Making A Simple Scenic Base For Your Armor Model (Morser Karl, 1/35 Trumpeter)

My friends, sometimes a diorama is used to tell a story. Other times it helps to add context to our model, and display it in a more attractive, and natural, way. If you add a bunch of decently painted figures, the finished miniature can look like a small slice of real life!
Patreon: / nightshiftmodeller
Enjoying this type of content? Well, if you're new here, then don't be shy to subscribe and maybe even turn on notifications because I keep posting stuff like this every week!
Disclaimer: Most of the weathering products I use in my videos such as Ammo by Mig Jimenez, AK-Interactive, Wilder and VMS were sent to me for free, but with no obligations to promote them. I received a lot of them a long time ago, even before I started this channel. VMS is also one of my Patreon supporters. Being independent from big and exclusive sponsorship deals and showing you a wide variety of different brands and products was one of the founding ideas of this channel and I will always stand by this.
Music: Quincas Moreira - Scratch the Itch - KZbin Audio Library

[@GoodOlTahj]

LET'S GOOOOOOOOOOOOO, muh friends

[@harlech2]

"MAH FRENS!" = start of a great weekend. Would love to see you do a base like that with a nice stain, then a high gloss varnish. Make the base look like a piece of furniture.

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

I considered this idea a few times, but so far I've always done some kind of blunder on the veneer - be it a scratch, stain from a permanent marker, etc. A high gloss finish gives it a more noble look, and I like it a lot, but personally, I kinda feel it draws the attention away a little from the scene. Similar to how an overly decorated picture frame distracts you from the main event - the painting itself. But hey, those are all just personal preferences! :)

[@harrygames7377]

You know its a good start of the weekemd when you see a Night Shift popping up in your youtube feed

[@TG-ex3oo]

One hint - if you dont know already: The Styrocut (i think you have one besides the Proxxon - the Proxxon might have this feature as well) has a little brass inlay around the hot wire inserted in the worktop. It can be pushed upwards and be used as a guide. Turn your cardboard-styrofoam with the cardboard down and glide along the brass inlay - you will get much smoother cuts.

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

I never thought about this! I must check it out ASAP, thanks!

[@tankhistorychannel123]

As a 13 year old obsessed with modelling and tanks, this channel has been a huge inspiration for me. Thx night shift!

[@carrotisthebestgaminggecko5168]

Same

[@GeneraI_Motors]

Uncle Night Shift! I would absolutely love to see you do a diorama in which you implement the subject vehicle firing! This model especially would look so cool with plumes of smoke and flame following a massive mortar shell out of the barrel

[@Dragon_Werks]

The Sturmtiger would be a near perfect candidate for a build like this.

[@peterjozsef448]

I usually hear from modellers that firing effect is like impossible to make realistic even with lights. It’d still be an interesting subject

[@aaronwhite1786]

@@peterjozsef448 It's definitely something where every time I see it, even if it's a super impressive job, it still just feels like it ends up detracting from the model itself to me. The fire effects always just end up taking me out of the detail and painting of the model itself, because it seems like it's near impossible to make a static fireball/smoke look good.

[@peterjozsef448]

@@aaronwhite1786 Yeah, 100% agreed. Pretty difficult task

[@martindunn4545]

Seeing uncle Nightshift dry-brush his diorama and explaining why and how just feels so good. It's one of the very first techniques I learned for painting basses and terrain for dnd and wargames, but hearing him talk about it makes it feel less like a "beginners cheat" and more like a valid modeling technique. Thanks Uncle, loving your content recently!

[@chungnun4948]

hey if it makes the model look good, then its a good technique :)

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

I was in the same boat! Dry-brushing = obsolete, beginner-friendly technique. But man, it's so powerful when used on the right type of surface!

[@zolniu]

@@NightShiftScaleModels Never be too fancy to not dry-brush a rock. :)

[@stephanmotzek779]

What ever you want to do ,do it. You are an artist .

