discussion AFV Club Sd.Kfz251/20 'UHU' Diorama

[Guest]

I thought that if I create this thread, I am committing myself to actually creating a diorama. It will not be complex but I will be making it without buying anything other than materials.


I have created an A4 base that fits into a thin black photo frame, so yes, I did by a photo frame..... failed already lol.


Anyway, I have given it a bit of a 3D look in that it has a bit of height to the rear which I hope to finish with a hedgerow (if I can work out how to do it) failing that, it will be a fence....


I decided that the left hand back corner needed height but not too much, something like a tree. As I have made the no buy rule, I have started to make a tree


Yep, I am diving in at the deep end but after reading loads of ideas and watching a few videos, I have gone with the twisted wire method. Why? Well, I had some soft wire that would just about enough to make a smallish tree with a decent canopy.


This is the basic tree made from 28 gauge jewlers wire from HobbyCraft


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Here it is roughly where it will end up on the diorama base which has just been plastered with filler for the first coat


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This shows the height relative to the UHU, ignore the weird colour, I have taken these with my phone and I have not altered the colour balance


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Here is the tree with the first coat of PVA mixed with Tree Mendus Earth Powder (which I suspect is finely filtered soil, it certainly smells like soil!) It will need more coats to thicken it up and hide the twisted wire look. I hope that the PVA will remain flexible enough to allow a little alteration to the branches position.


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Sorry about the duff pictures. To be honest, when I started making the tree, I thought it would be in the bin within minutes but it turned out better than I expected. Still a long way to go though

 

[papa 695]

Great work Graham really liking the tree so far, that's one thing I must try and do make my own trees and buildings

 

[Guest]

That's a great start to a tree.


Can't wait to see it finished

 

[Guest]

Thanks guys, it's a bit scary to be honest lol.

 

[Steve Brodie]

me likey !!

 

[Guest]

Love the tree! Looks so real

 

[flyjoe180]

Very nice work on that tree Graham.

 

[monica]

Great work Graham,I do take my hat off to you for trying this way,looks great so far,

 

[Guest]

Great work Graham,I do take my hat off to you for trying this way,looks great so far,

Thanks Monica

 

[monica]

don,t be scared ,you will enjoy it once you get going and see how much fun it is,

 

[Guest]

Be honest guys, is this starting to look like a tree?


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With a figure for scale


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[Guest]

This a great looking tree Graham.


What did you use for the greenery?.

 

[monica]

stunning Graham,real real ,great looking tree,


ever better than I can do,


have the same question as Ralph,What did you use for the greenery?.as I can see some type of backing for the leaves,

 

[Guest]

This a great looking tree Graham.
What did you use for the greenery?.

Thanks Ralph. The green stuff is a fine ground cork material that comes from Tree Mendus. I bought one of their scenery kits years ago, this is the first time I have used it. There is also like a plait of hair like material that, after covering the limbs with a dark green scatter, I teased out really fine and roughly added to the voids between the branches. This was sprayed with hair spray and then scattered with a lighter green scatter to give shading and body to the canopy.


I need to go and get some stronger spray adhesive tomorrow to firm it up. I may then scatter the top with a lighter green to add a highlight.

 

[Guest]

stunning Graham,real real ,great looking tree,
ever better than I can do,


have the same question as Ralph,What did you use for the greenery?.as I can see some type of backing for the leaves,

Thanks Monica, praise indeed! Please see my reply to Ralph for answers

 

[geegad]

Wow looks superb buddy i will be taking that one from you..and got to get some off the scatter stuff as well

 

[Guest]

I think you've cheated and used a Bonsai.

 

[Guest]

I think you've cheated and used a Bonsai.

It might have been easier lol

 

[Guest]

I've pulled up a comfy chair for this one,that tree is spot on mate.Ps you could do a nice little sideline making them trees.

 

[PhilJ]

Graham I wouldn't know where to start with materials for trees, so this is of interest which is why I'll be watching this one.


Did you use any reference for your tree? I mean it looks like a tree especially once the figure goes under it I'm just not sure what type.


I have dabbled with bonsai since I was a kid and they are as you know miniture trees, but getting them to look like a real miniture tree is tricky and means you have to study form and structure most trees grow differently... Does that make sense?


Now watching


Phil