Trolls 22/06

Gandlaf the Grey · **Posted:** Mon Jun 23, 2014 7:38 am

abcdefg wrote:

How have you made the branches? It looks similar to asparagus fern but I can't quite work it out. They are certainly very effective. I am quite honestly totally in awe of the entire diorama. I love the first of the second batch of photos.

They are artificial asparagus fern but I sprayed them with hairspray and applied some static grass to resemble the needles.

Dorthonion · **Posted:** Mon Jun 23, 2014 9:00 am

Superb work. Love the cave and the different perspective it allows.
Now I am going to be rude and suggest ways of taking it up another level.
The transition between the cliff and the flat ground is too stark. There should be some rocks and talus scattered near the base. Likewise, the flat area and the side of the stream are both a bit bare so small rocks (maybe mostly sunk into the ground here and there). Then a little ground cover, the occasional tuft, a couple of small bushes and the flat area is still flat but less obviously so. The trail used by the trolls will be clear but undisturbed ground will be more natural.
I have been looking for examples to show you what I mean so here are just a few:
http://www.andreaeurope.com/en/8/exclus ... rettyPhoto
http://www.stormthecastle.com/diorama/a ... iorama.htm
Some of te train enthusiasts really go the whole hog:
http://www.switchstandtrainshop.com/

Gandlaf the Grey · **Posted:** Mon Jun 23, 2014 9:12 am

I see your point Dorth but perhaps one thing you haven't thought of. This area has had three trolls stomping around and throwing rocks all over and felling trees. Hence there is only one large rock left and odd little clumps have been trodden underfoot. The area next to the fenced horse is the only spot that wouldn't have been walked on, hence that area has grown a bit.
Furthermore, I wanted to experiment with the compost forest floor and work on plenty of different colours. I am delighted with the way that worked out.
For the stream, there are rocks in it that are submerged, but there are some branches that you can make out in the top and bottom streams. The submerged rocks are only visible in real life unfortunately.
I did consider having more rocks dotted about but the above was my thought pattern on it.

Harfoot · **Posted:** Mon Jun 23, 2014 2:36 pm

the old photos are great, the new ones just superb, great links Dorth

jscottbowman · **Posted:** Tue Jun 24, 2014 4:57 am

This is really nicely done, a great concept! :-)

Gene Parmesan · **Posted:** Sun Jun 29, 2014 10:53 pm

Just looking at this again. Love the forest floor effect, how'd you do that?

Gandlaf the Grey · **Posted:** Sun Jun 29, 2014 11:49 pm

Gene Parmesan wrote:

Just looking at this again. Love the forest floor effect, how'd you do that?

Multiple layers to get the right look.after the polyfilla base and painting a dark basecoat, I applied a layer of sand. Once dry I used dry compost, the type you buy in a garden centre.
Glue that in place and then use many many watered down washes of brown and green. I highlighted some of these in place were I wanted the contrast more extreme.
Finally I used some pigments dotted here and there.

Dr Grant · **Joined:** Fri Aug 03, 2012 1:50 pm **Posts:** 1339

Absolutely fantastic piece buddy - really great work! Love the details like the waterfall (incredibly realistic) and the troll cave (incredibly cool!) - hoping to paint the trolls myself in the not too distant future so this is really inspirational - good luck in the diorama challenge - you'd be a worthy winner!

Trolls 22/06

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