Diorama USSR 1986 – part 2

Marko Paunović, 2nd February 2022

In this series of articles, I will write about making a USSR diorama in 1986. I will show how I made the "terrain" and the model myself, how I painted them and what effects I used. In addition, vegetation and slices will be discussed.

Click for enlarged picture

In this article, I continue to work on dioramas by painting the base. I first applied the basic tones with the colors I always use to paint bases and terrain - Pebeo Deco. They are relatively affordable, 3-4 ml cheaper than standard miniature acrylic paints (Citadel, S75, Ammo, Vallejo). They have a lot of pigment and are quite viscous so they are suitable for drybrush.

Click for enlarged picture

After the base tones dried, I covered the base with several layers of Citadel Washes (Sepia and Earth). It is necessary to allow each layer to dry before applying a new one. The washes nicely highlight all the details in the texture like tire tracks.

Click for enlarged picture

Click for enlarged picture

This was followed by two or three layers of lightening the terrain with the drybrush technique. I also used Pebeo Deco colors.

Click for enlarged picture

Click for enlarged picture

After that I added pigments. In places more, in places less to get the effect of dry mud…

Click for enlarged picture

Click for enlarged picture

The last step in this article is to add rubber to make puddles in the wheel tracks. I used GSW UV resin. It dries under a UV lamp within 15 seconds. When it dried, as it is transparent, I decided to stain it a bit using Sepia wash mixed with a glossy varnish. When the wash dried, I covered everything again with glossy varnish.

Click for enlarged picture

Click for enlarged picture

Click for enlarged picture

For this article, that's it. Next time I will add the vegetation.

Latest articles

  • Miniature Painting Workshop - 75mm Dwarf
              array(2) {
      ["Article"]=>
      array(10) {
        ["id"]=>
        string(3) "514"
        ["member_id"]=>
        string(3) "107"
        ["title_eng"]=>
        string(40) "Miniature Painting Workshop - 75mm Dwarf"
        ["title_hrv"]=>
        string(44) "Radionica bojanja minijatura - 75mm patuljak"
        ["mask_eng"]=>
        string(40) "miniature_painting_workshop_-_75mm_dwarf"
        ["mask_hrv"]=>
        string(44) "radionica_bojanja_minijatura_-_75mm_patuljak"
        ["content_eng"]=>
        string(14418) "

    On 09-10.05.2026. we held a new weekend miniature painting workshop. This time it was the turn of a dwarf in 75mm scale.

    Click for enlarged picture

    The workshop was held over two days (a whole weekend) and the participants painted a 75mm miniature dwarf. The focus of these lectures was painting various textures - metal, human skin, textiles and leather. Water-based acrylic paints were used in the workshop. For this purpose, the workshop leader, Ivan Knezović, chose a 75mm miniature dwarf from Durgin Paint Forge, sculpted by Carlos Perez Bugedo. The lectures were adapted so that the leader devotes equal time to all participants and can be adapted to all categories of miniaturists (from beginners to slightly more advanced).

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    The workshop took place as follows:
    First, the lecturer sits at his desk and explains and demonstrates each step in painting a miniature/model on his specimen. His work is displayed on a screen via a camera and projector, which the participants listen to, watch, and ask questions about.
    Then, the participants sit at their desks and apply the knowledge they have gained. The facilitator circulates among the participants and checks how each participant is doing. This way, he or she can adapt to each participant individually.

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    The workshop will include the following thematic units:
    1. NMM (Non metallic metal)
    2. Reflections of ambient colors on metal
    3. Steel / gold
    4. Face painting (male)
    5. Adding vibrancy to the face (filters)
    6. Extracting textures from fabric, metal and leather

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    POWERED BY: Carta MagicaFireball FigurinesDurgin Paint ForgePlaysupport

    " ["content_hrv"]=> string(14428) "

    09-10.05.2026. smo održali novu vikend Radionicu bojanja minijatura. Ovoga puta na redu je bio patuljak u 75mm mjerilu.

