Making an AWESOME river diorama PLUS my FIRST ATTEMPT at making pine trees

Get access to my new written tutorial ebook series! / higheyeworkshop
Well, this was a fun project!
I'd never attempted making pine trees before, but they turned out nicely, I think. I might do things differently next time, though - such as making sure all the static grass needles slope downwards and altering the branches so that they point upwards nearer the top, more like real pine trees.
The rest of the diorama was a lot of fun to build. The resin river went down stress-free, and vegetation from Diorama Presepe always makes for an ultra realistic diorama.
The waterfall - or rapids - wasn't something I originally intended to feature, but a flaw in my initial planning resulted in a happy accident and the white water works really nicely with the rest of this realistic scene. I love a model waterfall!
Hand-carving model rocks can be a challenge, but there are so many ways to do it and for this diorama I chose to use Sculptamold.
I hope you enjoy watching me bring this model river scene with handmade pine trees to life.
In this video I use several products that were gifted to me to use in my videos:
3d Pro Scroll Table and Freehand Router by Hot Wire Foam Factory: hotwirefoamfactory.com
Static grass applicator and scenic vegetation/plants by Diorama Presepe (www.dioramapresepe.com, / dioramapresepe.com_off... , kzbin.info/door/eSX....
Spray Hobby and Craft Glue and Hobby and Craft Sealer from PlastiKote: plasti-kote.co.uk
Basing glue from War World Scenics: www.WWScenics.com.
CFS Fibreglass have gifted me resin products in the past, but the resin featured in this video is stuff I bought from them previously: www.cfsnet.co.uk
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.
Follow me on Instagram: / higheyeworkshop

[@FabulousaAliya]

I would love to see you tackle the challenge of an underwater scene more like a kelp forest, I think it would pose unique obstacles, as well as look fantastic! Perhaps you could even embed some LED lights since the scene would be encapsulated by resin?

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

One day, maybe!

[@dhruvar4332]

It is so relaxing to watch him do these models

[@abdelhamidgamal514]

Inspired by you and Luke Towan i created my first diorama. I cannot express how beautiful and satisfying your videos.

[@kimamcj326]

amzing I've no words to say about your arts and your talent...lots of love from India

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thank you!

[@charlotteross1801]

Thank you so much for your fabulous videos. I just wanted to let you know how brilliant they have been as distraction for me, over the past few months, through breast cancer surgery and treatment. At times when I have felt particularly low, or when insomnia was especially awful, I just watch you carve foam, or mix up goopy stuff and listen to you explain what you’re doing, self-deprecatingly. And then I just watch your amazing scenery come to life. I love it. You’re brilliant. Thank you.

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thank you so much, Charlotte, for sharing such kind words. I'm so happy to have helped you in some way through what must be such a difficult time for you. I wish you peace and all good luck.

[@SBKNO1]

I get really interesting results wetting the surface of the terrain before the washes. Wash flows, thins, collects and pools 'naturally' as it spreads. I'm in N Scale so small areas with high detail.

[@RPRsChannel]

Great work man. Next time, also add some dead pine needles to the bottom branches.

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thanks. Yes, good idea. Lots I would do differently next time.

[@PatrickSamphire]

That's the most absurdly powerful static grass applicator I've every seen! Puts my little battery powered one to shame.

[@SeanvanderM]

I had never heard of alcohol spray to get rid of the bubbles in resin! Only ever saw the blow torch method before, this looks a bit less risky.. great tip! Beautiful diorama.

[@ModelNerd]

As always, absolutely fantastic. The attention to detail and the realism....you're a true artist. Thanks for sharing!

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thank you 😊

[@TomJones0065]

This one is a Saver, I am putting a river/creek on my FIRST Playable Diorama type table, and I needed a GOOD video to help me along the way, PERFECTO!!! GREAT TIMING!! This is Amazing, I love when Ops becomes part of the plan! THANKS!!

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Glad it helped!

[@kellykwon2232]

There is a channel by.. Railroad something, Luke something whose finished product I love to see. The reason I keep coming back to your videos is that it is more satisfying to watch your process. You are good at sculpting. I saw a video of lava following over a semi-snowy mountain side and was wondering if you'd attempt something like that sometime. I can imagine you successfully pulling it off. It looks about the same molding process but with the challenge of different colors and some texture variations. No epoxy area that I can think of, though, but trust that you could figure it out.

[@markwilloughbywood3868]

Always so "satisfying" to watch...

[@Casper-wc1ws]

Your works are always so gorgeous, and watching you make these is really calming to me, I’ve been watching them to help me fall asleep, so thank you !

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thanks for saying so. I started this channel because I found peace in watching similar videos. So it's nice to hear that my channel is helping people 🙂

[@Hadassah-KaquoliMReno]

Absolutely fantastic job!

[@Maleficent84]

Happy Little Accidents! I love those moments were something happens that you don’t intend becoming something better than you initially planned on. More proof that in art, like life, you should never strive for some ideal of perfection, as the beauty is in those very imperfections.

