“Fire in the hole!” - time to kick some ass!

[Digits]

Thank you kindly.

So it looks as if the water is set, so time for a second layer.  It’s a little thin in places (you can see in the foreground) but that will rectify.  I’m quite chuffed how it’s working out though.

Thought I’d put up this little atmospheric shot.  I’m a firm believer in adding small bits of interest to a larger model.  My memories from the bus in Vietnam were LOTS of egrets wherever there was pooled water.  The buffalo is simply a matter of snipping off his lower legs.



Ok second layer going on, then let’s practice jungle shrub....

[vodkafan]

Yes I think it looks great, looks like what it is supposed to be.

[von Lucky]

Looking lovely. All coming together nicely.

[Digits]

I than you sirs!

So, this Vallejo water is very fast setting compared to anything else I’ve come across! 2 layers on.  I may leave it for a few weeks before applying a third if indeed I do at all.




The Egret seems singularly unimpressed with the passing marines!

[carlos marighela]

Nicely done but the tufts don’t really look very rice-like to me. Too clumpy. I was thinking along similar lines but I might go with something a bit more sparse, like static grass or sisal.

The paddies themselves, the water effect and the egret are very nice though.

[Ultravanillasmurf]

Having looked through the photographs on Wikipedia (ie I have not really done any research ^___^):
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paddy_field
I can see the resemblance to the Korean photograph, the Vietnam one looks like tall grass. I guess it might be at different stages, as it appears to be planted in bunches.

Still, I would be more than happy with the effect, though possibly more random clumps for a half way between planting and harvesting look (with a side order of the wandering buffalo).

How fluid is the Vallejo water effect?

[Digits]

Very fluid.  I was just putting on in layers of two mm though so I needed to move it about a little.  Thicker layer of 3mm+ would be very fluid.  I love it!

I agree it is not the most realistic rice.....this is a wargames piece after all and I don’t lay claim to ultra realistic modelling (as you will attest when I tackle the jungle shrubbery) .......but I like the final effect.  Most pictures I’ve found on line are either just planted (little tufts spread out) or almost fully ripe and bushed up ahead of harvest.  I just imagine mine been somewhere in between maybe?! I still have the second set to do, ( to a total of 4 paddies) one of which will have half planted / harvested field and hopefully ( if Empress don’t dally, standing farmers tending / picking / planting the rice.  Hopefully they will also do some loose rice baskets.  I have a “cargo” load of stacked baskets from another supplier, and I may do a push mould from those....

This morning, my koi carp arrived for the village pond, though they need repainting, and I need to find some good looking standing reeds....

[carlos marighela]

Heki produce long grass in four or five inch strands in a variety of colours. I reckon they’s make perfect reeds as they are thicker than static grass or tufts. Failing that, the average house painting brush, re-coloured should provide more than enough and cheaper than the model railway alternative.

[Dr Bogo]

I have to say rice or no rice, those are really beautiful pieces, the buffalo and crane set the whole scene off perfectly.

[Ultravanillasmurf]

I am sure you said where you got the egrets but I cannot find it. They are a nice touch.

I would be tempted to individually base them and use them to rack up the tension - did they fly away because of a lurking enemy?

[Digits]

Thanks dr bogo!

Link to egrets

http://www.mirliton.it/historical-25-28mm/wild-birds-ack027

Yup, they ain’t even bothered when it gets toasty!




It’s an idea but that doesn't bother me......in fact I’ve just come up with another idea that I’m hoping will look good (not spoiling the surprise though).

It’s actually interesting looking around for different 28mm birds, many being the shape of similar looking South Asia equivalents.  I’ve found swimming / sitting ducks for example....they will look good sat in a rice field too.

[Ultravanillasmurf]

Thanks.

[tomrommel1]

Like your explosion markers!! Can you give us a walkthrough how you did them?!

[Digits]

Errrm...ok.

Build a few of these.



Basically.....steel pins stuck in a lump of green stuff, stuck to (in this case 40mm) round base.

I will fish some pics from an old tutorial I posted elsewhere.....but you basically stick green clump foliage on the pins using hot glue / superglue.....spray black......lightly spray grey....then dollop on red yellow and orange!  Simples!



Then you can expand on it and add debris....



Or bigger explosions.....to be fair this is a ball cock covered in clump foliage



Or....and my favourite, make something blow up mid air.....we did this for Gamesday a few years ago.   Aircraft painted by a friend on AB...explosion by me.

[Ultravanillasmurf]

Nice work.