The Imperial Shipyards
Imperial Creative Engineering => Dioramas => Topic started by: RCWCreations on February 24, 2016, 01:16:48 AM
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After a couple of years off from my last post on this site. I decided it was about time I picked up my trusty knife and start building again!
I know that this is a Star Wars site but I am a collector of a lot of science fiction stuff (much to bane of my loving wife!). I couldn't resist with starting with a set from the classic Star Trek. With being red & green colour blind, I've relied heavily on decal's, for this set and my first project on this site, My Death Star Diorama. I wanted to try and make them as show accurate possible and didn't want to use the wrong colours.
My next project is bringing me back to Star Wars and I'm taking myself out of my decal comfort zone.
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Since I first watched Return of the Jedi, I've always loved Jabba's palace and have always wanted to makes it, the closest I got was the fold out Jabba's Palace 3D Diorama from 1998. Unfortunately due to size restrictions of my house and family. I decided to reproduce just one part of it in hopes that one day, I will be able to expand upon it.
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Nice to see you back with some new diorama work. Off to share your work.
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That is a really col dio. I myself like the original star trek series and you did a fantastic job with this !
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Cool, I'm working in this same section for my jabba's palace.
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Love the Enterprise engineering set.
The Tholian Web ?
That brings me back.
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Bingo, they were the two I had sat on my desk at the time. Scotty has yet to enter engineering lol!
To give Han that ominous look, I've invested in an LED kit. While I'm still trying to get the lighting angles right, the set is still held together with masking tape. I might change the top LED to white (or possibly a blue) light, build in the overhang with the three windows to give it the "natural light" look. Then move the current top LED to underneath the carbonite block, lighting the back wall from underneath.
I welcome any suggestions and ideas with this from my fellow yarders!
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Here's a better close up in the dark.
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Looks good if you ask me. Off to share.
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Took a sneaky day off and was able to modify this some more. I've purchased a few blue LED's for the roof but while I'm waiting for them to arrive, I found some parasol LEDs to play with.
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The ST engine room looks great and the Carbonite Han alcove is looking good.
Ron
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I like that light work. Off to share yet again. Keep it coming!
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Latest update Shipyarders!
I wanted to give this dio a unique look and give the walls some texture. I bought some modroc and applied a layer onto the dio. When its dried, its going to be heavy and I'll never the get the LEDS out ;D! I think you'll agree though, it's starting to come together. I just have to wait until the it's dried to fit the top LED's.
I hope you like the improvements.
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I couldn't finish tonight without trying out grate LED's and seeing how it looks with the under lighting.
I am very eager to finish this off and displaying the finished product off.
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I couldn't finish tonight without trying out grate LED's and seeing how it looks with the under lighting.
I am very eager to finish this off and displaying the finished product off.
Very nice sir, the added texture really brings out the lighting to.
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Its looking fantastic!
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Wow, that is really nice. More comments on the front pages.
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I managed to get half an hour today to disappear while being the dutiful husband on Mother's Day (breakfast, lunch and a roast lamb dinner DH). With all the pieces dry I put them all in place to see how it would all fit together, locations of LED's above Han, working out the cable runs for all the wires.
I am also starting to work on the control panel for the carbonite slab, I'll be adding a couple of fibre optic lights. After that, it needs painting and adding the kibble around slab.
I couldn't resist having Boba Fett gloating in front of Han. bbfet
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Oh yeah, that is looking good. Off to share.
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After a couple of years off from my last post on this site. I decided it was about time I picked up my trusty knife and start building again!
I know that this is a Star Wars site but I am a collector of a lot of science fiction stuff (much to bane of my loving wife!). I couldn't resist with starting with a set from the classic Star Trek. With being red & green colour blind, I've relied heavily on decal's, for this set and my first project on this site, My Death Star Diorama. I wanted to try and make them as show accurate possible and didn't want to use the wrong colours.
My next project is bringing me back to Star Wars and I'm taking myself out of my decal comfort zone.
I love Star Trek. and this engine room diorama is spot on.
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Latest update!
I've "fitted" the control panel with fibre optics and finally gave it its first coat of paint on the grills and the surroundings . I propped up the carbonite slab, just to get idea of how it will look. Once it's dry, I think another coat of paint will be added, the wire for the control panel and the surrounding grebble.
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Wow, that is really looking so movie accurate. You have to have a smile on your face as you are working on this now. Back to share this.
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Thanks Tamer for the kind words, building this has brought me great joy and it is with great pleasure that I announce to you, it is now completed! I have added the final touches and I hope you like it.
I couldn't resist playing out the moment when Leia releases Han from Carbonite.
Please enjoy!
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Here are a couple of more pictures to finish off the scene and a screenshot from the movie that inspired me.
I hope you enjoy the pictures.
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I couldn't resist!
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It sure does look fun. Great work. Off to share.
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I've been playing a lot of The Old Republic and been acquiring a few of the figures and wanted to make a diorama based on that period. I fancied designing a Sith temple vadsab but keeping it to a scale that doesn't upset my wife to much lol and she thought she got her dining table back after I completed my last diorama!
Sith Temple's have been touched upon within KOTOR, Jedi Knight saga and the Dark House Star Wars comics, they are normally grand, enormous structures. To which, in keeping to my comment above I am trying to keep to a minimal size.