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Perfectly put 🙂

[@emillev-twombly2234]

This has been the highlight of my day!

[@cyborgzulu2011]

Inspired by you and your work. It's stunning. So glad to have found your channel and to be a patron!

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thank you. I'm so glad you enjoy it.

[@cherylgray9873]

Absolutely realistic! What a TALENTED gentleman!

[@thedragonflai396]

Loved watching this, your voice is quite therapeutic to listen to. Thank you for sharing 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🤗

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thanks from across the Severn 😊

[@kellykwon2232]

That is beautiful. The terrain and the river, the trees and foilage, 💆

[@valborchardt3596]

Oh gosh, that really turned out beautiful....well done with the pine trees, very realistic....thank you so much

[@imbuddhika]

Love your work. It's all about the finest detailing.

[@Mar-wq9ku]

wow amazing so beautiful nature 😮

[@wallung1876]

Best pine trees in "wargaming scale" i've seen so far!

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Ah, thank you 😊

[@joem2745]

Brilliant fir trees! 😆

[@9thebear]

Those fir trees look fantastic! What a cool static applicator!

[@tomatoes3]

Nice narration , thank you .

[@CB_PlasticModels]

I have been making models for about a year now, and looking at your work just amazes me! I guess it’s just practice and good materials.

[@CB_PlasticModels]

(And skill)

[@Mad-i134]

The technique on the trees is amazing! NICE!

[@sarahmartin3265]

Casually watching this along with all your other videos for the 6th time love your work !!

[@ph068]

Great work once again👍

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thanks!

[@adude3953]

wow epic

[@theoschmitt3037]

Ein superschönes Diorama einer besonderen Landschaft.❤

[@schadowolf]

Absolutely phenomenal! I learned a lot of new techniques watching this video. I have to build two such scenes for my layout and this gave me the inspiration/ideas on how to do just that! Thank you!

[@abbielyna6295]

Beautiful as always! I loved the waterfall and the rocky banks. Thanks for the awesome video and have a good day

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thanks Abbie 🙂

[@darknessislight3689]

Gorgeous

[@philRminiatures]

Looks so beautiful and so real, the water is perfect! 👌

[@juliacomunica9424]

This is awesomeee🤩🤩🤩🤩 i really like it!!

[@kevinhare3126]

Great work again, so much detail love it

[@Kalkipikaia]

It's so lovely, I want to live there!

[@2b2tLILPEPPU]

your work is crazy i have no idea how you do it

[@dantheollie]

Very nice mate!

[@gianmarcofiori1414]

Great work! your videos are very inspiring, but this one in particular might be my favorite until now

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Glad you like it! Thanks 🙂

[@user-sc2ys1fr7x]

I really love your models

[@trainviewreports3939]

Amazing!! Thank you so much for quite useful video!!

[@alikc25]

It looks Awesome.

[@ellieB5806]

Wonderful

[@mayapapaya4374]

Wow! This so cool!

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Cheers!

[@elizabethsullivan1894]

So cool!

[@kasslove111]

hi i am a friend here amazing work love and light

[@nielsantsorensen881]

Great work. Congrats.

[@Wood0206]

So beautiful!

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thank you!

[@Zack-nd8ef]

soo gooood!!

[@arjundahal5416]

Great

[@fewes17]

It would be very nice to get a wide shot of the entire diorama (maybe even a turntable spin) at the end just to appreciate how it all comes together. Lovely stuff in any case!

[@wargamesgeek1334]

Wow, that is awesome 👍👍

[@hotrod5150]

Awesome work! I may have to try my hand at one of these.

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thank you. It's great fun - give it a try!

[@bevsartsandcrafts715]

Brilliant as always x

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thank you 😊

[@carsandrailways354]

Nice video!👌😁👍

[@karenreardon1372]

I love your art. It’s made me want to create my own. One thing I would love to see you show is how to depict a forced perspective scale in a diorama. An example would be the scenery used at the base of a mountain would be much larger and darker than those used at the top of a mountain “far away” from the viewers perspective.

[@CTDioramas]

Beautiful as always! :-)

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Cheers Chris 😊

[@jashshah2160]

Just wow

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

😊😊

[@gandrungbonsai]

It is very, very Amazing and inspiring Thanks expert, from indonesia 🇮🇩👏👏👏👍

[@sshim950]

Beautiful : )

[@MrMajikman1]

Happy accidents are usually the best accidents😊 One question though, do you prefer opaque tints for the water color, or transparent, and why? I'm trying to make a decision whether to use opaque or transparent for my river. Most folks doing these usually add opaque, and I'm not sure why, but I like the idea of being able to see to the bottom and all of the scree/boulders below the surface.🤔🤷‍♂️

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Depends on the depth. The upper section of this river is quite transparent. I tend to use transparent glass paint, but even that turns opaque if you use too much.

