Warehouse Loading Dock

I’ve started a new diorama and again it’s going to be another “small” piece. This piece will be a loading area at a warehouse, it’s scaled for 6″ figures and to model for me this evening will be Marvels Logan and Deadpool.

Building the scene
Painting the scene
Final Pictures

Building the Displays

I have cut the foam to make the basic shape, I am now cutting the extra layers for the walls and glueing them together. The next step is to do the same for the two buildings and marking out the brickwork.

With the wall pieces dried, I added a second layer of form for each of the building towers and then left them to dry under the pressure of few weighted comic books. I then marked and scored out the brickwork on the three other pieces, modelled before you with Deadpool, who as you can see was having a little too much fun! The centre wall I have cut out a doorway.

When the other two pieces have dried I will score the brickwork and cut out the doors and windows. When the overall structure is worked out, then I will start making the floor.

I scored the bricks on both buildings, adding doors and windows into the left of e and cut out what will be a closed Dock door into the second. Created a raised platform to surround the front of the right building.

I’ve cut the foam for the inside wall of the left building because I’ve added windows and doors, I’ve added brickwork to the interior walls. Sanded down raised area outside the right building and glued the two pieces of that building together. I’ve added some corrugated card for dock doors, even added a little card to the top door.

The two buildings have been glued together and the bricks weathered. The door frame on the left of the building has been widened and roofs added to both of them.

I finished weathering the brickwork and added a corrugated roof to the centre wall. I have also cut a foam base to which I need to add a manhole cover, cracks in the concrete etc.

I also need to add a door and window frames to the left building, before I can start painting.

I have done a little more work on the buildings, by sanding up the edges, adding a few accessories like steps to the loading ramp, window frames and a working door to the left building.

All that needs to do is to finish the base and floor in the left building before I start painting.

Painting the DIsplay

After I marked out the base I applied a black undercoat to all pieces. Once that dried I sponged on the first coat of light grey onto the floor and a darker grey over the right building and steps. I am thinking of painting the rest of the stonework brown/red.

I’ve base coated the other walls with burnt sienna applied with a sponge, when it had dried I added a darker second layer. I sponged a lighter grey on the floor, the sewer cover was painted a metallic grey and when dry a black wash over the top. The roof of the left building and the top of the garage door of the middle panel painted with a light grey and the floor of the left building base coated with a light brown. The corrugated roof and doors were painted with metallic grey, when they are dry I’ll apply a black wash.

I originally built this piece for Marvel Legends but this set is perfect for most 6″ figures as demonstrated using G.I.Joe Classified figures as well as Marvel Legends.

I have used a black wash over the light grey building and over the silver-painted corrugated. I used a brown wash over the corrugated roof and over certain bricks, I used the brown wash on the raised dock platform, brick walls and the steps. Finally, I dry brushed silver over the manhole cover and applied a dark wash into recesses on the floor.

The next steps are to apply the brown wash over the red walls, repair the window frame which was damaged while painting today, paint the window frames and door.

Temple Corridor Diorama

This piece will be a corridor in a temple or castle. It measures 11″ x 30″ x 9″, it will be able to split into two separate pieces or kept as one piece.

Building the scene
Painting the scene
Adding the accessories
Final Pictures

Building the Displays

To start, I have cut the main pieces and glued them together with PVA and now left to dry. When they are dry, I’ll be cutting out doors, pillars and carving in stone slabs.

I’ve cut two doorways, cut a couple of door frames and glued them into the place. Once the glue has dried I will start adding the brick work.

I’ve drawn on the brick work to the floor and walls and now started to carve them into the foam.

Finished off carving the brickwork into the walls and floor. The next step is to start adding more detail like wall braces and columns so it doesn’t look like a big brick room.

I’ve added an archway to hide the join on the wall. I decided I wanted to add a couple of extensions which would also double up as two separate pieces. The idea is not only for display but also for taking action shots and not having to cover up the doors with black.

To start I carved the brick pattern to the otherwise of the side door panel and added a doorframe to it. I cut and glued together 2 x 10mm 4″ x 9″ pieces for the floor and glued them together. I cut out two wall pieces and carved out the brick pattern onto them and then carved out the floor pattern. Just need to do the same for the second door.