    Click for enlarged picture

    Radionica se provodila kroz dva dana (cijeli vikend) i polaznici su bojali 75mm minijaturu patuljka. Fokus ovih predavanja bilo je bojenje raznih tekstura – od metala, ljudske kože, tekstila i kože (leather). U sklopu radionice korištene su akrilne boje na bazi vode. U tu svrhu, voditelj radionice, Ivan Knezović, izabrao je 75 mm minijaturu patuljka tvrtke Durgin Paint Forge, koju je sculptao Carlos Perez Bugedo. Predavanja su prilagođena tako da voditelj posveti jednako vrijeme svim polaznicima i može se prilagoditi svim kategorijama minijaturista (od početnika do malo naprednijih).

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    Radionica se odvijala na sljedeći način:
    Prvo, predavač sjedi za svojim stolom te objašnjava i demonstrira pojedini korak u bojanju minijature/makete na svojem primjerku. Njegov rad se preko kamere i projektora prikazuje na platnu što polaznici slušaju, gledaju, ali i postavljaju pitanja.
    Potom, polaznici sjedaju za svoje stolove i primjenjuju stečeno znanje. Voditelj kruži između polaznika i provjerava kako svakom polazniku ide. Na taj način, može se prilagoditi svakom polazniku ponaosob.

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    Radionica će uključivati sljedeće tematske cjeline:
    1. NMM (Non metallic metal)
    2. Refleksije boja iz okoline na metalu
    3. Čelik / zlato
    4. Bojanje lica (muškog)
    5. Dodavanje živosti na lice (filteri)
    6. Izvlačenje tekstura tkanine, metala i kože (leather)

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    POWERED BY: Carta MagicaFireball FigurinesDurgin Paint ForgePlaysupport

    " ["created"]=> string(19) "2026-05-26 11:39:00" ["modified"]=> string(19) "2026-05-26 11:41:50" } ["Member"]=> array(10) { ["id"]=> string(3) "107" ["group_id"]=> string(1) "2" ["first_name"]=> string(5) "Ivan " ["last_name"]=> string(9) "Knezović" ["first_name_mask"]=> string(4) "ivan" ["last_name_mask"]=> string(8) "knezovic" ["username"]=> string(8) "IvanKlan" ["password"]=> string(40) "94527877845e989fe51bd34849504967876063aa" ["born"]=> string(19) "2006-01-01 00:00:00" ["created"]=> NULL } }
    Ivan Knezović, 26th May 2026
  • We visited: Festival Svet v Malem 2026, Pivka, Slovenia
              array(2) {
      ["Article"]=>
      array(10) {
        ["id"]=>
        string(3) "513"
        ["member_id"]=>
        string(2) "64"
        ["title_eng"]=>
        string(56) "We visited: Festival Svet v Malem 2026, Pivka, Slovenia "
        ["title_hrv"]=>
        string(61) "Posjetili smo: Festival Svet v Malem 2026 u Pivki u Sloveniji"
        ["mask_eng"]=>
        string(52) "we_visited_festival_svet_v_malem_2026_pivka_slovenia"
        ["mask_hrv"]=>
        string(60) "posjetili_smo_festival_svet_v_malem_2026_u_pivki_u_sloveniji"
        ["content_eng"]=>
        string(3433) "

    On May 23, 2026, we participated in the international plastic model making competition Festival Svet v Malem 2026 in Pivka, Slovenia.

    Click for enlarged picture

    The competition is traditionally held at the Military History Park in Pivka.

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    " ["content_hrv"]=> string(3434) "

    23. svibnja 2026. sudjelovali smo na međunarodnom natjecanju u plastičnom maketarstvu Festival Svet v Malem 2026 u Pivki u Sloveniji. 

    Click for enlarged picture

    Natjecanje se tradicionalno održava u Parku vojne povijesti u Pivki.

