Watch me creating a BEAUTIFUL waterfall diorama - and listen to all the sounds of me crafting!

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 Any information given in the video about previous Patreon rewards may be out of date.)
In this video I use products gifted to me by Hot Wire Foam Factory for use in my videos: Freehand Router and Foam Fusion. hotwirefoamfactory.com
This was, by a long way, my most challenging video so far.
The build itself wasn't as difficult as some others I've done, but filming the build and editing the video was an epic challenge.
I used an Osmo Pocket gimbal camera by DJI, which is an awesome bit of kit, but to achieve the first-person view while retaining some control over what I was shooting I often had to hold the camera on a bracket clamped between my teeth! This brought the camera up to eye-level for that authentic 'through my eyes' feel, but it did mean that actually making the model proved harder than ever before.
This video is considerably longer than anything I've done before, too. There is no music, just the sound of me working and breathing. I started recording a voice-over and realised it was distracting from the effect of the video. It felt clunky and unnecessary. It wasn't adding anything you couldn't see me doing anyway.
The video is designed to immerse you in the experience of creating a waterfall diorama - of bringing the scene to life. I had in mind those slow TV films that I find so relaxing to watch. I hope you find this video relaxing, too.
I have wanted to build an Icelandic waterfall for a while. I experimented with water effects for this video, using epoxy resin and poly fibre and scenic fibres to make the waterfall itself. And of course I used the epoxy and Mod Podge for the river at the bottom.
I truly hope you like it.
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.

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thanks everyone for your feedback. Some of you really like this style of video, but some don't. That's to be expected, and I appreciate it greatly that people have taken the time to let me know how they felt. This is more about me trying new things and wanting to establish my own style. It's about being creative and not being too similar to other channels. Your feedback has been really valuable and I will be using it for my future videos. It seems a lot of you like my voiceovers, so I'll be reintroducing that in a less intrusive way than before while continuing to learn with my new camera. Another issue has been the handwritten annotations: I wanted them to match the organic feel of the video, but I get that they are distractingly small. I will resolve this. This is a learning process and I will keep trying to improve and develop.

[@Atticus3lack]

It's a learning process. I'm glad your trying new things. But I'm sure I speak for most people when I say we are here for you if that makes sense. If we just wanted to watching someone build a diorama we would. But we come here because you, your personality and your skill. Keep it up and dont stop.

[@donnablackman9167]

High Eye Workshop I've been a subscriber (and the "bell has been rung") for quite awhile. I find your videos so interesting that I don't mind the narration. I like a certain amount of simple talk, so that I understand what media and methods you're using, but I'm also very visually-oriented and love the "pictures", as well. I have found, however, that added music often obscures my concentration in many other videos. By the way, i have no trouble reading your handwritten notes along the way, so I'm for keeping them or not, your preference. I plan to stay subscribed with the bell rung so I can continue to receive all your videos in my e-mail box. It's a treat to find them there. Have a good 2020. :o) Donna B.

[@bugzyhardrada3168]

As an Icelander I approve..... just kidding, you dont need that, you do amazing work mate. I find your vids to be somewhat more enjoyable and tranquil to watch then most of the other diorama channels on youtube. Keep up the great work mate, for it is truly a joy to watch Ps. You should go to Iceland someday mate, the nation is shit but the island itself is stunningly beautiful

[@TheUndiscoveredPodcast]

I loved this style of video. So incredibly relaxing while still managing to be instructive. Thank you so much for this.

[@lmaoaoa211]

Claim your here before 60 comments ticket here!!!!

[@unclebob50]

Yes, you are right about doing your own thing and creating a style. Many of the comments are very good. I wan to add that you need small green plants higher up because of the moisture from the water. Maybe small trees. But also some small bushes down below that haven’t been lost or washed away by the torrent of rain until they grow again. Maybe some logs broken branches. I love your style and what you’re doing.

[@lovetolay]

This has to be one of the best waterfalls I’ve seen,

[@gilbertgarcia8679]

I really enjoy watching you work. The step by step guide is great and the end product is just truly amazing. Im a Believer Thank you for sharing.