I’ve built the second extension which can also act as a separate diorama as well. The next step is to start adding cracks to walls and floors before I can undercoat this piece.

Today has been spent carving cracks and blemishes onto the walls and floor, then shaping each of the four doorframes. Next steps, I am thinking of adding a pelmet around all four pieces before adding four plinths for the main hall.

I have added coving around the walls, made up of individual pieces. I just need to trim the tops of the extension pieces and this (I think) completes the build except for the five plinths I want to add but I think I can now start to paint this.

Painting the Display

Before undercoating, I added the coving to the edges of each of the walls. Then using a scrunched up ball of tin foil I pressed it against all the stone surfaces which gave some lovely “stone” impressions. After that, I undercoated using black poster paint.

I’ve started applying the basecoat with a sponge, just letting this dry before finishing off the last remaining walls before adding a second layer.

Finished off painting the two walls, while they dried I then dry brushed the floors and coving with a light grey. Using a dark wash on all blemished stonework and random slab or brick.

Applied a final dry brush coat, this completes the painting of the set. It’s now time to build and paint the accessories for this piece.

Adding the Accessories

With the painting completed, I still felt like this piece needed something more to bring it home. To start I ordered a LED kit, I created a parallel circuit with 5 flickering LEDs so you can guess what these are going to be used for? Then using mulliput I have so far created two wall torches.

To see how it looks, I have loosely mounted them on the walk, either side of the throne. The idea is, I will have one in each corridor and the fifth next to the doorway leading to the back corridor.

I have spent making and painting the accessories for this piece.

First I have cast vintage Masters of the Universe weapons and a skeletal face (which I have used before). I’ve painted them and loosely placed them in areas I am thinking of having them.

Second I bought a couple of Dungeons and Dragons miniatures which I am using as statues on plinths, these I have painted grey, shaded them, and then dry brushed two lighter greys over the top.

Thirdly I have made three more torch lanterns, once they have cured then I can paint them and fix them to the walls. Almost getting there with this piece.

To make all the torches reach the breadboard, I have extended the cables of each of the torches. The next step is to cover the soldered joins with shrink wrap, fix the breadboard to the back of the tile and paint each torch.

I have cut two plinths 1″ x 3.5″ which work with either 5.5″ and 7″ MOTU figures when the miniatures are places on top. At the moment I have placed the plinths in a couple of places to see how they look before I start shaping each plinth.

The torches have been painted, shaded and glued into place. I have fitted a bracket to the reverse of the right wall for the breadboard and power pack to fit into. The two plinths I have fitted a top and bottom to each, sanded and shaped and then a grey base coat applied.

I’ve finished painting the plinths and then built a weapons rack based on the 80’s Grayskull. Once that has been painted, it will mark the completion of this piece.

I have finished painting the weapons rack and this marks the completion of the diorama.

I will get my usual final pictures done in the next couple of days.

Final Pictures

Imperial Crates

I’ve been asked to build 5 Imperial Crates for a client.

Building the Displays
Painting the scene
Final Pictures

Each crate measures 3″× 3″× 3″ and is made from foam board glued together with hot glue. I’ve made 2 tester crates to see how they turn out, they will work lovely against my Nevarro set when I’ve fished them.

Oba Diah Ruins

Oba Diah Ruins diorama

I’ve been commissioned to build a small Star Wars diorama for a 3.75″ figure. I have been give free reign on what it can be off in Star Wars. My client told me he wanted this for his Black Series Clone Commander Wolffe wearing specializes desert gear, I am going to base this diorama around the figure’s appearance in Star Wars The Clone series

Building the Displays
Painting the scene
Final Pictures

Building the Displays

This piece will is made from underfloor insulation foam board and measurement are 5″ x 5″ x 5″. I have started by cutting the pieces the required which are a floor with two side. The side pieces are two pieces of 10 mm and 6 mm glued together with PVA. After they have dried I will start carving stone work into the them.

The build is now complete for this diorama. I have etched brick work and cracks into the floor and walls. The edges need sanding before this can be painted.

