Randam's random pics

Valiarde wrote:I never played the game but watched the series at least. But even if not, I like the whole witcher world as I do like fantasy settings and outfits.

The mood you created is perfect for Yen and Geralt. But I'm also very interested in your diorama production - big fan of these "gothic windows"  

I cannot really take credit for the windows. They are from a dutch Artist on Etsy:
https://www.etsy.com/de/listing/1069052442/miniatur-puppenhaus-diy-fensterset-14-16?click_key=9079a6b9147bc2a401e156de0fe6d24409d189a0%3A1069052442&click_sum=fb7edd7a&ref=shop_home_recs_15

I bought the 1:4 version, because the smaller sizes seemed undersized for Yen's study.

Randam Hajile wrote:

Illusion wrote:Not frequently enough around to see every contribution - let alone do each thread justice by leaving a comment  

I would LOVE to have a diorama like the wall with the windows... !!!!!
I have been dreaming of the GoT throne room for years - but do not dare to give it a try... I just smell epic failure and am afraid of a lot of time wasted that I could havd spent on other stuff...

The wall looks supercool and I am a fan of the witcher concept and design.
Any WIP pics anywhere? Any ideas to ste***... hm be inspired by?

That's OK, time is a precious thing...
I think with your crafting skill you _should_ definitively try to build some diorama yourself. I would just advise to start with a smaller-sized room, because the time effort to generate simple things like bricks is often underestimated. I formed all the stones out of Fimo Air, painted, and dry-brushed them, which took me several weekends. As I'm in the process of making more walls, I can post some WIP photos. As I'm new to diorama building, there might be much easier ways to accomplish what I did (Styrodur?).

Styrodur is the easiest way imo but I also started with Fimo (nonair) or even cheaper noname brands in the beginning. I also tried carving it into styrodur, which seems to be the most common method - but stone for stone is more fun imo (at least for me). 
 You can find some tutorials here on this page including one of mine: https://onesixthfigures.forumotion.com/t3988-creating-stones-and-walls-with-styrodur

But I'm very interested in Fimo WIP pics! I only made a small stairs with that stuff so far.

Randam Hajile wrote:

Valiarde wrote:I never played the game but watched the series at least. But even if not, I like the whole witcher world as I do like fantasy settings and outfits.

The mood you created is perfect for Yen and Geralt. But I'm also very interested in your diorama production - big fan of these "gothic windows"  

I cannot really take credit for the windows. They are from a dutch Artist on Etsy:
https://www.etsy.com/de/listing/1069052442/miniatur-puppenhaus-diy-fensterset-14-16?click_key=9079a6b9147bc2a401e156de0fe6d24409d189a0%3A1069052442&click_sum=fb7edd7a&ref=shop_home_recs_15

I bought the 1:4 version, because the smaller sizes seemed undersized for Yen's study.

Yeah thought so (either 3D printed or etsy) but I thought maybe you added a glass/plastic layer on top of it and how you implemented the windows into the stone walls is interesting! Thanks for the link

Randam Hajile wrote:

…I formed all the stones out of Fimo Air, painted, and dry-brushed them, which took me several weekends….

thanks for your trust in my capabilities… but THIS would most definitely NOT work for me…

give me beads and I will happily fiddle along… but don‘t expect anything based on FIMO from me, let alone hundreds of similar pieces (I am already on the fence to do a pair of ear rings or shoes ). It will be Styrodur for me.

(and I actually have just finished my first dio - at an appropriate beginner‘s level without self-made stones or stone optics. Just need to find some time now to take reasonable pics.)

Funny, received the same black haired head last week and had to think of Yennefer with that cold hearted stare. Even wrote to our fellow witcher friend (Peewee) about it.
But I think it looks a bit too big on that body? Maybe it's just the volume of the hair.

I thought the background was some projection/flatscreen image, but you made that all, I am so proud of you! The fur is a great detail.

I think the game looks so much better because they just use architecture and colorful costumes and equipment that is based in historical medieval functionality with a modern fashion touch, rather than the more generic bleak greyscale fantasy look of the show. For example the fabrics of the show look too synthetic and cheap. The game just looks more grounded and believable, with more love and character. It's much closer how I imagined it from the books. (I am still somewhere in the beginning of Witcher 3 although hours have passed already, haha. Played 2 last year)

Anyway looking forward for more shots of that Dio.

I think, that your contributions in this forum are an ideal for excellent posing and photo shooting. So don't be frustrated when sometimes the comments are spare. It is the sheer amount of daily contributions in this forum.

Your Witcher and Yennefer diorama looks great, though at the first glance I thought that it is a screen backdrop as usual. Maybe you should show more photos in some different angles.  The video game (series) is the best I ever played, and I played a lot of games. I am looking forward to the recently announced Witcher 4.

