,time will tell!The tree looks a bit lopsided but hope more leaves will balance her out a bit.
I also have a few figures underway.
This fella had his thumbs up his nose for a few weeks. Just wouldn't do as asked/ordered or demanded so ended up covered in CA glue and is a tad shiny! Hopefully a gentle squirt of Matt varnish will cure him?Well that's where I'm at at the mo. About time I posted summut instead of voyeuring everyone elses beautiful creations.
Any critique and handy hints welcome!Cheers Rob

 

[Jim R]

Excellent work. Making real progress and learning for the future. One good thing about a black or very dark primer is that as you give a series of light colour coats your shadows are already defined.
Jim