Painting the Scene

After undercoating this piece, I’ve base coated with a medium grey using my airbrush. Used a lighter grey for the oval shapes and tiles on the floor and areas of the walls. I have also used a dark blue shade for the floor between the ovals and inside the skirting boards. The plan next is dirty and age the walls and floor.

I have now completed this commissioned piece. I used a brown wash over the floor and walls, after which I dry brushed over the entire diorama using a light grey.

Final Pictures

Nevarro Displays

Nevarro Modular Displays

To start this years new builds I’m creating four Star Wars displays, like the ones I built last year. These pieces will be themed around Nevarro, they can be individually displayed or placed alongside each other to make a street scene. Perfect to pose you Star Wars Black Series on.

The measurements are 12″ × 9″ x 6″, each one will be handcrafted and painted. Price is £35 each plus postage, if you would like to purchase one, please contact me or online through my shop page.

Building the Displays
Painting the scene
Final Pictures

Building the Displays

It’s measurements are 9″x 12″x 6″, made entirely out of foam board, for each piece I have glued two pieces of 10 mm and 6 mm on the wall using PVA glue. When it’s dried, I’ll cut off the excess and sand it down before cutting out doorways and adding facial features.

After sanding down the sides, I have cut out a doorway, using a piece of 6 mm foam for the door. I cut various lengths of foam for the surrounding decor, scored out the detail on the door.

The first of the Nevarro diorama displays is now built. Three more to go!

The second Nevarro is almost finished. Before I can fix it to the base, I need to sand the bottom, glue the extra detail onto the fascia and the score the door.

Just a couple of things to add onto the second one, then on with the 3.75″.

Finished the door on the second diorama, this is now ready to be painted.

I’ve been asked to make the next two diorama displays for 3.75″ figures. These again based on Nevarro from The Mandalorian series. The measurements are 12″ x 9″ x 6″ but doors scaled for 3.75″ Star Wars figures. Kyle Katarn is modelling the first of the completed two.

I finished the build of the second facade, with cutting in a door on the left, adding strips of foam to create the overall facade look. I added an extra layer of 6 mm foam with an oval window then scoring in shutters onto the underneath layer.

Instead of making these as two seperate pieces like the other two, I decided to make these pieces interlocking. To do this I made a new piece which will be a floor, the bottom layer of 6 mm foam is 11.5″ as previously but the top piece I cut out is 12″ long. When I glued the two pieces together, it created a lip, to which I returned to one of the original pieces I made to be a floor and cut out a 0.5″ width strip from the top layer of 10 mm foam, creating a step therefore the two pieces can now slide together. Simple but effective.

All that needs to be done now is to glue the facades to the floor and then they are all ready to be undercoated.

Painting the Scene

After applying a black undercoat I have base coated the four pieces with a light grey using my airbrush.

Using my airbrush to apply different tones of grey over the these pieces. Applying gunmetal grey to the doors of the larger pieces, a brown and metallic brown doors to the smaller dioramas. I would like to darken the floor and still need to finish the doors before calling these complete.

I wasn’t happy with floor of the 3.75″, using scenic foliage and stone on a base of pva glue. I have shaded the crevices of the doors and windows and edged the walls. I have just some final touches to do and these will be completed.

For the 6″ dioramas I have added scenic foliage to the base, exactly like I have done for the other two. I have also added a layer of fine grain sand to fill up the the crevices. I have also painted and a couple of straws and glued them to sides of the two 6″ dioramas.

When the glue on the floor has dried, I will apply another layer over the top binding the stone, sand and foliage together.

Coming closer to finishing these ones too.

I have finished these two scaled for 6″ figure. I completed this piece by spraying adhesive over the floor and dry brushing the pipes and doors. Each can be individually displayed or placed alongside each other to make a street scene. The measurements are 12″ × 9″ x 6″ perfect to pose you Star Wars Black Series and create a scene from The Mandalorian.

To purchase one of these or have one made to your liking either go to my shop page or for a bespoke diorama contact richard@richardscreativeworkshop.co.uk.

The owner of the 3.75″ versions requested to have a couple of pipes added as well. I have painted up a three straws and have placed on the set.

I know I said I was finished with the 6″ build. Well I decided one of them need a awning and each door needed a panel. The fabric is a dried baby wipe painted Burnt Umber on both sides, which is help up with skewers painted grey.