[@MrMajikman1]

@@HighEyeWorkshop Thank you for the response. Yes, so the actual amount of tint will determine how transparent or opaque the resin will be. Thank you, got it! Looks like it's time to do some experimenting☺

[@maxboonkittypoison]

I love it :D

[@Andries1963]

Excellent video , we love your videos they are amazing to watch your creations come to life 👍 PS well done at getting diorama presepe name right 👍

[@BattleHardenedGames]

Is there a reason why you like using the florist's knife during that carving step moreso than continuing to use a hot wire cutter? Is it about control? Straightness of edges?

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Probably laziness - not wanting to plug in the hot wire tool again!

[@jmorv8866]

Do you find that the premade washes work better or worse, compared to making your own? I have to say, you did a tremendous job on this, very lifelike!

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thank you. For dioramas, homemade are cheaper and just as good. For miniatures, I'd stick to brands.

[@santhiagoluciano]

Perfeito 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👍👍👍

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thank you 😊

[@timbaker8928]

Love your work! I need a decent static grass machine.Where can I get one just for beginners?? I would greatly appreciate any information!

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thank you 😊 i would try any one with a 9v battery. Avoid the fly-swatter types.

[@resinshinecreations]

This is amazing!!!! Love watching your videos! Just wondering: how long it takes to make one like that?

[@heathercharalambous1732]

You do phenomenal work! How many hours does it take from start to finish to make one of these. Keep posting, these are beautiful and your videos are so well-filmed and edited

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thank you 🙂 The model: 15 hours. The video: another ten at least.

[@youngarchaeotech189]

Guy: **makes diorama** Me: :)

[@patrickbateman69420]

Whilst trying to sculpt realistic rocks by hand is commendable, using rock molds in this case would have given a far better finish to your rocky surfaces and been much quicker. Excellent trees, though!

[@gp8718]

Really impressive work!! Sorry if you've already answered this but where do you get your XPS foam from? Uk based? Cheers.

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thank you! I buy it from Bluefoamuk - on eBay.

[@paulmoulds1465]

Do you use a reference photo or is it all from your head? Impressive either way!! 👍🏻

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thank you 🙂 I start with a reference photo or a memory and then just let the model go the way it wants after that.

[@ethansiegrist742]

dose this also work for model railroading

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

It would work for all types of model scenery. I hope!

[@RPRsChannel]

Glass paint needs to cook, doesn't it? But resin does get warm/hot as it cures, maybe that is enough?

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

The resin gets pretty warm.

[@zhaorai8639]

Looks great man. Just one question though, I wanted to check out your webstore but is it just me or does the site not work?

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thank you. Ah, yes - I've closed the site. One too many things to handle for me.

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

I forgot to take the listing off!

[@ColeEphoebe]

Hi, could you please please let me know the nams of the colors you are using of the pebeo glass paint? I mean, the exact name mentioned in the container (burnt umber etxc)

[@user-gq3cc7mt1y]

👍👍👍👍

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

😊😊

[@stefannauer4096]

hello, i only have the normal vallejo game colour. what would be the ratio to get the wash colour out of it?

[@dev7377]

Please make a war diorama

[@iagonogueiira]

Como se chama essa "espuma" mais compacta que você usa para a base?

[@yudixajdoest2578]

Where i can buy all stuff u used

[@johntaylor1435]

Would you please let me know the make of your ststic grass applicator. Regards John

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Hi John. It's stated in the video: Diorama Presepe.

[@Uniqloy]

Where do I buy brown grout?

[@harryevans4994]

where do you purchase your styrofoam from?

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Bluefoamuk on eBay 👍

[@kellykwon2232]

Pine trees- fucken fantastic. "Wow" was actually said outloud by this viewer. Your terrains are beautiful. (Don't confuse me for my twins, a have a handful of evil ones. This next part is hoping the --- are reading: one killed another one to make it seem that I had died, but I am still very much alive. My twins are evil. They are so evil and keep breaking into my home and doing far worse that I cannot leave in the comments of a video like this. My twins and a group of twins are evil. Assault, ----, theft of intellectual property, property, money, paychecks, assault, ------ assault, home invasion, impersonation, tresspassing, cyber stalking and aside from what they do to me, probably things like murder, commercial burglary, child predatory crimes, kidnap, etc. People without twins are lucky.)

[@andrewbriggs2279]

i am very sorry that i have to stop watching your incredible videos. your work is first class and you make it look so easy and it is also very relaxing watching your videos, apart from.... you never stop talking about the companies products you use. i know they give you them for sales purposes but you really dont need to mention that you use War World Scenics basing glue and all the others every time you pick them up. that is why i cant watch anymore. im sure this will make absolutely no difference whatsoever to your viewers and subscribers but it has to me. jeez, you really do hammer it in there. end on a high. your dioramas are fantastic

[@derwolf4702]

Maick a Dschungel

[@Zack-nd8ef]

how do you get rid of bubbles in paint?

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

In the resin? Using an alcohol spray.

[@Zack-nd8ef]

@@HighEyeWorkshop thanks

[@ivley9798]

add fish

[@dankamikubo7002]

Your pines should have green tops, otherwise they resemble stunted trees! A real tree in their present state wouldn’t grow any taller.