A Deer Hunter's tribute

[SBRPearce]

This is a very cool project, and I salute you for undertaking it.

And may I add my voice to those others who've hinted that they'd be interested in these figures, if they ever were made in multiples?

[Timbor]

So far I am only having a master mold made, and keeping a few for my personal use.

I would not be averse to having a production mold made and distributing a few figures, though I would want to have enough interest to cover the cost of said mold.  If a few folks wanted to go in on it, I would sell the stuff at cost to cover the mold and metal and shipping, etc.  Though that is something that would likely wait until the New Year after I hope to have the diorama finished.  There would also be some logistical challenges since the molds are in the UK and I am in Canada...

[Timbor]

Onward and upward with the progress!  I have news that the castings I ordered are ready, they have been paid for, and are scheduled to be dispatched across the pond to Canadia next week.  This is good timing, as I am off next week fittingly for the deer hunt.  Once I return fresh and full of ideas, I can get started in full swing to hopefully complete this by Christmas.

First off, I have to source a display case.  These two might suit the bill, as the cherry finish is similar to the mantle at my dad's and the size seems like it could work for either, my main limitation being the width of the shelf which is about 8.5"deep.

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/400281277334?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649


http://www.ebay.ca/itm/400588184379?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649


Shipping on these is killer though, so if anyone can suggest a Canadian retailer of something like this it could save me a few bucks.

Also, what do folks think about the back panel being a mirror.  Do you think that would add or detract to a diorama?

Next, I need a good source for some trees and realistic foliage.  The forest floor in fall is basically entirely maple (and other) deciduous leaves, with ferns typically staying green until snow starts.  I need to source some of these: http://www.tinyworlds.co.uk/basing-materials-scatter/lichen-foliage/plusmodel-1-48-scale-leaves-maple-4034 but I will need a heck of a lot more than comes in that package.

Any suggestions for good sources for bare maple/ash/oak trees and spruce trees?  The more realistic the better, as this diorama is leaning more that way.

[von Lucky]

I would suggest no mirror, as you can then view it from all around.

Regarding the leaves - either sourcing birch seed pods or buying those craft hole punches that come in little shapes likes hearts, butterflies and maybe even leaves.

[snitcythedog]

I cant help with the display case but for the leaves I have a suggestion.  Most of the materials on the forest floor will be dessicated already.  Just the very top layer will have identifiable leaves. Some reference material for ground covers can be found in the following two books. 


Hope that helps.
Snitchy sends.

[Glitzer]

I failed to notice this thread so far. It's a great idea! You could also invest some money into coloured paper leaves (there was some east European company which did leaves of several different tree species in 1:50).

[Andrew May]

Whoops, I'll get some pics of the castings tomorrow, urgh hectic day!

[Timbor]

Hey guys,

I am back, and I have not been totally idle.  Just a couple weeks until Christmas, so I am working overtime to try and finish off this badboy.

I decided on a football display case that was on sale at Michaels.  I have put some magnets on a piece of plasticard serving as the template for the diorama - this way I can take the whole thing out of the display case if necessary.



Don't mind the mess...

Next, I wanted some slope to the setting, so I roughed one up using the purple insulation foam:



I finally got the figures based.  The Dave figure still needs to have his gun glued on, but you get the picture.  Figures are mounted on 25mm round bases:



Lastly, tonight I made some skeletons for my trees.  I have decided to make my own trees.  I used florist wire (you can get it at any craft store), cut 15-25 strands, depending on the tree, and wound them together to make the shapes.  Apparently this is a common technique for model railroaders.  For the texture, I plan to try out a mixture of acrylic caulk, sand, water, and craft paint.  Its the same mixture I used for my foldable gaming mats (like the ones discussed here: link ) .  We shall see how well it turns out!



Not the greatest picture, but it gives you somewhat of an overall feeling.

One question I had is what is the best way to glue stuff to the purple foam?  I know superglue will dissolve it (learned through experience), but I will need to glue some magnets for the figures and will need to glue the foam to the plasticard base.  Any suggestions?

[Dr Mathias]

One question I had is what is the best way to glue stuff to the purple foam?  I know superglue will dissolve it (learned through experience), but I will need to glue some magnets for the figures and will need to glue the foam to the plasticard base.  Any suggestions?

Two part epoxy is what I use for foam. Contact cement will eat it away, and white glue can seal around the edges but not actually dry on the interior where air can't reach it. I would glue in the magnets with epoxy, then cover the magnet and hole with paper that extends past the edge. Magnets can be pretty strong and might pull out without having a paper buffer in between to distribute pressure. If your magnets are small enough you could probably just use a paper disk from a hole punch.

Cool project!

[Timbor]

How dense is 2-part epoxy?  I worry it might be too thick and then there will be an unsightly gap under the foam?

I glue the foam together with carpenter's glue and that seems to work well, but I don't think that would glue to the plastic very well...

[Blue in vt]

Looking good Tim!

Blue

[Dr Mathias]

How dense is 2-part epoxy?  I worry it might be too thick and then there will be an unsightly gap under the foam?

I glue the foam together with carpenter's glue and that seems to work well, but I don't think that would glue to the plastic very well...

It's thick and gooey, but you can use a thick card or shim or something to spread it out. You don't actually need a lot to create a strong bond. It's the best thing for glass, plastic, and smooth stuff in general.

I recently made some terrain with large amounts of surface area, and I needed to glue white styrofoam to a base. I mixed the epoxy right on the surface to be glued and spread it with a square piece of matboard. I placed weight upon it after glueing and there was no gap afterward.

[Timbor]

Well, it has been a busy week of hobby work, and I have made a great amount of progress.

First, I got all my trees finished.  My process was to make wire armatures, then I covered them in a mixture of acrylic caulking, water, sand, and craft paint.  Once that dried, I did some drybrushing for more detail.  While the caulk-mixture was drying, I scraped a toothpick lightly along the trunk to get more bumps and texture.





Next, after gluing the diorama base, I glued a layer of sand, then painted it - black, brown, then greys, greens and other browns drybrushed.  Most of the ground will be covered in leaves and grass.

The trees were cemented in place with 5-minute epoxy.  I then used some PVA glue and scenic cement in a spray bottle, and added the first bits of textures - forest deadfall, static grass, tufts, and my greatest discovery of the project - birch seed pods!  The things are readily available this time of year, and look very much like leaf litter on the ground.  I still have several more layers of deadfall to add, most of which is still in transit from Australia  Hopefully it will be here very, very soon.  I want to get this whole thing finished by Thursday the 19th, as I am going to see my folks on the 21st and wanted to give it to my dad at that time.

Hopefully I can make it... the figures have been primed and need to be painted, otherwise its mostly just adding more bits of leaves and grass.

Here is how it looks thus far:

[von Lucky]

Absoutely beautiful. I hope it all goes to plan.

I am keeping an eye out for birch trees in my neighbourhood, as I plan to collect a tub of the stuff.

[Slayer]

that looks great, though it does look like youre trying to wipe out the deer population....