I'm using black foam board for the main temple structure, hoping to give it a dark, ominous feel to it, while the base will be done with white foam board. After my last set and the use of modroc, seeing how that worked rather well. I am thinking of giving the base a layer of modroc, to give a stone texture. I am thinking of building out and making it a little bit more angular in hopes to giving it a more traditional pyramid look to it.
I welcome any inspirational ideas anyone might have.
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I've bee working on the base the this evening. The more I look at this, the more I feel that I will modroc the base to give it texture, an overall pyramid structure with either a corridor or a chamber. The next question I have, after my last success with LED's and fibre's, do I fancy lighting this one too?
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Wow, that looks great. Off to share.
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Hello, I am playing catch up here, very nice work on your dioramas! I too am a big fan of Jabba's Palace so I love the Alcove. The lighting always completes a diorama and I hope to add led wiring to my skill set soon. The Temple is looking very cool! I like the design and shapes you are using. Keep up the great work!
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The Carbonite dio looks great and the Sith Temple is really starting to take shape.
Ron
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A quick update, after finishing my two figures I wanted to add something to the temple. With my daughters help, we applied a layer of modroc to the front of the model for texture. I have deliberately limited myself on size of this before I got carried away.
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While the front is drying, I have been wondering what to do for the inside. Giving the space I have made available for this, the option only really availably to me would be a corridor. While the front is drying, I've started to lay the ground work.
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This is coming along great buddy, I can't wait to see more.
Ron
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I agree, looking great. Two nice updates for the front page today. Keep it coming!
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I have been away for a couple of weeks and wanting to get back on track with this. Since I have restricted the size of my temple to "wife" manageable proportions ;D and two months ago I defeated The Emperor on The Old Republic DH. I thought the best way to fill the space, would be to put in a corridor to no where.
As you will tell from the pictures, I have taped it together until I have all bits built and ready to be glued.
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A couple more pictures, to see it's development. I am contemplating adding LED's to the front and corridor to try and give it an eerie feel to it.
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Looks pretty awesome to me. Off to share the latest.
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Thanks Tamer!
Here is another further update of my temple. As you can see, I've painted the base using acrylic paints and glued the bottom parts together, including the stairs into the temple. Now I've worked out what the interior is going to be, I've started to cut the pieces out for the exterior, now you have a bit of an idea of how this might finally look.
I hope you like it.
Richard
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looks good to me. Off to share.
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Lookin' mighty forebodin' already!
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Thank you for the kind words everyone!
Last night I cracked on and this is how it went. I had been wandering round my local Poundland for craft knifes and glue when I found a string of 10 LED lights designed for a parasol at £1, this I thought would be perfect for my corridor to no-where. Last night I drilled 10 LED holes, 2 over the main the door, 4 for the corridor walls and 2 either side of the back door and 2 over the door. I cut little pieces of foam core, angled them and stuck them underneath each LED, forcing them to shine the light upwards instead of outwards. I think it turned out rather well, especially when I make the roof and the exterior walls.
For the outside of the temple I have started to build up the front, designing a proscenium arch over the main entrance. I am thinking of scratching in symbols and few wavy lines for effect on the pros arch, maybe scratching some brick work around the main door for effect. I was looking at it and thinking the main door need something because it looks very flat and in need of a little detail.
I still need to build the exterior walls and roof, also whether or not to keep it as an enclosed unit or to have a removable roof?
I am hoping to have this finished off by the weekend, I have been told we have guests over on SUnday and my wife is "requesting" her dinning table back! ;D
I hope you like it and in the spirit of The Old Republic you will notice my custom character against both Darth Revan and Malgus.
Richard
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I went a little over kill with taking photo's last night!
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Looks great and the lights make it really pop well done mate.
Ron
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Wow, turning out great. Love the lights and seeing this populated a bit. Off to share again!
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Thank you Ron and Tamer. These past two dio's have been great fun building and breaking out of the comfort zone of printing out decals, cutting and pasting. This one especially because having no point of reference, I am just letting the creative element flow.
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Almost there! DH
I etched in brick work to the front and into the proscenium arch, enhancing its details. I have also built the exterior walls, etching in brick work and fitting them to the base, glued the LED's into place.
Just need to create the roof and apply paint touch ups and then I think I might be there! Definitely on track to being finished by the weekend!
I hope you enjoy!
Richard
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Very nice. Like the behind the scenes look and that brick really adds to the look. Off to share.
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My final update of my Sith Temple!
The roof is built, sanded and applied. I decided to leave it with an open back making the battery pack accessible and giving it an apex roof answered my question on whether to fix the roof in place or make it removable.
Until I have finished my SWTOR custom figures, here few shots with my current SWTOR figures.
I hope you enjoy the pictures.
Richard.
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You did a fantastic job! I would be smiling ear to ear if I were you. I can't wait to see what Sith you populate it with. I am a big fan of Malgus and could so see filling it would Sith of that era. Ah heck, get them all and do a whose who. Off to share.
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I really like this and as I said before the lighting is the cherry on top, excellent work mate.
Ron
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Extremely cool custom Sith Temple!
Nice work on it.
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That's is really cool like the look
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No update but couldn't resist!
I know I have just posted this on my custom figure forum but I thought this picture also deserved to be here as well!
This is just for you Tamer!
