Dragons Don't Share - Diorama

[MagiusDel]

Greetings, all.  It's been a while, I know - but I have embarked on my largest project to date, a combination terrain piece and diorama, which is sure to delight and amaze - all based around the Dragons Don't Share pack from Reaper Bones II:

 

 

Assembled from:

1 sheet 1" thick Insulation Foam (started 20"x20")

1 23" diameter 3/4" thick plywood disk (nice and solid and should make it a lot more durable)

1 Dragons Don't Share set from Reaper

1/2 small tub of pre-mixed Plaster (may use some more to add some rocky patches and small cliff faces to the build)

 

My plan for the rest of this project are as follows:

 

Maybe use some model Railroad molds to add some rocky features to the diorama

Seal the Plaster and Wood with a generous helping of brown craft paint (its only purpose is to separate the various materials from the spray primer I use, so that it doesn't stink up the place for months)

Apply a layer of glue and sand to blend the contours together

Spray prime Black (maybe?  I haven't decided between Black, White, or Zenithal painting for the initial primer layer)

Paint as normal, probably finishing in a few months' time.

 

I'll keep you all posted as this project moves along!

[tiniest rhombus]

Oh boy, this is going to be fun to watch!

[kittykat23uk]

This is going to be good. Will you be adding a hoard? :)

[malefactus]

I'll keep you all posted as this project moves along!

 

Please do; re, this looks like a SPLENDID inspirational threat to follow. You're off to a WONDERFUL start; keep up the FINE WORK!

[MagiusDel]

I hadn't thought about adding a hoard to the diorama.  I was thinking about this being a situation where the dragon landed to ambush a group of adventurers who were securing the perimeter to prepare camp for the evening (probably in the tower), so adding a hoard wouldn't be a great idea.  However, I could see adding a fire pit to the tower...  You know, I think I may try to do that.

[Edsterdoom]

This looks great, I can't wait for mine to arrive.

[stormbreach]

What kind of spray primer will you use? I haven't found one yet that works on Bones, they all stay tacky. I started priming mine with gesso. Also, I thought there was a little hoard in front of the dragon, isn't there? Can't wait for mine to get here, even though I will only be looking at it, don't have the confidence yet.

[ub3r_n3rd]

What kind of spray primer will you use? I haven't found one yet that works on Bones, they all stay tacky. I started priming mine with gesso. Also, I thought there was a little hoard in front of the dragon, isn't there? Can't wait for mine to get here, even though I will only be looking at it, don't have the confidence yet.

Bones can be "primed" with any of the reaper liners or brush on primer (others use krylon or army painter spray primers). Gesso will obscure details as it is thicker and can hurt your brushes as it's much more gritty like sandpaper.

Edited February 22, 2015 by ub3r_n3rd

[Kangaroorex]

As long as the bones are well washed I have yet to see the need for priming.

 

And I am looking forward to this! This project sits well ask on my to do list so I can't wait to see some one take this on.

 

I do love this dragons expression; you can just see that he has just woken up, come upstairs to discover his lair has adventurers. He Shouldn't have to deal with this kind of aggravation!

 

I'll enjoy watching this!

[stormbreach]

I have tried Krylon spray primer and it stayed tacky for me. I haven't had any problems with gesso obscuring detail, it seems to tighten up well. As for brushes, I feel any brush on primer is rough on brushes, I have a dedicated primer brush.

[Lt. Coldfire]

Maybe this could be an island?  Or a small castle with a moat? 

[Bathory]

This will be great to watch, I have no idea what to do with my DDS other than have it match our Dwarven Forge dungeon. 

[MagiusDel]

Hey, everyone.  I'm definitely glad to see the response this thing has been getting!  I've gotten the plaster sealed and the sand on the base.  I've cast and added some plaster rocks to add some variety to the more open areas of the base, splashed on the paint to provide a bit of a protective layer, and glued the sand to the base - which means that it's time to get the thing primed next time it's warm enough.  Then the real work begins, and the paint goes on!

 

[MagiusDel]

A couple of steps finished today, with app. 1.5 hours of work - I have the figure primed, and the dragon mostly painted.  I haven't been able to get my hands on a good campfire model yet, but that can wait until toward the end (and I may just set up a base so I can swap between that and one of those tea lights).  Once I have the ground painted, I'm going to add on some orange/yellow paint to make it look like the appropriate areas are bathed in firelight - but that is a ways down the road.  For now, take a gander at what has been done:

 

All primed up - the paint layers will even out the primer stripes.

 

And the centerpiece mostly painted.  Figure I'd best get him out of the way before I start burning out and start rushing things.

[Talae]

Looks great!

 

Glad to see it in even more detail here than over at WWG.