Creating My First Miniature Tree For A Diorama
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ก.ย. 2024
- My friends, tonight is yet another "first" for me. Because not once in my modeling life have I attempted to make a tree from scratch. Even as a smol lad trying to do all sorts of things I'd rather buy one of those pre-fabricated trees made for railroad dioramas. And I kept successfully avoiding this task for years until I made an "empty" corner in my upcoming diorama which had to be "filled" with something... something like a tree!
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Music: Quincas Moreira - Scratch the Itch - TH-cam Audio Library - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
Dear Martin - a biologist here: Since this wont be your last tree forever i would like you to give a few hints to make these look more natural - with the same! amount of effort: All trees (and most old buildings too) have. „weather side“. Only on this side can be found moss and stains. So next time: just moss on one side. Second tip: You had lighter green leaves and mde some darker green. Fresh leaves are always on the outside of the tree. So have next time darker leaves and paint the outer ones lighter. Tipp 3: Same goes for height. Higher leaves are fresher and therefore lighter green and bottom leaves. Thank you for your great modelling series!
What an lovely comments :)
👍👍
Glad I wasn't the only one thinking this when watching... 😅
This is exactly the comment I was looking for - not specifically for this video, but trees in general in a diorama setting. I am pretty skillful at making things that mimic trees very well, but they never looked "real". Your comment told me why. Thank you.
Thank you guys 😀 Im just an observer of nature - aka biologist. And thats what our uncle is usually doing amazingly well: Worn tank paint only on the top, because only there are people walking on it. Mud and all the nasty stuff Martin is so famous for only on the tracks and mudguards. Same goes for trees and even the old brickwall hes building. These things have a side, a top and a bottom. They are facing „north“ for a decade. Im sure he and any other modeller can now „weather“ the heck out of it - but you know what? „weather“ comes from a side…😉 Oh, and btw, if you follow and Bob Ross video (the joy of paining) youll see the same. Bright and more saturated colors on the top and outside of any tree - only on canvas not on tiny plastic tanks.
Recreating nature always makes you appreciate how difficult it is to make something look random.
It's one of the most frustrating (and rewarding) disciplines in scale modeling :D
Nature isn't actually "random", but grows following patterns and influences depending on the type of tree, location, and how the elements of wind, snow, rain, etc. all take their toll on the tree. Branches are either opposite or alternate, and this pattern holds true for the entire plant, usually, all the way down to the leaf veins (but who is going to model that?). Anyway, look for the patterns and once you see them they become hard to un-see! Happy modeling.
INDEED!
On this episode: Uncle Nightshift becomes a Bonsai enthusiast!
Fun fact: I was as a kid, but gave up after all my store-bought bonsais dried :D
@@NightShiftScaleModels haha same here! I pestered my parents to buy me a bonsai after I saw karate kid.
@@NightShiftScaleModels you should have kept them, nice stuff for model trees.
"I've never made a tree before" and proceeds to rival anything I've done on his first try.
So basically if you say "I've never played poker before, I will not play against you" 😁
I always take the opposite route lol. Doing something for the first time? I'll give it my best. Been doing something for years (mountain biking)? Nah, I'll just shatter my leg on a perfectly mellow trail.
@@NightShiftScaleModels Things can be worse, be glad you don't live in an area with cactus and poison ivy. I've seen a few people tumble into both at the same time. Usually both grow next to each other in steep slopes; Nature is metal.
I didn't realise how much work goes into scenery for a diorama. Thank you for the video and I hope you're healing well.
Sometimes I think it's more difficult then building the kits.....
Individual elements of a diorama are small models on their own. I was never able to appreciate how much time and work goes into some of those wonderful dioramas we see in magazines or on model shows until I gave them a try.
@@NightShiftScaleModels The vegetation is the hard part. Plenty of products for terrain and ground. Your plants can make or break the scene. Mr.Shift's tree looks outstanding.!
I still remember decades ago when I saw a diorama foliage made of real twigs, the modeller mentioned he sterilized the twig first in ethanol so that mushrooms won't grow out from it later XD.
Baking in an oven does the same thing and as a small bonus all moisture evaporates from them, so they're perfectly dry and ready to use almost immediately :)
I use a microwave i got for free cause someone threw it away for some reason. Works fine and its my dedicated hobby microwave. haha
This tree is legend... wait for it ... dary. Another outstanding work !!!! As we say in France : Bravo !!!!
