Snow Diorama WiP - almost complete!

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**AvatarForm**

Hi Dakkaites,

Here is something I have been working on in my spare time for the last few months.

Bad weather (torrential rain and a Cat. 5 cyclone) has prevented faster progress.

Basically, I have followed Sebastian Archer's tutorial here:

http://www.coolminiornot.com/articles/1810

... to an extent, and then added my own spin and then added 'snow'.

I have tried many types and brands of snow flock out there and found them all to be too 'fluffy' or 'grainy'.

However, Weissern Loh (Guild of Harmony) and a close friend, Jason Ford (jay351 on various forums) showed me another approach...

Jo Sonnja's Texture Paste, combined with water to the required consistency.

You can effectively 'paint' it straight onto the surface you require and then layer it up to the required thickness and height.

Here is the rough progression... I am currently at 10+ layers of varying consistency...

The base before 'snow: Wood block, cut to size; GS rocks; slate; and a dead bonsai tree...
EDIT: Just remembered other materials - grated cork tile; POLYFILLA; plaster of paris pathway casts; balsa wood stair reinforcements.

Here it is closer... showing the POLYFILLA and Plaster of Paris casts for the footpath:

I realise I have missed many layers, and apologise, but it is really a slow and painful process when you live in an area that averages half the year raining and at minimum 80% humidity...

But here is the base at present:

I apologise if this seems choppy, but it has been a while since I was encouraged to plog something. I will endeavour to answer any and all questions as completely as possible.

EDIT: As has already been asked, the Wold Guardian - Privateer Press will stand upon this when it is finished.

**SagesStone**

Looks pretty cool.

What's going on top of it?

**AvatarForm**

n0t_u wrote:Looks pretty cool.
What's going on top of it?

A non-GW mini... Wold Guardian by Privateer Press

Title will be something along the lines of "Eternal Guardian"

**SagesStone**

Cool, I think the Wold Guardian would suit it well.

**AvatarForm**

n0t_u wrote:Cool, I think the Wold Guardian would suit it well.

To be honest, this began when I was bored in the lead up to Xmas.

I was reading about so many others doing xmas themed dioramas and thought I would get the materials and 'have a crack at it' myself...

Originally, I planned on placing my Malifaux - Cult of December on it, but I ended up gifting that to a friend.

However, an opportunity purchase from Maelstrom saw me with the Wold Guardian... and the rest fell into place.

I plan on painting it in the following scheme.

Dark greys highlighted up to Space Wolves Grey/blue for the stone. Tan ropes and a chocolat (vallejo model colour) for the wood.

As for the plaque (suggested on Wyrd forums), I believe a trophy store in brisbane does great work... I just gotta remember it... Stuarts?

EDIT: I appreciate all feedback, both positive and negative. Please continue to offer suggestions and constructive criticism, everyone.

**neil101**

Good work , i havent read all , but i will because i really would like to know how to make that snow effect , it looks fantastic, and good choice for the mini , very ancient and powerful looking. thanks for posting.

**Paranoia_Agent**

Very cool looking diorama.

Awsome model.

**AvatarForm**

neil101 wrote:Good work , i havent read all , but i will because i really would like to know how to make that snow effect , it looks fantastic, and good choice for the mini , very ancient and powerful looking. thanks for posting.

Paranoia_Agent wrote:Very cool looking diorama.

Awsome model.

Thanks for your positive responses. However, I now require some assistance to finish this as I have stalled when deciding the finishing touches on the diorama... and mini.

Actually, I believe I will paint the stone similarly to the display pic, practicing my juices/glazes.

On another topic:

Im concerned as I do not know what colour to paint the jewel/gem in the chest. Any suggestions?

Also, I have noticed that some 'dead winter' colour tufts work with snow... any suggestions on suppliers and would Late Fall/Autumn work?

**AvatarForm**

Ok. So decided to paint the jewel Ice Blue.

However, life has gotten in the way of any progress.

Anyone know which products suppliuers do good winter foliage/additions to this dio?

**Earthbeard**

Very nice snow effect, very nice indeed.

**AvatarForm**

AvatarForm wrote:

OK... so I sat with my mate Chris (an experienced military modeller) today and he added the following suggestions:

Remove the piles of small slate and replace with a larger feature... also, something needs to be done to break up the parallel/horizontal symmetry... any ideas?

Cut back the front left corner, drilling a hole to either support a rocky outcrop/statue/signpost marker. This will balance out the tree on the opposing corner and provide more contrast to the rockslide immediately beside it.

Right side: Addition of slate pieces and either sculpted "roots" or actual roots emerging and disappearing into the side of the base to add texture and continuation of the scene.

Figures. We looked at the single figure on the base and it seems too small to stand alone. Perhaps another arriving up the stairs or standing in an offensive pose at the top of the stairs challenging the guardian. If there is room, perhaps a secondary antagonist or observer off to the side or behind, completing a triangulation of minis...

Your thoughts please?

**OrangePine**

Perhaps a partially crumbled pillar or obelisk would break up the horizon without seeming too out of place.

**AvatarForm**

OrangePine wrote:Perhaps a partially crumbled pillar or obelisk would break up the horizon without seeming too out of place.

Thanks for the suggestion.

When you say Horizon, do you meanwhere the small piles of slate are at the back?

Any ideas for the shape of the pillar/obelisk? Perhaps some links to pics you have in mind.