[@ironspike171]

Dear Martin, if you ever consider Merch: Start selling „Real Earth from my Garden TM“ A small zip-lock bag with a few grams would do. Its a nice support i would do and i could boast with a model that have „Real Earth from YOUR Garden“ 😂

[@davidkilby1043]

Well done, muh friend

[@Dragon_Werks]

As spectacular as the Karl Morser Geträt is, your diorama skills and techniques make this build over the top. It's cranked up to 11. Great job, Uncle Night Shift. Kudos, muh friend.

[@theangrygermanlad1328]

Great feeling hearing the “Muh frends”

[@csongorszegedi-csinady8231]

Such a beauty. I believe, this model didn't require a delicate scene, since it's not the harmony and blending with the environment which is important in this case, but the excellent engineering, the colossal dimensions and tiny details of the vehicle, and a deatiled scene would draw the attention of the spectator. One thing I would have added, is some dirt grains and sand on the ladders which would get knocked off the crews boots while they were climbing them, but it's such an insignificant detail, that it's not even worth considering. Other than that, it's sheer perfection. Although most of them were rather impractical, there is something about the gigantic warmachines of the Third Reich which I simply adore, and this model captures it perfectly.

[@milankoomyjski6073]

Tanker on the left in 19:26 is just Saul Goodman💀

[@sillyseagull9468]

bro it does lmao

[@marcellmolnar8228]

Make the Schwerer Gustav next time! That would be epic! Nice build.

[@merlinhorness1700]

Very happy to see you are back, MUH FRIEND! !!

[@damirmejric3441]

First time I've watched your video with my almost-four-years old son and he is stoked :D Great content as always, Uncle :)

[@guidor.4161]

The grass looks very realistic, just like my lawn...😂

[@johnshakespeare3004]

So im going out on a limb and say the ellipses are oval and this is a lozenge shape....amazing stuff as usual and the new schedule is good for you!

[@Mechmaster0]

An oval is an ellipse without a precise mathematical defenition. A lozenge is a straight sided shape with two obtuse and two acute angles. A rectangular shape with semi-circular ends, such as the base in this video, is called a STADIUM.

[@adeadfish5006]

@@Mechmaster0 neat

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

This is where my language barrier comes into play, geometric shapes are like fish to me - I don't know many! :D

[@Mechmaster0]

@@NightShiftScaleModels I think it's a specialisation issue rather than a language issue, a great many native english speakers don't know these terms either. Unless someone has an interest in geometry they just aren't going to know the technical terms and I'm sure a lot of geometricians would be equally confused by some of the specialist terms we use as scale modellers. 🤔

[@philmckenna5709]

@Mechmaster0 Yeah, I am a native English speaker and I didn't know that. So thanks for the info ✌🏻

[@stulan]

Absolute master of his craft and so beautifully presented. The high quality camerawork, editing and narration serve to enhance the joy of seeing Uncle Night Shift produce yet another stunning piece of work. Thank you sir.

[@garyjames1346]

Thank you, uncle night shift. You really entertained me with your skills and explanations. I look forward to your next one 👍

[@vamthedestroyer]

Excellent work. I’ve said this before but, especially with you last few comments about artistic freedom, you should DEFINITELY look into gunpla. Especially any of the grunt suits like the Zaku or Leo. The Zaku has definitive WWII Axis vibes and are a perfect slate for complete artistic freedom. You’re not constrained to “this vehicle was only in X location, once during Y year.” It can be anything you want, from any time you want and can be painted in any way you see fit. If there’s any person I’d love to see paint a gunpla… it’s muh Uncle Night Shift.

[@syborg64]

Try this: By having the cardboard/template side of the foam base nearer to either end of the hot wire, you can reduce the amount of deflection when cutting, which should leave nicer more consistent edges. You can see in the video how much the wire bends above the cut. By symmetry it's moving as much inside the cut.

[@savoysavoy2944]

A superb model, you should be happy and proud of it. And we are thankful for sharing your art with us.