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    " ["created"]=> string(19) "2026-05-26 10:22:52" ["modified"]=> string(19) "2026-05-26 10:22:52" } ["Member"]=> array(10) { ["id"]=> string(2) "64" ["group_id"]=> string(1) "1" ["first_name"]=> string(9) "Krunoslav" ["last_name"]=> string(8) "Belinić" ["first_name_mask"]=> string(9) "krunoslav" ["last_name_mask"]=> string(7) "belinic" ["username"]=> string(5) "Kruno" ["password"]=> string(40) "eb3fda45fbec0258e90d809803b10491c548b22f" ["born"]=> string(19) "2015-01-18 09:19:00" ["created"]=> string(19) "2015-01-18 09:20:39" } }
    Krunoslav Belinić, 26th May 2026
  • We visited: KupKA 2026
              array(2) {
      ["Article"]=>
      array(10) {
        ["id"]=>
        string(3) "512"
        ["member_id"]=>
        string(2) "35"
        ["title_eng"]=>
        string(22) "We visited: KupKA 2026"
        ["title_hrv"]=>
        string(25) "Posjetili smo: KupKA 2026"
        ["mask_eng"]=>
        string(21) "we_visited_kupka_2026"
        ["mask_hrv"]=>
        string(24) "posjetili_smo_kupka_2026"
        ["content_eng"]=>
        string(3642) "

    On May 16, 2026, we participated in the international plastic model making competition KupKA held at the Museum of the Homeland War in Karlovac.

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    The competition was organized by the Slavoljub Penkala Modeling Club from Zagreb.

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    Thanks to the organizer for an interesting competition, to the judges for some medals, and especially to my colleagues from the Maketarski Club Novi Sad - IPMS Serbia for the medal!

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    " ["content_hrv"]=> string(3602) "

    16. svibnja 2026. sudjelovali smo na međunarodnom natjecanju u plastičnom maketarstvu KupKA održanom u Muzeju domovinskog rata u Karlovcu.

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    Natjecanje je organizirao Maketarski klub Slavoljub Penkala iz Zagreba

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    Hvala organizatoru na zanimljivom natjecanju, sucima na ponešto medalja, a pogotovo kolegama iz Maketarskog Kluba Novi Sad - IPMS Srbija na medalji!

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    " ["created"]=> string(19) "2026-05-26 10:14:10" ["modified"]=> string(19) "2026-05-26 10:14:10" } ["Member"]=> array(10) { ["id"]=> string(2) "35" ["group_id"]=> string(1) "1" ["first_name"]=> string(5) "Marko" ["last_name"]=> string(9) "Paunović" ["first_name_mask"]=> string(5) "marko" ["last_name_mask"]=> string(8) "paunovic" ["username"]=> string(5) "marko" ["password"]=> string(40) "3bd37b326d19d1880d3b93a4b32e8fb3a90fa122" ["born"]=> string(19) "2033-03-07 20:35:00" ["created"]=> string(19) "2009-06-02 20:37:03" } }
    Marko Paunović, 26th May 2026
  • Back to Basics Workshops in Gallery VN
              array(2) {
      ["Article"]=>
      array(10) {
        ["id"]=>
        string(3) "511"
        ["member_id"]=>
        string(2) "64"
        ["title_eng"]=>
        string(38) "Back to Basics Workshops in Gallery VN"
        ["title_hrv"]=>
        string(83) "Back to Basics radionice bojenja minijatura za najmlađe u Galeriji i čitaonici VN"
        ["mask_eng"]=>
        string(38) "back_to_basics_workshops_in_gallery_vn"
        ["mask_hrv"]=>
        string(81) "back_to_basics_radionice_bojenja_minijatura_za_najmlade_u_galeriji_i_citaonici_vn"
        ["content_eng"]=>
        string(6246) "

    In May 2026 we held our Back To Basics miniature painting workshops for the youngest in Gallery VN.

    Click for enlarged picture

    The workshops were completely FREE for all participants!

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    The Back to Basics method is a method of making models and miniatures that focuses on a fun process intended for younger ages, but everyone is welcome! In three separate sessions on Thursdays, participants (aged 7+) painted miniatures of their choice (knight, princess, king, wizard and barbarian). 

