Enjoy the world of hobbies in 1:72
Constructing a diorama consist of phases while painting of the various models and figures can proceed in parallel. There is no single path to follow. Creativity, improvisation and ingenuity come along your journey of modelling with joy. Attend to an original image is just a direction, but don’t fear to diverge. Neither did I. I would rather say that the results became even better than was planned.
Sometimes a goal can't be achieved because of missing the resources or it just doesn’t work out the way you want it and for the sack of time... Everything is adjustable afterwards at later point in time. Although after placing the plastic soldiers for instance it would be harsh to accomplish.
Duration
The third project in total took more or less 7 months; in waves as creativity comes in waves. Started early summer and ended beginning of the next year. This project development exists of 2 parts to carry around more comfortable, 60 x 60 cm each is still a large piece; a German side and second Russian side which can be connected. The German side was more difficult due to the fortification and precise placement of trees, bushes, models and figures. The Russian side is an assault on that barricade and not that crucial in placement of the material, figures and models, but appears till to be a challenge afterwards. The goal is to have every spot detailed out. The German side was ready, by estimation, after a month of 4... or 5...
Stepwise - German side
Having said that the steps are shown consecutive picture style to provide a clear idea of the development in different stages. Some choices were after all not very smart or questionable. However the finish counts. As this is the third diorama I'm still learning and using different techniques.
Duration
The other half is not clear anymore how long. Of course focus first on German part, but in parallel touched once in a while the second part as ideas come during. At first this side seems a lot less time consuming to decorate; just a sloop with trees; within weeks ready. However, painting all tanks and soldiers took way more time, although I prepared a lot upfront, before start in summer 2021. Trading models, more soldiers as tank riders, also more on German side. Due to decision of having that trench as transition between the sides was smart, but this implies a lot of terrain secure detailing (as barbwire). This was underestimate as well as rest of the decoration to evade from the void.
Stepwise - Russian side
Having said that the steps are shown consecutive picture style to provide a clear idea of the development in different stages. Some choices were after all not very smart or questionable. However the finish counts. As this is the third diorama I'm still learning and using different techniques.
Results
This project is much larger than the previous ones. Prepared for years the build of all the various tanks. Started slowly building up on a lovely summer day in June the German side. That part had to be a bit complex; more terrain, however still a tank movement as intended to face the other side similarly. While framing the foam, the terrain turned into a fortress look-a-like. As always every corner needs a function where also hills must have caves. Knowing that the other Russian side would be just a slope hill, the fortress tyle would have trenches and bunkers. With this I could also easily connect the two parts and have a smooth transition into the other board; the long trench fulfills this role. The original plan had changed... which is fine...
In parallel, as other location in the house, already planned out the simple construction surface of the Russian tank assault. However, a pond had to arise as would be great to have tanks enter the water. It seems to be easy to just place tanks on a board, but that wasn’t. For both boards to the open terrains had to be creatively coloured with, material and that frustrated a bit. Having trails visible of the tracks of a tank are hopefully clear. Afterwards would have it done differently, but can't complain about the results of the attempt. Meanwhile have found other material which could have been used instead. Also passing the area with useful details was a challenge. Besides bushes, trees, rocks and some fences the need for remnants and demolished parts did the job.
Minor detail I discovered afterwards is the trench is too long and not realistic. It can't be just a pit because of the shell impact. This should have been a zigzag pattern. Perhaps will do that one day as improvement. This will also elude the crack visibility I hope.
It all ends well after many months. At new year 2021/22 I could finish off the last details of grass and such. Not to mention all paintings of the Russian tank riders as you never can have enough of those figures. What is not visible on all the pictures above is that both scenarios are boxed with carton including windows and lights; to protect against bugs, loose fingers and bad breath. This process also takes some weeks with strong cardboard material or wood.
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