Category: WW1

This week saw my second mini WW1 Diorama completed and off the work bench.  The good news is I now have two items for next years Plymouth show, the bad news (or I guess good news too as I enjoy my modelling) is that I’ve got about another 10 exhibits to do!

Not a great deal to say about this model.  The figures were all purchased from Empress Miniatures (Mutton Chop WW1 range) and are some of the best figures in 28mm scale that I have seen.  I’d recommend these figures to anyone else out there who is interested in WW1 they really are excellent.  No adjustments were made to the figures, just the simple case of painting, composing and a bit of base work.  The enamel badge, actually a remembrance lapel badge, was bought on Ebay for a couple of pounds to complete the base.

I did paint these figures slightly different from my other WW1 diorama.  In both instances I put down base coats in Vallejo acrylics but on the first diorama I added a top coat in oils.  On this model I applied a second coat of acrylic followed by an oil paint wash, the oil paint diluted using White Spirit.  I’ve tried using water based washes but personally I’m not a big fan.  It might be the way I use them but the water based washes run off too much for my liking whereas an oil paint wash is absorbed into the acrylic and in my opinion gives a better looking finish.  Each to their own I guess.  In any event I’ll leave those that look at this post to judge for themselves.

Pictures of the final diorama appear below.

TIM

 

Well at long last the various models I had ordered have all arrived and I have been able to commence work on the first of what will be a few 28mm WW1 dioramas.  If all goes to plan then I should have half a dozen or so models complete over the coming weeks.  However, we all know that nothing goes to plan so in reality it will probably take longer and involve obligatory swearing and cursing.

I decided to start with some of the figures I bought from Empress Models, their Muttonchop WW1 range.  The detail in these 28mm figures is simply outstanding.  Painting the figures is underway with some finished and others almost there.  Base work has also started and all things being well then by the end of next week I will be able to post images of the end result.

TIM

Although most of my models follow an “Old West” theme I do occasionally deviate from the genre.  Sometimes I do so because a model or figure comes along which simply takes my fancy but sometimes there are other reasons for doing so which is the case in this instance.  I shall explain.

Modelling for many of us who are interested in the hobby is often a solitary affair; a great thing to do on a wet and rainy day, of which there are far too many in England. Whilst I am happy to spend hours indulging in my pastime I am if I am being honest more extrovert than introvert and decided I need to engage more with the wider community.  To this end I made the decision to a) create a blog and b) find a nearby modelling club and join it.

The blog is doing OK despite my lack of computer know how and I am aware it takes a while to get these things up and running.  I’m also aware that this is a niche area so I’m not anticipating a life style change anytime soon!  I do now have a couple of followers, you know who you are and I am both flattered and grateful for your comments, thank you. So, objective number 1 is in hand.

So on to objective number 2 and its relevance to the diorama featured in this post. I managed to track down a club in Plymouth and a few months ago went along to my my first meeting.  They meet a couple of times a month with the second meeting being a club competition evening.  There are about 19 members, most of whom I have now met and they are a friendly bunch.  Modelling is a diverse subject made up of various genre’s many of which are represented by the club members.  That said few of the members are figure painters so my work has brought something new to the club.

At this point I should perhaps explain to those who do not know that Plymouth is a Naval and Royal Marine city and I think this has influenced many of the clubs modellers who specialise is WW1 and WW2 military planes, ships and vehicles (I on the other hand am a Londoner a who wanted to be a Cowboy!)  The club also holds its own annual Modelling Show in the City and for 2018 they aim to hold the event on the same day that the City holds its Armed Services Day.  As next year will be the hundredth anniversary of the last year of the Great War 1914 – 1918 the club thought it would be a nice idea if everyone produced a model with a WW1 theme.

The images of the diorama below represent my contribution to next years model show.  Military uniforms are not my speciality so apologise in advance for any inaccuracies.  The model was fun to do but I don’t think the era will dominate my future work. Although having said that the idea of doing more diverse subjects has captured my imagination.

A final few comments on the club I joined.  Firstly, I would encourage anyone who is not in a club to join one.  It’s great fun engaging with fellow enthusiasts even if you aren’t into the same genre.  Most, if not all, modelling skills and techniques are transferable and so much more can be learnt in this environment. Secondly, assuming this to be true of most clubs, there is a wider audience via the attendance and participation at other shows.

I went to my first show a few weeks ago and took along some of my own work to display.  To be honest I was a little afraid of what people might think of my work but having had a lot of positive feedback at club nights, and competition nights in particular, I went along with a positive out look.  It turned out to be a great day, met and spoke with a lot of new people, picked up some great tips and received a few accolades along the way.  One chap even took photo’s at the event and put them onto a YouTube video.  If anyone wants to check it out then search for “Helicopter Museum Model Show 2017” there is a part 1 (which features 7 images of my models which blew me away) and part 2.

Images of the diorama – in progress to completion – below, hope you like it.

TIM