[@shirleytaylor4485]

Defo need voice! You have a great way of talking and it's really calming!

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thank you. Yes, I agree that voice is better!

[@jesussouless5124]

POV cam. That’s pretty awesome.

[@JedNebula1]

Lovely job. But it was like watching Come Dine With Me without the cheeky voice over guy. Your commentary gives depth and education to your videos....

[@leoalbertino]

JedNebula1 i guess he was aiming for the asmr lovers

[@bugzyhardrada3168]

Lol

[@justinharvey2691]

my left ear really enjoyed this

[@skully6223]

I love your voice, but this was incredibly relaxing! I actually like to hear the sounds of you painting and sanding and cutting, etc. I really hope you do more vids like this!🖤

[@Siansonea]

These first-person video games are getting more and more realistic all the time! :D

[@MangTikASMR]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍 Wow, this is the best KZbin video I've ever seen! I'll try harder to be the best like this. Good~

[@juliemumof3291]

Mang Tik ASMR -Luke Towan is also a great diorama builder... check him out.

[@pcat1000]

Perfect video , love the NO MUSIC no narration style, it was like I was there doing it. I consider myself an accomplished artist and modelmaker, and I have to admit - I am stunned !!!

[@kevo5990]

I’m really excited for this “Through Amy Eyes” series. Such a cool perspective

[@life-art]

Wonderful

[@Icyrice]

I like it very relaxing 😀

[@manolispapakirikos7208]

Fantastic, marvellous, excellent, piece of art, etc!!!!!!!???? Bravo my friend!!

[@suzanne7580]

Like the close ups. Like how it turned out, I mean its absolutely stunning! But I really missed your voice ☺️

[@mouth0915]

So Beautiful ！👍

[@naancraft2052]

Dear may I tell you something ... you are the one who inspired me to start my own dioramas... I was never interested in such things until I saw your videos ... but this video isn't good enough... the way the camera moves and the water fall colour... other than that you will always be my number one and the teacher I look for ... lots of love

[@RDNTrains]

Another amazing scene! Enjoyed watching you create it. I did not mind that you were not narrating and just focused on the techniques you were using. Thanks for sharing and I look forward to the next creation. Randy

[@tuandoole9651]

Thanks you Sir for sharing your excellent ideas. You have great talent 👏

[@beadowarrior]

One word, Brilliant

[@siob5108]

I really liked that , it's rough and honestly seeing the whole process . it is nice to see that everything is intuitive and happens while it happens 👍 , thank you for that .

[@AgatheZefeeling]

👍 très très réaliste 💕 bravo 👏

[@mephisto601]

The new style is very cool

[@ryut]

I like both voice-over style and this silent version. I expected that I'd get bored soon, but surprisingly I didn't! This is more like an ASMR video and very relaxing, while voice-overs are useful tuts. Love to see both versions in the future. Thanks for sharing!

[@priyanka4380]

Thank You for sharing such beautiful works. I'm really glad to have gotten your video as a recommendation.

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thank you 😊

[@coktaonemlidegilyaa6557]

Wow wonderful

[@lauriealexander5857]

My mind is blown!!!!😁😁😁😁

[@aashish6868]

I just wanna sit and see your work😍😍

[@sofiane9632]

Amazing this is so good. This looks like a place in heaven. Excellent, piece of art.. Bravo from Algeria

[@ErzgebirgsMoBaHO]

Wow, that looks awesome. Thanks for the great tutorial. Greetings Tino

[@samridhisabharwal2154]

Loved it

[@TV-se4ce]

👏 amazing 👏 👍

[@853massey]

Outstanding work.

[@lis296]

Very Well and very nice👍❤️ I Love it

[@silver.fox__]

Fantastic well done !

[@RicheUK]

Incredible work, thanks for sharing, just wow!

[@aussiefrenchman-hobbytable9960]

Mate that is the best result I've seen by far ,well done! 👏👏👏👏

[@Winterborne.]