[@yewhocksoon3489]

Poetry in motion. So effortless. So a masterpiece end result. Will apply the diorama techniques for my King Tiger ( F13 Companie Fehrmann AFV Modeller Issue 18) entry in this coming June competition.

[@peterjozsef448]

Mind blowing how you make them realistic on a very high level. I’ve said it several times but you’re still one of the very best on the internet

[@_gigatop_1081]

It whould be so awesome to see a burned down tank-wreck from you! (Great video keep it up!)

[@Snoopmasta]

Awesome finish MAH FRIEND! :)

[@jilthunder2276]

Great result! Marvellous work, my friend :)

[@joshgibbs3337]

Can we get a shirt the just says MUH FRIENDS! Love the video! I always continue to learn from you! Thank you!

[@RetroRoboland]

What a mighty beast this model is. ✔️ . Next…

[@philRminiatures]

The work on the base is by itself a masterpiece...Inspiring!

[@lesthiele4921]

Uncle Nightshift, thankfully you have made a appearance this week, it always great to see one of your videos, I am working today and it is a very slow day, so watching modelling video is the ideal thing to do, best regards from Australia and keep doing what you do best, when you have the time to film/edit. 👍👍👍

[@Vormulac1]

Fantastic result! Well done!

[@fjdexx]

Thx for show us. A very great Model and Base. For me GOLD

[@danielcotnoir3363]

Thank you Uncle! Wonderful work!

[@garycamp3389]

You give me some great ideas. Very nice, thanks,. Gary from .ct.

[@loupiscanis9449]

Thank you , Uncle Martin . 🐺

[@thetreneiro6876]

Shoot, man :) 32.000 views in 20 hours? I don't think Marvel trailers have that much! Brilliant video. Again.

[@frankw7266]

Sometimes a diorama doesn't need to tell a story, just be an adjective to it. Something as simple as the addition of the two shovels in the foreground to provide perspective, using something we've all likely had in our hands, to demonstrate the grandness of this beast. Hopefully I speak for most of us... In regards to your "time for a change" video, you do you, we'll be here to follow along. You & SpruesNBrews are two of my favorite youtube modelers, and have been a great inspiration for getting back into the hobby after 20 years of life flying by... keep up the awesome work!

[@olivercooney6645]

I like your work because I love your work but because it feels like chatting to a friend just seeing what your upto it's nice just hearing someone being positive & enjoying something the love doing

[@autoclock8650]

I think this turned out great, it has life to it, that you can never get from an old black and white photo, without going over the top and feeling fake. A bigger base may be cooler in most cases, but I think it works here, for simply getting the point across. I also like that it's tall, I don't know if the greater visibility from that height was intentional, but it works. It's like a good solid chunk of Earth cut out, instead of looking like a piece of cardboard with dirt and paintbrush hairs glued to it. This makes me want to build a tank, or maybe a train that came off the tracks decades ago and has been left to sink further and further into the mud.

[@jilthunder2276]

Did you built a totally destroyed tank already? I`d love to see such a project, showing all this burned and devastated interior, etc.

[@campbellsoup4646]

This is a beautiful project

[@baryonyxwalkeri3957]

I think such huge models like that always ask for lots of figures to be shown working on them. Sort of like an anthill-like atmosphere. Would be more realistic too, as a lot of personell was needed to service them.

[@Oakeeper]

You have always the best idea for your dioramas..... Very inspiring.

[@simonacuthbert1]

Excellent work, Martin. Thanks for producing it and have a great weekend.

[@fotomakr]

Another masterpiece of building and painting. Like how the tone of everything really meshes.

[@xNevikKx]

Awesome as usual. I've enjoyed watching your groundwork and figures evolve. Looking forward seeing you get back to your roots!

[@thatotherguy7596]

Excellent work as usual. Thanks Uncle Night Shift, aka: Uncle Martin aka: My favorite Martian 🤣

[@orni2490]

this is quite an impressive model and diorama. Watch her videos every Friday and it's always fun to see how something very unique is created

[@Smoggy6681]

Fantastic build, thanks for showing this.