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Pretty cool, I used one of these images for the front page update on your custom figures today! And thanks I can't get enough Sith!
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Thank you Tamer and it was my pleasure.
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Hi all.
Going to give myself a break from figures for a bit and make a diorama again. For those who follow my Facebook page, you might have seen that I recently got my hands on a Rancor. Yes you guessed it, it's time to build the Rancor Pit, or at least part of it before my wife complains ;D.
As you can see, I'm using foam core for the overall structure, you can probably tell that I've cut the whole for the trap door. Next I have to make the rock walls and the trap door slide, I am thinking of using scrolled up newspaper for the walls, with plaster moulding roll for the texture.
Let me know what you think.
Richard
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Looks like you have the walls up. Gonna be good, can't wait to see more.
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Good morning all
I had been given a few different ideas in which way to construct the cave walls. I decided to go with (and this may not work!) but to use different sized, rolled up newspaper for depth and structure, with layers of plaster of Paris strips for texture. As you can see I've been working on the paper layout, it's taking shape and you will just notice behind the Rancor the beginnings of the trap door slide.
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I just picked up the toy r us blackseries rancor pit set, so i definitely cant wait to see how you do this. Looks great so far.
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Giving it a little form. Gonna be good!
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Update!
I have applied plaster of paris strips to the wall, I think this has given them the rock shaping that I was looking for.
For trap door ramp. I cut a piece of foam core, sliced length ways to shape around the bottom trap door. I dremmeled down all of the sides to shape around the walls, added a layer of plaster of paris to ramp and blended it into the walls.
I built in a small cave into the wall, for Skywalker to hide into.
I hope you like the pictures.
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looking good
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First coat of paint applied, you'll have noticed the dark small cave for Skywalker to try hide from the Rancor
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You can read my comments on the front pages.
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Looks really nice, but I thought the little cave where Luke hid was located differently in relation to the trap door chute.
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Thanks Tamer.
Call it artistic license ;D, without putting in the main doors and ceiling, I wanted to try and capture some of the elements of that scene.
Today I have taken a sponge and gone over the walls with a light grey wash, filling in some the areas I missed yesterday. You will have noticed that I have put back the extra layer of foam core back in, not only to strengthen the floor but hide the bottom of the walls. This has left a few gaps between the walls and the extra floor, this gave me an idea to try something new. I got some grey course ballast, mixed it in with some PVA glue and paint, then used it to file the holes around the edges. I also did the same for inside the little cave but used black instead of grey, making it as dark as possible. I will be using the same technique for the overall floor but using a sandier tone like yellow ochre or something similar.
If you have any suggestions please let me know, especially with the colours. Being colour blind I don't always get it right.
Richard
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This diorama is looking really good. The plaster of paris technique is working very well.
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Coming along nicely ! Look forward to seeing it completed
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You are definitely getting there. More progress.
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This is looking great and I can't wait to see it complete.
Ron
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Thanks Ron. My wife is asking me the same question, she wants to know when she can have dining table back ;D
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Not much of an update but I've managed to start work on the floor. I've created a couple of mounds to slide the Rancor's feet to, giving him a little grip.
Covered them with PVA glue and covered them in small stones.
I took a knife to the top layer of foam by the cave and sliced a ramp. Sanded it and now just going to leave the mounds to dry before putting the first coat of paint on the floor.
Luke tried out the cave for size..
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This is gonna look awesome when you get it finished.
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Thanks Tamar, it has been one of those projects where I have been unsure of how it will turn out and just amazed with the direction this has gone. I think the walls have turned out far better than I could have imagined and the crawl space has turned out very well.
To be honest I'm excited to see how this finally turns out.
Richard
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Updates on the front pages. Looking good.
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Looking really good
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Update time
Before I add a layer of stones and sand, I've just added a couple of layers of paint to the floor.
Using the circle that I cut for the trap door, I've used that to make the trap door bars. Going to add a layer of plaster to it, paint and securely fit to the walls.
Going to create a few skeletal remains to dot around the set.
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Hi all
With the paint dry, its time to add some texture to ground. Before doing this, I needed to carry out a little more research and on Sunday (Father's Day, which I've made a tradition to watch a Star Wars film that day!) deliberately watched Return Of Jedi.
I noticed that the floor is covered with sand and the rock walls also have a lot of sand build up over them.
I am now waiting on delivery for some silver sand but in the mean time I used the rock ballast, mixed with paint and PVA glue, coated the floor with it. This will give the sand to something to grip against. I also added some onto the walls, for the authentic look from the film. Excuse the blue tack on the floor, I've put that there to mark where the Rancor's feet are going, then as a barrier to keep it clear.
Now I am hoping that the colour isn't as bad as what I think because I was mixing up a light brown (which being red/green colour blind is trickery than you think!) solution mixed with the ballast before I cover it with silver sand.
I hope you like it.
Richard
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This coming along great mate. I look forward to seeing it with the sand added.
Ron
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Thanks Ron.
Once the sands is put down, I've got the bones to make.
Richard
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Oh yeah, turning even better. Time to share the latest update.
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So far this is looking excellent! I love watching the developing project.
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My sand arrived last night, today I mixed it up with PVA glue and using a spatula (don't tell the wife!) spread out over the floor and over the parts of the rock face, covering the ballast that I had put down yesterday. As you can see from the first few pictures it looked like a lot of wet slimey sand. Using dry sand, I poured a layer over the walls and floor which by covering the glue sand and
left it to dry.
