Ok got the snow painted and aged. Got my wire form tree done. Planted the bear grass. and added some details. I think all I have left is to paint the sign and add some rocks.
Here is a close up of the wire from “Limber Pine” Came out alright I think. Need to perfect the technique but for a first attempt I think its OK.
Is that an albino anaconda chowing down? Needs something more to make you think snow. Seems like stuff should be dripping down the roof (icicles may be cool, both literally and figuratively) and that area under the snow should be wet so would be darker in color.
The “Limber Pine” turned out well. Much better than I could do were it my first time. The snow adds realism to the model but I think Todd may be right about the anaconda. Although I didn’t see the giant snake at first, once he pointed it out it really comes to life. As Todd also pointed out, melting snow dripping down the roof would look awesome. Not sure icicles would still be around based on the time frame you have previously outlined, but there would definitely be water running down the shed and dripping off the front. Just suggestions, not criticisms. I certainly don’t have the modeling experience to be critical of anyone. I do like the scattered debris. Again, it adds realism.
Todd Brody said:
Is that an albino anaconda chowing down? Needs something more to make you think snow. Seems like stuff should be dripping down the roof (icicles may be cool, both literally and figuratively) and that area under the snow should be wet so would be darker in color.
Albino Anaconda. . . where are yo seeing that? On the think snow issue. . . Remember this is old snow not winter snow. Think May in the mountains. No icicles. Now you mention the area under the snow being wet, I agree and had attempted this. I used clear gloss around and below the snow and all down the front below where the water would be dripping. It didn’t have the effect I wanted. I think I am going to try some clear epoxy. I don’t want to model winter scenes so the only thing that I could think to do was make an old melting remnant of an avalanche.
Devon Sinsley said:
Todd Brody said:
Is that an albino anaconda chowing down? Needs something more to make you think snow. Seems like stuff should be dripping down the roof (icicles may be cool, both literally and figuratively) and that area under the snow should be wet so would be darker in color.
Albino Anaconda. . . where are yo seeing that? On the think snow issue. . . Remember this is old snow not winter snow. Think May in the mountains. No icicles. Now you mention the area under the snow being wet, I agree and had attempted this. I used clear gloss around and below the snow and all down the front below where the water would be dripping. It didn’t have the effect I wanted. I think I am going to try some clear epoxy. I don’t want to model winter scenes so the only thing that I could think to do was make an old melting remnant of an avalanche.
OK Never mind looked again and I do see the resemblance between my snow and a snake head lol. It does sort of look like a snake eating my snowshed
Dan Hilyer said:
The “Limber Pine” turned out well. Much better than I could do were it my first time. The snow adds realism to the model but I think Todd may be right about the anaconda. Although I didn’t see the giant snake at first, once he pointed it out it really comes to life. As Todd also pointed out, melting snow dripping down the roof would look awesome. Not sure icicles would still be around based on the time frame you have previously outlined, but there would definitely be water running down the shed and dripping off the front. Just suggestions, not criticisms. I certainly don’t have the modeling experience to be critical of anyone. I do like the scattered debris. Again, it adds realism.
If you look at the bottom bit of snow you can see that the ground is darker than the rest. That part looked decent but I agree there needs to be a wetter appearance to the area around and below the snow on the shed. Now dripping water anyone have an idea how to model trickling water becase that would be cool. Maybe hot glue?
Drip CA down light fishing line that is weighted. Build it up then cut off the weight. Attach it upside down with the thick section to the top…,
Or…,
Draw out a solder blob into a line to form an icicle and paint it silvery white. This is how I made a carrot.
I think the CA on fishing line sounds like a winner. I will give that a shot.
Reminded me of when I modeled failing dirt … the fishing line curled on me, so be sure to stretch it out and secure both ends. Should be ok to cut sections after it cures.
Stop action of a tailings dump before any reached the pile 20’ below…
John
Devon I knew right away what you’re modelling because of the green ground cover, which says spring in the mountains and there is still snow around from the winter’s snowfields.
To be honest, I’m not buying the snow yet. I think the main problem I’m having is that the edges are so clear-cut and the snowmass isn’t integrated into the rest of the model. If you can break up the edges and blend it out into the immediately surrounding areas, as well as darkening tones as others have suggested, I think you’ll be happier with the result and it won’t look like something that got glue onto your model. It’s just my opinion, but I hope I’m getting what I’m trying to say across.
Wet n dry dirt
I use to use Acrylic Medium gloss in dirt to make it look wet and then before it set, I sifted dry dirt on top and blew off the excess. If you dump it on a droplet you’ll get a mud blob, you just want sticky damp. and no touching!
This is ok for indoors …
John
Guys thanks for all the suggestions. I agree completely I am not buying the snow either. It looks placed. . .I agree. I think making the areas around it “wet” will help. I might go get me some clear gloss acrylic, I liked that stuff on the snow as it is a thick product and gives a bit of depth. I like the stop action water using the glue and fishing line s that should help.