Very nice 👌❤

[@thomaswalla4210]

Real great clinic about model landscaping! Real fascinating technique to use a piece of bark to emboss the rock structure into the still soft and partly wet surface of your 2plaster" rocks!

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Sorry for late reply. Thank you!

[@ftejesc]

Amazing! Very good, and instructive video. Thanks

[@mistered1397]

Thank you for sharing your talent with us. This is an amazing project you created.

[@thomaswalla4210]

Thank you for this real amazing clinic and work of model landscaping! Great technique to use the piece of bark to emboss the structure of rock into the still soft and partly wet surface!

[@klara4077]

Das thumbnail sieht mega aus.😊😊

[@pleongks]

You're amazing. Exquisite work. So much patience. Stunning work

[@adityaranjan3030]

Really a great channel.Thanks for sharing such beautiful models of nature. Really great,just realistic!!!!😊😊😊👍👍

[@jslute]

My favorite one so far,lotta great work to choose from

[@itsyagurlzinzi9727]

Obsessed with your work you're an inspiration man! I love your videos😋👏🏾keep up the great work!

[@9thebear]

Really great video, loved seeing how you did it all.

[@philRminiatures]

Gorgeous, you make us dream!

[@Lycurgus1982]

This is so satisfying to watch.

[@SkipRoGlo]

Great waterfall ! The best I have ever seen. Question: why don’t you use a sponge for that first coat?

[@maniseemilieantoinette1763]

😊 I loved it

[@irenemelaniegerona48]

Such a masterpiece! Thanks for sharing!

[@kimfromnewzealand8768]

Fantastic work 😆 I enjoyed watching this

[@pgadeb]

That has to be the most realistic waterfall I've seen and I've watched quite a few! Thank you for sharing your talent. Fibers really make the look, wow!

[@juliebaker6969]

You might want to rethink your font. It's kind of hard to read on a small screen, especially against a multi-color background. I could only make out about half of the words. But whatever it was you used, made a very realistic scene.

[@TheRunesmythe]

I think this is just the peril of using a font that mimics some type of handwriting; they're often difficult to make out in general.

[@bugzyhardrada3168]

I have it on good authority that its quite a difficult task to make out with general...... just saying.... at least just don't try it at home......

[@newtrog.367]

Yeah it's barely legible

[@DanieL-ob7kx]

I love your videos dude

[@nicsvids321]

Good job being innovative! I’ve never seen this type of video for a “making of” video and definitely not model making 😁 👍

[@cliente]

You are as good as Luke Towan making dioramas, congratulations!

[@illeatthat]

Don’t usually enjoy these kind of perspectives; but I found this video really interesting and of course had to stick around until the end to see such a beautiful diorama!

[@03214360964]

amazing work

[@normanrowe2831]

Hi Merrick, when I first saw the thumbnail at the beginning, I gasped! Seriously! It stunned me. So realistic. Whereas I throughly enjoyed the POV, I missed the cheeky, self deprecating comments. Maybe a combination of the two would be better. I, for one, enjoy your personality. As always a wonderful tutorial with stunning results. I look forward to future episodes. Bye for now.

[@kathystanding6332]

You are truely talented I enjoyed watching very much . It looks very real

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thank you!

[@justblitz453]

I love all of your vids, but this was definitely one with an interesting style. It is new but I loved it.

[@Jake9ization]

Love the grout and Sculptamold and grout technique! Never thought of doing that

[@viktorramirez9171]

Just WOW Thank you for sharing.

[@barbied.5932]

Wow....impressive! And very relaxing to watch. 🥴☺️

[@smallscalestuff]

Been looking forward to thus. Very much worth the wait, nice job 👍

[@chimpalienbaby7312]

I loved this video and the natural sound effects. You are very talented and I learned so much, thank you 🙏

[@rondyson8323]

I've looked at just about every diorama with a waterfall in it on you tube , but none has come up as well as yours . EXELLENT mate .... I look forward to your next project .

[@maniseemilieantoinette1763]

This is like ASMR 😊

[@squizzy6143]

beautiful work... i love watching your videos... u have an amazing talent

[@elizabeths4371]

Mixing the brown grout with the sculptamold worked A Treat! - Gonna remember that !

