Stunning river diorama: how to make the ultimate realistic scene

Get access to my new tutorial ebook series! / higheyeworkshop .
(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 Any information given in the video about previous Patreon rewards may be out of date.)
If you've ever wanted to build an awesome, stunning river diorama, well, that's probably why you're here.
In this tutorial I guide you through the process of building an incredibly realistic scene.
The techniques can be applied to model railway layouts or to wargaming terrain.
I use epoxy resin and scenic fibres to make the river and Mod Podge Gloss for the ripples, and various scenic materials - mostly by Woodland Scenics and Noch - for the greenery.
The technique I used for the trees was inspired by Luke Towan (link to his video below). In the highly unlikely event that you don't subscribe to his channel already, do it.
• Tall Forest Pine Trees...
Thanks for watching. I hope you enjoy the build!
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.
Support this channel on Patreon and get some pretty cool perks: / higheyeworkshop .
Check out my Instagram page - it's full of work-in-progress photos and footage:
/ higheyeworkshop

[@misterorw]

i love watching diorama buildings and seeing the different techniques used by different people

[@loriterry1457]

Me too!

[@Barzins1]

Me three

[@teguhsantoso1136]

Me four.

[@SpinoGamingYT]

Me five.

[@madnessbydesign1415]

Nice shoutout to Luke Towan! I like the fibers in the water - it looks very organic. Well done! :)

[@swupel3622]

The Streams The coulors The grass The water IT IS JUST AWSOME!

[@calvinhuddleston576]

absolutely gorgeous, it would never have crossed my mind to use fibers to simulate water rushing. im planning to make a small river diorama but all i have is a bottle of vallejo still water so its going to be a challenge

[@bugzyhardrada3168]

So how did it come out?

[@Barzins1]

That’s amazing. I don’t have any talent for this but enjoy watching it very much. Thanks for sharing.

[@alice092948]

Oh, my goodness...what an absolutely beautiful scene you made! Thank you for sharing your knowledge and skills with others.

[@giancarlopaolini7529]

One of the best I've seen around on the web ...if not the best one. Extremely well done....especially for the water effect. Thumbs up.

[@mestapho2011]

this is the best example of rushing water i've seen yet. thanks for showing the scenic fibers. i haven't seen these yet. was skeptical at the start but the finish product is superb.

[@Vincentofvega]

Simply brilliant. Thank you for sharing.

[@Trevor_Austin]

It looks like I’m going to have to buy some Modge Podge - matt and gloss. Great tutorial and I appreciated the high speed.

[@errolwoodhouse6605]

I enjoyed the river design very very nice

[@lordofgraphite]

This is literally incredible

[@BrewPub]

Well done mate. One of the best representations of water I have seen in a diorama or layout.

[@saritarathore9232]

Unbelivable model All things seen like real

[@otaku-chananime3026]

I don't know why... but these things calm me... not just the music... the diorama coming together...

[@megadeth1763]

Where have you been for all of my life ? Dude..! You are simply amazing ! I could sit an watch your artistry skill hours on end, it's mesmerizing to see your work start from virtually so little and in no time it's real right before your eyes. Thank-you so much.

[@TrainsandDioramas]

Great show! I love the voice over on the timelapse - shows the whole process yet takes less time to show it. Cheers! Kaustav

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thanks, Kaustav. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@robertbezemer2397]

fantastic. i love watching and learning.

[@smitakumari6850]

It looks beautiful. You are amazing sir

[@alexmorgan2296]

Thank you for sharing - brilliant technique and stunning result (will certainly try to replicate).

[@sadhubright4454]

U did so good.Thanks.

[@colossalbigfoot256]

Water looks great

[@auroragoth5078]

You are such a massive mood. Love this so much

[@AnotherIdeaTV]

I' so amaze watching this video

[@daveolliemetalhead]

Amazing work

[@haliqferdian2475]

So beautiful..

[@Dragonoo1990]

That's pure art

[@jmgjmg6608]

Great video. Very interesting, and informative. I have watched several times.