Now integrating the snow into the scene instead of placed on the scene. I get what your saying and will have to think on that. Old snow piles to me do look like they are out of place. as the snow melts it does define the edges to me. All the small pieces melt off and the big lump smooths out. But with that said we all agree it doesn’t look “right” yet. So I will pour over some more pictures and see what I can come up with.
This is how I see it with my eyes. Yes they are “Cock” eyes but they do see.
I think it all looks fantastic so far but it really looks to me like “Melting” season with spring around the corner at Dunakin Pass. As stated get rid of the snow lumps in the middle.
I “personally” would add icicles/icing on the rock face focusing on the cold areas. It appears to me that the rock cliff faces north (making it colder) remove/open up the inset stones under the track to let the water flow under the track and keep the piers you have built (with the Taylor keystones) . Think simple and follow the lines and the FLOW of the earth. Then make a small steam in front that the flow dumps into?
Make sense?
Just MY thoughts and only trying to help.
Kinda roos.
The idea IS melting snow in spring. Late spring to boot. Icicles would be long gone. This is not supposed to be winter or even early spring. The only snow that should be there is the remnants. But I am following the bit of a stream. At least a run off area. That thought occurred to me.
Clearly something needs to happen. We all agree it isn’t “right”.
One thing I am thinking is I have some rock and boulders to place if I do that so that the snow is partially covering them and maybe a log or two in the snow it will help bring it together
looking at this stage of the diorama…
… i think, what is wrong, is the relation of much snowfree areas to a very thick “rest” of snow.
the little snow lump below looks more believable.
i would…
… take away the thick snow.
… replace it with two or three smaller and flatter snow tongues.
… put some snow in the shadow of the tree on the upper left.
… “embed” a medium sized rock into the tip of one snow tongue, in a way, that one sees, how the sun-warmed rock melted a hole into the snow around it.
… take clear, glossy, but darkened varnish to simulate the run-off of melting snow.
Korm said:
i would…
… take away the thick snow.
… replace it with two or three smaller and flatter snow tongues.
… put some snow in the shadow of the tree on the upper left.
… “embed” a medium sized rock into the tip of one snow tongue, in a way, that one sees, how the sun-warmed rock melted a hole into the snow around it.
I would also add a background pick as the simulated snow needs to be coming from somewhere. But definitely thin the mound.
The rest of this mini scene is a true show stopper.(http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)
Snakes eyes and a tongue!
Make the wood look wet where melt occurs and down slope from the source, washes of diluted ink …
dos centavos
Jaun
I agree with John that it does look too dry especially the ground itself for a melt off. Icicles certainly do stay longer on rock that faces north and especially under a shed like that when you get no sun. I have many vivid images of trout fishing in northern PA in April looking at the icicles on the rock faces and everything being incredibly muddy and wet. The air and sun can be rather warm but the rock and ground is still incredibly cold. The steam itself may be melted but if your waders have a hole in them and that water leaks in YOU ARE DONE for the day as it’s really freaking cold.
Your wolf looks like it still has his full winter pelt and you might want to dirty him up a bit as well. However as stated the scene looks fantastic so far and these are just overly anal details.
I like the idea Korm came up with, instead of the " snake head" look some more tapering pointy lengths of snow coming off the main pile, since it is spring, still cold at night so every night the water will freeze then begin to melt again, so in my feeble humble mind, there should be a few “tongues” of snow/ice coming off the main pile, So far it loooks great, Devon
OK I appreciate the heck out of all the suggestions, ideas, critiques, etc. The big anaconda has to stay I am afraid. To try and tremove that would be a disaster; it is multiple piees of foam glued down and plastered and painted. But to modify it radically may not be too bad. I can ct into it , thin it out, and make the edges less defined. I dirtied it p some but may need more. I think I will embed some rock and wood. Here is a a great picture of what I am after.
I definitely need to rework it sing this picture as inspiration. I think if it is less smooth over all it will help and then dirty the thing up some more and cut into the edges. I do agree with Rooster that I need to ditch the blob of snow at the bottom. and add a “creek” I think I have an idea to make that look right and not ruin the integrity of the track and snow shed piers. . . a culvert. That’s how they really do it. I can put a small ditch and some rip rap along the cliff base and then right about where the little blob is put a culvert sticking out and more rip rap. I understand completely the fishing early spring streams scenario. I have many fond memories of doing that every year up to the present. And yes icicles do hang on for awhile. So we will see how the CA and fishing line goes I might have icicles or water but either way it will look better. I did try to “wet” the surface but it was a fail. I think I have the solutions for that now. I can stain the area darker with black india ink and then I bought some gloss clear acrylic medium.
Looks like I went from done to panic