Nice result. I'm always on the lookout for twigs or whatever. Spices grown in a pot work well.
I'm gonna collect roots from every plant in my garden when autumn hits :D
This has to be one of the best scratch build video's that I've seen for tree's
"Yeah this branch doesn't look enough like a branch for me, better retexture and paint it" This guy's dedication is insane.
I used to go to a model railway show and had a go making model trees there. We had a very different method which was something like this:
- Start with a large bundle of copper wires and twist them together as you go down until they join into one large bunch (the trunk)
- Bend the wires as you see fit to create the actual shape of the tree
- Use textured paint all over to create a bark-like surface
- Paint the surface
- Apply foliage as you have done in your video
The copper wires were quite a nice material because they let you shape & position the tree as you pleased
Don't forget to add steel wool to add volume as smaller branches...
@@rrl4245 Ah yes definitely! I don't actually remember doing that at the demo but it was a long time back
The twisted wire bundle method is sometimes used in 1/35 dioramas as well. Especially when you need a very specific shape for your tree, let's say you need to fit it into a very tight diorama. It seems rather time consuming but I want to try it some day!
An awesome tree, really well done!
Thanks! Artificial bonsai next? :)))
Patience is the key to make this beautiful tree.... thanks for sharing this procedures..🥰
That's pretty damn good for a FIRST attempt! Just think of how good your second OR THIRD try will come out!!
Baking soda can be used to accelerate superglue. Basically you can bridge two pieces with baking soda and drop super glue on it, it will cure itself for seconds, creating a very tough bond (actually stronger than the glue alone).
do you sprinkle the soda or us a brush?😅
I respect you for the work done and thank you very much for another option on how to make trees. Greetings from Russia)
It’s clearly fake, he just shrunk down a real life tree so he could add it to his diorama.
Hi
@@hanssmidt12 hey man
True
@@Modkits131 hello im a fan, and thx for coming to my Channel
It's not just the tree - he's shrinking actual tanks and other military equipment, slowly filling his living space with them and then one day - BOOM! It all gets restored to it's original size, and the world is conquered in a matter of days by a vast horde of tanks, artillery and troops seemingly appearing out of nowhere.
Excellently done. Very clever adaptation of materials.. thanks for sharing.
I am the Lorax, I speak for the trees.
A ship/submarine model with sea/coast vignette will combine both things some of us want to see from You!
Absolutely unreaaaaaaaal!
wow, the putty really gave a great bark texture- looks amazing!
Hey it looks good. I use woodland scenic leaves of different shades and spray diluted white glue then sprinkle them on.
One of the prettiest trees I've ever seen!
It's Friday!
Yeah again
Best tree tutorial!
This is incredible! So realistic!
No oil streaks and rust effects?
Instead there's moss and bark texture :D
Looks great! One thing from the railroader's tool box that may have made your life easier is hob-e-tac glue from woodland scenics. It is a thick glue that you apply to the seafoam or foliage, let it dry for a few minutes until it becomes mostly clear, at which time it is VERY tacky, then apply the foliage and it will stick pretty much immediately. But it looks great, and your next one will be much faster, even if done the same way.
Always liked your videos /builds. This one was great from start to finish. Hope you do more like this!
For a first try, I have to say you really knocked it out of the park! Great Job!!!
PS: For gluing wood pieces together, I'd suggest Weld Bond. It's a very strong white glue quite similar to wood glue. Once dried, the glued parts are almost impossible to break apart.
This is brilliant modelling my friend. Trees are easy to model; good trees are notoriously difficult. Well done.
The trunk is easily the best I’ve ever seen!!
Ship modellers know water really well. Something that works is tinfoil that is crinkled then painted. The waves can be dry brushed with light sea colours.
it looks AMAZING!! so much detail and realistic.
Well made, realy awesomee its like you litarly turn waste into something. Realy awesomme
Ma Friend! Putty over the branch is an awesome idea! If you are struggling to glue the smaller branches, you can pin them by drilling a small hole and either using a paper clip or florist wire then use your putty trick to keep it together. It's a common method used for miniature models particularly resin models. Awesome job as usual!
because of stumbling across one of your old videos , i am now in trouble with the wife. it’s expensive getting started in this wonderful world. please keep them coming.
i like ur vids i have made 1 panzer IV model and i love the hobby, you got me into it :)
You have a green thumb as well! Super looking tree Martin!
