Large diorama, ode to Isildur

[Fencig]

finished a literal beast of a project about 4 months ago, i have observed you guys like all kinds of stuff, not just citadel ( i love citadel too, but very $$$ over here due t shipping), so I thought i would share this. This project actually popped into my head years ago, and it took that long for

1. My painting skills to be at a level that justifies a project this size
2. to decide what all the elements should be: layout, story-line, miniature choices
3. improve my pic/photograph quality
4. ability to do freehand (cloaks, robes, and such)
5. ability to do faces to a decent standard (turns out this hurtle was a paint problem. if your not using the Valejo model color flesh paint set set and struggling, i can highly recommend the big V)
6. ability to sculpt and shape realistic looking trees
7. most important, courage to start

I think there's 4 different manufacturers of minis, (almost all metal), and many elements. But let me highlight some of the major characters first.
The good guys, Dorian Starbow from Reaper, who oddly doesn't have a bow. He's the Elven Prince's personal bodyguard

the Elf Prince's younger brother , Reaper Galdanoth Elf sniper. Young , reckless, likes to joyride the aging king's chariot without permission.

the Prince, He is driving a classic, Ral Partha Elf chariot by Tom Meier that i rescued off ebay with crusted paint and missing crew

Ral Partha Elven horse archers as the Palace guard, scrambled at the last minute to effect a rescue.

Al Elf airborne scout, From Gamezone in Spain

Some Bady's, a Reaper Hook mountain Ogre. He likes long walks on the beach and an Elven snack before bed.

Reaper -The Orc Captain and his henchmen, they don't care what kind of meat, as long as it fressshhh

The Supervisor of the whole sordid mess, an old classic Grenadier Nick Lunde sculpt. Orc shaman.

And another dozen maybe, and i got them all of them into one scene measuring 30 x 45cm> not sure how many i can have in one post, so i'll follow up

 

[Fencig]

And here it is, the beast. 300 hours approx.

 

[Golgfag1]

A cracking piece of work, well done sir

Paul / Golgfag1

 

[The Serene Badger]

That is gorgeous - I keep coming back to it and seeing more details. I'm going to sit down later and have a proper go through all the pics when I can give it the time it deserves

 

[Fencig]

Thx for the replies and likes.
This project did bring a deep sense of accomplishment and satisfaction after the Epoxy pour (an exercise in anxiety). At that point i knew all the elements were going to work and finish line in sight.
One thing i notice when i see it now is i tend to paint in very bright colors, which is pleasing , fun, and nostalgic as it hearkens back to the old days of Testors enamels and such. An idea I'm tossing around to challenge myself as a painter is doing a large dio in very dark colors ,muted shades or pastels, and a limited color pallet, yet still make it visually immersive. Hall of the Drow Queen is in the Queue, so lots of Purples, gray's, Heather Blues, Mauves, and of Course black, lots and lots of black.
it will be a little while, doing some smaller projects first to relax and explore some other skills like OSL.

BTW, to show I do in fact respect the Original models (i don't just chop them up , i did buy a brand new complete Ral Partha Elven chariot from Ral Partha Legacy for my collection.
both
The crew is cute, (first generation Tom Meier elves)., but talk about scale creep, the original 25mm figures from 1979 are tiny.

 

[Eric]

That is gorgeous - I keep coming back to it and seeing more details. I'm going to sit down later and have a proper go through all the pics when I can give it the time it deserves

Very much why I was a little late to the party. I saw the thread title and thought that one's going to deserve a proper look with a decent brew on hand.

Amazing stuff. The diorama looks awesome. Highlights off the top of my head from your first post were the freehand on the cloaks (one day I shall summon my bravery and try!) and the Eagle - lovely work on the feathers, looks brilliant.

I love the toad in the pond, extra bits like that are what makes scenes like this for me. The bright chariots look great, the blending on the wings and shields really pops. Excellent work. Might sound a bit silly to say when there are so many lovely models to compliment, but I think you've got a really nice realistic texture on the road!

1. most important, courage to start

Very glad you did!

Damn, just seen the orcs in the trees. Love it.

 

[Fighelm]

Damn, just seen the orcs in the trees.

Hah, Ive just spotted them myself, looks like the elves missed them two up in the boughs. Also the remains of last night's bbq/some poor fella in the orcs firepit by the blasted tree! They've been hanging around waiting for a while... Lovely details.

 

[ManicMan]

The orcs in the trees, seam to whisper Louise.

 

[Fencig]

and the Eagle - lovely work on the feathers, looks brilliant.

thanks Eric, That's a pattern of the Martial Eagle, largest Raptor in Africa. The model is Windrider II from Gamezone, and it was really fun to build out of metal. I ran a stainless steel rod that ties the wings together thru the body, and the another that goes thru the dead tree and into the 25mm thick wood base plinth. 2-part epoxy was used for max strength

Damn, just seen the orcs in the trees. Love it.

Interesting story on the 6 Orc Archers. The light archers (Yellow ones) are the from Reaper , (they are the only plastic other than the Toad and the dead elf. ). Sculpted by the the great Robert (Bob) Olley. He also sculpted the 3 Ral Partha Orc Heavy Archers, probably 30 year earlier for the Fantasy armies line. That series also encompasses the mounted Elf Archers, by Chris Fitzpatrick. These are my favorite Elves, they have just the right mix of arrogance and nobility. They fit in the nicely between the the first generation of friendly "Hobbit Elves" from Tom Meier and the determined looking, haughty War Elves from Citadel.

but I think you've got a really nice realistic texture on the road!

It's Woodland Scenics " natural sand", i think crushed pistachio shells? Very monotonous. so i hit with some brown washes, then crushed some sandstone with a hammer and added that with watered down PVA. Varying texture is equally as important as color for realism.

Hah, Ive just spotted them myself, looks like the elves missed them two up in the boughs. Also the remains of last night's bbq/some poor fella in the orcs firepit by the blasted tree! They've been hanging around waiting for a while... Lovely details.

Thank you, that entire corner was a last minute edition. Despite careful planning when i finally laid everything out on the plinth it was painfully bare. I struggled with it since the Eagle and campfire, etc. was a lot more work, but i knew it had to be done. I had just bought the Eagle 2 weeks prior with no real plans for it, so a fortuitous conclusion.
So to tie in to another thread about tackling Dio's, stay flexible, let the story build as you move ahead, In this case closing the trap from 3 sides was fun, while the element of the flying scout adds a little hope for our poor elves and balances out the rocky outcrop on the left.

The orcs in the trees, seam to whisper Louise.

LOL, i know some old songs but had to look that one up. 1929, wow

 

[orkwrangler]

I appreciate the breakdown on miniatures/construction/technique as much as the amazing diorama.

 

[twisted moon]

very, very impressive.