Collins Does a Weekend Challenge
Recommendations: 512
About the Project
I have challenged myself to build a diorama that stretches my skills into the world of water effects
Related Game: Star Wars: Legion
Related Company: Atomic Mass Games
Related Genre: Science Fiction
This Project is Completed
Preparing for waves
add a tiny amount of 99.9% Isopropyl to this in a cup
use a lollipop stick to smooth it out first (to kill bubbles) and then gently make small peaks for the wavesThe second pour
The second pour took a lot less tittyfarting that the first one. Luke (geek gaming Luke) suggested that it was because the ink was affecting the resin. I dismissed him at first and thought it was because I had overwhipped it or just down to my inexperience with resin but now after the second shallow pour I now agree with him.
I will have to keep that in mind or search for specific epoxy resin tints.
Removing the dams
De-Dammed! and also dammit...
thankfully most of the issue is on the Lloyd side of the diorama
carefully chip and scrape away the plasticard that bonded (probably due to the burner heating it)
back to testing theories... this time, will varnish hide the error?
same test cut illuminated from behindMaking waves
The image probably was taken in the shallows of a beach inside a natural harbour of the atoll. That means there will only be very subtle waves, basically disturbances from the wind and the people walking around in it.
Now go to the next page to see the results!
The final steps
Clear Fix sealant (note, its not normal silicon caulking)
dilute with isopropyl to the consistency of single cream
layer out and agitate with popsicle stick to form soft waves and smash any bubbles
leave to cure, should be done in 30 mins but im going to leave it for much much longerThe final photography
bubbles in the clear fix are viewable here on the seaweedAnd with that this project is done. I am super proud with the result I achieved, its not perfect but I have decided to be all pretentious about this piece and call it art instead of a diorama.
apologies for the random hues in the photos, I just swapped out my iPhone to a new fancy one and am still learning the new cameras on it. the natural colour is seen clearly in the more distant shots, a very light blue/green and white sand is the natural colour. god knows why it oranges up on close up shots.
I took a lot of help from Luke at GeekGamingScenics on YouTube so go watch his videos for your own inspiration.
The only thing left is for me to figure out how much money and time it cost.
resin = £50
plasticard = £2
clear fix = £8
Isopropyl = £10
paints & ink = £30ish
tile grout = £5
scultamold = £9
stick = £ dog walk
models = STL = £10 + 35p printing costs (£300 for the printer and gubbins)
new tools = £15
disposable items (cups, sticks etc) = £4
time = 32 hours all in, project recording included. £280 (minimum wage in UK is £8.72).
so that brings total costs to
£423.
Nobody would ever pay that for it and it assumes I was starting from zero, which of course I wasn’t. I did spend a lot of time learning the process and testing but also watching YouTube and the OTTers do their thing.
Either way, it is done, I am over the moon with the result, I have lots of left over material to use on future projects and some new skills and knowledge. #worthit