The shadow work is trully what grants you the mastery of all this... if you showed me the "tree" alone i wouldnt know that is a scale that was crafted. Amazing job mister.
This so awesome😮😮😮😮
Nice job, but if you want to add stump texture in tight spots, you can use Tamiya or Hauler photo-etch saw blades
Вы большой мастер!!!! Спасибо за бесценный опыт!!
REALLY COOL AND REALITIC! 😜
had to share this with my mom. You did some great shots with the parts that look different after they dry; the effect was clear
Hllo Martin.
I just have to make a comment ...
a very good job, very simple and well explained,... EXCELLENT
BRILLIANT!
For moss/slime effects take a look at Citadel's "Nurgle's Rot" technical paint. It is a pale green that dries goopy and glossy [like pva glue]. It was designed to mimic fungal growths and puss filled sores [common to the Nurgle Faction in Warhammer] but works for any green slick surface [toxic waste, stagnant pond water, rotting wood].
Beautiful!!!
This is a great looking tree and as always learned something new to try on the next build, thank you!
Very well done!
It became a fantastic result. You notice the white glue where you had to paint it afterwords. You can avoid that by using diluted matt medium as an adhesive for the leaves instead of white glue. Regards from the Netherlands Modellbahn Rosenbahn
Awesome stuff as always. In fairness never dreamed of using Ammo 'mess' type foliage interest technique indeed. Also after deciding to do my very first ever modelling vid, I normally only do tank game and history vids, I have a new found respect for the quality of your camera work!
"Vallejo darkens when it dries"
I hear this myth getting around a lot, and the simple fact is that ALL paints darken when they dry. Literally all of them, the physics of light dispersion in a pigment filled medium vs a grained surface are inescapable. You just notice it because its not your common tool so you are looking for "differences" and are instead being hyper observant when normally you wouldn't.
All acrylic paints darken when drying.
The acrylic medium itself is milky white when wet and totally transparent when dry.
Thus the acrylic paint becomes darker when drying.
This is not the case for eg. oil paints.
@@lukmigindnuforhelved and emulsion lightens 👍🏼
Okay, here's an old house painter's trick that works with enamels, oil, watercolors, and acrylics. Buy a bunch of microscope slides, and when you need to see what color any paint will be when dry, paint a patch on the slide, then flip it over - what you see will be the color when it is dried.
First time wow so awesome. I think it's one of the best tree I have seen great job
Looks amazing, Martin! Well done
Wow, that is a great tree! Thanks for sharing.
Amazing, beautiful, thank you for sharing this!
The man has more talent in his pinky than I have in my entire body, jeeze. This was amazing.
Good tutorial. I learned a lot. Thank you!
Wow! So interesting!!
I have been wondering about how to make trees for some time now, especially today. I would like to make some in 1/12 scale, and this video certainly helps. Thanks for another great video!
I forgot to mention in my previous comment that having tried several ways to apply sea foam and the like I came across Hob-e-tac, I'd avoided it as it's expensive but having used it I swear by it. Dab it on, leave it half and hour till it goes almost clear and boy, do thing stick to it. . . . don't get it on your tweezers though !!! If you do then clean them or you'll be loosing your patience. Once again, Awesome tree.
Great work! 👍
You dont need activator for CA glue neccessarily, water will instantly cure the glue too, so spraying or dabbing water on a glue surface will instantly harden it too. Depending on the weather, even lightly blowing on it will be enough to get the glue to grip.
Dude, you're dioramas are getting as sick as your armour builds 😁👌
"Complicated solution" = worthwhile work 😉👌
Very impressive. Yes this could be done for model railroading. The trees that are up close to the front of the layout edge and along the edges of large stands of trees would be a good place for a tree like this. I think that if you're doing model railroading then everything should be considered a model. That means the trains, buildings, utility poles, the track and ballast, the ground, and the trees. If you really want a nice model railroad layout then you have to get details to make it as realistic as possible. I've got a playlist on my channel with over 100 videos of different modelers tree making techniques. If you want to do some research about making trees. Its title is Ways To Make Trees. You made an awesome tree. Good video. 👍
Your inventions is amazing 😲, nice episode 👌
This is just the best part of my week
Well done from Oklahoma!
Must be Friday!
Love it!!! 👍🏻
Nice! I enjoy your vids.