In the mean time, I put a layer of silver paint on the trap door and as you can see, left it stood up to dry.
A few hours later, I tipped the pit upside down to remove all excess and loss sand. I think we can all agree (including the Rancor) it has turned ou
What do you think?
All that is needed to do now, is finish off the trap door and fix it in place, then mold and create a lot of skeletal remains to litter the pit with.
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These were taken after I laid dry sand over the wet, slime sand.
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Now I have removed the excess sand and let the Rancor stomp around this home.
As said earlier, just have the finishing touches to add to this before I can say that it is completed.
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wow, you are really bringing this one home. Off to share the latest.
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Just had a very busy weekend, apologizes for the lateness off this post. Before the weekend started, I managed to finish the trap door off, stick it in place and scrape off the remaining excess sand from this dio. Later this week and over next weekend, I will be making the skeletal remains which will litter the floor of this dio, giving this scene the final finishing touches.
In the mean time, here are some shots of how it is now, recreating some of the shots from the film.
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Looks good to me. Off to share.
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Hi
Sorry it has been awhile but here is a little update for you.
I have cast a handful of hemerus and spread them out over the floor of the Rancor pit, putting the skeletal body at the bottom of the trap door slide. Unfortunately the mold for the hemerus has broken, so I have had to order some more Blu Stuff to continue. For now, I think this will do!
I have my eldest daughter visiting for a few weeks, so unfortunately I will be unable to post for the time she is around. So much to do and show her while she visits.
Once she's gone ??? I'll be back with more ideas.
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looking really good. did you do any additional paint on the rancor?
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Thanks mate. No I didn't add any extra paint onto the Rancor.
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Looks good to me, off to share.
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Hi all
After having a very busy couple of works with my family, It's time to get back to it and build another diorama.
While I was off I managed to get hold of these three ghostly bad boys, giving me the inspiration to create the Jedi Ghost scene from the end of Return of the Jedi.
I have traced out the base in foam core, will be building the walkway with LED's built in. This will under light the three figures and hopefully give each of them a blue ghostly glow.
As you can see, I have built a mock stage and fitted a diffused blue LED into it, giving me the chance to see how the figures will look. Judging by Obi Wan and Yoda, they're not looking to bad.
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I look forward to seeing the progress on this build. I love hologram stuff.
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I have spent this afternoon building the walkway, using a layer of polystyrene on top of a layer of foamcore. Using a rotary tool to carve out the struts and drill a hole to fit the second LED for Obi Wan. As you can see I have loosely placed the third LED for Yoda, just so I could see what the three of them would like light up.
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They look awesome mate an excellent idea for the lighting.
Ron
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Thanks Ron
With Yoda's light, I am going to run it up the side of the railing so it is hidden out of view, with Yoda perched on top. The battery box will be hidden inside a hut on the circle behind Anakin.
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Sweet new project. More comments on the front pages.
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This evening, I took my rotary tool and started to carve out circular base for the battery pack and walkway, giving each a more rounded form.
I decided the white foam base didn't work, I have replaced it with black foam board, cutting four half inch lengths to sit the walkway on. Using masking tape, I have stuck them down creating a cable run for the LEDS, using the circulars base for the battery pack, drilling a hole through the base for the wires to go through. To hide the battery pack, I will be making an Ewok hut.
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I was walking through the car park at work and I found the perfect twigs to use for the hand rail, cutting them down to correct, used hot glue to stick them together. I have some twine to wrap round the joins to hide the glue.
As you can see I have loosely placed the hand rail up against the walkway, hiding Yoda's LED, to giving me an idea how it will work. I even got Yoda to balance on the top, showing the effect that I am trying to recreate.
The large cardboard tube behind Obi Wan, I am thinking about turning it into a background tree. Saw someone use strips of card, sticking it onto the tube to create a bark effect, if anyone has any tips, please let me know.
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I had to add the last minute night photos, it truly does bring them alive, I especially like the slightly out of focus shots, it brings home their ghostly forms.
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Time for a front page update.
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I love the night pictures. Some of those figures are pretty old but look great in your setup. Great Job! 0/
I will post some pics of something similar i did a while back in a few days when i get a chance.
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Thanks mate. Going to get back on it tonight and hopefully there will be more updates tomorrow.
I don't think that these figures are that old, I remember them coming out! Oh wait.............! I'm old! :(
Oh well who cares! DH
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Looking awesome mate and great idea with Yoda's light..
Ron
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Thanks Ron, I'm thinking of dremmeling into the wood to hide the cable and attaching a figure base for him to sit on or would you recommend gluing him onto the railing?
I was thinking of using sand mixed with PVA glue for the Ewok hut, what do you think?
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Morning All
Last night, I carried on working on the handrail. Using string, I wrapped it round the post joints, hiding the glue. to keep the ends from fraying and becoming loose, I used superglue to stick the ends down. Taking my rotary tool I carved out a groove into the middle post, this will enable me to hide Yoda's LED cable. Then taking a plastic figure stand I cut to fit round the top of the center post and using hot glue, glued it in place, this now provides the perch for Yoda to sit on. Allowing me to fully utilize the LED to light Yoda.
As you can see, none of this is glued in yet, until I start painting it.
