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Dioramas
Do you love dioramas & vignettes? We sure do.
Dio: a Big 'Un
Golikell
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Noord-Holland, Netherlands
Joined: October 25, 2002
KitMaker: 1,757 posts
Armorama: 914 posts
Posted: Monday, April 27, 2020 - 05:47 AM UTC
Hi my dear fellows,

For a Dutch FB GB I decided to build a not often seen kit: Soar Arts' German 35,5cm M1 Super Heavy Howitzer (also posted in the Arty section). Yet I decided, this also needs a complementary (albeit skeleton) crew an ammo delivery truck and ofcourse a dio. My progress thus far:
Gun: ready:





After messing around with some foam board

And grass and modelling paste for model railroading

the base progresses nicely too...

The I started on the figs:

Cleanup an assembly is rather straightforward.
Then I started painting faces (all in Vallejo Model Color)

Step one: a base color of sand:


Next: Adding shadows, a mix of beige red and black red


Step 3: First highlights, with beige red


Step 4:Second highlights with base flesh



Step 5: Final highlights with light flesh


Please do note that the hands get the same treatment.

Step 6: Adding the eyes. Whites with white and a tad of sky blue, black irises /pupils.


Step 7: Lips painted, with a mixture of beige red and burned red


Step 8: Chin strap, black


Step 9: Eyebrows, color depends on hair color


The whole bunch finished.

Next up: painting the uniforms, waiting for the truck to arrive (on order), finish the dio and fixing some details
2002hummer
#257
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Ontario, Canada
Joined: October 11, 2011
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Posted: Monday, April 27, 2020 - 05:54 AM UTC
All I can say is WOW. you sure picked a dio with lots of work. Good luck
jrutman
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Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: April 10, 2011
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Posted: Monday, April 27, 2020 - 07:12 AM UTC
EPIC !!
Golikell
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Noord-Holland, Netherlands
Joined: October 25, 2002
KitMaker: 1,757 posts
Armorama: 914 posts
Posted: Monday, April 27, 2020 - 07:18 AM UTC

Quoted Text

All I can say is WOW. you sure picked a dio with lots of work. Good luck



Ah well, since an earlier project had 40 figures, a steam engine and station in it this is not too bad: https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/280411&page=1
Golikell
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Noord-Holland, Netherlands
Joined: October 25, 2002
KitMaker: 1,757 posts
Armorama: 914 posts
Posted: Monday, April 27, 2020 - 07:18 AM UTC

Quoted Text

EPIC !!


Thanks, Jerry!
americanpanzer
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Iowa, United States
Joined: May 12, 2014
KitMaker: 542 posts
Armorama: 539 posts
Posted: Monday, April 27, 2020 - 07:49 AM UTC
Awesome work!! Very cool artillery piece! And awesome work on the figures' faces. I want to be able to paint like that when I grow up
maartenboersma
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Noord-Holland, Netherlands
Joined: October 10, 2010
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Posted: Monday, April 27, 2020 - 09:24 AM UTC
Ziet er goed uit Erwin
Golikell
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Noord-Holland, Netherlands
Joined: October 25, 2002
KitMaker: 1,757 posts
Armorama: 914 posts
Posted: Monday, April 27, 2020 - 07:00 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Awesome work!! Very cool artillery piece! And awesome work on the figures' faces. I want to be able to paint like that when I grow up



I take a deep bow
The gun was a real pleasure to build. Fit is snug (a bit too on some places, but nothing that cannot be easily overcome) and though the colour call out is not really present, it is rather logical waht to paint which colour... There are 2 parts not on the instructions but after my instigation, Soar Art will correct this. The great challenge is handling it with ladders and railings attached...

