Super-realistic desert pool diorama with cracked earth

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(The ebook tutorials are now Patreon rewards, along with early access to KZbin videos. Any information given in the video about previous Patreon rewards may be out of date.)
I show you how I made this super-realistic desert pool diorama with cracked earth.
Yes, I know I called it a 'dried up watering hole' and yet there's still water in it, but the point is it's drying up.
This was my first time using crackle paint. It's fun! You can get amazing effects, depending on how thick you go with it.
I'm trying to keep the costs down on these dioramas so that everyone can feel they can have a go at building one. I think the most expensive thing is the resin, but it lasts for ages. You can make your own Sculptamold using toilet paper and plaster of Paris, but I used the branded stuff here.
I was very pleased with how the water effects turned out here.
My materials:
Balsa wood
Extruded polystyrene
Newspaper
Plaster bandage
Sculptamold
Bark
Acrylic paint
Crackle paint (Decoart)
Seafoam (dried twiggy weeds would do)
Noch leaves (dyed sawdust would do)
Two-part epoxy resin
Green acrylic ink
Green weathering powder
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.
Check out my Instagram: / higheyeworkshop

[@abbielyna6295]

I was recommended this old video and I just, wow! The mud cracks came out awesome and I love how the tinted water came out. The little bits of vegetation just helped it pop even more. Definitely one of my favorite dioramas you made, I’d be excited if you were ever interested in another desert/mud crack/rocky one in the future. Either way, thank you for this great video and have a lovely day in the meantime!

[@sirnagat9885]

There is magic in your hands

[@elderlypoodle9181]

So interesting!!!! I agree using Quality bark 👍

[@gillyvean]

Good work and well done on the environmental statement regarding the cups, it drives me scatty seeing the waste some channels create.

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

😀 Yep, single use is no use.

[@matthewm.1569]

This is just stunning. It makes me want to watch some documentary films just to see the beauty of the earth. Thank you for the art you brought to this world.

[@vicki_v1006]

Just finished! Beautifully done once again! I don't understand how you think of these things and execute it perfectly every time! Always relaxing to watch!

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thank you! I just follow the processes I've developed and trust in a bit of luck. Sometimes mistakes turn out well, but other times they can be fixed with effort.

[@gwilliams2017]

So amazing! Thank you so much for sharing it.

[@biggerthaninfinity]

Wow, this is really unique. Love it.

[@silenttraveler2710]

Total Awesomeness....

[@PyrographyMadeEasy]

Hi Merrick, I was excited to see you had a new video. This is a lot different than your normal, and it turned out amazing. The crackle paint worked wonders. When you were showing the completed work in the beginning I was trying to figure out how you did it. Never ever would have thought of crackle paint. Very interesting and entertaining as usual. Brenda

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thank you, Brenda. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@gbj6581]

That is just awsome..

[@nails6365]

Pleasure to watch a master at work.

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

High praise! Thank you 😊

[@ImperialKneazle]

Amazing to watch, and brilliantly done as well, thank you so much for sharing x

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thank you 😊

[@normanrowe2831]

I am always excited to see one of your tutorials pop up in my notifications. As always I was not disappointed. I had run across these crackle paints in stores and wondered how they would work in a diorama. Well...in your hands they worked very well. Outstanding little diorama. I like the acrylic case idea. See ya next time.

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thanks Norman 😀

[@bilgerat7694]

Bloody Beautiful work mate looks bloody awesome till next time have a good one

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thank you 😊

[@joesphmayhem7479]

That looks so good, well done. I might have to steal a couple of tricks from this for a diorama 😋. Great work as always mate 👍🏻.

[@swedishviking1827]

Wow amazing. Great work

[@adubseven]

First video of yours that I have seen. Very cool kit and I like how you held the completed section up just to have it fall to pieces. I liked, commented and subscribed.

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thank you 😊

[@vicki_v1006]

Yes! I am here for it! 🤓

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Hope you enjoy it 😀

[@eggyolkeo7681]

Just saw on instagram that this was up (over there I’m Bastopia). So cool again. And again a great variety in your work. I also like the fact that your work really seems to have a soul. It has something that’s truly yours. It’s not only trying to be as photorealistic as possible and I think that’s great. Really awesome work!

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thank you! That means a lot 😀

[@GatorLife57]

Great job ! Ty4Sharing Wolf🐺 👍

[@tpbbuzzelli1327]

Very interesting

[@zharfanhanif3512]

Good work dude ..

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thank you 😊

[@zharfanhanif3512]

Most wc

[@Manu1876]

Its just amazing SIR, please send, send more videos. Manu

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thank you

[@dogman9291]

This is really great! Always beenba fan of desert landscapes, I blame watching too many Western movies. Could be cool to see your take on a tundra landscape, a rocky fjord, or, if you're up for it, a scene of one of those colourful sandstone canyons they have in America. Just ideas, in case the whole covid thing is limiting your usual stuff! Either way, I love this build and your stuff, keep up the good work

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thanks for the suggestions 😊 These are all things I've considered, actually, but I'm currently so busy with online diorama kit sales that finding time is hard!

[@dogman9291]

@@HighEyeWorkshop Hopefully sales are good, with people finding themselves with more time for hobbies these days, haha. You definitely deserve more attention for your stuff, anyhow, it's fantastic even if it is niche. If you ever do any of these, I'll be first to gawk at the results-- I'm sure they'd look amazing.

[@presidentpandaz9183]

My question is. How???!!!!

[@Tybold63]

Very nice. However, I wonder if it is actually correct to make bottom of the body of water with cracked surface too? Shuold not the mud be more smooth in the pool?

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

The bottom isn't cracked, only the edges. As far as I remember.... It was based on a photo.

[@jeffreykeffer4352]

Another great video , and seeing you put this one in a display box I have to ask , what got you started in terrain building ? was it Model Rail Road , table top war gaming or just a love of building terrain ?

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thank you. I'm not a Wargamer or a railway modeller. I just like making landscapes 😊

[@jeffreykeffer4352]

@@HighEyeWorkshop well you are one of the best .. Love your work

[@papyrusmiguelon1346]

Alola sub spañish , me encanta tus videos si tan solo tuviera subtítulos

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Gracias

[@papyrusmiguelon1346]

You're welcome , i only ask that you have substitules so that we understand each other por favor ❤💗💙❤💗💙

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

I don't script my voiceover, so I wonder what KZbin would think I was saying if I used automatic subtitles ☺️

[@papyrusmiguelon1346]

Ok see you later

[@drcatslapper5008]

Love your videos. The stuff you do is great. Also really like your commentary style. Please lose the background music. It really gets in the way, doesn’t add anything and is really banal and irritating!!!!!!!

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thanks for your kind words on this and my other video. Appreciate your feedback.

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

I am moving towards a quieter background music, but many people actually enjoy it. I think I used to have it too loud, for sure!

[@hteekay]

You tend to mumble a lot. Great job none the less