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The Ewok hut, I cut out the door and using black card and sticking it on the inside of the door, still hiding the battery pack from view. I ran another LED up and inside the hut, to shine down onto the card and floor. As you can see I have not got the angle right just yet!
You will also notice I have put a little roof on, looking at it, this is too small and shallow, what I want is something bigger, which starts just above the door to where it stops now, then it will be thatched.
There is still more to do but I think its coming on nicely!
If you would like to see more pictures of the development of this, they can be found on my facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/richardscreativeworkshop/
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This is looking great. Time to share.
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Last night, I mixed up some PVA glue with sand and covered the hut with it to make a mud Ewok hut and let it dry. I am un sure what to do for the background, I printed off an Ewok background and I might stick it to a piece of card and use it as a back drop. The long tube to the right, is going to be a tree, I have printed e decal of a tree and stuck it to the tube but like the backdrop I am unsure of whether to use it or I scrap it and do a more natural background. I saw some one use scraps of card, stuck to a cardboard tube to make tree trunk, I gave that a go last night to see which I would prefer. The long tube with the decal on or a long tube made to look like a tree!
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Very creative on those trees. I like both styles. Off to share.
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What to do on a sick day! With being struck down today with a stomach bug I decided to make full use of this day!
To start with, I built a new roof for the Ewok hut and using PVA glue and Scale Scenic field grass, I gave the hut a thatched roof. Then taking a second long tube, I cut more cardboard strips out and stuck them onto the tube, similar to the smaller tube.
Now this is where it gets tricky for a red/green colour blind person, mixing brown paint! Yes I now realise that I originally made a brown/orange colour and used it as a base coat for the walkway and the huts stand. Through the course of the day due to the heat, the paint has being drying faster, which has been giving me the chance to apply darker washes over both the trees, walkway and hut stand.
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Unfortunately I didn't have any tissue paper to cover the trees as I was recommended earlier today and feeling like I do, was not up to going out and buying some. Instead I have been applying layers of paint with different degrees of washes and will be raiding my garden for twigs and small branches for effect.
Just going to leave everything to dry before I start trimming the hut roof and adding real branches to the trees for effect.
I think Wicket likes his new house!
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While it is still drying, I put it all back together again to see what it would look like.
I couldn't resist adding in a few Ewoks, I had to make sure it was to their scale first!
I think, it just needs the finishing touches and gluing together.
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Finally finished!
Using hot glue, I glued the Yoda's LED into place, making sure the wire was tucked into the groove and hot glue keeping it in place. The walkway and all other pieces glued into place, and another groove cut to slot the back drop into place.
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Finally pictures of the ghosts in place.
Due to the recent news of Kenny Baker, R2-D2 had to take his proper place in Star Wars history!
A couple of Ewoks had to try it out for size as well!
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A couple of better quality final picture's
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Not sure why your images are coming in upside down. Sometimes we have issues with phone graphics doing this. Did you take your pictures with a phone?
You can also use a photo hosting (free online) like I do to host your images and just paste the bbc code directly into your reply post:
(http://i.imgur.com/fThmiys.png)
Way to bring the dio home though. It looks great. Off to share.
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Thanks Tamer.
You're right, all of these were taken from my phone. I recently bought a tripod for my phone and it seems that all photo's taken with my phone in that specific horizontal position are all turning upside down.
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i have watched this from beginning to your newest and final update and i have to say i really like this . Especially for hardly any articulation . I wont do a custom anymore without full articulation ( i got spoiled lol). This scene was/is going to be a future project of mine . again great job !
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Thanks mate.
It was great fun to build, I had never worked worked with polystyrene and was very unsure if the material would work or look right after it had been painted. I very much look forward to seeing your version of this. Would you be using the same figures or going for the after the prequel look with young Anakin?
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Looks really great mate.
Ron
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Thanks Ron.
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Thanks mate.
It was great fun to build, I had never worked worked with polystyrene and was very unsure if the material would work or look right after it had been painted. I very much look forward to seeing your version of this. Would you be using the same figures or going for the after the prequel look with young Anakin?
Well to answer your question I am old school so the young Anakin would def not work lol But what i had in mind would be to use Articulated versions of these figures and done up with the spirit look . I am playing around with a few ideas but stay tuned!
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Thanks mate.
It was great fun to build, I had never worked worked with polystyrene and was very unsure if the material would work or look right after it had been painted. I very much look forward to seeing your version of this. Would you be using the same figures or going for the after the prequel look with young Anakin?
Well to answer your question I am old school so the young Anakin would def not work lol But what i had in mind would be to use Articulated versions of these figures and done up with the spirit look . I am playing around with a few ideas but stay tuned!
That sounds awesome! Really looking forward to seeing that!
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Hi all
After a busy couple of weeks, especially my youngest daughters birthday this weekend. I've started another diorama, this time taken from The Force Awakens, the destruction of Maz Kanata's castle. So far I have started to construct the front wall using 3 layers of foam board for depth and part of one of the front columns.
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Looks like your off to a great start!
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Thanks Tamer
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This is going to be awesome.
Ron
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Thanks Ron.
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Your off to a great start i will be watching for the updates !
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Thanks Mr Jedi1977
Last night we had a mother of a thunderstorm so in between having to cuddle my scarred 6 year old (which was really terrible! ;D) and doing a little work on my dio. I managed to build the the other outer column and while it was drying I got to work sanding down the edges around the door and the walls base.