You sir are an insane genius. I could only hope to live long enough to be 10 percent as good as you. If you have not already done so I would love to see a video about what brushes you use, where to get them and how to clean them after all the different things you do with them. Many thanks!
It's Adventure Time!
hey nightshift i finally got my first model kit yesterday from revell as i couldn't find any tamiya at my local stores and so i started with a $13 A-10 warthog and covered it in silver shiny paint and glued together the parts I'm currently doing the M48A2 Patton Tank from Revell thanks for the tips!
Next model should defo. be an amphibious tank going for a swim. Then you'll have to practice modelling water.
yeah~ It's midnight right now here in China.
And I am learning how to make trees……Something must be wrong with me🤣
Thats awesome!! You ❤👍
This is something different I like it. Do you have any plans on maybe building another t34/85 with rubber armor like the one you showed in your showcase video. Keep up the amazing work.
T-34/85 has been on my to-do list since I started making videos, but I wanted to make the more "mainstream" version from Berlin with bedspring armor. The Serbian one has been suggested several times, so I guess I'll have to do that one instead :)
@@NightShiftScaleModels do what you want to be fair no matter what t34 derogative you choose to do it will no doubt help me with my Serbian one
At 07:37 you touch the wash onto the bark and it instantly flashes into the grooves. Thats exactly how its supposed to work. I need to know if you pre-wet the bark with water first? Thats the only way I could get it to do that. Great channel, keep it up!
Acrylic wash would need some help with pre-wetting the surface, but that's an oil paint wash which flows into everything very quickly :)
@@NightShiftScaleModels Ah, I see. I'm just now Learning about oils for weathering. Thanx!
Great job again bud. Looking forward to see which fiqures you use and how you place them.
Thank you , Uncle Martin .
DANG man that's an awesome looking tree. You done an excellent job as always. Hope that leg is getting better. Stay safe cheers
woohoo yes.Sir Night Shift. I can even see A woodpecker hole
This tree is gonna "leaf" me breathless hyuck hyuck
I'm hyped
How did I miss this? Taken me 5 days to spot this vid :(
why i can learn and understand english on your videos better, then on other english speaking channels and ever specific "english learning" channels? Anyway, thank you and Grosser Dank for your content!
bonjurno night shift you are the best modeler
Love that this is for your ugly duck French tank. Provides a good place for it to lay its eggs.
Love ya work.
Dammit uncle Night Shift, you've made me want to branch out and try to make some trees now....bugger! 😉😆😂
Most excellent video, as always! 👍🏻👌🏻👏🏻
Amazing as usual. I've been growing sea foam for this purpose but was going to just dip in flock. This is way better.
I tried sea foam with fine scatter, it works pretty nice for small shrubbery in 1/35 scale :)
Perfect job Martin, I’m a fan ❤
Where to find these tiny hydrangea branches?
Thank you
I don't know if it was intentional but your paint job reminded me of citrus trees in Arizona that have the trunks painted white to protect them from the sunlight. If they go too long between repaining they look a lot like your tree.
Great video, and very effective method for making small-scale realistic trees. BTW I'd give your Seafoam a coat of latex. Even if bits snap off, they will be held in place by the latex.
On that point, concerning the fragility of some model trees, of natural materials rotting/drying out/crumbling AND the problems caused by DUST, I've solved those problems.
I have invented a method for making 'indestructible trees' which can be jet-washed with water AND vacuum-cleaned without causing any damage at all. The secret is to glue the foliage to the 'twigs' by dunking the 'clumps' of twigs in Cyano-arcylate glue, then dunking them in the scatter. This creates strong and ever-lasting foliage. The twigs meanwhile, are made from nylon-monofilament fishing line, which is flexible and 'ever-lasting' and the branches to which they are fixed are made from 'wire-cored garden twine' which is also flexible and 'ever-lasting'.
The upshot of all of this is that the leaves, twigs and branches are ALL flexible and highly resistant to damage from knocking, bashing, crushing, bending, being blasted with jet water, and vacuum-cleaned. I don't know if that'sof any help for you, but maybe it is to other viewers. I do have vids, and show the method for the construction of a 13 inch high 'Yew tree' and then I throw it across my table and bash it repeatedly on the bench to show just how indestructible it is! LOL.
The bark looks great.
It's too bad the larger leaf mix gave you trouble... the leaves looked really good.