Okay folks, here we go for a Ruglud IG P&M blog.

I have a few projects on the boil and some that have fallen out of favour but are still lurking in a cupboard waiting for the light of day... Thought I'd share with y'all and hopefully lead me to the inspiration necessary to actually finish some of them, C&C truly welcome... I can't promise regular updates, but I'll do my best...

Let's get started shall we, I've been playing for a few years on and off with an Imperial Guard diorama based on a WD 40K campaign ad way back in the late '90s. The campaign was called Assault (or Attack) on Spielmans World aand took place during a Feb Half Term and that's all I know about it really... It was the artwork on the ad that caught my eye, a group of Imperial Guardsmen in a collapsed trench firing lasguns over the body of a fallen comrade. Old style guardsmen, and I initially sourced the same style metal models but found the converting too much so stopped. With the release of the plastic guardsmen a few years later I was again inspired to restart, but then family and work got in the way and plans where shelved until now...

Here's the original inspiration (or a photo copy of it...)


Apologies for the quality of the image, has been in my possesion for over 10 years...

For the base I cut an oval of plasticard and glued on chunks of polystyrene packing pieces which I shaped with a GW polystyrene cutter (still using the same cutting wire from when I originally bought it back 15 odd years ago). The sculpted styrene was covered with filler and then a fine sand and painted and lightly drybrushed



Details added such as ammo boxes, body parts, gear, etc sourced from my Bitz box or scratchbuilt (ammo boxes are just made from thin card)


Next up the players in the story. 5 guardsmen in the thick of the action, 2 guardsmen in the background as casualties and the fallen guardsman in the foreground



The metal guardsman is temporary, he will be replaced with a plastic figure once I get hold of the a heavy weapons sprue.

Here's the diorama with figures placed and the trench walls added - these are made from strips of thin plastic drilled to resemble the artwork




For inspiration on the base, this is my source... http://demonwinner.free.fr/uk/1999/golden_demon_winner.php?categorie=7#3rd

Will post more pictures as I progress...

Sorry for the delay in the second post... 20 days have passed by of which sadly only one has been spent with brush in hand...

So here is my progress thus far, all Guardsmen repainted in a new colour scheme that I had previously been working to - used an ancient Citadel Brown ink for a wash over the base colour, followed with Vallejo paints Game; Desert Yelow, Khaki and Model: Tan Yellow with some initial highlighting, armour still needs highlighting. Used Vallejo flesh wash over Bronzed Fleshtone, again, further highlighting needed. I'm toying with the idea of a camo scheme as shown in the original picture (which I've since discovered was used as the front cover on a previous IG codex) - going for a wasteland type camo.

Shot guard who will be slumped over trench wall


Dead guardsmen


Shot guard, falling backwards






Arms...


Plan to make more updates in next couple of days...

C&C welcome...

Looks nice, I like the diorama. Only criticism, the skin is waaaayyy too orange IMO. It could just be the pic, but they look about the color of peaches.

Fair comment LoK, although I put this down to the fact that it's chucking down with rain outside so very little natural light which means I have the room light on, hence an orange tinge to the pics... Hopefully the sun might come out in a few days (doubt it though) and I'll get some better shots, failing that I might invest in a good quality daylight bulb for my lamp.

The flesh tone is still very much WIP, all i've done so far is give the base colour a flesh wash. Next stage will be the highlighting with progressivly lighter shades.

@ ruglud

Hi, I have the same poster (well, its from the front of a WD), but without those annoying white lines. If you want to, I'll make a photo copy of it for you =)

For the best recreation of the picture, make sure the model placement is dead on, ie, closer together than you showed in the first group shot. Other that that, this is an insane conversion idea. I thought this picture was on the 4th edition guard codex, and it is a pretty iconic picture (at least to me). To show it brought to life like this is incredible, and will be sure to impress. Great project, and a real challenge I'm sure.

I've had a chance to work further on the guards, although still searching for an affordable set of kneeling IG legs, see them on ebay but generally they're premade heavy weapons teams and I don't have the heart to rip them apart... I might have to break out the greenstuff and make my own as I'm in danger of forgetting all the paint stages and mixes that I've used thus far...

Latest offering... further blending and highlighting on clothing, armour and skin...















The armour needs further blending to bring it out from the clothing, going for a reddy brown with this. I am though still undecided on a camo pattern, I quite like them as they are to be honest, any one have any suggestions on this?

Next up will be some work on the base, stay tuned...

Great idea about the diorama. Maybe do some random patches of a darker brown on the camo, though tbh i like them the way they are.

I'm looking forward to seeing this poster come to 3D.