[@lindanoreika893]

Wonderful! Awesome!

[@alikc25]

Fabulous, I love it.

[@traceyhilder3426]

Wow amazing love how you make this look so real so talented

[@aidadominguezgomez4668]

Impresionante, congrats!! I love it'!

[@nicholas8nj]

Your amazing. Thanks

[@badmansagar]

amazing work man.

[@philRminiatures]

Inspiring job, it looks superb and so realistic, makes me want to try this one day, congrats!

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thank you 😊

[@ivortomana]

Very nice water, super 👍👍👍

[@Yizhu-wt1zv]

This is so amazing

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thank you 😊

[@realfreedomofspeech]

Stunning 👌

[@scott6504]

Stunning! 👍

[@arcnline360]

Extraordinary skills

[@choochoo3985]

Great video, great timing as well as I have a lake, water falls and a river to do and you just gave me some of the best ideas to date. Just purchased the Delux Scenic fibers on E Bay; LAST ONE! What a great touch!. I just hope I can do half as well as you. Very creative. Thank you for sharing

[@ckc8301]

Its so satisfied to watch ur video lol

[@kayleeleanne8364]

Absolutely love your videos

[@Janduny]

Hands down, you make the best and most realistic water/wave effects! It's always a joy to see the end results!

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thank you 😊

[@fabricioteixeira4541]

Eu também não vai acreditar no seu sonho tem que ser grosso ser Na sexta feira e a gente se fala de todo mundo que o Gui falou que eram os alunos à noite mãe essa música no primeiro

[@winemajaved6796]

Very nice. I really like it

[@yongashichannel7532]

Wowwww great bro...one of the most beautiful video I have ever seen I love it... kept more doing.God bless you😘

[@0e32]

Fantastic!

[@selkins1982]

Beautiful. You make it look so, so easy. My hat's off to you.

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thank you 😊

[@davestinyworkshopotherprojects]

Awesome!

[@lukenoble3319]

Wow! Amazing diorama and fantastic build. I saw this diorama being built on Instagram and thought I have to see the video on this.

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thanks, Luke. 😊

[@kr7475]

Super.

[@curtisbass1882]

I would just like to say that I think that is fantastic work and I really just got into this kind of crafting a few months ago but if I can become as half as good as you are, then I will be happy, but I've really got caught up in this kind of crafting so when you are ready to take me under your wing and max me out, I'm ready lol.

[@mhewson]

Amazing thanks much!

[@rosmalinamalina9260]

All respect to you🟡🧿Effort and science

[@nodippy]

absolutely breathtaking. u are incredible 💝

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thank you so much 😊

[@user-mn7cb6xn4i]

Thank you!!!

[@khailos]

my man... wtf why would you spend so much time and holy shi it looks good af 👌👌👌

[@onikitokatty2861]

Adorable I luv it 😍😍

[@jeffreykeffer4352]

So I just found your channel today and subscribed and I am now caught up on your videos, Out standing work , great videos and tons of ideas have been given to me ...Keep up the great work and Merry Christmas

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thank you! And the same to you 😊

[@nscaleendeavor1267]

Just started watching your videos. Great stuff! I am doing my first model train layout and your videos really motivate me! Thanks! Liked and subscribed...

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thanks!

[@kaleasingllc9349]

Very cool

[@jijimonvb4159]

keep it up 👍

[@petermodin8719]

Epic!

[@uzandjelunadjuprotivbakepr5807]

This is amazing woooow your awesome

[@FredWilbury]

Stunning ...... from a new subscriber....... regards Fred

[@anaregina3965]

Lindo ,lindo lindo 👏👏👏👏

[@PonzWasTaken]

This looks very good. My mother is very spiritual and naturalistic and I'm planning on attempting to make something like this with a working water pump with a reservoir under the diorama. I'll have to find some alternatives from the materials used here as I doubt running water through this kind of stuff would be very good but I think it'll be a nice challenge

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Cheers. Yes, nothing good for water here, but good luck! Look forward to seeing it.