For the figurers: if I can do it, you can too. My tips: use a good opti-visor, good brushes (I use red sable 0 and 3/0 brushes, plus a kolinsky sable 9/0 brush), I you use acrylic paints, a wet-pallette and patience + logic.
Golikell
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Noord-Holland, Netherlands
Joined: October 25, 2002
KitMaker: 1,757 posts
Armorama: 914 posts
Posted: Monday, April 27, 2020 - 07:01 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Ziet er goed uit Erwin



Dankjewel Maarten!
Jberardi
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Georgia, United States
Joined: July 10, 2007
KitMaker: 95 posts
Armorama: 88 posts
Posted: Tuesday, April 28, 2020 - 02:20 AM UTC
Stellar work on the artillery. Looks like your backyard is well protected.
americanpanzer
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Iowa, United States
Joined: May 12, 2014
KitMaker: 542 posts
Armorama: 539 posts
Posted: Tuesday, April 28, 2020 - 03:36 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

Awesome work!! Very cool artillery piece! And awesome work on the figures' faces. I want to be able to paint like that when I grow up



I take a deep bow
The gun was a real pleasure to build. Fit is snug (a bit too on some places, but nothing that cannot be easily overcome) and though the colour call out is not really present, it is rather logical waht to paint which colour... There are 2 parts not on the instructions but after my instigation, Soar Art will correct this. The great challenge is handling it with ladders and railings attached...

For the figurers: if I can do it, you can too. My tips: use a good opti-visor, good brushes (I use red sable 0 and 3/0 brushes, plus a kolinsky sable 9/0 brush), I you use acrylic paints, a wet-pallette and patience + logic.



You are welcome

use all those things except for the Kolinksy brush; might have to get one of those; just lots more practice; again, awesome work! looking forward to seeing more
Golikell
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Noord-Holland, Netherlands
Joined: October 25, 2002
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Posted: Wednesday, April 29, 2020 - 12:49 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Stellar work on the artillery. Looks like your backyard is well protected.



Thanks for the compliment...
I dunno, with a plastic barrel, things might go amiss if I tried to fire anything from it...
Golikell
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Noord-Holland, Netherlands
Joined: October 25, 2002
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Posted: Wednesday, April 29, 2020 - 12:55 AM UTC

Quoted Text



You are welcome

use all those things except for the Kolinksy brush; might have to get one of those; just lots more practice; again, awesome work! looking forward to seeing more



Just try it... I did the same. In the end, I painted 40 figures in a row (for a single project: https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/280411&page=1 )
I use the 9/0 brush for eyes, lips et such...
Dioramartin
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New South Wales, Australia
Joined: May 04, 2016
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Posted: Wednesday, April 29, 2020 - 02:54 AM UTC
Very impressive arty & restrained weathering, figures look like they’ll keep up the high standard too. Ammo?
Golikell
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Noord-Holland, Netherlands
Joined: October 25, 2002
KitMaker: 1,757 posts
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Posted: Wednesday, April 29, 2020 - 03:27 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Very impressive arty & restrained weathering, figures look like they’ll keep up the high standard too. Ammo?



Thanks mate. Some progress has been made on the figures too, but I'll show them when finished.

There is one grenade and shell with charge include. I do intend to add some empty casings on a pile.
G-man69
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England - South West, United Kingdom
Joined: October 17, 2017
KitMaker: 944 posts
Armorama: 928 posts
Posted: Wednesday, April 29, 2020 - 04:11 AM UTC
Hi Erwin,

Saw the title and thought you were bragging again, .

Joking aside, that is some build, and the figures are coming along great, very impressive.

You do realise you're making me feel inadequate...and no, I'm not referring to your 'Big Un' again, ...with the number and quality of your figure painting...I've yet to manage a single one, .

Looking forward to how this one pans out.

Cheers, ,

G
Golikell
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Noord-Holland, Netherlands
Joined: October 25, 2002
KitMaker: 1,757 posts
Armorama: 914 posts
Posted: Wednesday, April 29, 2020 - 07:47 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Hi Erwin,

Saw the title and thought you were bragging again, .

Joking aside, that is some build, and the figures are coming along great, very impressive.

You do realise you're making me feel inadequate...and no, I'm not referring to your 'Big Un' again, ...with the number and quality of your figure painting...I've yet to manage a single one, .