Finished the 3.75″ pieces, just need to take final pictures and then these can be shipped to their new owner.

Final Pictures

3.75″ version

6″ version

Cobra Commander Throne Room

I’ve been commissioned to create a G.I.JOE Classifieds diorama for Cobra Commander with a throne.

Building the scene
- The Throne
- Throneroom
Painting the scene
Final Pictures

Building the Scene

The Throne

The diorama is to be 45 cm x 25 cm x 25 cm, I’m not sure whether to 80’s cartoon or to take inspiration from the game?

While I decide I’m going to start work on the throne. Using foam board I have created the basic structure and have finished for day by using PVA glue to fix two pieces together for the back of the throne.

Shaping the back of the throne to look like the head of a King Cobra. I’ve been using a dremmel to shape and sand the head. It’s turning out rather well!

I just need to shape the throne but I have made sure there is a gap between the chair and the back to slip the Commander’s cloak through to help him sit better.

Finished the build on this throne by carving scales into the back of the Cobra head. Shaping the seat so it doesn’t look like a couple of blocks and embedded a Cobra symbol under the seat.

With this done I can now start to build the diorama.

Throne room

The pieces of foam board cut, glued together and magnetic strip added. I have pencilled on all the brick work and the next step will be carving the stone work and adding a plinth for the throne to sit on.

The outline of the bricks have been scored, I’ve raised the throne from the floor using a piece of 6 mm board and scored stone work into it. I’ve also cut and scored two stone pillars to frame the throne in the centre of the room.

Next step is to add detail into the stone walls and floor.

After a busy few days of merriment, time to return to building. After reading and watching classic Joe cartoons and comics, I realised what was missing from this. A computer console for Cobra Commander to use and gloat as he calls the world leaders with his latest threat of world domination!

Finally finished the build by adding detail to the walls and console. Next step to undercoat it ready to be painted

Painting the Scene

I’ve undercoated the model using Chalkboard spray paint because it doesn’t eat the foam as ordinary acrylic spray paint does. The console I have been base coated with l airbrush gunmetal grey and the throne is airbrushed with green gold.

I have almost finished painting the throne and keyboard. Once the base coat dried, the inner hood scales were airbrushed with a light green, the centre with red and the outer and head airbrushed with a light green/gold. The chair frame was then airbrushed with the light green/gold and with red for the cushions. I highlighted and edged the throne with Games Workshops liberator gold and wild rider red, the Cobras eyes, symbol and fangs were painted, layered and edged.

The console I’ve added a a dark blue wash into the crevasses, between keys, painted soom of the buttons and dials and then painted the edges of the the console.

Completed the painting of the walls and floor today. Using a sponge to speckle different tones of grey paint over the walls and floor.

Mixing up a lighter grey to dry brush the model.

Before I add a few finishing touches I have done a few action action shots.

Finished the final touches by dry brushing a light grey over areas of the floor and walls. I’ve added a couple of banners for either side of the throne and a couple of decals for the monitors. Just need to add figures for my final pictures.

Before taking my final shots, I wanted to see what it would look like with figures and then using an app, turned a few into a comic stip

Final Pictures

Teletraan-1

Teletraan 1

While watching classic G1 Transformers cartoons, I found myself tinkering with some foam and before I realised it was taking shape into Teletraan 1.

Building the scene
Painting the scene
Final Pictures

Building the Scene

Using layers of 20 mm thick foam to create the console and monitor, I have sanded down the foam to achieve the angles that make up this computer. The basic shape is done but still a fair way to go!

While watching the classic cartoons, I realised Teletraan’s monitor angled up. So to achieve this, I cut diagonally across the back of the base and glued the two parts together.

I added a back piece for Teletraan so it can sit flush up against a wall and then built up creating the plummet to Teletraan with a lip. Using card to create the sides for Teletraan and the insides of the two front alcoves.

Thinking that I had finished the build until I got a couple of figures in front of Teletraan and realised it need another layer of foam. I cut a piece of 10 mm, stuck it to the under side of Teletraan and then sanded the middle until it blended the middle.

Now all that I need to do is start carving and adding the detail.

I’ve etched the detail onto Teletraan 1.

