Shelf queen revival - Tunisia 1943

[Steve64]

Hi guys,

Some time ago I was inspired by Martin Kovac's work on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@NightShiftScaleModels - and I started my first diorama in many years. I got so far, and... got distracted by the grim-grimy Mig-29, I posted here. In the meantime, work started on another project, but the diorama kept calling to me. So, I shelved the other project and decided to return to the diorama. Yes, I know, but I like them all

Here are the raw elements. The idea is to show a Valentine tank stopped beside a shot-up and burnt out German motorcycle, with a well known general taking in the scene over a cuppa. All that set in Tunisia 1943, and sort of telling the story of the allied forces advance. Inevitably, I'm calling it 'Brew-up', assuming I actually finish it that is.

Sorry, these aren't great photos. I just decided to post and snapped them under bad artificial light with my phone. You get the idea I guess. I'll post some better quality shots as I progress.

The base, undercoated in black.



The Valentine, painted and modulated with weathering to come



Lots of wheels and bits including the motorcycle and sidecar



A satisfied Monty and tank commander



Happy modelling, chaps.

[DRUMS01]

This is going to be neat! I love the facial detail on the figures too

[digger303]

Good looking figures....gen 4

[Stokesy44]

This is going to be neat! I love the facial detail on the figures too

My thoughts exactly. Going to be a great little dio.

[Steve64]

Hello gents,

Many thanks for the encouragement. Fingers crossed that it all works out. Please follow longhand feel free to make suggestions etc.

Here is the figure set I used. There are alternative heads for the tank commander. I chose the one with the beret rather than the helmeted guy shown on the box art.



Happy modelling!

Steve.

[digger303]

[Steve64]

First job on Saturday morning? Clean the car? Nope. Feed the kids? Nope. Dash to the supermarket? Nope. Spray basic colours onto diorama and position elements to check for a good general look? Oh yes!





So far, it feels like a good decision to revive this project, and doing it the Nightshift way is really helping me to decide what to do and how.

More soon, gents.

[digger303]

First job on Saturday morning? Clean the car? Nope. Feed the kids? Nope. Dash to the supermarket? Nope. Spray basic colours onto diorama and position elements to check for a good general look? Oh yes!





So far, it feels like a good decision to revive this project, and doing it the Nightshift way is really helping me to decide what to do and how.

More soon, gents.

Yep get the important stuff done first
I like Nightshifts work yet don't get to watch his vids much. I'll have to see what you mean.

[Steve64]

More important stuff!

Here's the diorama base with elements picked out by hand. I spent hours painting individual stones in various shades of tan, pink and grey. After spraying the plants a dusty green colour I also brush painted a few highlights. That dark patch on the lower right is where the burnt out bike and sidecar will sit.

The final stage will be oil paint washes to create artificial shadows and add more colour variation.

Is it worth it? I think so, but how about you?



Happy modelling chaps.

P.S. I can't seem to get a sharp image. The original on my phone is pin sharp. Any hints on how to get that fidelity here through Imgur?

[Steve64]

This ugly mess is the first stage in adding a caked-on wet sand look inspired by reference photos. Right now, it's not a pretty sight but I hope that once I have added paint it will all integrate better and look more realistic. I used acrylic sand.

Happy modelling chaps.

[Stokesy44]

I think the base is some of the best work I have EVER seen. It looks stunning. Really well done

[digger303]

[Steve64]

I think the base is some of the best work I have EVER seen. It looks stunning. Really well done

Wow, Stokesy, thanks so much. It was great to read that because I hit a bit of a wall with the weathering. You've rekindled my mojo. Thanks a million!

[Steve64]

Hi guys,

So, after a bit of distraction and a close call with a weathering fail, I'm back on track. There is a loud self-critic in my head (who is he anyway???), who pushes me to do better but can also sap my motivation and confidence at times. He had a try with this project, but thanks to some kind words here and a little determination, there is progress.

I've been experimenting with photos and weathering, like this:

First, the turret. It's weathered with pigments over layered and chipped green and grey accented by a dark pin wash. This shot was taken under natural light on a white sheet of paper. It looks quite authentic to me. What do you think?



By contrast this is the lower hull taken under artificial light. This is where my fail occurred. I got the colours all wrong, and ended up with something that looked like wet builders sand. I've been correcting it with oils. I think the caked on sand is too thick but luckily most of it will be hidden. Lesson learned.



Now, the rear hull, photographed in natural light. Oils and pigments were used to create dust and colour the caked on sand effect. To my eye this all looks more authentic than the lower hull.



Two views of the front. There's very little oil or pigment weathering here yet. I'm not happy with the rust effect on the exhaust so I may play with it more, or I might not - still deciding. Is it good enough?





That's all for now.

Happy modeling chaps

[digger303]

Top of turret looks like fine dust after a light shower of rain....looks good.

Exhaust too looks good. A machine that isn't too old is my take.

Mud under the track guard is good too, but if your going for a drier sandy look maybe a much lighter tan or whiter hue on the thinner bits. Then you have a machine that encountered a small amount of mud a couple of days ago which has dried and had a dusty layer over that.

A really nice build and paint job to date...really nice.

[Stokesy44]

Looking very good. Nice and restrained weathering. Digger makes some good points too

[Steve64]

Hi guys,

Thanks for the feedback and ideas.

I've been working on various areas, and with the wheels on I can see how the lower hull looks. More of it shows than I thought but the natural shadow tones down the brighter yellows, so I'm keeping it (I think ).

I'm now weathering the Valentine with it on the base so I get a colour match with the groundwork. It's getting closer to that dusty over wet sand look, but I feel there's a bit more to do. I toned down the rust effect on the exhaust cover by scraping away paint with a cocktail stick. I'll do some more work on the base when the tracks are on and painted. Hopefully, it will all look authentic, even though I'm veering unintentionally towards the artistic interpretation approach.

Uncle Nightshift makes all this look easy and natural, but there are subtleties to the techniques that I guess come with experience. It shows what a master of our craft he is.





Happy modelling chaps.

[digger303]

That tank is looking really nice and your dead right about Uncle Night shift.
The base is just as nice too.

[Steve64]

Hi guys,

Progress has slowed because I'm building the Valentine's tracks using an aftermarket set. These are small plastic items sold by AFV Club and advertised as 'workable'. What actually happens is that about 20 per cent of the tiny joining pins bend or break. It's then necessary to use glue and build in sections. I also have to work in stages or I make too many mistakes. Here are a couple of shots of the work in progress. You can see I'm using masking tape to help. I can't wait to get this done and go back to painting.





Wishing you happy and patient modelling.

[digger303]

I've had the same experience with AFV on other kits, but you've got them looking good.

[ElCapitan]

I love this. One of my favourite builds was the AFV Valentine. You're doing a fine job