See? Your dio was so incredible that people mistook it for a printed backdrop (myself included, I must admit). Well done! :'D

Like Sky, my next thought was that it was a really nice printed backdrop, but the extra information makes it all the more impressive and appreciated. To be fair, you've only got yourself to blame for "burying the lead" when it came to that image and what physical 3D awesomeness went into it. I appreciate the link to the windows, picked up a couple in the same size and style (although they had several interesting options, you picked the best). And of course this got me into a lot more trouble on Etsy.

@all
Thank you all for the nice comments. I really appreciate it.

Ovy wrote:Funny, received the same black haired head last week and had to think of Yennefer with that cold hearted stare. Even wrote to our fellow witcher friend (Peewee) about it.
But I think it looks a bit too big on that body? Maybe it's just the volume of the hair.

I thought the background was some projection/flatscreen image, but you made that all, I am so proud of you! The fur is a great detail.

....

Well, it's the "Spartan Goddess of War" head. I swapped the hair with a "Soldier Strange"-hair piece, because the original hair was uncontrollable. It's not really resembling Yennefer closely, but it is an improvement over the original head that came with the set (SW Our World "The Sorceress"). You are right that the head is slightly too big, but the outfit was designed for an even smaller body. It's on a Flirty girl body right now, but I might move to a TBleague sometime in the future.

GubernatorFan wrote:Like Sky, my next thought was that it was a really nice printed backdrop, but the extra information makes it all the more impressive and appreciated. To be fair, you've only got yourself to blame for "burying the lead" when it came to that image and what physical 3D awesomeness went into it. I appreciate the link to the windows, picked up a couple in the same size and style (although they had several interesting options, you picked the best). And of course this got me into a lot more trouble on Etsy.

With the background being slightly out of focus, it is indeed hard to really see that the stones and window are real. It was just impossible to work with a closed aperture for more focus depth at these low light levels. I should really show photos of the backwall with neutral light.
It's great that you like the windows. The seller is really nice and shipping was fast.

Randam Hajile wrote:With the background being slightly out of focus, it is indeed hard to really see that the stones and window are real. It was just impossible to work with a closed aperture for more focus depth at these low light levels. I should really show photos of the backwall with neutral light.  
It's great that you like the windows. The seller is really nice and shipping was fast.

In most cases, where used well, printed backgrounds should not betray the fact they are printed -- especially if they stay in the background and are slightly out of focus. But having a physical 3D wall/background is so much cooler than that, and will afford you additional possibilities if and when you need other angles, light, etc.

Thanks again for the recommendation. Looking forward to them.

Brilliant work as always RH! You are a very talented kit basher and figure artist, keep up the amazing work

GubernatorFan wrote:

Randam Hajile wrote:With the background being slightly out of focus, it is indeed hard to really see that the stones and window are real. It was just impossible to work with a closed aperture for more focus depth at these low light levels. I should really show photos of the backwall with neutral light.  
It's great that you like the windows. The seller is really nice and shipping was fast.

In most cases, where used well, printed backgrounds should not betray the fact they are printed -- especially if they stay in the background and are slightly out of focus. But having a physical 3D wall/background is so much cooler than that, and will afford you additional possibilities if and when you need other angles, light, etc.

Thanks again for the recommendation. Looking forward to them.

As promised, here is a closer look at the diorama piece at better light. It is of course not finished and currently consists only of the back wall and floor plate.

Overview...
CJ3A4942 by Randam Hajile, auf Flickr

Useful perspective...
CJ3A4943 by Randam Hajile, auf Flickr

With a figure ... Sir Newbury (without adjusted lighting)
CJ3A4944 by Randam Hajile, auf Flickr

Making bricks:
I "sculpt" the stones out of FIMO air, paint them with acrylic paint and glue them on a cardboard plate. When completely assembled I dry-brush the stones again to work in some details.

CJ3A4946 by Randam Hajile, auf Flickr    

BAMComix wrote:Brilliant work as always RH! You are a very talented kit basher and figure artist, keep up the amazing work

Thanks, Dal! I'm happy that you like my figures. I wished I had the creativity to make whole photo stories like you do.

Really very nice and neat... cool job with these stones
Thought it would be wider somehow

just LOVE the changing backdrop through the windows

can be put to versatile use

Absolutely gorgeous! You've done things I dream of doing but haven't gotten to do myself. Ultimately, taking the initiative is key. And yes, I'm Captain Obvious. Interesting, I have the same table and armchair somewhere, now I'll have the same windows... but I got to make some stones -- or at least print a good backdrop LOL.

That is super impressive. Love the detail image of the diorama backdrop. Awesome stuff.

Awesome diorama building!

GubernatorFan wrote:... but I got to make some stones -- or at least print a good backdrop....

So you're saying you've gotta have the stones to tackle a project like this?

Try your local Dollar Tree store: https://www.dollartree.com/tool-bench-hardware-river-rock-self-adhesive-wall-tile-125x1275-in/326274

Great Work. Much to do, but the scene with the tired wizard was worth it ! He need a place like this to meditate.