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    1st session: Painting miniatures of choice, Thursday, 07.05. - from 18:00 to 19:00

    2nd session: Painting a miniature of your choice, Thursday, 14.05. - from 18:00 to 19:00

    3rd session: Painting a miniature of your choice, Thursday, 21.05. - from 18:00 to 19:00

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    " ["content_hrv"]=> string(7790) "

    U svibnju 2026. održali smo naše Back To Basics radionice za najmlađe u Galeriji i čitaonici VN.

    Click for enlarged picture

    Radionice su bile BESPLATNE za sve polaznike!

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    Back to Basics metoda je metoda izrade maketa i minijatura kojoj je fokus na zabavnom procesu namjenjenom mlađim uzrastima, ali svi su dobrodošli! U tri zasebna termina četvrtkom, polaznici (od 7+) su bojali minijature po izboru (vitez, princeza, kralj, čarobnjak i barbarin).

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    1. termin: Bojenje minijature po izboru, četvrtak, 07.05. - od 18:00 do 19:00

    2. termin: Bojenje minijature po izboru, četvrtak, 14.05. - od 18:00 do 19:00

    3. termin: Bojenje minijature po izboru, četvrtak, 21.05. - od 18:00 do 19:00

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    Click for enlarged picture

    " ["created"]=> string(19) "2026-05-26 08:06:32" ["modified"]=> string(19) "2026-05-26 08:06:32" } ["Member"]=> array(10) { ["id"]=> string(2) "64" ["group_id"]=> string(1) "1" ["first_name"]=> string(9) "Krunoslav" ["last_name"]=> string(8) "Belinić" ["first_name_mask"]=> string(9) "krunoslav" ["last_name_mask"]=> string(7) "belinic" ["username"]=> string(5) "Kruno" ["password"]=> string(40) "eb3fda45fbec0258e90d809803b10491c548b22f" ["born"]=> string(19) "2015-01-18 09:19:00" ["created"]=> string(19) "2015-01-18 09:20:39" } }
    Krunoslav Belinić, 26th May 2026
  • Painting Faces at Tabletop Level
              array(2) {
      ["Article"]=>
      array(10) {
        ["id"]=>
        string(3) "510"
        ["member_id"]=>
        string(2) "35"
        ["title_eng"]=>
        string(32) "Painting Faces at Tabletop Level"
        ["title_hrv"]=>
        string(35) "Bojanje lica standardom za tabletop"
        ["mask_eng"]=>
        string(32) "painting_faces_at_tabletop_level"
        ["mask_hrv"]=>
        string(35) "bojanje_lica_standardom_za_tabletop"
        ["content_eng"]=>
        string(4367) "

    In this short article, I will describe two ways to paint faces on a so-called tabletop standard. The text follows two versions of the painting. One will use a store-bought wash, and in the second, slightly less contrasting one, I will use a wash that I got from regular paint. This way, the reader can choose which method suits them better.

    Click for enlarged picture

    The first step is to dye the base color.

    Left: Since I'm going to use a store-bought wash in this example, I decided to go for a darker shade of skin tone.

    Right: In this example, I'm going to use the color as a base for the wash, so I decided to go for a slightly lighter skin tone - and therefore a lighter base color.

    Click for enlarged picture

    The next step is to apply the wash.

    Left: I use a regular, store-bought Reikkland Fleshshade wash.

    Right: On a drop of the darker skin tone, I add two drops of Lahmian Medium and a drop or two of water. This creates my own wash, which I apply similarly to the example on the left.

    Click for enlarged picture

    Then comes the first highlight.

    Left: I apply the base color to the raised parts of the face and thus get the first highlight.

    Right: Just like in the example on the left, I use the base color as the first highlight.

    Click for enlarged picture

    Then the second highlight.

    Left: I get the second highlight by mixing the base color with a lighter shade.

    Right: I follow the same process as on the left, with the caveat that I never use pure white to mix the highlight, it's always an off white – with a minimal amount of some pigment.

    Click for enlarged picture

    The penultimate step is to outline the eyes.

    Left: This step is identical in both cases.

    Right: I outline the eyes with some off-white paint (to make my life easier, it's usually two lines).

    Click for enlarged picture

    The last step is to add shadows around the mouth and eyes.

