Creating My First Miniature Tree For A Diorama

Рет қаралды 216,466

2 жыл бұрын

My friends, tonight is yet another "first" for me. Because not once in my modeling life have I attempted to make a tree from scratch. Even as a smol lad trying to do all sorts of things I'd rather buy one of those pre-fabricated trees made for railroad dioramas. And I kept successfully avoiding this task for years until I made an "empty" corner in my upcoming diorama which had to be "filled" with something... something like a tree!
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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 - KZfaq Audio Library

Пікірлер: 325

@ironspike171 2 жыл бұрын

Dear Martin - a biologist here: Since this wont be your last tree forever i would like you to give a few hints to make these look more natural - with the same! amount of effort: All trees (and most old buildings too) have. „weather side“. Only on this side can be found moss and stains. So next time: just moss on one side. Second tip: You had lighter green leaves and mde some darker green. Fresh leaves are always on the outside of the tree. So have next time darker leaves and paint the outer ones lighter. Tipp 3: Same goes for height. Higher leaves are fresher and therefore lighter green and bottom leaves. Thank you for your great modelling series!

@caoxiaoxiao8491 2 жыл бұрын

What an lovely comments :)

@tomrowe4546 2 жыл бұрын

👍👍

@dominicpizzey1515 2 жыл бұрын

Glad I wasn't the only one thinking this when watching... 😅

@garyowens7454 2 жыл бұрын

This is exactly the comment I was looking for - not specifically for this video, but trees in general in a diorama setting. I am pretty skillful at making things that mimic trees very well, but they never looked "real". Your comment told me why. Thank you.

@ironspike171 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you guys 😀 Im just an observer of nature - aka biologist. And thats what our uncle is usually doing amazingly well: Worn tank paint only on the top, because only there are people walking on it. Mud and all the nasty stuff Martin is so famous for only on the tracks and mudguards. Same goes for trees and even the old brickwall hes building. These things have a side, a top and a bottom. They are facing „north“ for a decade. Im sure he and any other modeller can now „weather“ the heck out of it - but you know what? „weather“ comes from a side…😉 Oh, and btw, if you follow and Bob Ross video (the joy of paining) youll see the same. Bright and more saturated colors on the top and outside of any tree - only on canvas not on tiny plastic tanks.

@Hansford232 Күн бұрын

because of stumbling across one of your old videos , i am now in trouble with the wife. it’s expensive getting started in this wonderful world. please keep them coming.

@perochialjoe 2 жыл бұрын

Recreating nature always makes you appreciate how difficult it is to make something look random.

@NightShiftScaleModels 2 жыл бұрын

It's one of the most frustrating (and rewarding) disciplines in scale modeling :D

@ocalicreek 2 жыл бұрын

Nature isn't actually "random", but grows following patterns and influences depending on the type of tree, location, and how the elements of wind, snow, rain, etc. all take their toll on the tree. Branches are either opposite or alternate, and this pattern holds true for the entire plant, usually, all the way down to the leaf veins (but who is going to model that?). Anyway, look for the patterns and once you see them they become hard to un-see! Happy modeling.

@shiroumxm2052 Жыл бұрын

INDEED!

@brianreddeman951 2 жыл бұрын

"I've never made a tree before" and proceeds to rival anything I've done on his first try. So basically if you say "I've never played poker before, I will not play against you" 😁

@NightShiftScaleModels 2 жыл бұрын

I always take the opposite route lol. Doing something for the first time? I'll give it my best. Been doing something for years (mountain biking)? Nah, I'll just shatter my leg on a perfectly mellow trail.

@brianreddeman951 2 жыл бұрын

@@NightShiftScaleModels Things can be worse, be glad you don't live in an area with cactus and poison ivy. I've seen a few people tumble into both at the same time. Usually both grow next to each other in steep slopes; Nature is metal.

@burntbybrighteyes 2 жыл бұрын

On this episode: Uncle Nightshift becomes a Bonsai enthusiast!

@NightShiftScaleModels 2 жыл бұрын

Fun fact: I was as a kid, but gave up after all my store-bought bonsais dried :D

@burntbybrighteyes 2 жыл бұрын

@@NightShiftScaleModels haha same here! I pestered my parents to buy me a bonsai after I saw karate kid.

