The final stage of the diorama is to paint and position each of the tiny soldiers. What I hadn't anticipated is how fiddly this process is. Sanding each figure to remove plastic burs and spurs from the moulding process is something I found hugely difficult. Removing the excess plastic without losing the detail is a fine balancing act.
Painting each figure requires the finest brushes I have, and my aging eye sight provided an extra challenge. In the end I resorted to using a head magnifier.
As modellers will know, each of the tiny figures stands on it's own rectangular base. In order to make the scene as realistic as possible I've separated each figure from it's base. This means each figure will need to be glued into place. I know some modellers like to be able to move their figures around creating different scenario's, but that is something I'm prepared to forego.
Now the diorama is complete and I study the photographs, I wish I'd paid more attention to the moulding seams of the figures. The kneeling soldier (top photo) has a distinct line across his helmet, and the guy lying prone, bottom centre, has a pronounced line running the length of his body.
One day I may come back to this model and refine some of its faults but for now, it's purpose as a practice piece and introduction to scale modelling, has been served. I'm keen to get started on the larger "Operation Overlord" diorama which is what sparked this journey in the first place.
Good Morning John - just catching up on this great project of yours...went back and visited your last two posts. I think it looks extraordinary...need to show my husband who is a student of WWII. He will enjoy seeing all your hard work. Have a great week. Hugs! P.S. so glad to see this tribute of what was an unimaginable time in our history. Hope the younger generation will see this and realize just how much our forefathers gave up so that we might be free.
ReplyDeleteDebbie, you've made my day. I have been accused of 'glorifying' war and for you to refer to the work as a 'tribute' warms my heart. And thank you for being interested enough to read back on the previous posts. That's greatly appreciated. I hope your husband enjoys looking at the diorama and maybe he'll be interested in following my next one about the D-Day landings.
DeleteWow, amazing. You are capturing the days of my brother. He was buried alive by a wall like the one in your diorama. He was also in D-Day. He made it through and lived until 1999. Thanks for the tribute.
ReplyDeleteThat must have been a very frightening experience for your brother Jo. Thank goodness he survived. Thank you for your interesting post.
DeleteNice drone views ;-)
ReplyDeleteLOL - Thanks René. By the way, if you prefer posting as Anonymous that's fine but if, like me, you're having no choice because of Google then I know how to fix that. If you're interested let me know through my contact form and I'll explain. ;-)
DeleteIt's amazing what you've created here! My dad was in the East Indies during the war, and experienced the war outside Europe. But my mother lived in The Hague and was liberated by the Allied forces. In regard of what is happening now, I am glad they are not alive anymore.
ReplyDeleteThank you Judy. My Dad didn't talk about the war much but he did have wonderful things to say about the Dutch. Some 20/30 years after the war he was still exchanging Xmas and Birthday cards with the Dutch family that befriended him and made him feel so welcome, and they visited each other a couple of times. I agree with you with regards to how things are in the world now.
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