Vlad

ohw this is so nice.

Nice diorama

FYI, that's also the pic used on the 3rd edition codex

Very nice, i like the inspiration

Not much to update you all on I'm afraid, work life has taken over all my spare time as several projects have been thrown my way this month!

However I have had some opportunity to work on the base, oh and I've finally sourced a set of kneeling legs so the last guardsman will be started as soon I recieve them... Onto the pics, I've repainted and highlighted the entire model and also begun to pick out details such as small rocks, the ammo crates and other bits and pieces still need to be worked on though...







I'm also re doing the trench walls as I was unhappy with the result, will post some more on this as I progress, also need to raid the bits box for a couple of skulls and some razor wire.

Would also be interested to know what you think about applying some patches of grass / burnt shrubs, etc. I'm looking at it thinking it needs something otherwise it's just a mass of brown...

R

WOW, thats looks great.
that picture is a very inspirational picture
cant wait to see it finished.
yes add grass, to mix it up a bit, add in a bit of colour into it.

Alrighty, got the kneeling legs in the post and started work on the guardsmans pose, keeping conversion to minimum so wont have him looking through the lasguns sight, but instead looking down the side of the gun. Also as I mentioned earlier I'm redoing the trench walls (again), think on my third or fourth try at this, quite a frustrating process finding the right look...

Will post pics once the sun is back up and I have some natural light...

Keep getting distracted though - also working on a Space Marine force from a chapter of my own design (more info soon on this ) as well as a custom built Inquisitor scale model which I'll add to this blog at some point...

This is very intersting man, love to see more.

Some thin wooden planks on the trench walls and floor would give it a nice touch of realism. Coffee stirrers are good for this. Nice job so far, keep up the good work!

Had a quick play this afternoon, working on new trench walls. Made from card, scored and drilled to look like individual strips. These will be painted in a rust red colour, will probably also add some basic strips to the floor of the trench as suggested by CadianXV. Note that the kneeling guardsman is finally under way!



Have been struggling with one of the wounded guards in the background, in the original artwork he is slumped over the edge of the trench wall, but in my interpretation I have him falling forward. I had planned on having him standing / falling from a shooting platform but forgot to model this into the trench, so instead I'm going with a simple ladder and, having just been shot, he's falling forward, grabbing for a support... Ladder is made from off-cut sprue with thin copper tube for the rungs (paperclip wire runs through the tube, holding the ladder together.



Another couple of shots... Still need to do some extra scenic work as well as adding some sort of vegetation here and there...




Also realised I have forgotten to put the guardsmens extra kit on from the sprues, so I'm painting these up along with the last figure and will add them on, also hoping to get arms and weapons attached soon...

Very quick update as I gotta head of to work...

Some further progress today on the trench walls, now looking much more like I want them... This is just card, scored to resemble individual metal strips and hole punched. Painted to give a rusty look - the ladder will be painted in the same manner...




Comment are more than welcome!

R

It looks good, it makes it look as the IG have been fighting there for years.

Looks like it could turn out really well. I like it!

Wow, it keeps getting better and better!

Thanks all for your comments, I'm personally well pleased with how this is turning out. I've done some more work today on the base and just looking through my boxes of modelling supplies for some suitable ground cover, although I may need to pay a visit to Antenocitis Workshop http://www.barrule.com/Workshop/products.html to purchase some stuff - they have some great leaf litter and I'm not sure I can wait until SALUTE next month...

Sorry about the lack of photos, but the camera is at minus battery power at the moment and I can't be bothered to go out and buy new ones until I head of to work this afternoon... Feeling too lazy


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Found some batteries...

Did a dry run with some Woodland Scenics scatter...





What do you all think?

The diorama seems too clean IMO... some more heavy washing and other weathering would help i think. Or maybe darken the colours little bit.

w0chtulka wrote:The diorama seems too clean IMO... some more heavy washing and other weathering would help i think. Or maybe darken the colours little bit.

I think I know what you're saying, having spent the evening at work I'm looking at it with fresh(ish) eyes and as it stands and it's quite clinical - lots of neat lines. While I don't want to go at it all with a paint brush at the moment, I think the addition of some strategically placed 'clutter' would help to sort this out - I have lots of ammo boxes, crates, and bags. Also some sand bags heaped in a corner might work? I also think that the green foliage is too green, maybe need some more red / brown foliage and leaf litter. Will have a dry run with some of this stuff and the figures and see how we're looking, but need to get some sleep now!

R

Trenches usually have planaks on the ground to help soldiers not walk in mud.