[@billclinton3862]

When you make a radius make sure to use your tool in a sort of digging motion to get a nicer finish

[@michaelrafferty4783]

Love it. Awesome build, awesome paint job and awesome scenic base. Well done as allways.

[@sgtrock2175]

Great work as always. Since you are talking about doing something small and creative, how about a vignette where the focus is a few figures, rather than a larger model? Or maybe a sci-fi subject.

[@chrisstorch1337]

Many thanks again young uncle. Outstanding. Let’s all take our time.

[@markc7002]

Your skills are those of a true artist! The Da Vinci of scale models!!

[@Marcusstratus]

Fantastic. Thanks for sharing the whole process! Your basing tricks in this vid are inspiring!

[@paulregner5335]

An excellent project, and very enjoyable to watch the progression through to completion. 👍

[@thunderjax]

Uncle night shift returns!

[@eliquidmatt]

Amazing work! And glad to hear you sound much happier since switching up your format!

[@DutchDaveModels]

Uncle nightshift has done it again! Great project finish on this huge Morser. Like the simple base set up. Makes the model stand out better.

[@a_pompom]

I had such a bad week. I was super happy to get home and see this upload! hope you are doing really well with the new schedule and feeling lots better ❤

[@georgetaylor5482]

The whole model is really well done, the base is very fitting, it truly is a monster kit.

[@stevenlitkey9354]

That sir is the perfect base for that beast. Well done !!!

[@cerisekappes580]

My friend! Looks amazing!!! 😊

[@mikemodels928]

Just another amazing project.

[@ryburnsjr]

Thanks for the figure hints..I have acquired a few figures in 1/16 scale to paint and weather.😀😀😀😀😀😀😀

[@martianmuppet]

Once again, superb! Thankyou for uploading.

[@markus_blend16]

It's a long weekend here in the Philippines and this vid is the best way to start it!

[@gazradford2557]

This is a perfect example of a small amount is enough, i]the base shows the Karl Morser of superbly. Well done.👌👌

[@willysgodevil7891]

Sir, your attention to detail never ceases to amaze me. 😎

[@ianstewartbrown5308]

Superb finish, just the right amount of everything in my opinion, base texture, colour and figures. What you have tells the story a break and a bit of maintenance between ops

[@isisnmagic1812]

Awesome, brilliant video, cant wait to see what comes next.

[@stephenbridges2791]

Outstanding result. I like the story it tells. The story is, in fact; the engineering behind all that effort. The figures keep perspective. Very well done and very well thought out.

[@rjgiddings]

What a beast of a German mortar. And a massive diorama to properly display it. I like the 25:00 run time, good for you, man. Less weekly posts - but longer videos. Smart decision. I totally get it.

[@nunopreto3751]

You are a tremendous modeller. Your technic in everything you do at modelling word, it’s an inspiration. This is Art. Thank you 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@slartybartfarst55]

The ground looks excellent - completely realistic to my old eyes. And I think your balance of the size of base, number of figures, relative to the Mortar was spot-on. And, thank you - I'm going through a really bad time right now, and just simply hearing you say "Muh Friends" cheers me up!

[@kastorviking538]

Cool idea of those small more creative models, that's also the way how i am making my models (since about a year).

[@adamrynski1384]

Model i diorama jak zawszę przepiękna!!! Ale najfajniejsze jest że w głosie znów słychać radość z tworzenia a nie tylko rutynę 😁! Warto czekać na następny projekt!

[@ODGColornChrome]

Awesome work! I love watching what you do! Master Class!

[@Sasha-jk6wo]

This is fantastic, I've definitely stood in the hobby shop many times and dreamed of doing this model too. I could never afford it, plus i would've never done it justice like you have. I love watching you do your thing and can't wait to see what's next. Cheers!

[@phoenixguild8375]

Another, smaller WW1 tank could be interesting. One of those early turreted tanks perhaps?

