The Elephant in the Room- Finished..... (...and the Missus is well chuffed!)

[Mason]

This is my reason for not be able to take part in the 'Build Something' competition.
I tried to think of a way to incorporate water, but no joy.

This is going to be a Chritmas present for my Missus (provided I finish it in time!).
It was supposed to be done earlier in the year as a Birthday present, but I had other things prevent me from finishing it, so put it off as a Crimbo gift instead.

She collects elephants and loves Agatha Christie dramas, so I thought that this idea would cover both.

It is supposed to represent the arrival at the scene of a 'suspicious death' of a certain Belgian Detective.
The scene itself is supposed to portray a Victorian era museum (my Missus works in a museum, so that is another link... ) that has a stuffed elephant on display.

The characters in the scene are as follows:

The elephant





The 'victim' (thanks to Jimbibbly for this fella )





The 'witness' who discovered the body





The blundering Scotland Yard Detective, who believes he has found the 'murder' weapon...(need to add a moustache)





The obligatory 'Copper' guarding the scene





And, of course, the Belgian Detective himself..(Many thanks to John Grant for him, I could not find one anywhere until he came to the rescue  )





(Believe it or not, the Copper, Victim and Witness are all painted (crap photographer-Me!).
The elephant is almost finished too).

They will be arranged like this:





The thing is, I am looking for a little advice on a few things.

1. The walls- Are they too dark?
2. The floor- I intend a light, almost white finish to them. Any other suggestions to improve it.
3. The elephant- With or without the driver?
4. Driver- If opting for the driver, is he positioned correctly?
5. Any suggestions for things to add to the scene.


I am also unsure if the scene is 'composed' correctly, but I cannot do too much about that now....hmmm.

Please bear in mind that I only have a couple of days to finish this, so anything too complex is a no-no.

Any help and suggestions would be appreciated.
 

[Lowtardog]

Black and whilte floor tiles will really make it pop out otherwise good stuff mate

[Prof.Witchheimer]

1. No
2. What Lowtardog said
3. With driver
4. No idea but looks good to me
5. Would add/strew some little details over the floor, a book, a bag, etc..

I like it and am looking forward to the final outcome

[6milPhil]

The walls will look a lot brighter once you've done the floor, but they might need a little high lighting. A light white marble finish to the floor would really work, and if it's good enough for the British Museum, etc. I think with the driver, esp. seeing as you've sourced one. His positioning looks fine. The only thing I would consider added would be one of those info stands they have in museums with a description of the exhibit - knocked over of course, and pehaps some signage on the back left wall pointing to other areas of the museum.

That said it's a cracking model which you should be chuffed with, regardless of what others, like me, have to say.  

[DeafNala]

The black & white floor tiles is an excellent idea. You could then do the plastic base of the elephant in black (I wouldn't try a black/white check). The Mahoot/driver adds a lot to the piece; re, having an intelligent creature driving the elephant to commit The Crime is more sinister...Agatha would approve.

If you had more time adding pictures or busts to each of the arched wall sections would look cool.

Are you planning on making the lamps look lit? It would add some color. Doing a light effect on the surrounding area though might be a bit much.

A couple of bright spots would enliven the piece. Maybe give The Witness a red vest; do the driver & elephant trappings is bright shades; something to break the dark color of most of the minis.

There that's my two cents worth...so far.

[Dr DeAth]

1. Walls are fine
2. black and white sounds good to me too
3. definately with the driver
4. I believe it's in the correct position
5. Some suggestions;

A rope 'railing' and a keep off the exhibit sign round the elephant
A small pool of blood round the victim
A trapdoor/opening in the side of the elephant where the killer is actually hiding (with some feint bloody footprints from the body to the door to give him away?)
Paintings in the Alcove (take a picture of your finished model and then put it up on the wall as a painting?)
Museum signage.

Hope that helps

Dr D.

[Mason]

Thanks for taking the time out with the lengthy replies, chaps!
 

B+W tiles sounds like a great idea, thanks Lowtardog!

I may well go for an all white finish first, and then go back and do the black if time permits.