With the scoring done, I’ve chopped up an expired credit card and used it to create panels and buttons across the surface of Teletraan.

I then took small pieces of foam and sculpted them into three devices commonly seen on Teletraan. Then to finish off I have added the Autobot insignia and glued it to a central spot on the plummet of Teletraan.

Now the computer is done, I am going to create a diorama with couple of consoles for Teletraan to sit in before painting.

I’ve undercoated Teletraan 1 and while I’m waiting for the paint to dry, I thought I start with the rest of the piece. I’ve cut a piece of board 11″ x 10″ and penciled out the metal plating, I’ve also cut out the back and two side panel’s. These will have the panelling pencilled on and the smaller consoles made.

The panelling on the both the floor and back wall have been first drawn out and then engraved into the foam. I have cut the side wall and have glued them onto a second piece of foam each. Once they have dried I will etch panelling into the them. Once the walls are done I can then build the smaller consoles.

The walls have been etched and applied magnetic tape to walls, I’ve done this incase I want to extend diorama by adding another floor piece and back wall.

The next phase is to make the consoles to sit either side of Teletraan.

I’ve made the first of two consoles that will sit either side of Teletraan. Just need build another and to engrave them similar to Teletraan and how it looked in the 80’s cartoon.

I’ve made a second smaller but higher console to be placed the other side to Teletraan. The hot glue melted some of the foam which I have filled using liquid Green Stuff, when it’s dry I’ll sand it down and start adding detail to them both.

I’ve completed the engraving on the foam consoles, made a couple of wall mounted monitors and a small Soundwave who can sit on top of the consoles and Teletraan. The next step is to add some plastic card buttons before I give this all a black undercoat.

Painting the Scene

Painting is underway in the Ark, I’ve mixed up a bright orange with I am applying two coats because the first coat is too dark. Teletraan and the consoles are also having their second coat added, the first coat I used a new air brush paint which would be fine to use as a second coat but not a first. The paint was too thin for the foam.

When this dries, a second coat will be applied to the back wall and floor and then again to the consoles and Teletraan.

It’s taken a couple of days to finally get this looking as I wanted it. Word to the wise never undercoat with black when you want to base coat with orange! The orange paint was soaking into the black undercoat where it looked like a black console with an orange shade.

How it looked at the end of yesterday, Teletraan looking like it’s on fire!

A few more coats later it is looking more like it did in the cartoon.

I can now get on with shading and painting in the detail!

The little Soundwave looks great on this!

I’ve doing a little detail work, applying shading, painting the monitors, buttons, lights and the insignia. Starting to look more like it did in the cartoon.

I have completed the painting of Teletraan and the two consoles, applied a few decals on the monitors and I’m currently looking for the perfect image to place on Teletraan centre screen. Do I go G1 cartoon, from a comic, add a grid or a huge Autobot insignia?

To finish I have painted the back black using black poster paints.

Final Pictures

G.I.Joe Modular Stands

While the glue drys on the commission build, I thought I’d whip up another diorama modular display piece. This is thing inspiration from the new G.I.Joe: Operation Blackout game. I am building a single wall and floor from Cobra HQ.

Building the scene
Painting the scene
Final Pictures

Building the Scene

The measurements are 12″ x 6″ x 10″, and like the Star Wars Modular stands that I made earlier this year, I have used different thicknesses of foam board and cut them into different shapes build up the texture of the wall. All pieces have been glued together using PVA glue.

With all the pieces glued into place, it’s time to give it a little detail. Using a pencil to make the marks and pottery tools to give them depth. Before going any further with the sides, I need to sand the down and add detail.

Once this painted it will also work with Transformers.

Painting the Scene

Undercoat is done, time to base coat with a metallic grey.

I decided to paint this using metallic airbrush paints. I used gunmetal grey to base coat the wall and artic blue for the floor. The wall I’ve used a combination of artic blue for the pelmet and the central vent. Steel for the “frame” of the wall and then using a dark blue wash with in the crevasses of the wall to pick out the highlights. The edges of the floor I’ve painted using an acrylic metallic blue paint. When this is dry I will use a silver paint to pick out the edges of the wall.

Edging completed, this piece is now complete.