The no mans land on either one or the other side of the trench seems a bit clean to me too. Maybe some craters, discarded rifle, piece of a body partially covered into ground etc...

I may be a bit over the top with trench warfare as i am currently working on first squad for my DKoK

This was my favourite bit of guard art out of the old codex, and I love what you've done so far! Watching with interest.

I understand what people mean about the cleanliness thing though - anywhere guard have been stationed for a while is bound to be littered with old parts, containers and other, well, litter

Sand bags on the front wall of the trench would be good.

Would hide the blend between the supported walls and look like they are using them for cover. Just have it in a few sections along the wall and have some blasted away etc.

Also you need bullet casings/las packs/guns. They are in trench warfare there is going to be guns firing with cases/clips going everywhere, as well as weapons knives crates etc just around.

w0chtulka - Yes, agreed with the trench floor, am thinking of having some strips going across. For the no-mans land, I'll be adding some razor wire and tank traps

Scarper - Thanks, I'm really enjoying doing this, haven't made a proper diorama for years... Will definitely clutter the trenches with war gear, these guards have been here for a looooong time.

Winter - I like the idea of a few blasted sandbags, and the contents spilling out, thanks for this... Used ammo cartidges and the like is most certainly on the plans...

Will do some more work over next few days and post a pictorial update...

Cheers for all the support

Looking really nice so far!
I think perhaps the rusty supports could do with a few spots of silver metal to break them up a bit. A heavy Devlan Mud wash would really bring them out.

A couple of pics to show the conditions of trenches- hope they prove useful!



Some banks of barbed wire and sharp metal poles angled towards the enemy trenches would help too!

Keep up the work!

Agree with others the trench is way too clear... Also i don't think that no-man's land would be vegetation friendly.... The original artwork is indeed awesome and you are certainly on the way to do her justice. Keep up the good work!

CadianXV - We had the same idea! I was surfing the net whilst a twork (don't tell the boss.. wait up I am the boss!!) and I came across these pics as well. Amazing images though, really tell a story of the hardship that these guys went through all those years ago. Fantastic inspiration though, I'll be studying them closely.

konst80hummel - I do agree with you about the vegetation. I'm not going to use this now, I've looked at the piece over and over and the barbed wire, tank traps, body parts, blasted tree stumps is the way to go, just don't want to go over the top and fill the scene up too much. I'll have a dry run next couple of days and post the results...

Oh yeah, I've had a bit of sort out of this Blog, renamed it slightly and rehosted all the images onto the Dakka galleries... Now called Comrades in the Trenches, although not overly sold on this title, any suggestions on what to call the piece?

R

NIIICE. I would suggest placing a number of dead guardsmen outside of the trench, perhaps due to an ill-fated charge. It would also be interesting to see what is attacking them, to be represented by a heavily injured enemy crawling from the trench, as for the army, perhaps one of your buddies' army would do.
TACOSSS.

This is so awesome I cant wait to see it all done

Cheers for the suggestions, I don't really know what the Guardsmen are shooting at, but if I was to add anything it would have to be an Ork or two. WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH RUGLUD!!! Maybe some Orky bitz spread over no man's land? Although quite like the fact that the enemy are not included as it lets you imagine whatever you want... Anyone else have a view on this?

Now a little of topic I know, well massively off topic tbh, but I was looking for some example images of trenches and stumbled across this...

http://www.minivault.com/Buzz.htm

Now my 6 year old wants me to make it for him! Well that's the next P&M Blog sorted I guess


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Double post, weird!

Nice stuff Ruglud.

As for the title hows about a few classics;

"Once more unto the breach"
"Over the top" [more "straight down the middle" but you get what I mean!]
And the classic "for the Emprah!"

As a further suggestion about enemy stuff. I would go heavy on it, prehaps the meerest suggestion of who is out there. Let the viewer use their imagination a little. Less is more as "they" quite often unhelpfully say.

notprop - Agreed, less is definitely more... Love the suggestions, especially 'Once more unto the breach'. think the trench walls are calling out for some IG graffitti, so 'for the emprah' could also see some use...

I'll post some more pics tomorrow... stay tuned...

"Not so quiet..." for a title?

Love it! I am a big Great War fan, so I just think this is awesome. Please, keep it up.

em_en_oh_pee wrote:Love it! I am a big Great War fan, so I just think this is awesome. Please, keep it up.

Thanks, I'm still enjoying making it (apart from the damned fiddly job of redoing the trench floor! Really should have tackled this a lot earlier in the process... Oh well, you live and learn from your mistakes (I hope)

CadianXV wrote:"Not so quiet..." for a title?

