Amazing ocean diorama: how to make the ultimate realistic scene

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How to make an amazing ocean diorama.
This video covers the entire process I took to make this ultimate realistic scene: an awesome rough sea model, including waves, white water effects, foam, spray and cliff faces.
There are many methods out there for making ocean waves, but I think I achieved fantastic results using foam, watercolour paper and various paints and gloss mediums.
The glass powder I used for the white water is resin filler. You'll need to wear a mask as it isn't so good for the respiratory system.
Creating realistic water effects is somewhat of the Holy Grail of model-making and diorama building. Ocean waves are perhaps the most complex kind of water effects you can attempt, and it always involves a bit of trial and error to begin with.
This was definitely the most challenging realistic scenery project I have built so far, but I think the effort paid off.
I hope you enjoy it. If you do, please remember to subscribe.
Thanks for watching and for supporting these videos.
Many of the materials and tools I use come with safety instructions. Please always read and follow these rather than simply copy what you see me or other people doing.
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Check out my Instagram page - it's full of work-in-progress photos and footage:
/ higheyeworkshop

[@Dez53]

these videos are literally giving me serotonin like wtf i don’t even make dioramas this is just so happy and calming to watch,, ty for that !

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thank you 😊 I'm glad you like them 😊

[@elizabeths4371]

I feel that I can even hear the roar of the waves as they're splashing against the rocks- WOW!

[@Fandango541]

Brilliant! There are those who are modelers, those who are creative and then there are artists. You, sir, are an artist! I am a painter. The ocean crashing upon the shore is one of my favourite type of painting to do. This was worthy of a painting!!! ;)

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thank you very much indeed!

[@Mhambu]

Love this channel, it's so relaxing and his voice isn't too loud

[@Janduny]

To be honest I really wasn't convinced about how the water looked in the beginning and kind of dreaded how the final result would look like. But once you applied that clear coat and the foamy waves... WOW! Instant change! You have created an amazing piece of art, be proud of it! :D

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thank you!

[@Terranscapes]

A very creative way to create the wave shape. I've not seen that before and it's quite effect. Nice. I flinch when you apply the grass and flock after you've finished the water. ;) I'm terribly phobic of getting any bits in my water, but you manage to pull it off. Kudos! Great videos. Glad to see the channel has taken off quickly. Keep up the great work.

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thanks Mike 😊. Not sure it would work for water scenes the size you've done, though 😉

[@mbunds]

Now that’s art! Excellent presentation, thank you! Edit: Showed this to my wife, even more awesome the second time around! I just have to try these techniques, but if I can turn out a landscape that looks half as good as yours, I'm going to be addicted! Large model railroad landscapes come to mind; (note to self: gotta buy a bigger house). Seriously, thanks again for taking your time to make this presentation and for sharing. I can't believe the time I have wasted doing things the "hard way", and without such excellent results. I am so grateful for talented people like yourself who are willing to instruct, and I hope I can eventually return something myself!!

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thank you 😊

[@xhinti4709]

Marvelous work Mr Merrick!!!

[@ducomaritiem7160]

Great! I don't do watery dioramas, but like to watch them. There's a Japanese guy who makes awesome sea-warfare dioramas, really fascinating.

[@the10thleper]

Very nice work. I like the way you are running in fast forward and calmly describing what your doing, straight to the point. Thank you.

[@jamesmorgan403]

Giving boulder creek a run for their money I see.. fantastic work btw, really amazing!

[@richardokeeffe8375]

Great to see you learn as you go!

[@arunachalpradeshlegalinfor7733]

I like the narration.. doesn't gets bored listening to it...

[@BingBongDillyDong]

I love watching diorama videos late at night before bed, I'm happy to have found your channel! Ive watched alot of dioramas videos on realistic oceans, and yours sir is by far the best I usually just see a fill of resin and some glue on top for that wave motion effect in water, but you took it to another level I've never seen such detailed work and your end result of your rocks are impeccable. Youve earned yourself a new subscriber, you are quite deserving of more subscribers and views. I can't wait to see where your channel goes in the future, I hope me and others in the comment section help motivate you to keep on creating more videos.

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thank you so much, Ariana. I certainly will keep creating! I'm so glad you like my videos and my work. Thanks for taking the time to write.

[@bluejijiikemen5537]

Great job! surprise! It's just like magic! A person with such a talent is right!

[@oot007]

this video with your narration much better than your time lapse videos with the distracting background music.

[@morlockmeat]

Looks like one single thumb-downer with a lot of talent-envy!!! Beautiful work! 👍👍👍👍

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Ha ha!

[@remlya]

Subscribed. Couldn’t believe you would go from start to finish in 9 minutes. Was expecting a part 2. Very concise showing all the steps without any filler...well ok resin filler but that’s important. Great narration, superb video.