[@mr.cracker3085]

I love it, the water is amazing

[@schadowolf]

Absolutely breathtaking scene! Enjoying your channel immensely Merrick!

[@jordanjones2046]

Your work is amazing. I am so happy I came across your channel.

[@user-cc3vt9ts6s]

It's cool!

[@GeethaGowda-jb2sw]

Amazing 😍😍😍😍

[@monumentstosuffering2995]

Most excellent video and inspirational work. Superb sir.

[@bevsartsandcrafts715]

That is amazing. I really enjoyed the video, it was great xx

[@watrgrl2]

How do you care for your dioramas when they are finished ie, dust control and issues with environmental things like humidity? These are such beautiful intricate scenes that you poured your creativity and hard labor into so I imagine you want to preserve them for posterity.

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

I keep them in my garage under covers 🙂

[@Aorenai]

Chipping in to say well done! I do agree with others about missing the voiceover (which I saw you will be doing still in the future!), but I also wanted to add I got a bit “seasick” feeling with the headcam movements. Could be nice mixed between static shots though! Cheers.

[@PyrographyMadeEasy]

Hi Merrick, I've been meaning to tell you congratulations on the 100k+ subs. I'm not surprised by it at all as you create such wonderfully realistic looking dioramas. I can't imagine how sticky (or whatever) that milliput (the yellow stuff) must has been that you wore gloves while working with it. The way you created the waterfall was very fascinating.

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thanks Barbara!

[@sadoko8115]

when I first saw the end result i literally said: "what? no. that's real." ure a god my dude#

[@fliper8431]

You are the absolute Master of Waterfalls . Absolute . I will try to copy .Just try . A small suggestion , when adding the "depth " with the colour say 20:41 , I will use white at the base of the waterfall , and a few ins. down the torrent ....so when one adds resin , there is a transparency of bubbly whitewater . Just a suggestion. God bless and head up .

[@fliper8431]

PS I don't give a heck whether you talked or whistled , that is a master's work .

[@Atticus3lack]

I've got to admit the no talking got boring quick

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Trying something different. Don't want to be too much like everyone else, but I will be doing some voiceovers for other videos.

[@alexschmoker]

Atticus3lack I like it, it reminds me of when I listened to asmr, but this time with interesting stuff to watch and learn 👌

[@elderlypoodle9181]

High Eye Workshop We enjoy your commentary. Aside from your great talent you also have the perfect voice to accompany your work

[@Atticus3lack]

Please dont think I dont like your content because I do. Your work is stunning. This video just wasnt for me. But I still gave it a like and a fav

[@aidan2bTube]

Yeah. I miss the voiceover too.

[@marisaramosJUNCAJUEGOSsantafe]

perfect!

[@dhirajmanisha5327]

Excellent

[@VeronicaTorresGarcia]

Precioso!!😮

[@042rayme]

I have enjoyed all your work. Inspirational to say the least. However, I prefer your voice over type presentations as an explanation to the whys and wherefores seem to be better informative. Remember....we are here because of who you are. And that includes your voice.

[@chamansinghuttrakhand9259]

Nice sir u r so inspirational... honorable to learn from you something..

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thanks Chaman!

[@maresesdras3728]

Uau , moro Brasil, Iporanga, capital das cavernas e cachoeiras...vc fez cim com mt realidade um pedacinho desse lugar.. Parabéns 🌹❤️

[@christophersnyder1532]

Sublime.

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Thanks Christopher

[@abdulmuizsamsularifin9467]

Awesome, Luar biasa😍

[@_r41n3]

Imagine doing a school model project and this guy is in your group lol

[@Nick_Polo]

do a winter landscape)

[@Bumper83lilone]

What should I use to stick my foam together? Would modge podge work?

[@HighEyeWorkshop]

Yes, or just normal PVA.

[@Bumper83lilone]

@@HighEyeWorkshop ok thanks

[@TV-se4ce]

Good 👍👍