Like it!! So it's between 'Not so Quiet...' and 'Once More unto the Breach...' Where do your votes lie?

Right, it's now high time for an update. I had intended to go with a dry run on the clutter in the trench and no mans land, but got distracted with the trench floor (see comment above!)

Two views...





And if you're wondering why I haven't done more - this is part of the reason. Sidetracked by a model of Buzz Lightyear, which is still very much a WIP - inspired by the link on one of my earlier posts and my 6 year olds encouragement ("Please Daddy, make one for me!"). Told you there would be some random thoughts mixed in to this P&M!!

Have to say this trench section is looking pretty cool... good work

Also, nice toy of a toy

ONCE MORE UNTO THE BREACH!!!!!!!!
i like the addition of the floor boards

"it's not flying, it's falling...with style"
lol buzz lightyear

pretty neat

I can't wait to see it finished

Awesome Lightyear! The trench is looking great, too. I like the additional details you've added.

That is just some profound work on that diorama! The Buz Lightyear is quite nice as well!

So.. where is a update??

wow i was amazed about how Quickly it came together and its looking just like the pic at the beginning!

keep up the good work

I don't know if it's any help at this point, but I just watched this scene and... well, watch it. I think you'll get the picture:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPtVNDvwGMo&NR=1

Sorry for the lack of activity, hardly had a chance to go near the model since mid week and with Easter this weekend I doubt I'll do much now until mid next week...

Have though been working on some barbed wire, played with cutting strips of expanded metal sheets but it's too flimsy, also have a supply of commercially available wire, but isn't realistic enough for a scene like this (see previous photo from 30 March) so I'm playing with making my own from three lengths coiled together and then smaller lenghts curled round to make the barbs. Quite a slow process and very, very painful as I keep stabbing myself!!

Wow, that link is amazing, what a scene and it shows some amazing scenery for no-mans land, will have to have a look and see if I can include some muddy water at the bottom of a shell hole...

Thanks for all your kind words, I'll try and fit in some more progress soon!

Good to see this is comming on; and Buzz is looking great as well [but it does look like hes lost some weight since Toy Story 2?].

Im glad you liked some of the suggested titles. Henry V is full of great quotes and things you can draw inspiation from, curiously I think that I saw the Kenneth Brannaugh version the same week I first saw this thread.

As for barbed wire I have seen a great Tutorial on making it out of burnt pipe claners - http://www.dakkadakka.com/wiki/en/The%20simplest%20barbed%20wire%20ever.

as well as this one - http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/250026.page#869694

I have a set of the barb wire that came with the GW 40k basing set. Not sure if they still sell that, but I know they did sell it seperately, probably still do.

FW also sell brass etched barbed wire. I have some and it looks the ticket but can speak for it too much as it is still sitting in it packet!

Any way good luck with this project, I am really looking forward to seeing the final result.

Thanks for the links notprop, I like these although would most likely use them for generic batlefield scenery. Brannagh's Henry V is one of my fave films. Inspire me to collect an English 100 Years War army, although never actually realised the dream. Maybe one day...

I'm looking for ultra (or uber) realism in this project, this is what I'm making... http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/257862.page and http://www.armorama.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=107

Not seen the FW stuff, but will take a look. TBH, as much as I'm enjoying this project I'll also be glad to see it finished!! Guess it'll give me a chance to get on with some other projects...

You should buy some water effect stuff, will fitt perfect in a muddy trench.

Yeah, the mud effect would look good, will have a look when I go to SALUTE later this month to see what products are out there, have seen the GW stuff as well as Vallejo's range, but never tried them.

Quickly taken some snaps, so here's my first attempt at barbed wire.


Used three strands, but will redo with only two strands and possibly a thinner grade of wire

Here's a dry run as well with some general clutter in the trenches

gak! broken links!

MajorTom11 wrote:gak! broken links!

It's been a long day!! Fixed now...

You glorious bastard... this... is incredible. I salute you. (closet smiley to a slaute.)
I love the Buzz Lightyear. My uncle worked on the Toy Story movies, so i'm gonna email him this.

Keep it up, looks great!

Certainly looks totally better. I think there can be some mud coming through gaps between planks... and the planks end too sudenly.. some mud to mask the end would be great too.

The wire used for the barbed wire looks a bit large, so I'd definately reccomend using a thinner grade like you'd mentioned.

The base is looking good, but needs more combat related clutter, and a big helping of mud.

In Paschendale, if the Hun didn't get you, the mud did. Soldiers often drowned in decievingly deep mud puddles, weighed down by their gear.

