Gloworm's 1980s Turtle Lair Diorama

Gloworm · 01-14-2015, 02:13 PM

Hello, some of you may already know that I have been working on this diorama if you saw my fan art thread in the Fan Works section of the forum. I thought I'd share my progress here.

My goal is to make a replica, or as close as possible, of the original Turtles Lair. I have been watching the original series a lot lately, and taking screen shots of the various elements as reference. This is my first diorama, besides a simple brick and concrete wall I made to see if I could even craft such settings. I would also like to make the walls completely modular so I can transport, store, rearrange and create slightly different sewer settings. I would also like to be able to use the lair for my Loyal Subjects (which I am currently addicted to), original 80s, and NECA figures.

It started with carving out the main wall.

Building the couch. This element has been a pain to construct and paint. I may start the couch over from the beginning someday. For now it's good enough.

Walls are painted black first then multiple layers of color are added for that grungy sewer effect. I chose an orange tint because I noticed that was a very common tint to see in the original cartoon.

More to come!

Gloworm · 01-14-2015, 02:36 PM

Just got the TV . Ordered it from the internet. Made leg extensions so I could prop the one leg on three miniature books I got from the hobby store. Also, after first attempt at painting the couch I was really unhappy with the holes and paint color.

Built two coffee tables and painted brown. Added stop sign.

Overhead view and second attempt at painting and repairing holes in couch.

My talented Girlfriend painted the three headed monster for me.

First time shooting the diorama with my DSLR.

Gloworm · 01-14-2015, 04:27 PM

Last night I made the turtle carpet. Here's an overhead view.

Tonight, working on the floor.

DevilSpooky · 01-14-2015, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gloworm

Last night I made the turtle carpet. Here's an overhead view.

Tonight, working on the floor.

http://www.brianwinshell.com/wp-cont...01/unnamed.jpg

Ok, that's ****ing cute lol

grizzlyaddams · 01-14-2015, 09:54 PM

I wish you could like things on the bb software!

*DarkFell* · 01-14-2015, 10:20 PM

Cool OT sewer diorama there man. Your girlfriend nailed that three headed dragon / monster dead on. Kudos to you both.

As for that dragon, I sorta wonder if its a fun take on King Ghidorah.

*pennydreadful* · 01-14-2015, 10:47 PM

Holy cow - excellent work, dude!!! How long has this taken you to do, so far?

*The Boston Ninja Turtle* · 01-14-2015, 10:51 PM

This is amazing

Huzzah · 01-15-2015, 03:00 AM

Very awesome work, I love lairs and the various takes people use for them.

connor_obain · 01-15-2015, 03:07 AM

Thats looking great, would never have thought to use foam board(?) to make the walls. great idea

Gloworm · 01-15-2015, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DevilSpooky

Ok, that's ****ing cute lol

Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by grizzlyaddams

I wish you could like things on the bb software!

bb software?

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkFell

Cool OT sewer diorama there man. Your girlfriend nailed that three headed dragon / monster dead on. Kudos to you both.

As for that dragon, I sorta wonder if its a fun take on King Ghidorah.

Thank you. Good suggestion on King Ghidorah! It's definitely the best idea I've heard so far!

Quote:

Originally Posted by pennydreadful

Holy cow - excellent work, dude!!! How long has this taken you to do, so far?

Thanks, I have been working on this for about a month whenever I have free time from work and other distractions.

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Boston Ninja Turtle

This is amazing

Thanks Boston!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Huzzah

Very awesome work, I love lairs and the various takes people use for them.

Thank you, Huzzah! I'm surprised no one else has tried to recreate (or at least post public photos of) the original lair. There are so many talented diorama builders out there, especially on instagram.

Quote:

Originally Posted by connor_obain

Thats looking great, would never have thought to use foam board(?) to make the walls. great idea

Thank you! The foam board is excellent for floors and walls. When I wanted to learn how to build my first brick wall, I saw someone use the foam board in a Youtube tutorial and I haven't felt like I need any other substitutes. Only issue with foam board... it reacts badly to certain glues and paints. It will get nasty bubbles from krylon fusion spray paint and super glue eats holes in it... I think water based paints and glues might be the key... Thankfully all my airbrush paints are water based.

Gloworm · 01-15-2015, 08:34 AM

Worked on the floor last night. First, I poked and scored the floor. Then airbrushed a layer of black to make shadows, dents and divots stand out. Then many layers of browns, greys, and black. I found the more layers of paint I added, the better.

Huzzah · 01-15-2015, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by connor_obain

Thats looking great, would never have thought to use foam board(?) to make the walls. great idea

Foam board makes excellent sculpting base. You can buy a huge sheet of the foam insulation, either blue or pink, for like 10 bucks and it works fantastically. Holds detail will, easy to sculpt and paints well,

OrokuYoshiFilms · 01-15-2015, 10:16 PM

Totally tubular!

Huzzah · 01-16-2015, 01:59 AM

There's actually a full map posted of the original lair, I have it saved somewhere, gives the full layout, I considered trying to recreate it, until my space became limited when we found it we were having a baby.