@steffenrosmus9177 2 жыл бұрын

@@NightShiftScaleModels you should have kept them, nice stuff for model trees.

@qingyunwang3802 2 жыл бұрын

I still remember decades ago when I saw a diorama foliage made of real twigs, the modeller mentioned he sterilized the twig first in ethanol so that mushrooms won't grow out from it later XD.

@NightShiftScaleModels 2 жыл бұрын

Baking in an oven does the same thing and as a small bonus all moisture evaporates from them, so they're perfectly dry and ready to use almost immediately :)

@poorboysadventures4636 2 жыл бұрын

I use a microwave i got for free cause someone threw it away for some reason. Works fine and its my dedicated hobby microwave. haha

@xILLxChronic 2 жыл бұрын

"Yeah this branch doesn't look enough like a branch for me, better retexture and paint it" This guy's dedication is insane.

@jameshogge 2 жыл бұрын

I used to go to a model railway show and had a go making model trees there. We had a very different method which was something like this: - Start with a large bundle of copper wires and twist them together as you go down until they join into one large bunch (the trunk) - Bend the wires as you see fit to create the actual shape of the tree - Use textured paint all over to create a bark-like surface - Paint the surface - Apply foliage as you have done in your video The copper wires were quite a nice material because they let you shape & position the tree as you pleased

@rrl4245 2 жыл бұрын

Don't forget to add steel wool to add volume as smaller branches...

@jameshogge 2 жыл бұрын

@@rrl4245 Ah yes definitely! I don't actually remember doing that at the demo but it was a long time back

@NightShiftScaleModels 2 жыл бұрын

The twisted wire bundle method is sometimes used in 1/35 dioramas as well. Especially when you need a very specific shape for your tree, let's say you need to fit it into a very tight diorama. It seems rather time consuming but I want to try it some day!

@MiniatureMasterClass 2 жыл бұрын

"I've never made a miniature tree before" - proceeds to make one of the best miniature trees I have ever seen.

@NightShiftScaleModels 2 жыл бұрын

I always give it my best when I'm trying something new :D It's all downhill afterwards.

@RichardDenRooyen1973 2 жыл бұрын

that was my thought too!... its one of the best trees ive ever seen on YT sofar

@MasterShake9000 2 жыл бұрын

For the first water project, I kinda want Uncle Night Shift to do a Panzer Tank of the Lake diorama from the meme.

@Executioner9000 2 жыл бұрын

Yes!

@Brave_Sir_Robin 2 жыл бұрын

Please

@davidkilby1043 2 жыл бұрын

Agreed

@NightShiftScaleModels 2 жыл бұрын

Lol, it would actually be a simple enough project and a good practice piece for the water! :D

@Brave_Sir_Robin 2 жыл бұрын

@@NightShiftScaleModels please tell me that’s a yes I’ll do it

@twobyfour 2 жыл бұрын

I really like it when Uncle leaves his comfort zone. That tree is superb too.

@laurentpaille659 2 жыл бұрын

This tree is legend... wait for it ... dary. Another outstanding work !!!! As we say in France : Bravo !!!!

@Vlka_Fenryka 2 жыл бұрын

I didn't realise how much work goes into scenery for a diorama. Thank you for the video and I hope you're healing well.

@Misitheus 2 жыл бұрын

Sometimes I think it's more difficult then building the kits.....

@NightShiftScaleModels 2 жыл бұрын

Individual elements of a diorama are small models on their own. I was never able to appreciate how much time and work goes into some of those wonderful dioramas we see in magazines or on model shows until I gave them a try.

@Misitheus 2 жыл бұрын

@@NightShiftScaleModels The vegetation is the hard part. Plenty of products for terrain and ground. Your plants can make or break the scene. Mr.Shift's tree looks outstanding.!

@ryanbruner8928 2 жыл бұрын

I started making trees from roots in the '80's when I bought one of Shepard Payne's books.I recently found punches for real leaves and have been using this for the leaves. Uncle Nightshift,thank you for doing everything "the complicated way",I've learned a ton from you!

@TheBonsaiZone 2 жыл бұрын

An awesome tree, really well done!