Nowlan wrote:The wire used for the barbed wire looks a bit large, so I'd definately reccomend using a thinner grade like you'd mentioned.

The base is looking good, but needs more combat related clutter, and a big helping of mud.

In Paschendale, if the Hun didn't get you, the mud did. Soldiers often drowned in decievingly deep mud puddles, weighed down by their gear.

Agreed on all counts.

Awesome stuff. I only wish I had the patience.

Definitely agreed on the mud, clutter and watery points. I think the wire looks fine, though definitely needs some rusting effects.

The muddy effects could be achieved by using some PVA, and some mud effect weathering powders (or various earth tone ground up colour pastels). As it is, it looks more rocky earth than mud, though if that is what you are going for (and it looks good to me), that is cool.

The walls and boards also need dirtying up a lot

My only other gripe with this is the ladder, it looks far too bulky compared to the rest of the items. It might be improved by making it fit the angled slope of the trench and also by reducing the width. Replacing the steps with thinner rods and adding one or two more may also help, but is not essential in my mind.

Other than that, it is still looking excellent.

SilverMK2 wrote:Definitely agreed on the mud, clutter and watery points. I think the wire looks fine, though definitely needs some rusting effects.

The muddy effects could be achieved by using some PVA, and some mud effect weathering powders (or various earth tone ground up colour pastels). As it is, it looks more rocky earth than mud, though if that is what you are going for (and it looks good to me), that is cool.

Yeah, I'm undecided on what to do with the base, I've started to think about changing the feel of the piece and going for more of a sandy feel rather than soil / mud, think it will be more in line with the original art and also tie the colours in nicely with the figures... hmmmmmm....

The walls and boards also need dirtying up a lot

My only other gripe with this is the ladder, it looks far too bulky compared to the rest of the items. It might be improved by making it fit the angled slope of the trench and also by reducing the width. Replacing the steps with thinner rods and adding one or two more may also help, but is not essential in my mind.

Other than that, it is still looking excellent.

You know what I read this and thought, hell no. I'm not changing the ladder, I like it and it's staying... but... I think you make a good point, I've been looking at the piece and holding the figure up against it and it just doesn't work... to chunky, rungs in the wrong places and looks like the ladders you find at swimming pools... Back to baics on this I think, maybe a hastily thrown together firing platform formed from some ammo boxes and spare strips of the trench retaining walls

Think I'll sleep on it and have a look in the morning light...

R

Amazing. You are truly amazing.

WHat material did you use for the base - foam, Polyfilla?

cosmic pixie wrote:Amazing. You are truly amazing.

Gee thanks, don't know what to say

WHat material did you use for the base - foam, Polyfilla?

Bog standard polystyrene sheets from the collection that I've amassed over the years... I cut the shapes out with a hot wire cutter and stuck them onto an oval plasticard base, than covered it all with Polyfilla and a coating of sand mixed with PVA on top.

Just like to say, apologies for the awful lack of pictorial updates. School holidays are in full swing in the UK and my time is taken up by my kids during the day and work during the evenings (The former I wouldn't chandge, but the latter, well...). In fact, I've just got in from work now and having a quick surf before heading to bed... I promise I'll get on with some more work to the piece and post some pics soon. Think I'll be stepping away from the base and going back to the figures which will give me some time to ponder what to do next... Considering building another base for the scene, mainly 'cause this is the most fun part for me - have always preferred making scenery than painting figures tbh

Crikey, has it been that long since my last post... Unfortunately I don't have much this time either, work has again got well and truly in the way...

So the annual pilgramage is past and there where some inspiring sights at SALUTE 2010 on Saturday, but I managed to hold back and only bought a bag of leaf litter from Antenociti's Workshop, although did spend a load on my son who came along for the first time. He got the Heresy Dr Who figures, a TARDIS, and a Dinosaur. Also got a Hasslefree figure called Harby that my 9 yr old daughter wants converted into Hellboy.

Only progress to the diorama is that I've experimented some more with razor wire and sadly I'm still not happy



I'll give it one more go as I have a thinner grade of wire now, will post the results


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For those interested, I found these links with photos of prtty much each stall and table at SALUTE this year...