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thank you!

[@mestapho2011]

i wish more people would do instructional vids in this way. you're explaining what you're doing.. the speed is good and the work is phenomenal... too many damn people trying to be a KZbin star and spend more time talking about themselves and you learn absolutely nothing.

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Cheers. If it helps it inspires people to be creative, that's all I'm after really.

[@mestapho2011]

@@HighEyeWorkshop you used a couple techniques I haven't seen/used. Will employ some of your techniques in upcoming diorama. I tend to do different things like this, everybody does military stuff. I'll check out the rest of your channel for more vids. It's always channels with less than 1k subscribers i find the best info.

[@caiofavero7311]

@@mestapho2011 his techniques and products are very similar to those of Luke Towan! but there are several things I've never seen on any Diorama channels!

[@TeaPoweredModels]

This is awesome, thanks for sharing! The way you did the ocean was really good!

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thank you 😀

[@StuffUCanMake]

You had me glued to the screen!

[@schadowolf]

What a great technique! Had never seen this done before. Well done!

[@ChiefsFan62]

Wow! Looks fantastic!

[@petermartin3268]

Fantastic finished, I like the modeling, the way that you do it, well down

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thanks!

[@magdalena-lisarobertson4143]

Beautifully done! Subbed!

[@thefirefighterwaylifefight2030]

You are getting as good as Luke Merrick!!!! Well done brother

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thank you!

[@KhanhNguyen-lf1px]

Very good

[@cyrilhansell7365]

That was fantastic the rocks look so life like i enjoyed it and taking notes of what you used

[@FivePointsVids]

Amazing !

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thanks😊

[@alikc25]

I like it, Very cool diorama.

[@alathran1680]

Wow I am Impressed! and that takes a lot these days

[@rivi67]

brilliant work

[@thomasr.1556]

Wow schaut das super aus!

[@frobbit30]

Incredible.

[@normanrowe2831]

Very , very nice. Looks fantastic. I agree that maybe toilet paper/tissue paper might have be easier. Another great tutorial.

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thanks Norman. Yes, it's all an experiment and next time I will use tissue.

[@madmiask]

Very amazing job.

[@philRminiatures]

Wow, creative and wonderful job, very impressive!

[@badwolf2912]

I tip my hat sir....

[@SeaboardCentral]

Awesome job!

[@saketini99]

Thanks, that was great!

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@marinariquelme3982]

Wow that is so good looks so real

[@ronnieellaway2745]

Great video dude!!! So good 👊🏼

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thanks, mate. Someone said I should clean up.my desk for shooting videos, but I'm kind of going for the reality of the shed...I mean workshop.

[@ronnieellaway2745]

High Eye Workshop I commented on that persons comment on Instagram. I was annoyed he questioned your workspace, really winds me up!!

[@skemsen]

Very impressive. Great video!

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thanks 😊

[@caiofavero7311]

their techniques and products are very similar to those of Luke Towan. but there are several things I've never seen on any Diorama channels, such as resin filler glass, what's that? Could you send me a product link? seeing him maybe I can find it here in Brazil! thank you very much!

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

I got mine from a fibreglass shop, but I can't remember where as it was about twenty years ago. But any fibreglass supplier should stock it. It's glass microbubbles.

[@manuels9747]

WooooooooW!!! Great!

[@traceyhilder3426]

Amazing

[@fanis4809]

Amazing sir u are one of the best.I just have a notice common in other water dioramas ,The rocks in the sea and beside water as realistik u make them in the real world are wet. So in dioramas must look wet and not mat .A cover of clear shiny vernish maybe will give a relistic wet look. Sorry for the notice its just nothing to all of u that make those spectacular dioramas with water. A really amazing work respects

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

I intended to do that, but then I forgot! Thank is for the feedback 😊

[@ruthven78]

pottery tools might help for cutting out impressions in the foam

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Never tried them. Thanks for the tip!

[@67horsepower]

Amazing work sir, very good 👍👍👍

[@jimothy1967]

Like.....WOW!

[@richardkinkead3315]

Bob Ross in 3d. Job well done.

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

A compliment indeed! Bob Ross = hero.

[@therealdeal6846]

OMG AWESOME!!!

[@flushot6513]

Thats best part about nature its not perfect lines

[@jamesdobson709]

WOW..would have loved it if there was a derigable boat dropping off commandos ! And some rock climbing troops !?..but simply WOW 🤔

[@ruthven78]

glad I found your channel, first found you on instagram search for diorama. Ive never done them before and my goal is to get good enough to make dioramas of area lakes and waterways and often depicting people fishing and such, but want to do mine more smaller scale, not too large

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Let me know how it goes!