Driver it is then. That is something that I originally wanted, as he would be one of the suspects. I have a goad for him so maybe blood on the tip...
The 'without driver' option was something to save time. I was going to put some blood on the tip of one of the elephant tusks, so that option would have been an accident rather than murder....
The tusks will be added after I have finished the elephant base, they will be a little fragile!

There will be a pool of blood for the 'victim' to lay in once the floor is finished and positioning finalised.

I wasnt planning any any lighting effects from the lamps. I dont think that I will have time.
Would have looked good, though, if I could do it that is!

A rope 'railing' is a great idea!
Lets see if I can knock something up in time...

The suggestions for things on the floor, dropped by the victim perhaps, is fantastic, and the knocked over sign as well.

As for the good Dr's suggestion of footprints leading to the elephant: I love that idea, but do not think that I will be able to do that with this, but certainly something for a future Miss Marple idea...
Thanks, Doc!
 

Better get back to it, time is ticking...

thanks again, chaps.
Much appreciated!

[Malamute]

1. Walls are fine
2. black and white sounds good to me too
3. definately with the driver
4. I believe it's in the correct position
5. Some suggestions;

A rope 'railing' and a keep off the exhibit sign round the elephant
A small pool of blood round the victim
A trapdoor/opening in the side of the elephant where the killer is actually hiding (with some feint bloody footprints from the body to the door to give him away?)
Paintings in the Alcove (take a picture of your finished model and then put it up on the wall as a painting?)
Museum signage.

Hope that helps

Dr D.

Yes to all of the above, especially the rope railing.

What colour is the elephant going to be and is the mahoot brass or clay or painted etc?

You need a hidden clue of some sort, perhaps something hidden behind the elephant that you can only see from a certain angle?

[Mason]

Yes to all of the above, especially the rope railing.

What colour is the elephant going to be and is the mahoot brass or clay or painted etc?

You need a hidden clue of some sort, perhaps something hidden behind the elephant that you can only see from a certain angle?

Railing rope thingy is being worked on.

Elephant is grey, and as good as done, now,. Just the tusks to add.
Mahoot was going to painted in a style to suggest natural, as he may be a suspect...

Hidden clue?
I like that!!!
 

[uti long smile]

Well obviously it was the Elephant wot dunnit.

I suspect this was by drowning the poor victim, possibly via the water stored up his trunk. The beast.

This looks grand already!

[beefcake]

As previously stated I'd go for a velvet rope around it otherwise it may just look like a real elephant standing in the middle of a room. Looks great though. You may consider painting the rider so it looks like a mannequin, eg single skin tone with minimal highlighting, extreme white eyes.

[Mason]

Thanks, chaps!

I will be trying to sort out a rope for the display, along with an info board.

The space at the front is for a nameplate.
I was going to call it 'The Elephant in the Room', but I do like the suggestions, Bezzo.
Will have to think on it.

The rider: I intend to make him a possible suspect and have a couple of ideas how to portray this, will just have to see if I can pull it off...

[Mason]

Thanks, Bezzo, I am hoping she will like it.

Always good to have an 'ace card'!

Now I am waiting for her to go out so I can continue.
(I work in the kitchen, which is a major drawback if I dont want her to see the damn thing!)
Only two afternoons left to get this sorted before I am back at work or otherwise engaged....

Panic!

[John Grant]

What a splendid diorama, I am pleased that the 'Belgian Detective' has been useful and thanks for keeping me in the link.

John

[Mason]

What a splendid diorama, I am pleased that the 'Belgian Detective' has been useful and thanks for keeping me in the link.

John

Thanks again, John!
The 'Belgian Detective' was key to the whole thing, so MUCH appreciated.
 

A little bit more was achieved earlier when the Missus was out.
I had to ban her from the kitchen for a while when she came back, as I wanted to get things done.
Here are a few bits of evidence of the progress:

The three figures that were already completed, proving (I hope!) that they have, indeed, been painted:







The Elephant is finished, minus a sign to be added to the display:






The Detective and the Scotlan Yard bumbler:






All the figures are now done....



....bar the Mahoot.


So tomorrow it is on to the Mahoot and then to fixing them in place after having finished the floor,

The other small details can be added as and when I get the time.

Hopefully it should all be done in time.
Fingers crossed!