Warning, very, very pic heavy

http://ilovewargameing.21.forumer.com/viewtopic.php?t=2755

http://ilovewargameing.21.forumer.com/viewtopic.php?t=2756

http://ilovewargameing.21.forumer.com/viewtopic.php?t=2757

Thats some nasty looking barbed wire there

Ruglud, I have been reading the Forgeworld Modeling Masterclass Vol. 1 over the last couple of days and suggest that you should buy or borrow a copy. The diorama of the Gun Emplacement of the fornt cover has some great techniques that you may want to include as well as a demostration of how they have used FW barb/razor wire in said diorama. You will want page 83 for the barbed wire and may save you allot of time and perspiration!

http://www.forgeworld.co.uk/Modelling-Supplies/IMPERIAL-ARMOUR-MODEL-MASTERCLASS-VOLUME-ONE.html

Personally I have been absolutely blown away at how good this book is for vehicle/terrain modeling and can not recommend it enough. Best 26 quid I have spent in a long while.

April was a bad month for my painting schedule, and May hasn't started of much better...

I've had a small play today on making sandbags - just using basic modelling clay but I think they look okay.





Need to be painted obviously and still need to make a few more...

notprop - Yeah, i've looked at the book a few times but I can't quite bring myself to parting with the cash... not keen on their barbed wire TBH, I'll p[ost some pics of my latest effort at making my own in a few days...

It looks good Ruglud

Forget the diorama, That'd make a sick piece of terrain!

Liking the sand bags mate, keep up the good work.

Perhaps an explosion somewhere to bring some more of the 'total war' feeling to it? Looking cool nonetheless.

perhaps make some water effects to resemble the gak environment people died it.

Looking good my friend. Keep it up who they fighting????

Add More GOGOGOGOGOGO.

dakka doesn't like thread necromancy.

Another poor month for painting, the weather and World Cup have got in the way, but now England are out I'll have some more time...

I took the plunge and found a slightly cheaper copy of the FW Modelling Masterclass book, wow, it's absolutely awe inspiring and leads me to think that I want to totally redo the base!! I haven't decided yet, but maybe...

Asides from that I've moved on to putting together a Space Marine army - going with a home brew chapter and will work on the fluff at some stage. I have a paint scheme and general theme in mind. I bought AoBR for Christmas and also recently got hold of a Rhino and Predator on the cheap from eBay (both unmade kits). Started to put these together using the tutorials from this post to have working hatches and magnetised weapons

http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/212196.page

Here's progress so far...





Will try and update sooner rather than later! Thanks for your patience!

Subscribbed! This has given me lots of ideas to have a go at my own - that's going to have to wait until I've finsihed my others projects and found some money though! Keep up the good work, looking good so far, and excellent picture to be working from. I remember that back in the day, 3rd edition codex was it? Lookiong forward to seeing how this progresses

Well, as you aren't yet finished, and don't mind going insane, mount that sucker on a giant plastic base and chuck in some LED's! Dynamic lighting would make this even more awesome. Some dynamic flood lights laying around with LED's inside, maybe some lights hanging from the trench walls. You're doing great!

fantastic project! Love it!

Ah ha... I'm back... Been round the world, exploring the darkest regions of the Amazon rainforest to the absolute desolation and lonelieness of the Sahara desert... erm, actually I haven't, although I've seen these on Discovery Channels, so as good as really...

What have I been doing I hear you ask, well... work, family, work, blah, blah, blah... All very standard and not overly interesting (apart from a great holiday in Florida during August). Unfortunately though I've had no time for progressing any of my projects, but now the weather has turned and I find myself stuck in doors before going to work, so I have some time again...

For my first update in over 3 months (can I be accused of threadromancy on my on plog?) I have a rather underwhelming progress report. I'd planned to revisit the figures on the diorama but I haven't worked up the motivation so have gone back to the base and made... wait for it... it's worth it I promise... *drum roll* SANDBAGS YAY !!

Unfortunately the clay I was using before has since dried up - even though I kept it in a closed (but not airtight obviously) container, so I've reverted to using good ole' milliput which I've had for years in the cupboard.

And here is the evidence...











Told you it was underwhelming. Plan now is to do some more work on the base, including a repaint to make it more sandy terrain than mud, then I'll move back to the Cadians, oh and I'm considering purchasing some of the FW etched brass razor wire - you never know I might be finished in time for Golden Demon 2011...

Sandbags look pretty cool. You might want to check out DoubleT's thread - has good tips on making barbed wire and mud. I will find a link.

Main thread

Also, welcome back

Loving the sandbags! I might have to try that myself. Very impressive trench overall. What/who is going to be in the trench?

HE LIVES!!!!
nice sandbags!

Wow, I have always loved world war 2 stuff, this is really well done, I can't wait to see when it's done. You should put a small crater somewhere.

SilverMK2 wrote:Sandbags look pretty cool. You might want to check out DoubleT's thread - has good tips on making barbed wire and mud. I will find a link.

