Stone Wall with Taoist Relief

The Willoughbian

Proletariat Art Threat
Jun 24, 2012
781
2
18
Cleveland, Ohio
Update: 7/11/12, New Pics. I think it's coming along nicely. Any thoughts?

Finally got my new diorama to the point where I feel I can share. I think the vines need a little work and I may add some debris, but, I think it's looking pretty good. Also pictured are a SE and SS that I painted. Let me know what you think. Thanks for looking.
 

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MAJOR BLOOD

Size matters
Staff member
Mar 13, 2011
13,592
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That is off the hook! Excellent detail on the whole thing. The vines look pretty good. Maybe if you could get them to look more like they are climbing the wall that would be my only critique. Other than that, looks great.
 

MAJOR BLOOD

Size matters
Staff member
Mar 13, 2011
13,592
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38
You ought to do a diorama with that set up for the banner contest this month. It's a nice back drop for a scene.
 

The Willoughbian

Proletariat Art Threat
Jun 24, 2012
781
2
18
Cleveland, Ohio
You ought to do a diorama with that set up for the banner contest this month. It's a nice back drop for a scene.

Maybe if I can get it "polished" a little more. Cause, I think you are right about the vines. My GF thinks I need to work on the grass and ground debris to get it looking more natural. I was thinking of something different for my entry, but we shall see.
 

MAJOR BLOOD

Size matters
Staff member
Mar 13, 2011
13,592
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38
The grass looks pretty good. If anything maybe trim it down a little. Some debris would be a nice touch to it.
 

The Willoughbian

Proletariat Art Threat
Jun 24, 2012
781
2
18
Cleveland, Ohio
Thanks for the great feedback. There is definitely some room to make this look a lot better. I tweaked out pretty hard on it today and needed to step away and enjoy it some. I'm also waiting to see what the thyme looks like once it dries out. I may need to find a way to preserve it. Maybe a flat clear coat would work. I'll likely make some loose stones and rubble to lay about tonight. I like the idea of a statue or perhaps some kind of shrine.
In case anyone is interested I drew a lot of inspiration from pics of Nakagusuku Castle in Okinawa. I tried to mimic the stonework for the wall. The pavers were made with Resolute in mind.
Here is a link to pics of the Nakagusuku Castle ruins
http://www.google.com/search?q=Naka...WmrQH3go2LCQ&ved=0CEcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1280&bih=664
 

unclassified

THE AYATROLLA KHOMEINI
Jan 31, 2012
2,125
1
0
the garden state of eden
Thanks for the great feedback. There is definitely some room to make this look a lot better. I tweaked out pretty hard on it today and needed to step away and enjoy it some. I'm also waiting to see what the thyme looks like once it dries out. I may need to find a way to preserve it. Maybe a flat clear coat would work. I'll likely make some loose stones and rubble to lay about tonight. I like the idea of a statue or perhaps some kind of shrine.
In case anyone is interested I drew a lot of inspiration from pics of Nakagusuku Castle in Okinawa. I tried to mimic the stonework for the wall. The pavers were made with Resolute in mind.
Here is a link to pics of the Nakagusuku Castle ruins
http://www.google.com/search?q=Naka...WmrQH3go2LCQ&ved=0CEcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1280&bih=664

try minwax spray poly. that might do the trick.
 

The Willoughbian

Proletariat Art Threat
Jun 24, 2012
781
2
18
Cleveland, Ohio
what is the wall made out of foam?

Here's a list of materials.....
Wall: 1/2 inch blue foam board, embossed with knitting needles and slurried with spackling paste to fill in the tears.
Lines of the Hexagram: Wooden coffee stirrers
Ring around Hexagram: Corrugated cardboard
"Stone" pavers and base: Newman's frozen pizza box
Vines: Lemon thyme from my garden. (I liked the scale of the leaves)
Other materials used: Dried moss, Woodland Scenics grass and wood fill.

Also I have been experimenting and I think wax is the best way to preserve the thyme I'm using for the vines. I'll need to wait a couple of days to see how the color in the leaves holds, but, it seems that the wax will keep the leaves from shriveling. I tried it on some other small leaved plants as well. If it works out maybe I'll post a little how-to.

I also tried Model Masters flat clear-coat. It discoloured the leaves to much for my liking.
 

G.I.*EDDIE

gobbles a LOT of cock
Founder
Mar 14, 2011
43,432
428
83
S.E. Mich :(
VERY cool set!...the grass looks fine IMO...though maybe a few bent over pieces?...I'd use a tan powder for debris for scale purposes...sand might not be fine enough...
 

The Willoughbian

Proletariat Art Threat
Jun 24, 2012
781
2
18
Cleveland, Ohio
VERY cool set!...the grass looks fine IMO...though maybe a few bent over pieces?...I'd use a tan powder for debris for scale purposes...sand might not be fine enough...

Iv'e been grinding up dried moss and dried dill (from my spice cabinet) for this purpose. The dill is just to add some green.

Thanks again for all the feedback. Keeps me motivated.
 

The Willoughbian

Proletariat Art Threat
Jun 24, 2012
781
2
18
Cleveland, Ohio
So, I did some more work on this and I think it really paid off. There are still a few small details to fix up, but I'm thinking it's pretty much done. I think the vines really turned out well. I wish they had stayed a little greener,still they look real enough for my display cabinet. I'm really happy with the loose stones and rubble. That addition really brings the illusion, I feel. Anyway. Thanks for looking. Feel free to comment.
 

G.I.*EDDIE

gobbles a LOT of cock
Founder
Mar 14, 2011
43,432
428
83
S.E. Mich :(
High five!

That looks spectacular!...the added debris/ruble/organic material looks great!...the stoes especially...

Nice job man
 

MMorelock66

Isn't a Gijoe fan
Apr 4, 2012
4,661
2
0
the land of Virginia
Woah. The new details are insane. If that Arashkiage (sp) logo could be replaced with the Mortal Kombat Dragon logo, I'd be so damn happy. Either way it looks phenomenal!
 

fogger1138

SCIENCE!
Founder
Mar 14, 2011
9,726
3
38
49
Mt Airy, MD
How did you do the circle and symbol in relief like that in the foam?

That part's not foam:


Here's a list of materials.....
Wall: 1/2 inch blue foam board, embossed with knitting needles and slurried with spackling paste to fill in the tears.
Lines of the Hexagram: Wooden coffee stirrers
Ring around Hexagram: Corrugated cardboard
"Stone" pavers and base: Newman's frozen pizza box
Vines: Lemon thyme from my garden. (I liked the scale of the leaves)
Other materials used: Dried moss, Woodland Scenics grass and wood fill.

I don't think I actually commented in this thread yet, but I've been watching - great job on this one!