[@theintake8961]

Congratulations Todd! You do a great job with your build and your videos. 😎👍

[@Modkits131]

Makes me want to see you do the the 400mm extra long Soviet artillery. That would for sure make the Karl Mörser jealous lol. Beautiful diorama’s as always.

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

I guess the Kondensator project has become a little bit more realistic and doable after this one :)

[@somenextguy4944]

Right but why wouId a 600mm artiIIery piece be JeaIous of the 400mm one

[@Modkits131]

@@somenextguy4944 Because the Russian one is longer……..

[@somenextguy4944]

@@Modkits131 But what do the women prefer Girth or Length

[@Modkits131]

@@somenextguy4944 Listen, it’s not the size that matters here it’s the le….

[@tomp.214]

I haven't made a scale model in at least two years because I just haven't had the time. But I still love watching all of your videos as they come out, keep up the great work!

[@martinidry6300]

Highly instructive throughout. Lots of common sense observations and cautions. An expertly made Karl. Just one recommendation = on the level side of the ground you can still have cavalry or foot bound soldiers (engineers, infantry, etc.) walking past. It would create a lot of interest due to far more activity. It would rid you of the anti-climactic feeling. Dark brown coloured horses are surprisingly easy to do.

[@captainhurricane5705]

Brilliant work as ever, muh friend! Big respect.

[@BigLisaFan]

Once again, outstanding work!!

[@scagmo_au]

Thor IS the story. I love this diorama, it's simple and let's the model speak for itself. It's left up to us to tell a larger story 😁

[@claudiolopez997]

Excellent, Thank you Master!!!

[@rafaelmiranda2418]

Pure enjoyment as always... I'm curious for the creative ideas to come!

[@Diogenes_43]

This is a really interesting vehicle. Came out great, well done!

[@PacManDreaming]

Beautiful work, as usual! I can't wait to see your work on the Maschinen Krieger models! I'm always hoping you'll do more sci-fi stuff.

[@Lightman0359]

It took til now [after watching you for like 3 years] to finally figure out the way to describe your painting style/color choices. At least through the filters of your camera, youtube compression, and my monitor, your models have a recolored black & white newsreel feel to them, like modern documentaries from WW2 where they use AI and CGI to approximate the colors. It gives your figures a surreal uncanny valley vibe, especially the exaggerated skin warmth and muted uniforms from your pre-shading/glazing technique. It is pretty unique. Because of the nature of the figs I do [sci-fi/Fantasy, 40k and D&D mainly], my style is 80s cartoon saturated colors, using alot of wash and drybrush with a gloss or satin finish. A friend of mine has a old comic book/sunday comic strip vibe to his figs, with faded colors and a matte/flat finish, mainly because of the cheap paint he insists on using: krylon grey automotive spray primer and dollar store poster paints. We did a test once, choosing the same model [a reaper dark elf with scimitar and kite shield, his favorite figure] and colors, just differing in technique and paint brands, his looked like the 70s D&D cartoon, mine like the art in the 3e rulebooks. I have to try your method, it might give me a good looking yellow figure for once [been trying to paint Bumblebee from Transforners in 1:72 scale, he's 3" tall], and have to strip him and try again, he loses too much detail with my colored primer [citadel wraithbone, an eggshell color] and contrast/wash paints approach.

[@garylawless3608]

A fantastic result for ‘Thor’ Uncle! It looks just awesome, and the build series for this model was a joy to watch. I am looking forward to your next project. Stay safe, and greetings from 🇦🇺!

[@darkwood777]

Awesome result!

[@richardmaxfield8339]

Brilliant work, very enjoyable. Stay safe that man, and thank you

[@Carloscardenas-ub5vj]

Nice work, always inspiring to complete something

[@SullieStrings]

5:56 looking at the ladders with the dirt right there, I was thinking that there would have probably been some dirt where the boots were climbing up and down them. Brushing a little on the the middle area of the ladder would also make sense considering the boot prints you have leading up to it! Love your videos, thanks for the enjoyment!