Main thread

Also, welcome back

Thanks SilverMK2, strangely enough I stumbled over the same thread a few weeks back - inspirational work and kudos to DoubleT. My home made barbed wire follows the same process - you can just see it in the background - not the best picture. I still need to use a thinner grade of wire though...

Commander Cain wrote:Loving the sandbags! I might have to try that myself. Very impressive trench overall. What/who is going to be in the trench?

Cadians in the trench! It's based on the cover art from one of the old IG codex. Have a look at the first page and I have a dodgy photocopy which I use for reference.

Commissar Agro wrote:HE LIVES!!!!
nice sandbags!

Oh yeah! Waagh Ruglud is back !



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Pennywise wrote:Wow, I have always loved world war 2 stuff, this is really well done, I can't wait to see when it's done. You should put a small crater somewhere.

Yeah, need to do some re-work on the foreground of the scene to have some blast craters, the whole front of the model is a blast zone already, but it does need some more TOTAL WAR...

Work is continuing on the base... I've added a blasted tree stump, some more sand bags dotted around and have gouged out a new crater on one edge - this will be partially filled with some sort of water effect...









Apologies for the slightly blurry photos!

Very rainy day today so have had a chance to revisit this and decided to splurge some more filler on the model. Not much more to say really, so here are the pics...











Hopefully this will represent the Total War feel, especially when it's repainted...

Looking good.

The snow is now gone, quite liked the effect though, maybe something for a future project... to be replaced by dirt and mud... I'll sprinkle some fine sand over the dirt patches so that it blends in with the base and then decide whether to totally repaint or keep as is. Still keen to for a more sand feel to the piece







R

Looks amazing! Keep it up

Sweet, need water effects though.

Commander Cain wrote:Looks amazing! Keep it up

Thanks!

Rose_Mountainz wrote:Sweet, need water effects though.

Most likely will look to have a pool of tepid water in the crater, may also go for some on the trench floor as well...

Sans sand...





R

|I|t would be fantastic (albeit quite hard) if you put it red and/or blue led's and did some light sourcing from explosions on the models or diorama and then viewed it in a low light area to give it the effect it was at night.

And its looking great so far.

No updates but though I'd post a couple of pics, having to work from home due to the snow in the Kent and kids are off school so plenty of sleging, snowballs nd snow angels going on ;-)

This was taken on Tuesday, 30 Nov in the afternoon


This was taken on Friday morning, 2 Dec


And down my road today

hey ruglud , never saw your diorama before, its very good mate. i like the trench walls , very realistic!

Just a thought... you could litter the floor of your trench with some shells. http://www.secretweaponminiatures.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=40&products_id=151

You could also make your own, which probably wouldn't be too hard.

neil101 wrote:hey ruglud , never saw your diorama before, its very good mate. i like the trench walls , very realistic!

Cheers, there's a fair amount of work to do but all the encouragment and support I get helps no end...

Moltar wrote:Just a thought... you could litter the floor of your trench with some shells. http://www.secretweaponminiatures.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=40&products_id=151

You could also make your own, which probably wouldn't be too hard.

They're pretty cool, I have made some lasgun ammo clips which will be strewn about the trench, plus there'll be some boxes of grenade and some other general clutter - still a way off getting this stage done, but I will get there - promise

R

so your doing second gen cadian diorama and i am doing a first gen , funny because i considererd doing this also, sort of a 1st 2nd and 3rd. but i dont have to now and can just sit back and watch yours matey we should get together and make a 3rd gen between us shame your not using the metal second gen guys , but cadians are so uch easier to convert, i am having the same problem, i only wanted to use imperial army guys, but they dont look half as good as newer models and are 3 and 4 times the expense. so well see. I still think you should pick up the 2nd gen guys, after its done just to see what it looks like. enjoying watching your work with this . i really like the colour scheme for your cadians. btw

found another pic of the scene hope its ok to post it here

That's so much clearer than my copy (which is a dog eared photocopy of a WD flyer). That's the first time I've seen the figures in the background, I knew there was a heavy bolter but the rest of it is covered by text.

I did start to put this together with the old style metals, even ordered some specially direct from the GW mail order trolls, but ended selling them on ebay after I lost motivation to continue a few years back, so instead went for the newish plastics, like you sya, they're much easier to convert...

hmm quite excited to see how this turns out!

It's looking great!
Wow thats a lot of snow

why the hell have you got snow still! here in cardiff, its -5 in the morning with perma-ice, all the snow's gone away =(, funny, yesterday everyone in school was like "much warmer today!", it was still -2 =D

can't wait for the finished diorama. gonna look good!