@NightShiftScaleModels 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks! Artificial bonsai next? :)))

@THROTTLEPOWER 2 жыл бұрын

WOW, Beautiful work.................... 👍👍👍

@MSPaints 2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely unreaaaaaaaal!

@docnoc1868 2 жыл бұрын

Patience is the key to make this beautiful tree.... thanks for sharing this procedures..🥰

@-jk-2580 Жыл бұрын

Best tree tutorial!

@chrislogston6072 2 жыл бұрын

This has to be one of the best scratch build video's that I've seen for tree's

@stephenbridges2791 2 жыл бұрын

Nice result. I'm always on the lookout for twigs or whatever. Spices grown in a pot work well.

@NightShiftScaleModels 2 жыл бұрын

I'm gonna collect roots from every plant in my garden when autumn hits :D

@geronimosrifle2913 Жыл бұрын

Wow that is amazing!! I've been scalemodeling for 20 years and never been able make a tree look that realistic on any scale. 😱😱 Thank you for sharing,.Model Meastro👍👍.

@Panzermeister36 2 жыл бұрын

It's Friday!

@hanssmidt12 2 жыл бұрын

Yeah again

@shiroumxm2052 Жыл бұрын

it looks AMAZING!! so much detail and realistic.

@MrWorstNews 18 күн бұрын

"Complicated solution" = worthwhile work 😉👌

@cynthiafletcher2063 2 жыл бұрын

This is incredible! So realistic!

@maxcorey8144 2 жыл бұрын

I am a model railroader in On30. Trees are time consuming at best. Now and then I spend days on one tree like you are doing here. For a special spot on the layout where it stands out above from the rest, for a scene, for a vignette, for a diorama of course. Fun stuff you are a great model builder and I learn from you. Thanks for showing us how. Oh, the tops and undersides of leaves are often a different color so I like to airbrush up from the bottom and down from the top not only to emphasize light and shadow but also this difference in leaf color.

@LPlFan81 5 ай бұрын

Baking soda can be used to accelerate superglue. Basically you can bridge two pieces with baking soda and drop super glue on it, it will cure itself for seconds, creating a very tough bond (actually stronger than the glue alone).

@Hansford232 Күн бұрын

do you sprinkle the soda or us a brush?😅

@XxBloggs 2 жыл бұрын

Hey it looks good. I use woodland scenic leaves of different shades and spray diluted white glue then sprinkle them on.

@syrmalcolm 2 жыл бұрын

Excellently done. Very clever adaptation of materials.. thanks for sharing.

@grihko-medovskai.8221 Жыл бұрын

I respect you for the work done and thank you very much for another option on how to make trees. Greetings from Russia)

@mestapho2011 2 жыл бұрын

This was perfect.. as in we live in the Matrix perfect. I too am building my first tree cause I typically don't need them. This video couldn't have come at a better time. That's one of the best looking trees I've seen. You gotta be a figment of my imagination.

@mr.e1944 2 жыл бұрын

Wow, that is a great tree! Thanks for sharing.

@georgesnyder7586 11 ай бұрын

Amazing, beautiful, thank you for sharing this!

@msee383 Жыл бұрын

Great tree and good showing of pack contents. Like the comment regarding one sided moss from one of your followers.

@OkayOkcomics Жыл бұрын

wow, the putty really gave a great bark texture- looks amazing!

@pauvillalonga4471 2 жыл бұрын

Hllo Martin. I just have to make a comment ... a very good job, very simple and well explained,... EXCELLENT

@thechurchofdave 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent tutorial. Loved it. Thank you for making this.

@rons5438 2 жыл бұрын

Looks great! One thing from the railroader's tool box that may have made your life easier is hob-e-tac glue from woodland scenics. It is a thick glue that you apply to the seafoam or foliage, let it dry for a few minutes until it becomes mostly clear, at which time it is VERY tacky, then apply the foliage and it will stick pretty much immediately. But it looks great, and your next one will be much faster, even if done the same way.

@ruebenglab4939 2 жыл бұрын

Always liked your videos /builds. This one was great from start to finish. Hope you do more like this!

@marcosaugustosoares Жыл бұрын

One of the prettiest trees I've ever seen!

