1:35 Landing Stage Vignette

Landing Stage Vignette 1:35 (MAiM)

This is a diorama vignette in 1:35 scale from the production of the MAiM marque. It is not a model of a vehicle or a figure: the set represents a scenic base with the motif of a wooden landing stage, on which a model or a figure you have already built will come into its own. The vignette is supplied unpainted and it is intended to be finished by the modeler — cleaned up, seated, painted and possibly completed with details of your own.

What the vignette is for

A model standing on its own looks flat on a shelf. A vignette gives it context, a difference in height and an area on which you can work with shadows, dampness and deposits. The motif of a jetty by the water suits figures in both civilian and uniformed dress, small equipment and a scene standing alone without another figure. The 1:35 scale is the most widespread format for figures and military equipment, so the vignette is easy to combine with what is commonly available.

Finishing tips

Before painting, wash the set in lukewarm water with detergent and let it dry perfectly — any residues from manufacture will disappear from the surface and the paint will hold better. Spray the surface with primer, build the areas from a dark base toward lighter coats and fine-tune the wood with glazes and a dry brush. Accentuate the transitions between the water, the stone and the wood with a wash and with pigments. Apply the imitation of the water surface at the very end, so that you do not dirty the finished areas, and glue the figure or model on only once the base is finished.

Who the vignette is for

• Modelers who want to display a figure or a piece of equipment in a setting rather than on a bare base.
• Beginners in diorama work — the composition of the scene is ready and only needs painting.
• Experienced builders looking for a base for a larger scene of their own.
• Exhibitors for whom a vignette gives a model a story and a legible scale.

The vignette is supplied unpainted. The model, the figure, the paints and the glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.