Maz did have to inspect my work lol!
Richard
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Wish we could get a storm here. It has been bone dry for almost a month!
Off to share your progress. It is taking shape.
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WOW. This is going to be amazing. I loved that castle, it absolutely sucks they destroyed it so soon after it was introduced! I can't wait to see a "toy" of it. Keep us updated. :)
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Thank Alliance Nerd I will do.
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I love watching this process. Keep em coming. I'm taking notes.
Great job so far.
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Thanks Sjefke, I hope I don't disappoint!
Last night I set out to create a little detail on the wall, emphasize the brick work. Thinking this to be a quick a and easy job, I set to drawing the brick lines out at a depth of a 1 cm and 1 inch wide, then it started to hit me on how long this is going to take. About half an hour later (or maybe longer!) I got out my rotary tool and started carve into the foam board to form the bricks. About an hour and a half later, I completed half of the wall and a column because I need a change from the wall!
I have sanded down the wall and the column and here are the results!
Enjoy
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This beginnings of the castle look fantastic, I can't wait to see the progress and final product! You've done a good job with the scale too.
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Thanks Starchaser
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Hi, not much of an update but very time consuming! I have finally carved out the brick work on the wall and now I have done the same to both of the columns. Now I will be working on the décor around the door and even the door itself, pictures of that to follow.
Here are the pictures of how it looks now, modelled by Han and Chewbacca.
I hope you like them!
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Brick work is looking good. Off to share.
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Continues to look good, the faux bricks totally work.
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Coming along great, it's going to awesome once it's completed.
Rom
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Thanks Tamer, Ron and Starchaser.
Today I managed to spend a lot of time on my dio. Using an old foam board which I had previously cut out for the door andusing my rotary tool, I carved out the vents into the door. Using clay moulding tools to create definition between the vents and the doors, sanded it down to remove all bevelled edges.
Taking another piece of foam board that I had also previously cut from one of the wall pieces, I started to cut out the decoration for around the door. After cutting out the parts needed, I used my rotary tool and rounded off the edges, highlighting the detail around the door. I then cut out a length of foam board to be used as the top step outside the of the door. AT the moment it is the only thing that is glued to the wall.
My next step is to acquire the paints before I carry on, adding the rest of the steps and taking the diorama the way I have in mind. Sorry but until I have painted it, I don't want to describe to much of what I think this will look like.
Please enjoy the pictures I have taken of the development I have made today, sorry I think I have gone a bit overkill!
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And more!
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Looking good. Off to share the latest progress.
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this is coming along nicely, I can't believe how fast you're making progress here!
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NIce , you are moving fast on this i like it !
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Thanks Mr Jedi 1977, my daughter had a friend round to play on Sunday and her mother came along to, so that kept both my daughter and wife occupied for the afternoon! 0/
I just need to finish off the steps and the overall base, then need to workout the hardest part - what colour to paint it (colour blind!). Any suggestions will be gladly received. Once that is done, it will be time for phase II of this project!
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One word AWESOME.
Ron
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Thank you Ron. Would you believe that is just a wall and right now to steps!
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how many of this flags are you going to hang on the finished castle? ;D
(https://uproxx.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/star-wars-the-force-awakens-anakin-skywalker-flag-1a.jpg?quality=90&w=650&h=372)
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I'm not, I'm thinking of going the other way!
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Thanks Mr Jedi 1977, my daughter had a friend round to play on Sunday and her mother came along to, so that kept both my daughter and wife occupied for the afternoon! 0/
I just need to finish off the steps and the overall base, then need to workout the hardest part - what colour to paint it (colour blind!). Any suggestions will be gladly received. Once that is done, it will be time for phase II of this project!
LOL thank god for play dates . A great way to get some quality time in . Keep the photos coming , i like how this is turning out .
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I'm not, I'm thinking of going the other way!
not decorating it with the flags? or the giant Maz statue? :)
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It will be decorated but not the way you think lol! I have an image of how it will hopefully look plus the hints in the title ;-)
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ohhhhhhh!!!! :o
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Morning all
Last night I finally got a bit of time to carry on working on my diorama, phase 1 of this project is almost complete. I finished off building the steps to castle, making each step width 2cm on either side and 1cm depth from the previous one. then cutting two pieces of foam board for the foundation's, these pieces where measured from the bottom of the wall (or from the top of the top step) to the base of the bottom step. On the top of each piece I got my knife and sliced from down between the front piece of card and foam, this running the full length of of the board and a 1cm in depth. Then on the reverse of the board, across the top of each piece, I drew a line 1cm in depth and gently cut through the foam making sure that I did not go through the other side to the cut previous cut that I had done. This creating a lip on both my pieces of board. I then (using masking tape for now) stuck them to the bottom of the wall and behind the steps. As you can also see I have cut a rather large piece of board to act as the overall base of my structure.
I just need to cut a couple more pieces for around the base of the castle to make it secure before fixing the steps to the base and then proceeding with phase 2 - the painting of this structure.
I hope you like pictures!
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Awesome work mate and I'm really looking forward to seeing the next lot of pics.
Ron
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Thanks Ron and the same with you!
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Wow, that looks spot on perfect to me. Off to share the latest.