Looking forward to how this one pans out.

Cheers, ,

G



Nah,bragging is not my style, at least not so openly 😜

Actually I took these pictures with you in mind, to help you

And once again, there is no need to feel inadequate. Your ground will work is excellent!

Making progress on the figures.. Actually nearly done with thm
G-man69
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England - South West, United Kingdom
Joined: October 17, 2017
KitMaker: 944 posts
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Posted: Thursday, April 30, 2020 - 05:16 AM UTC
Hi Erwin,

Thanks for bearing me in mind, your figures look excellent, it's the kind of inspiration I'm looking for, .

Cheers, ,

G
Nate_W
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Missouri, United States
Joined: April 13, 2012
KitMaker: 395 posts
Armorama: 391 posts
Posted: Friday, May 01, 2020 - 06:42 PM UTC
I’m so into this. I love big guns and especially German ones. I’ve had my eye on this kit because there really isn’t anything like the German 35.5cm M1 or the 24cm K3. These guns fascinate me in a way the Schwere Gustav never could, and I’m not sure why. Anyways I’ve had my eye on SOAR for a while and have given serious consideration to getting the kit, but I’m a little intimidated by it. I can’t wait to see this one groundwork with a crew and supply vehicle. Great work and that is for sharing.
Golikell
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Noord-Holland, Netherlands
Joined: October 25, 2002
KitMaker: 1,757 posts
Armorama: 914 posts
Posted: Saturday, May 02, 2020 - 04:37 AM UTC
Gareth, always my pleasure. Figs are done. Will post them asap.

Nate, I also have the K3 in my stash (and Karl 😁). The kit is really not hard to build. Fit is mostly excellent (sometimes a bit too tight, but nothing that can't be fixed) only handling it is a bit hard with the ladders and railings fixed. Also 2 parts are not on the instructions, but SoarArt said they would fix it after I pointed it out...

I started on the supply truck yesterday... 😊
Golikell
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Noord-Holland, Netherlands
Joined: October 25, 2002
KitMaker: 1,757 posts
Armorama: 914 posts
Posted: Sunday, May 03, 2020 - 02:24 AM UTC
The crew is ready to mount their piece:








Also the supply truck has arrived:

JPTRR
Staff MemberManaging Editor
RAILROAD MODELING
#051
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Tennessee, United States
Joined: December 21, 2002
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Posted: Sunday, May 03, 2020 - 03:46 AM UTC
Wow! That's some hunk of styrene heavy metal! Great work!
G-man69
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England - South West, United Kingdom
Joined: October 17, 2017
KitMaker: 944 posts
Armorama: 928 posts
Posted: Sunday, May 03, 2020 - 05:06 AM UTC
Hi Erwin,

The figures are looking great, .

I'll also be interested in view on the IBG truck build, I have a couple of their kits but have not got around yet to seeing how well they go together.

Cheers, ,

G
Golikell
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Noord-Holland, Netherlands
Joined: October 25, 2002
KitMaker: 1,757 posts
Armorama: 914 posts
Posted: Sunday, May 03, 2020 - 06:56 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Wow! That's some hunk of styrene heavy metal! Great work!



Yes it is... And more Heavy styrene in the stash
And I thank you for your kind words!
Golikell
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Noord-Holland, Netherlands
Joined: October 25, 2002
KitMaker: 1,757 posts
Armorama: 914 posts
Posted: Sunday, May 03, 2020 - 07:13 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Hi Erwin,

The figures are looking great, .

I'll also be interested in view on the IBG truck build, I have a couple of their kits but have not got around yet to seeing how well they go together.

Cheers, ,

G



Thanks G. I removed the residue pigments from the face of one of them

As for the IBG kit, it is not really a kit for beginners. Casting is generally very good, with no flash. However, the instructions are not very clear.
From another kit:

The location points somewhat reminds me of a short run kit. On some points they are (virtually) non-exsitent, while on others they are absolutely positive...
But the result is beginning to look good...
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