    Left: In this case, you can use a darker wash like Nuln Oil or Druchi Purple.

    Right: I mixed black and purple and added two drops of Lahmian Medium and a drop or two of water to create a darker wash, then applied the mixture to the eye sockets, making sure not to get the wash on the previously drawn eyes.

    And the last thing is drawing the pupils – just vertical lines of dark/black color against the horizontal light lines for the eyes.

    " ["content_hrv"]=> string(4347) "

    U ovom kratkom članku, opisat ću dva načina za bojanje lica na takozvanom tabletop standardu. Tekst prati dvije verzije bojanja. Jedna će koristiti kupovni wash, a u drugoj, malo manje kontrastnoj koristit ću wash kojeg sam dobio iz obične boje. Na taj način, čitatelj može izabrati koji način mu više odgovara.

    Click for enlarged picture

    Prvi korak je bojanje u osnovnu boju.

    Lijevo: s obzirom da ću na ovom primjeru koristiti kupovni wash, odlučio sam se za tamniju nijansu boje kože.

    Desno: u ovom primjeru koristit ću boju kao osnovu za wash, tako da sam se odlučio za malo svjetliju nijansu kože – a samim time i svjetliju osnovnu boju.

    Click for enlarged picture

    Sljedeći korak je stavljanje wash-a.

    Lijevo: Koristim običan, kupovni Reikkland Fleshshade wash.

    Desno: Na kap tamnije nijanse boje kože stavljam dvije kapljice Lahmian Mediuma i kap do dvije vode. Na taj način dobivam vlastiti wash kojeg nanosim slično kao i na lijevom primjeru.

    Click for enlarged picture

    Zatim ide prvi highlight.

    Lijevo: Nanosim na izdignute dijelove lica osnovnu boju i na taj način dobivam prvi highlight.

    Desno: Jednako kao i u lijevom primjeru, kao prvi highlight koristim osnovnu boju.

    Click for enlarged picture

    Potom drugi highlight.

    Lijevo: Drugi highlight dobivam mješajući osnovnu boju s nekom svjetlijom nijansom.

    Desno: Pratim isti proces kao i lijevo, uz napomenu da nikada ne koristim čistu bijelu boju za miješanje highlighta, uvijek je to neki off white – s minimalnom količinom nekog pigmenta.

    Click for enlarged picture

    Predzadnji korak je iscrtavanje obrisa očiju.

    Lijevo: Ovaj korak je identičan u oba slučaja.

    Desno: Nekom off white bojom iscrtam obrise očiju (da si olakšam život, to su najčešće dvije crtice).

    Click for enlarged picture

    Zadnji korak je dodavanje sjena oko ustiju i očiju.

    Lijevo: U ovom slučaju, možete koristiti tamniji wash poput Nuln Oil ili Druchi Purple.

    Desno: Pomiješao sam crnu i ljubičastu boju te dodao kap dvije Lahmian Mediuma i kad do dvije vode da dobijem tamniji wash te smjesu nanio u očne šupljine pazeći da wash ne dođe na prethodno iscrtane oči.

    I zadnja stvar je ucrtavanje zjenica – samo okomite crtice tamne/crne boje u odnosu na horizontalne svijetle crte za oči.

    " ["created"]=> string(19) "2026-05-20 10:46:57" ["modified"]=> string(19) "2026-05-20 10:46:57" } ["Member"]=> array(10) { ["id"]=> string(2) "35" ["group_id"]=> string(1) "1" ["first_name"]=> string(5) "Marko" ["last_name"]=> string(9) "Paunović" ["first_name_mask"]=> string(5) "marko" ["last_name_mask"]=> string(8) "paunovic" ["username"]=> string(5) "marko" ["password"]=> string(40) "3bd37b326d19d1880d3b93a4b32e8fb3a90fa122" ["born"]=> string(19) "2033-03-07 20:35:00" ["created"]=> string(19) "2009-06-02 20:37:03" } }
    Marko Paunović, 20th May 2026

All articles

Latest battle-reports

All battle-reports