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Thanks Tamer
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Morning all
I've had a bit of a productive weekend with my model. On Saturday I finally completed Phase 1 of this project, which was completion of the overall structure of the diorama. The wall was completed, sanded down and pieces glued into place, the base cut, sanded and secured into place.
Phase 2 I had been toying with the idea of painting it before going ahead with Phase 3 but then I realized that I would have to do a complete repaint once Phase 3 had been finished. So I decided (whether it was a good idea or not) to swap Phase's 2 & 3 around.
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Now you are all wondering what Phase 3 is! My intention was never to build Maz's watering hole in all of its glory, instead I wanted to build the scene after the First Order had destroyed the castle and you watch Kylo Ren walking through the collapsed structure then out of a doorway and onto the battlefield.
So with that in mind I set to work last night, destroying the wall. Normally cutting through foam board is relatively easy but when you have to go through three layers and give the impression that its a wall and not just some card is a little tricky. So I got out a hammer and chisel, using this to cut into and around the brick work, taking it down through the 3 layers. With the larger pieces, I cut down into the middle layer then started to pull/rip the pieces off. This left the chiseled top layer the way I wanted it to look but gave a great effect on the other two layers, I even decided to leave part of the wall hanging on. With the pieces that I had cut off, they are now turned into the rubble on the floor.
This weekend while also purchasing Rogue One figure's I will be investing in some spray cans and finally start to paint this. I know some of you are wondering why I just didn't paint this first before starting to break the walls down, up until yesterday I was in the same mind because everything would have been consistent, wall/rubble and then I could have scorched it up afterwards. Then there is the issue of the white board after I had pulled the wall down, I would have had to repaint the wall and might not have got the same effect again. Unfortunately I got over keen and and went with painting it after I destroyed it, I might regret this option later!
My wife walked in while I was chiselling to find out what all the noise was and thought I was nuts (also to complain about the noise and not to wake out daughter up), about two hours later she came back in. Without saying anything to me, she stood in front of the model, laughed, then turned to me and said she could picture that scene! Using the parts of the wall that I had cut away as rubble had worked, the destroyed brick work but I need to redo the lower stage right side of the wall. Don't tell I said this but she is right! ;D
I hope you enjoy the pictures
Richard
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Well, I was liking the pristine version, but I can see where you are going with this too. Off to share the update.
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Great looking stonework, but i do like the demolished idea.
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Mate this is becoming more awesome with every update.
Ron
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Thanks everyone.
I know what you mean Tamer I spent quite awhile looking at this before I started to demolish it wondering if I should really go through with it, the amount of work that put in and I was about to start tearing chunks out of it! I very nearly left it as it was!
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At least you know if you wanted to build a first view version you could pull it off.
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Oh very true indeed!
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The first coat of pint has been applied, it's been that long since I have used spray paints (also using it outside on a windy day was probably not the best idea I have had!!) so I now need to purchase another can of paint but that won't be until Saturday! >:(
Oh well, its near an Asda\Walmart and I might have to also have to buy Rogue One figures! Oh shucks!
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It's looking awesome and yeah been there, the spray can in the wind is never a great idea you and up with more paint on yourself or something else then the actual item you wanted to spray in the first place.
Ron
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Thanks Ron.
I know now, I had a spare half an hour before I had to pick my daughter up from school, thought it would bee the perfect time. Typically as I got the can out, that is when the wind picked up! You know when you get everything set up and just think to yourself "Well I'm here now!" >:(
Oh well back to shops I go and oh dear Rogue One figures happen to cross my path ;D
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I can feel your twos pain. LOL.
Off to share.
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Major update!
I've been busy this weekend, yesterday I applied the second of spray paint. This time I was more careful, cleared space in the garage and sprayed in there lol.
Today, I created a wash consisting of a combination of white, black and a little burnt umber acrylic and used this to lighten the doorway and then a gentle wash over all of the wall and rubble. Then using a dry brush, I scorched the wall using black acrylic and dry brushed everything, the wall, steps, the broken wall parts. If I used too much black I soften it using the first acrylic wash.
While I was waiting for that to dry, I used some model shrubbery to create a grass area at the front and then a mixture of PVA, ballast and a grey acrylic mixture to cover the area at the bottom of the steps and some on them, this giving the impression of broken stone from the wall.
This hopefully completes Phase 3 of this project, there now needs a couple of additions and one being customised before I complete this.
I hope you like the pictures so far and excuse the amount of them.
Richard
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Here are more pictures.
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Sorry but here are the last 4 for the moment.
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I ran out of time to get into everything new here this morning, but I had to get this on the front page. Wow, it looks great.
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Thanks Tamer
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Fantastic work mate.
Ron
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Thanks Ron.
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As promised Ron!
I've started on Phase 4 of my project, for this section I'm going to pimp up Phasma! I've always found this release of the 3.75" figure slightly dull. I've bought a pot of Humbrol chrome paint and I'm going to give this figure some shine. I posses two of this character so you can see the comparison. I have completed her first coat, tomorrow I'll apply her second before adding her back to the diorama.
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Phase 4 is now complete! I added a second coat of chrome to Phasma and then touched up her black areas. I have added a couple of comparison pictures with my other Phasma to see the difference.
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With all 4 phases completed, I have added a compilation of final pictures to mark the end of this project.
I hope you like these pictures.
