First diorama - The Choice

[PaulinKendal]

I've just slapped on a first coat of dilute PVA. When I added the IPA most of the mixture turned into a gloopy, stringy mess - like very sticky snot! Was the IPA a mistake, or was it just the old, cheap PVA I was using? Any thoughts, anyone?

I'll be putting further coats of PVA on once this first coat is dry.

[PaulinKendal]

This landed on my mat while I was at work - I think it's the Flexi-bark™ at last!

[Tim Marlow]

I've just slapped on a first coat of dilute PVA. When I added the IPA most of the mixture turned into a gloopy, stringy mess - like very sticky snot! Was the IPA a mistake, or was it just the old, cheap PVA I was using? Any thoughts, anyone?

I'll be putting further coats of PVA on once this first coat is dry.

Sorry mate, missed this. I think that’s the IPA and PVA reacting……best bet would be to dilute the PVA and add a drop or two of dish soap to reduce the surface tension. That’s what I do when I’m consolidating wargames or railway scenery and want the flock to stop shedding. It soaks through pretty well.

[PaulinKendal]

Thanks Tim. In the end I just diluted with water and it was fine.

[PaulinKendal]

After a first layer of Flexi-Bark™. This is messy stuff to apply, but it should get easier with subsequent layers. Still some wire showing, although fairly minimal due to the fine grade of wire I used. The finish is very bobbly but I can sand it down a bit once I have sufficient on.

[Andy T]

That bark texture is looking pretty convincing already!

[PaulinKendal]

I've just added a second coat on the main trunk - you can see it's pretty gloopy, runny stuff. I'll take another pic once it's gone off, so you can see how it shrinks back. It has certainly given a lot more structure to the armature - much less flex.


The pot is a bit of a bugger to open - the texture/latex mix makes it perfect for binding up the thread of the lid. Without one of these oil filter wrenches I'd've been properly stuck.

[PaulinKendal]

Depending on how well this works, I might get some liquid latex to use as a finishing coat - it should tone down the bobbliness. I think the Flexi-bark™ is basically liquid latex with a fine texture added, possibly ground cork powder or something similar.

[PaulinKendal]

Here's the second coat once it's cured. You can see it has shrunk right back again.


I'm not happy about how closely the main trunk is conforming to the cylinder of dowel beneath - so I've added some foam clay to buttress the roots and reduce the regular cylindricality (is that even a word?) of the trunk. I think it looks much better, or will do once it has cured and I've covered it with more Flexi-Bark.

[Jim R]

It's looking more and more tree like and following your progress is very interesting.

[PaulinKendal]

It's looking more and more tree like and following your progress is very interesting.

Thanks Jim.

[JR]

Depending on how well this works, I might get some liquid latex to use as a finishing coat - it should tone down the bobbliness. I think the Flexi-bark™ is basically liquid latex with a fine texture added, possibly ground cork powder or something similar.

Don't get a large bottle, I did , only used some and the rest even with the top on went hard. That Flexi Bark sounds good , I've used straight latex before for tree trunks .

[StephenN]

This all looks very, very good!! I love how you cut all the base terrain! Very inspiring! Please, keep up the good work!

[PaulinKendal]

Don't get a large bottle, I did , only used some and the rest even with the top on went hard. That Flexi Bark sounds good , I've used straight latex before for tree trunks .

Thanks for the advice, John. I'm now thinking I'll give the latex a miss and see how it goes just with Flexi-Bark. I've put on a layer over the foam clay and I'm really pleased with the effect - I'll post pictures once it's gone off.

[PaulinKendal]

This all looks very, very good!! I love how you cut all the base terrain! Very inspiring! Please, keep up the good work!

Thanks Stephen.