[@pow7213]

Please keep making videos! I love your videos i really do enjoy! I hope i can make my own in the future! It is so inspiring! You deserve more

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thank you! I will 😁

[@kimtattoostudio5475]

So great!👍🏻👍🏻❤️

[@persephone2706]

I'd love to see you recreate salt flats.

[@Lochnivar]

Real talent and a beautifully put together video - Subscribed!

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thank you!

[@user-kn6sz8ji1j]

Hello from Delaware. It's phenomenal...like 3-D artistry. I have a wood deck behind my house that has a wooden planked wall on one end. I think a long diorama river running along the intersection of the wall and the deck would be great. Thank you for your videos and God Bless.

[@user-sb8ks1ij7b]

Its amazing

[@nospam1388]

Impresionante sigue así 🎈👍

[@user-vv1bd9dz6j]

Отличная работа! С меня лайк.

[@maxboonkittypoison]

Looks super awesome!! Greetings,, Kitty.

[@sgfan5000]

Out of all of these that I've watched, it just dawned on me what the camera hasn't caught.. (the camera itself) .... glue and paint and twigs and leaves, epoxy resin and even trees. Must look like it's own Diorama. hehe

[@RomanKhramov]

Very nice

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thank you

[@deejaykakashka8936]

Incredible!! Congrats

[@RDNTrains]

Very nice! Love your dioramas. Thanks for sharing. Randy

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Cheers Randy

[@kompastid9338]

фантастически круто!

[@LaserGadgets]

Water looks beyond awesome... But did you watch all the Luke Towan videos, or did he watch all of yours, because sometimes, its a 1:1 thing with you 2.

[@XaiceOriginal]

He Watched prop. all of Luke's ... Nice Copy Cat ..

[@LaserGadgets]

@@XaiceOriginal The scenery is not Luke's, so I wont call it a copy. Luke is doing tutorials and that means, he is probably happy people learn from him and do their own thing. I learned a thing...or 100 from him. I would still mention Luke though.

[@layl33n]

I just found your channel, and I already love it!! Keep up the great work

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thank you 😊

[@layl33n]

@@HighEyeWorkshop Can we be friends? 😁

[@thefirefighterwaylifefight2030]

Again Top Notch...

[@user-nc8qh1sv3k]

nice!

[@randomvideo2905]

Look fun. I wonder how much should i spend to get all the stuff.. just basic stuff, wanna try to make one. Look like easy, not to complicated, maybe need alot of patience.

[@jazzman1626]

Wow! That’s the most realistic river I’ve ever seen!

[@gercialima5319]

Muito legal adorei

[@davidl6332]

El Bob Ross de las maquetas

[@TrochezCovers]

Amazing work Sir, love it

[@jamesbarrett6392]

That is so cool I wonder where he learned to do that

[@jeanpierreragequit1726]

superbe !

[@riichh7001]

amazingg~~

[@Augusto_Tenorio]

WOW!!!

[@cocccinelleee]

I just discovered your channel because I recently started building my first ever diorama :) I'm so excited and a little sad that I didn't get into this hobby sooner. Your videos are great, thank you 😊

[@ruthven78]

been waiting for this video. insulate and heat your shed! :) I have the same problem, the only real workspace I have for larger projects is the garage and its not insulated or heated, or even well lit for that matter.

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thank you. It is insulated. I just need a better heater!

[@enrijansedemo3361]

Wow.. Very Talented and Diorama is much Realistic. I hope I can make realistic diorama like you... I will earn enough money to buy materials because it seem so expensive. I just only a student

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thank you. It doesn't have to be expensive. The resin can be expensive, but you can use bark for rocks and real twigs for trees, etc..

[@naefrashid7346]

Really nice and distinguished work.

[@guillaume797]

Greatjob, thanks for sharing your job

[@meltingdoggo4647]

Hit or miss...