*DarkFell* · 01-16-2015, 03:05 AM

By any chance, are you planning on making more dioramas in the near future *parenthood permitting*? Because you got skills dude.

madyankees · 01-16-2015, 06:30 AM

Excellent attention to detail dude

Gloworm · 01-16-2015, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OrokuYoshiFilms

Totally tubular!

Cowabunga! Thanks!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Huzzah

There's actually a full map posted of the original lair, I have it saved somewhere, gives the full layout, I considered trying to recreate it, until my space became limited when we found it we were having a baby.

Would love to see that map!

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkFell

By any chance, are you planning on making more dioramas in the near future *parenthood permitting*? Because you got skills dude.

Are you talking to me or Huzzah? My answer is yes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by madyankees

Excellent attention to detail dude

Thank you!

*oldmanwinters* · 01-16-2015, 08:22 AM

Quite remarkable!

*Bry* · 01-16-2015, 08:35 AM

Okay, this is really impressive. Excellent work!

01-14-2015, 02:13 PM	#1
Gloworm Thug Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 85	Gloworm's 1980s Turtle Lair Diorama Hello, some of you may already know that I have been working on this diorama if you saw my fan art thread in the Fan Works section of the forum. I thought I'd share my progress here. My goal is to make a replica, or as close as possible, of the original Turtles Lair. I have been watching the original series a lot lately, and taking screen shots of the various elements as reference. This is my first diorama, besides a simple brick and concrete wall I made to see if I could even craft such settings. I would also like to make the walls completely modular so I can transport, store, rearrange and create slightly different sewer settings. I would also like to be able to use the lair for my Loyal Subjects (which I am currently addicted to), original 80s, and NECA figures. It started with carving out the main wall. Building the couch. This element has been a pain to construct and paint. I may start the couch over from the beginning someday. For now it's good enough. Walls are painted black first then multiple layers of color are added for that grungy sewer effect. I chose an orange tint because I noticed that was a very common tint to see in the original cartoon. More to come!

01-14-2015, 09:54 PM	#5
grizzlyaddams Foot Soldier Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Secret Lair Posts: 114	I wish you could like things on the bb software! __________________ My TMNT Toy Collection [WTB] MOC Gatekeeper Rocksteady Please PM!

01-14-2015, 10:47 PM	#7
pennydreadful trash Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Australia Posts: 4,546	Holy cow - excellent work, dude!!! How long has this taken you to do, so far? __________________ Creator of the Technodrome After Dark Discussion Group. PM for an invite (must be over 18 - no exceptions).

01-14-2015, 10:51 PM	#8
The Boston Ninja Turtle Mad Scientist Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Boston MA Posts: 2,440	This is amazing __________________ I didn't choose the ninja turtle life. The ninja turtle life chose me. https://www.facebook.com/TheBostonNinjaTurtle

01-16-2015, 08:22 AM	#19
oldmanwinters Overlord Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Between yesterday and tomorrow! Posts: 14,939	Quite remarkable! __________________ Experience the TMNT Fan Commentaries! Check out my TMNT fan comic, "Nothing to Fear"! View my sketch work! I'm selling some of my hard-to-find TMNT items!

01-14-2015, 02:36 PM	#2
Gloworm Thug Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 85	Just got the TV . Ordered it from the internet. Made leg extensions so I could prop the one leg on three miniature books I got from the hobby store. Also, after first attempt at painting the couch I was really unhappy with the holes and paint color. Built two coffee tables and painted brown. Added stop sign. Overhead view and second attempt at painting and repairing holes in couch. My talented Girlfriend painted the three headed monster for me. First time shooting the diorama with my DSLR.

01-14-2015, 04:27 PM	#3
Gloworm Thug Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 85	Last night I made the turtle carpet. Here's an overhead view. Tonight, working on the floor.

01-15-2015, 03:00 AM	#9
Huzzah Mad Scientist Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Independence, Louisiana Posts: 1,124	Very awesome work, I love lairs and the various takes people use for them.

01-15-2015, 03:07 AM	#10
connor_obain Foot Soldier Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Glasgow Posts: 219	Thats looking great, would never have thought to use foam board(?) to make the walls. great idea

01-15-2015, 08:34 AM	#12
Gloworm Thug Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 85	Worked on the floor last night. First, I poked and scored the floor. Then airbrushed a layer of black to make shadows, dents and divots stand out. Then many layers of browns, greys, and black. I found the more layers of paint I added, the better.

01-15-2015, 10:16 PM	#14
OrokuYoshiFilms Stone Warrior Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: The Mutant Module Posts: 908	Totally tubular!

01-16-2015, 01:59 AM	#15
Huzzah Mad Scientist Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Independence, Louisiana Posts: 1,124	There's actually a full map posted of the original lair, I have it saved somewhere, gives the full layout, I considered trying to recreate it, until my space became limited when we found it we were having a baby.

01-16-2015, 06:30 AM	#17
madyankees Hench Mutant Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Singapore Posts: 329	Excellent attention to detail dude

01-16-2015, 08:35 AM	#20
Bry So Long, Stinktown! Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 3,463	Okay, this is really impressive. Excellent work! __________________ My Stuff: Webcomic \| Podcast \| DeviantArt \| YouTube \| Patreon