I created this scene as a little bit of fun, and to try out some new techniques for applying snow and ice. I was inspired by some frosty weather and feeling festive!
Using this guide you will learn how to build a miniature snow scene in ‘OO’ gauge, although of course it can be used to build a diorama in any gauge you like. It gives us a chance to see how we can change the use of a building (in this case a beach hut) just by changing the season.
I want to say a special thank you to Frank Gardner for the gift of the beautiful VW bay window camper model.
INGREDIENTS:
- BB031 Micro Diorama Baseboard
- LX494-OO Small Beach Huts (pack of 2)
- Deluxe Materials BD-29 Scenic Snow Kit
- DAS Modelling Clay (Air Drying) White
- Model pine trees (there are some very realistic ones available – mine came from The Works to keep the cost down)
- Acrylic paints in various colours
OPTIONAL EXTRAS:
- White biodegradable glitter
- Winsor & Newton Sand Texture Gel
- A snowy backscene of your choice
- A model vehicle
- LX236-OO Laser Cut 4ft Post & Rail Lineside Fencing – signpost parts only
- A selection of modelling tools suitable for clay
- A short length of metal rod
- UHU Glue
- White tack
METHOD:
Begin by constructing the BB031 as per the instructions, and the LX494-OO but stop before you attach the roof sections. Cut your backscene to size and glue to the back of the BB031.
Cut a length of metal rod and glue 3 of the LX236-OO signposts to it using UHU or superglue. I managed (with a fair amount of squinting!) to paint words on my signpost using my smallest paintbrush; it has about 3 hairs left on it which was ideal!
Take 2 small (well, tiny) balls of DAS clay and pop one on top of the other to make the snowman. You may need to dip your fingers in water to keep the clay moist if it dries out quickly with the heat from your hands. Form a teeny weeny carrot shape for the nose (you can use a modelling tool to help you here), poke a little indent in the middle of his face and stick the carrot on! You can also indent places for his eyes, mouth and buttons at this stage. Before you leave him to dry, cut a short length of bendy wire for his arms and push through his body at about shoulder height. I shaped the wire on mine so that he looks happy. Set aside to dry.
If, like me, you bought cheap trees and the trunk is formed from twisted wire you can press some clay around the trunks so it looks more like wood. We’ll be painting them later so don’t worry too much at this stage what they look like, although you may want to use one of your modelling tools to add some bark-like texture. I also removed the wooden discs they were attached to.
When the glue is dry on the beach hut you can go mad with paint! Because this scene was inspired by an idea I had about a Santa’s grotto, I painted mine in red and white. To give the effect of snow sticking to the sides (maybe after a storm), I mixed the sand texture gel with an equal amount of white acrylic paint and dry brushed it around the corners and onto the door. I would recommend using an old paintbrush for this because the texture gel is a bit gritty and you don’t want to ruin a good sable brush.
Once the paint has dried you can attach the roof as per the instructions. Mix up some more texture gel and paint and apply to the roof. You will find that if you add more texture gel you can build up the snow on the edges of the roof quite successfully. I sprinkled some glitter onto the paint before it dried to get a sparkly snow effect. I also painted my snowman with white acrylic and sprinkled glitter onto him. His eyes, mouth and buttons are just tiny blobs of black acrylic paint. You may need to do them a couple of times if you want them to stand proud like lumps of coal. The signpost also gets some of the snow texture on the top of each sign and the top of the post.
Before you apply snow to the baseboard I recommend drawing around your grotto and whichever vehicle you have chosen. I have applied a texture gel and paint mixture as an undercoat to my snow, and to make the tyre tracks I applied just texture gel (it dries opaque and looks like icy slush). Build up the layers along the sides of the tyre tracks and at the base of the wheels under your vehicle. Leave to dry.
If your clay tree trunks are dry you can now paint them to look like bark, a blend of different browns will look good. When the trunks are dry you can apply snow to the trees, simply paint them with Scenic Bond adhesive (from the Scenic Snow Kit) and sprinkle the Scenic Snowflakes over each tree. Leave to dry.
Now we can assemble the scene, so begin by making a small ball of white tack and press it down gently onto the baseboard where you want to position your first tree. Push the tree down onto the white tack, and use a suitable modelling tool to press the tack around the trunk which will help keep the tree upright. Do the same for the remaining trees and the signpost. Glue the grotto and snowman to the baseboard and allow to dry. Using the instructions in the Scenic Snow Kit, create layers of snow wherever you like! To cover the white tack I applied the glue and shovelled the Scenic Snowflakes on using a suitably shaped modelling tool. The last step is to pop the vehicle in place, balance a tree on top and you’re done! Oh, one final thing… go and pop the kettle on to make a warming drink 😊
