Stream and Ice Photo # 1

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Stream and Ice Photo #2

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Snow and Ice Photo #3

Snow and Ice Photo #4

Snow and Ice Photo #5

About Photo 6

The idea was to portray as much field litter (dead leaves, dead grasses, etc.) as possible and have it show through at spots. Why waste all these marvelous detail opportunities by covering everything up with snow?

Stream and Ice Photo #6

Stream and Ice Photo #7

Stream and Ice Photo 8

About Photo #9

Snow, really good looking snow, on a scale model terrain base or diorama requires good technique. I agonized over whether or not I wanted a blanket of snow to cover the scene or to create a "day or two after the snow event" look. I settled on the latter because I wanted enough of the terrain to show to keep the composition interesting.

My decision to go with a day-after snow theme was both a help and a hindrance. It afforded me an opportunity to use a wet mixture that could be applied in small areas at my whim and leisure. Controlling the effects and distributing the mixture "just right" proved to be the biggest challenge. I worked a few square inches at a time, taking many breaks, and pondering just how dense and depth was really needed to be convincing. I adhered to an "afternoon sun" melt tendency and made sure bare spots and snow depths reflected the effects of sun melt. It was daunting at first, but once I got into it, it was actually fun!

IMHO, the snow looks fantastic . . . compared to some snow scenes I've seen at model shows and published photos. Working it into and around the vegetation was a challenge and very time consuming. The photo below tells the story of what can be done with a wet snow mix (Woodland Scenics Snow, white glue, and acrylic paste).

Stream and Ice Photo 9 54mm

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About Photo #10

I like this shot becuase it illustrates several key "super details" that were worked into the terrain base.

Noteworthy details include:

A) Submerged river rock, debris, and leaves. While I muddied up the Envirotex water with some tint, it was poured in successive layers with the final two layers left absolutely clear or tintless as to reveal the stream and stream bed contents closest to the surface.

B) The snow-capped rock on the water's edge is one of my favorite details, I don't know why, I just think it looks great.

C) The brambles and bare vines are tiny root tendrils and horse hair, I think this turned out nicely and is representative of the winter vegetation on the base.

D) Just look at the receding ice along the stream's edge! It was difficult to match the water edge with the ice surface . . . but I think it turned out fairly realistic-looking.

Stream and Ice Photo #10

Stream and Ice Photos 11 & 12

I think one of the most interesting and challenging aspects of this terrain base was the successful imagineering of riffles and receding ice along the stream's edge.

It took several weeks of experimentation with various acrylic gels to find the right one to fashion riffles in the water. In the end, blending Liquetex and Woodland Scenics gels proved to be the right combination.

Ice . . . well, I'll tell you that it wax but the rest of the technique is proprietary for now.

Future brand acrylic floor finish was used as a final glaze coat to blend the Envirotex water base with the riffle areas . . . it took several thin coats and some patience, but the result speaks for itself.

I don't know that there was any one single terrain base that I've ever made that turned out as good as this one nor one that I had as much fun working on. The base was sold on eBay about 2 years ago . . . looking back, it's one I wish I would have kept.

Stream and Ice #11 54mm

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Receding ice, stippled ice effect.

Stream and Ice #12, 54mm

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Stream edge with riffles.

Valley Forge Show 2003

Rare photo . . . Heiss Diorama

Curvin Heiss was an early pioneer of 54mm ACW diorama making. The above photo depicts a small diorama Curvin did in the early 1950's for the Lincoln Room Museum on the town square in Gettysburg, PA. The diorama was removed from the museum and sold at auction in 2005. Curvin's most famous diorama was The Original Gettysburg Battlefield Diorama at the Dobbin House in Gettysburg. Curvin used Bussler 54mm and TruCraft 54mm figures predominately in his dioramas. The above photo, while of a lesser known work, is a rare glimpse into the state of diorama expression in the 1950's.

Fighting position 54mm

Small snow covered vignette base

Devil's Den Terrain Element 54mm

This was a commision piece for a client in Florida. Composition of rocks is Sculpey acrylic clay.

Devil's Den terrain element 54mm

Romans gathering for the games . . .

Figures by Chuck Caldwell of Gettysburg, PA . . . 45mm scale

Castle in 54mm

Castle in 54mm

Trench diorama

Trench diorama

Trench diorama