IHEARTLARGEBLASTTEMPLATES wrote:hmm quite excited to see how this turns out!

Me too! gotta get my downstairs decorated though before any more progress - Chistmas is fast approaching and the snotlings are complaining that we haven't got the tree up! Have to chuck some wallpaper up and get it painted first

Commissar Agro wrote:It's looking great!
Wow thats a lot of snow

Thanks and yeah, more snow than I've ever seen for South East England... Where's that global warming we keep getting promised...

dark6spectre wrote:why the hell have you got snow still! here in cardiff, its -5 in the morning with perma-ice, all the snow's gone away =(, funny, yesterday everyone in school was like "much warmer today!", it was still -2 =D

can't wait for the finished diorama. gonna look good!

LOL, yep it's totally iced over now - roads are clear(ish) but the pavement (sidewalk for our colonial friends) have about 4 inches of solid ice! And now they say it might snow next week, just what we need...

Just WOOOOOW!!!
Great work. Keep it up

You should definitely have a guard carrying a injured guard. Came over from your new blog (assuming you don't mind as you linked it).

[img]http://siamthenovel.com/images/h6_somme_carrier.jpg[/img


They made that man pose twice.

Anyway. Dirty up the trench a lot. Then dirty it some more. Maybe some plastic rats...skulls/limbs in wall.

All present in trenches.

manoknok wrote:You should definitely have a guard carrying a injured guard. Came over from your new blog (assuming you don't mind as you linked it).




They made that man pose twice.

Anyway. Dirty up the trench a lot. Then dirty it some more. Maybe some plastic rats...skulls/limbs in wall.

All present in trenches.

Hey, post away. This model is still alive and kicking, just waitng for some inspiration to visit before going back to it really. Plan is to add lots of junk to the trench, possibly some graffitti on the walls (kill marks, "for the Emperor", etc...)

Like the image, I'd probably approach that as a standalone model / mini diorama, rather than add it to this as it could be a really powerful piece if done correctly... Food for thought... ... and possible inspiration...

Been a while since I did anything with this project, but I've been reminded of it by Viktor von Domm,so thought I'd take a look and see what needs to be done...






Well, I need to finsh the grunts for a start and also some further work to the trench, both in extra detail and colours... A few posters have mentioned adding LEDs but i wont be doing this... Stand by for some updates...

the diarama is looking really cool and the buzz is funny, nice work so far

Awesome so far mate keep it up

Looking forward to seeing this done, only found the blog as i was plannig this myself !

ah!!! finally someone to heed my words... really good looking drama scene! one of these days... one of these days i gotta submit myself to some smaller dio like this... i always end up making way too big stuff... and get lots of problems with storage...!

this is a gem that waits to see more of your good work mister! glad i am finally able to comment here!!^^

Wow, impressive work. I love it greatly. and I greatly love it. Looking forward to more updates.

love the trench reglud well done.

Rogue Wolves wrote:the diarama is looking really cool and the buzz is funny, nice work so far

Cheers RW

spanner4000 wrote:Awesome so far mate keep it up

Thank you

sphynx wrote:Looking forward to seeing this done, only found the blog as i was plannig this myself !

Nice, give it a go and post your WIPs One day I will complete...

Viktor von Domm wrote:ah!!! finally someone to heed my words... really good looking drama scene! one of these days... one of these days i gotta submit myself to some smaller dio like this... i always end up making way too big stuff... and get lots of problems with storage...!

this is a gem that waits to see more of your good work mister! glad i am finally able to comment here!!^^

Just for you Vik

And it's not the size that counts you know

Orkitron5000 wrote:Wow, impressive work. I love it greatly. and I greatly love it. Looking forward to more updates.

Why thank you Updates will happen, but I've got to get my entries to the two competitions that are running in this section out of the way before I can do much more, I will though crack on with this as I'm feeling the love for the piece again - might mean that my t-hawk gets to sleep in the cupboard for a while though... (sorry Vik)

cormadepanda wrote:love the trench reglud well done.

Thanks Panda

And it's not the size that counts you know

says who??? ask my wife... two healthy kids...

How did I miss this! Awesome diorama mate

Thats looking brilliant, and it's been great to see all the progress and different stages of devolpment. Look forward to seeing this finished.

love the build, love dioramas, as to shells lying around on the ground I use small plastic tube painted and then cut up same efeect as what was mentioned before about shells but cheaper, look forward to more

Looks fantastic so far mate.

Crikey, was this really five years ago !! I must dig this diorama out of the 'cupboard of shame' at some point and think about getting it completed (note i said 'think' ... )

Have you done it yet?

Still thinking....