@joaquimsommaferrari7298 2 жыл бұрын

wow amazing tree i also love to create my own trees and this, this is amazing uncle !!!! Lovely !!!

@humphet 2 жыл бұрын

had to share this with my mom. You did some great shots with the parts that look different after they dry; the effect was clear

@januszmanczak161 2 жыл бұрын

I am the Lorax, I speak for the trees. A ship/submarine model with sea/coast vignette will combine both things some of us want to see from You!

@Rohnon 2 жыл бұрын

This looks amazing! I'm really enjoying your Diorama content as of late

@roadweary5252 2 жыл бұрын

Looks amazing, Martin! Well done

@bonniehollingsworth1996 Жыл бұрын

Good tutorial. I learned a lot. Thank you!

@Mentosineenbakkie 2 жыл бұрын

Well made, realy awesomee its like you litarly turn waste into something. Realy awesomme

@Nemodelist 2 жыл бұрын

Вы большой мастер!!!! Спасибо за бесценный опыт!!

@dogforeyals 2 жыл бұрын

this is invaluable, thank you Mr. Night Shift!!!

@peezebeuponyou3774 2 жыл бұрын

This is brilliant modelling my friend. Trees are easy to model; good trees are notoriously difficult. Well done.

@larsschneider8157 2 жыл бұрын

fantastic job you take model making to a new level 🤗👍

@worpo177 2 жыл бұрын

i like ur vids i have made 1 panzer IV model and i love the hobby, you got me into it :)

@FlokisModels 2 жыл бұрын

This is a great looking tree and as always learned something new to try on the next build, thank you!

@tomtruesdale6901 2 жыл бұрын

Very nice job on the tree. Now you will not feel so uneasy the next time you need a treee.

@BRAD-ROTT 2 жыл бұрын

REALLY COOL AND REALITIC! 😜

@Brinkly1000 2 жыл бұрын

Really amazing model. I model oo gauge but I’ve taken so many tips from this build. Thanks a lot. Keep up the good work!

@NightShiftScaleModels 2 жыл бұрын

You usually need lots of tiny trees then, right? Luke Towan makes dioramas in this (or TT? or H0?) scale :) I'd lose my mind if I had to do two trees for a single diorama using these methods. One was more than enough :D

@foreverplastickits138 2 жыл бұрын

*Beautiful tree, and with the help of Iron Spike and another it'll be the best realistic next time! Good job NS!*

@Buksevann72 2 жыл бұрын

Beautiful!!!

@olafb.2929 Жыл бұрын

Wonderful tree and as always great commentary!

@calessel3139 Жыл бұрын

For a first try, I have to say you really knocked it out of the park! Great Job!!! PS: For gluing wood pieces together, I'd suggest Weld Bond. It's a very strong white glue quite similar to wood glue. Once dried, the glued parts are almost impossible to break apart.

@aledwards8775 2 жыл бұрын

75% happy! Looks damn good dude, and you made it look easy 👍

@MrSpriken 2 жыл бұрын

I have been wondering about how to make trees for some time now, especially today. I would like to make some in 1/12 scale, and this video certainly helps. Thanks for another great video!

@nerdwideweb8760 2 жыл бұрын

Great Work😁👍, I Love your Videos and watch them all.

@TeaPoweredModels 2 жыл бұрын

Ma Friend! Putty over the branch is an awesome idea! If you are struggling to glue the smaller branches, you can pin them by drilling a small hole and either using a paper clip or florist wire then use your putty trick to keep it together. It's a common method used for miniature models particularly resin models. Awesome job as usual!

@ratled1 2 жыл бұрын

BRILLIANT!

@schadowolf 2 жыл бұрын

Very well done!

@richardclowes6123 2 жыл бұрын

Just awesome tree. Thanks for the extra fine modelling tips. I do railroading and you seem to think that we want everything in a hurry . . . . . wrong about me . . . I have all the patience in the world and my hobby shows it. Thanks again, Rick the Bulldog

@lmmodellismomilitare 2 жыл бұрын

Wow! So interesting!!

@thegoosegaming4337 2 жыл бұрын

Ship modellers know water really well. Something that works is tinfoil that is crinkled then painted. The waves can be dry brushed with light sea colours.