[@iBengalkatze]

Omg this is amazing!!!!!! What are you doing with these dioramas? Model train? Cheers Claudia

[@voldemarusr5747]

Super!!!

[@OrthodoxosOrthodoxou]

WOW

[@mir4959]

that is amazing......

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thank you

[@kimfromnewzealand8768]

Wow 😆

[@faebrowne2537]

Wow!!!

[@PyrographyMadeEasy]

Very interesting video to watch. The final piece turned out fantastically. May I ask what you do with your creations? IE - do you sell them? Brenda

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Hi Brenda. No, I only create them for fun and to make these videos. I used to sell stuff, but it doesn't suit my personality!

[@PyrographyMadeEasy]

I can understand that. Your diorama is amazing and obviously it is something you really enjoy given that you put so much detail into your work. Must say I was glad that I clicked on the 'suggested video' as I did really enjoy watching this emerge.

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

@@PyrographyMadeEasy thanks so much 😊

[@Dug6666666]

@@HighEyeWorkshop Have you considered it as a job, ie movie miniatures or museum work.

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

@@Dug6666666 if I was approached, I would consider it. But my main motivation is to create and help people create.

[@codyac5773]

That's cool it's really awesome just the way it is just saying

[@user-vv1bd9dz6j]

Превосходно! Лайк.

[@mikemodels928]

Wow... the title is appropriate...

[@futuor3565]

очень круто получилось

[@Tide12NC]

Would look good added to an epoxy center table. Add ocean blue color impregnated with white paint for tiny waves 🌊. 👍🏻

[@superbmediacontentcreator]

I get it and your efforts are superb but what do you do with your pieces when completed?

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thank you. I keep them to look at, at the moment. I don't sell stuff. I make them for the enjoyment I find in making them, and the purposes of helping others make theirs.

[@superbmediacontentcreator]

Perhaps you should share them as a minor exhibit at libraries? I remember how things like this impacted me when I was growing up. Make it sort of a touring exhibit.

[@drewmclean163]

Nice scenery, and nice editing! Could you elaborate on the glass resin filler. I get myriad products when I search for different combinations of those words. What is it used for, who is likely to sell it?

[@criszanni]

lindo maravilhoso pena que não tenho acesso a certos produtos vou tentar com que tenho fiquei maravilhada obrigada

[@aikenaiken9263]

What's isopropyl alcohol for sir?

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

It's a wetting agent. Allows the glue to soak through.

[@aikenaiken9263]

@@HighEyeWorkshop Thank you

[@emausderratsuchende5447]

Wow....I know how complicated it is to made realistics Water diarama....

[@cmdesign01]

What do you do with yoir finished projects once you're done with them?

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Nothing at the moment. I just enjoy looking at them 😊

[@FilsDeFoot]

tooooooop

[@rodgerjames789]

What formula of Gorrila Glue did you use? I have been using the Gorilla Glue wood formula for my blue foam, but it is hard to sand between layers of blue foam because the wood glue seeps out between layers and becomes rubberized.

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Just standard stuff. Polyurethane based. It goes rock hard, though.

[@user-pn1cv3hi8c]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👏👏👏👏👏

[@Skalyon2]

Is scultmold the same as spackling?

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

No, it's more like a papier mache product with plaster.

[@TheCryptonomatron]

Can you make something like this for me ?

[@rameshloganathan5753]

Can you able to make popular human faces.

[@lizziethegamer904]

im sad now cuz i cant do anything like this 😭😭😭😭😭

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

I'm sure you can 😊

[@CastleCritters]

have some faith in yourself dude , it will take some work but WTF go for it.

[@jyvesguillemot]

very interesting way mate! Nevertheless there is no transparency of the water and it is what is lacking in this extraordinary scene! We must be able to improve the excellent principle in fact ! rgs jy ;-))

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thank you! Stormy seas don't really appear transparent, though. The water is too energised under the surface for light to get through. If this was a river or a pool, I'd use resin. Thanks for the feedback, though. It's all about improving and next time I'd make several changes! 😃

[@ducomaritiem7160]

I've seen water scenes where ordinary transparent silicone caulk was used for waves with great effect.

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

@@ducomaritiem7160 it's something I'd like to attempt. But silicone doesn't stick to anything, so I might use a polymer.

[@Jelios]

oh very nice!! and nice video interesting new channel +1 sub see you soon

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thank you!

[@idkman7483]

bruh no resin....

[@chrisgriffith1573]

*Real* life model? Isn't that a contradiction? Sorta like "original facsimile"?

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

That's the point. It's tongue-in-cheek. 'A real life ocean...model'.

[@samuelbarrington2170]

Copying Luke towen if I do say so my self

[@solehudin2545]

Amazing