Richard
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The final four pictures.
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Talk about looking real. Definitely one of your best projects to date. Just fantastic.
I kinda hope you go back and do the version with all the banners one day too, but top notch work on all of it.
Off to share.
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Thanks Tamer, it means a lot!
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Stunning work my friend!
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Thanks Mr Jedi1977
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I've started a new diorama I will be sticking with The Force Awakens. I want to recreate the scene where Rey crosses path with Kylo Ren for the first time.
Using a technique recently introduced to me by a fellow creator at Hemblecreations (thanks Ron!), I have used tin foil which has been rolled up into a ball and then spread over the tube to create the base of the tree. I am contemplating using plaster of paris strips over the tree trunk.
I am also reusing a trunk a made for my Jedi Ghost dio as a hollowed out trunk.
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Already looks good. Off to share in all the right places. O0
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The Castle came out fantastic mate and I have no doubt that this new dio will also be fantastic and glad to see that my tree technic can come in handy.
Ron
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Thanks Tamer and Ron.
Richard
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Morning all!
Last night I was able to get back to work on my tree. I purchased some plaster of paris strips and applied them to tree, spending time adding the enough layers and blending it altogether and making sure that I did not leave any perorations visible. Now I just need it to dry before I can apply it to the base.
Wanting to go for the woodland feel, I want to add a little foliage for the background, a bush or three behind the log and tree. To do this I got some cocktail sticks and a couple of stirrers and using hot glue, stuck them together to form a triangle. Taking some woodland leaf foliage, I stuck it onto the triangles.
How I have placed the two smaller bushes on the log has now given me an idea for it. There are more pictures on my Facebook page.
Richard
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Wow, this is looking great. Time to go share it with the www.
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Looking great and looking forward to the final result.
Ron
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Good morning Shipyarder's
This weekend, the tree had finally dried so I was able to glue it to base, then taking strips of plaster of paris I blended the tree into the base which covered the prominent gap between the two. While my glue gun was still hot, I stuck on the rectangle figure stand onto the base and later I will be sticking another one nearer the tree. I have done because I will be covering the floor with the same green foliage that I used in my last dio and then trying to stand a figure and keep them standing on that will be a trying task.
After leaving the tree to dry over a radiator for two hours, it was dry enough for me to apply the first coat of paint, using a brown acrylic paint for the base coat before I start to wash it over to make it lighter before adding a few branches on the top. I used the same brown for the inside of of the log, when this is dry I will do a darker brown wash.
I have added a of picture of how it might look when I have completed it, using the bushes for the background but removing the kitchen roll ;).
Richard
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OH yeah looking good. Off to share the latest.
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This is coming together great.
Ron
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Thanks Ron
Yesterday I got a little carried away!
I started doing light brown washes on the tree to lighten it up. For the first wash I used the same brown acrylic mixed with white and water, left it to dry for an hour and then used a wash of yellow ochre over the top.
While this was drying I wanted to see what the stand would look like with, covered in the foliage and if it would work. I covered the stand in PVA glue and started to stick the foliage down. When I finished, I didn't think it looked to bad and at this point I got a little carried away! I choose the spot behind the tree, applied more PVA glue and started to stick the foliage down there (also wondering what that would look like). Unfortunately I didn't stop there! As I finished off one corner, I found myself applying more PVA glue, adding more foliage, by the time I caught up with myself, I had completed 3/4 of the ground and stuck the log to the base.
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Here a few more pictures.
What I should of done beforehand was to paint the ground first before sticking all the foliage down. All I can see now are dots of white amongst all that green. Oh well, live and learn or I might get a tin of spray paint and lightly go over key areas.
It was at that point I had to walk away and let it dry!
Richard
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Looking good. Off to share the latest.
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This is looking great.
Ron
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Thanks Tamer and Ron.
This evening I started working on the tree, I found some twigs, cut and sanded them down to size, then stuck them onto the top of the tree. Using hot glue, I stuck shrubbery over the ends to simulate leafs at the end of the branches and bushes at the back of the dio. The final phase will be adding a wash over the branches and a greener wash over the floor, filling the white gaps in floor.
Richard
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With my latest project almost finished, I wanted to make Rey's outfit movie accurate. I always felt, the colour scheme of the figure was bland in comparison to her in the film. I'm hoping I've done it justice, when she is dry I will add her to my dio.
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Comparison between shots between an original and repaint, with and without a flash.
Richard
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Final touches have been made, I used a wash containing a mixture of Yellow Ochre and burnt Umber over the branches, then another wash of burnt umber over the tree. Using a green wash, I went over the ground filling in the white gaps on the base, this also gave the foliage a lovely lighter second tone. I also went around the front of the base with a black acrylic.
Just need to wait until the morning and see how it has dried!
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This morning I came downstairs (like a child at Christmas!) eager to see how it had dried and well see for yourself!
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Tonight, I'll put everything together and post the final pictures for you.
Richard
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Wow that looks good on our front page.
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Here you go, the final pictures to complete this dio.
I hope you enjoy them.
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Some more!
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Here is a second dio a very quickly through together! Its called a Biker Scout in Endor (which suspiciously looks like my Takodana dio lol!)
Sorry I couldn't resist doing this!
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Looking great mate and the Rey repaint is excellent.
Ron
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Thanks Ron.
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Looks great to me. Off to share.