@jacobakana5649 2 жыл бұрын

Well, in typical Uncle Night Shift fashion, you do something for the first time and create something fantastic! Keep at it, I can’t wait for the diorama!

@markw5779 Жыл бұрын

Pretty impressive 👍 nice job

@FredWilbury 2 жыл бұрын

Ah a journey into tree making good start sir many more we hope 😎👌 such a long process 😉

@cristianci00 2 жыл бұрын

Very nice result

@geroschorch1365 2 жыл бұрын

you continue to amaze me. that tree looks in cre di ble!

@Vamp2D-x-Z 3 ай бұрын

This so awesome😮😮😮😮

@staquu 2 жыл бұрын

Your inventions is amazing 😲, nice episode 👌

@MADMAX3722 2 жыл бұрын

First time wow so awesome. I think it's one of the best tree I have seen great job

@davidmooney4866 2 жыл бұрын

Cracking tree! Well done Mr

@nickbutler7935 2 жыл бұрын

For a first attempt martin, you have achieved a great result.

@msee383 Жыл бұрын

Second time of watching… this is a great tree.

@majsmith66 Жыл бұрын

Beautiful work!

@sixandup939 2 жыл бұрын

Bravo, Mr. Shift. Bravo 👏👏

@m.m.6110 2 жыл бұрын

Love it!!! 👍🏻

@RichardThompsonCA 2 жыл бұрын

The best miniature tree I've seen on youtube!

@FugitsBlitz 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome stuff as always. In fairness never dreamed of using Ammo 'mess' type foliage interest technique indeed. Also after deciding to do my very first ever modelling vid, I normally only do tank game and history vids, I have a new found respect for the quality of your camera work!

@astromodelspl6739 8 ай бұрын

Nice job, but if you want to add stump texture in tight spots, you can use Tamiya or Hauler photo-etch saw blades

@tonysillett3044 2 жыл бұрын

Great job again bud. Looking forward to see which fiqures you use and how you place them.

@nielsenflemming2000 2 жыл бұрын

Gorgeous tree, mate.

@SmallSoldier 2 жыл бұрын

You have a green thumb as well! Super looking tree Martin!

@karras6239 2 жыл бұрын

The shadow work is trully what grants you the mastery of all this... if you showed me the "tree" alone i wouldnt know that is a scale that was crafted. Amazing job mister.

@giannycrazy9865 2 жыл бұрын

hey nightshift i finally got my first model kit yesterday from revell as i couldn't find any tamiya at my local stores and so i started with a $13 A-10 warthog and covered it in silver shiny paint and glued together the parts I'm currently doing the M48A2 Patton Tank from Revell thanks for the tips!

@Lightman0359 2 жыл бұрын

For moss/slime effects take a look at Citadel's "Nurgle's Rot" technical paint. It is a pale green that dries goopy and glossy [like pva glue]. It was designed to mimic fungal growths and puss filled sores [common to the Nurgle Faction in Warhammer] but works for any green slick surface [toxic waste, stagnant pond water, rotting wood].

@ronaldvanpinxteren3644 Жыл бұрын

It became a fantastic result. You notice the white glue where you had to paint it afterwords. You can avoid that by using diluted matt medium as an adhesive for the leaves instead of white glue. Regards from the Netherlands Modellbahn Rosenbahn

@silverdragontm9548 2 жыл бұрын

Superglue armor 😂👍🏻 stronk tree! Well, I guess I’ll have to do this sooner or later. But I will use leave stencils from green stuff world. If you don’t have them, it’s worth checking them out, for they give really nice leaves in different scales. Looking forward for next week, figure painting is always so relaxing.

@sixfootfourflips9777 2 жыл бұрын

The trunk is easily the best I’ve ever seen!!

@rogerthat4286 2 жыл бұрын

you are such a legend man, you really deserve so many more subs..!

@SevenWelt 2 жыл бұрын

Great work! 👍

@beck645 2 жыл бұрын

You sir are an insane genius. I could only hope to live long enough to be 10 percent as good as you. If you have not already done so I would love to see a video about what brushes you use, where to get them and how to clean them after all the different things you do with them. Many thanks!