The Witcher photos are excellent! Beautiful lighting, and the backdrop is fantastic. Feels like a moment right out of the game.

davidd wrote:

GubernatorFan wrote:... but I got to make some stones -- or at least print a good backdrop....

So you're saying you've gotta have the stones to tackle a project like this?

Try your local Dollar Tree store:  https://www.dollartree.com/tool-bench-hardware-river-rock-self-adhesive-wall-tile-125x1275-in/326274

I said make the stones... but I thank you for the link.

Thanks, folks!

I hope that I'll have the next wall piece done in a couple of days. Too much RL work right now.  
I plan to make the components somewhat modular, so that I can extend the diorama, if need arises. The base is just DinA2 for now.  

Such wall tile from the Dollar store would also be an option for some places, where the repetiveness of the pattern would not be a problem. Thanks for the link, Davidd!

Modular diorama pieces are always an excellent idea, if practical. They also tend to be easier to store.

Ooooooh!! Love the angel pics! Great bash, beautiful backdrop and clouds!

LOVE the witcher pics. That backdrop is gorgeous. I want it. Or something like it So I'm checking out that store. I have Fimo at the ready.

Btw, that head works really well for Yen! They both look great of course.

Little update on diorama building:
I finished a second wall but ran into the problem that a full wall of FIMO stones becomes really heavy and the cardboard support considerably warped under the influence of glue and paint. It seems I have to transfer the stones to a thin wooden plate to get a straight wall.

Anyway, here is another shot of Yen and Geralt...

CJ3A5030 by Randam Hajile, auf Flickr

Having recently received the SD "Jill Valentine"-head I also played a little with a Resident Evil setting...

Resident Evil by Randam Hajile, auf Flickr

Resident Evil by Randam Hajile, auf Flickr

Resident Evil by Randam Hajile, auf Flickr

Resident Evil by Randam Hajile, auf Flickr

Thanks for looking at my pics!


P.S. When Jill and Chris are done at the Mansion, they will surely join the Laura Rescue Challenge.  

Played that first Resident Evil game as a teen, it was okay, but I wish I had more ammo xD 

Your pics bring back a good flair of that game with that old mansion style. Well done

Great pics! And what a cool zombie!

Sorry about the cardboard warping, but that's good to keep in mind. Hope the wooden wall works out better. : )

Yen and Geralt look great. That’s too bad about the wall issue, but should be an easy fix.

The RE shots are really cool. Love it.

Gorgeous new photos, Ralf, thanks for sharing. The Resident Evil shots are just like straight from the movie (or game) screen -- or better! I know even less about the Witcher source, but absolutely love your diorama and figures. The "real" FIMO stone wall and these windows continue to impress every time. I ordered the same windows, and they arrived a few days ago. Haven't done anything with them. Sorry to hear about the cardboard backing warping under the weight of so many sculpted stones. I once built a real brick wall with real tiny bricks... but used a sort of insulation double tape for mortar, and did not secure them to any specific backing. It would have run into the same problems as your FIMO stones. But I abandoned the project when I ran out of bricks (and there were no more to be had), before I could extend the wall high enough to be useful; eventually I did not take it with me when I made my move across the country. The beauty of your wall makes me wish I had kept it around anyway. Here's the only photo I can find:

@all
Thank you very much for the kind comments. I'm somewhat of a Resident Evil fan, though the very first game did not resonate well with me. I really started playing the series with RE5...

GubernatorFan wrote:Gorgeous new photos, Ralf, thanks for sharing. The Resident Evil shots are just like straight from the movie (or game) screen -- or better! I know even less about the Witcher source, but absolutely love your diorama and figures. The "real" FIMO stone wall and these windows continue to impress every time. I ordered the same windows, and they arrived a few days ago. Haven't done anything with them. Sorry to hear about the cardboard backing warping under the weight of so many sculpted stones. I once built a real brick wall with real tiny bricks... but used a sort of insulation double tape for mortar, and did not secure them to any specific backing. It would have run into the same problems as your FIMO stones. But I abandoned the project when I ran out of bricks (and there were no more to be had), before I could extend the wall high enough to be useful; eventually I did not take it with me when I made my move across the country. The beauty of your wall makes me wish I had kept it around anyway. Here's the only photo I can find:

I learned now that diorama building requires a lot more planning. I used styroform-supported cardboard for the relative ease with which one can cut out shapes (because of the windows), but I did not expect how easy it could warp. I have to take this into account and need to go for different materials where possible.

You should definitively look into building diorama pieces again, Ian! Even if you are not going for a full-sized wall, wall parts, rock structures etc. may still be extremely useful to mask the transition to the backdrops. Well, I'm stating the obvious...

I also did some dremel work on the weekend and got rid of Captain Marvel's sculpted hair. The head can now take normal hair pieces, but they must be relatively big (as the head is big) ...

Brie with real hair. by Randam Hajile, auf Flickr

Thanks for looking!  

Nice diorama including the screen behind the windows. The other pics are nice, too. A little flaw using the screen backdrops is the effect of the truncated feet.