This Old FX Shop: Underwater Miniature Cities
Inspired by the work of a Japanese modelmaker (whose blog is here), Frank and Norm build miniature dioramas of submerged dystopian cities! Follow along as we take off the shelf scale-model cityscapes and transform them into moody resin-encased displays. It’s a project you can do at home!
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Where did y’all find these model kits? Do you have a link to somewhere you can buy them online?
Thanks
here you go! https://www.amazon.com/Geocraper-Tokyo-Scenery-Vol-1/dp/B00USW8F2A
an 8-pack here http://www.amiami.com/top/detail/detail?gcode=FIG-COL-7604
Thanks Norm! Great build, can’t wait to do one of my own!
HLJ has them too.
https://hlj.com/search/go?w=Geocraper
The project reminded me of the History Channel series, Life after People (http://www.history.com/shows/life-after-people).
These are amazing. Immediately been added to my project list
Tested needs more model railroad content, I think that tree is first railroad thing I’ve ever seen on this site! 🙂
So cool.
How about the turf?
And here is a series if someone wants to do more water effects.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc_6kej9cLI
The aesthetics of this project are off the charts. Certainly will be attempting this myself!
Those kits are pretty cool. I was thinking this could be awesome on a slightly larger scale in a fish tank (with real fish of course). Instead of rising above the surface, buildings would probably have to be completely underwater.
How cool would it be to have a larger layout of a city block underwater with fish swimming around? Put an airstone inside the base of one of the skyscrapers. This could even work for small goldfish bowls!!!!
Hello all, can some one tell me what the applicator Frank used for the gel medium is called? I have found eyeliner applicators and lip gloss applicators but nothing with that non-linear conic cross section. Tnx.
Amazing as always. Sadly these miniature models are super expansive to here in the UK. But I will definitely be trying this once I find the right miniatures or maybe I will make them…..
Those look like Tamiya cotton swabs: https://www.tamiyausa.com/items/paints-finishes-60/tamiya-maintenance-material-62000/craft-cotton-swab-87105
Thank you !
Great vid!
One way to make the waves is to wait until the resin gets midway to curing, and using a straw, form wave patterns into the resin by moving it a little bit with your breath. Technique is used with Model train terrain and RPG terrain builders with some amazing results.
What a fantastic project!
I love this , great work
Very cool build. Come to think of it, an AVE schmoo shirt is very appropriate for a lot of the work Frank does.
Awesome project! Does anyone have a link for the right kind of resin? 🙂
for the resin, this is what we used! https://www.smooth-on.com/products/crystal-clear-202/
All I have been able to think about all day was making one of these.
And HOLY MOLY, that video that Grimnar posted (My reply’s won’t post…) is a YouTube rabbit hole! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PI8K6iIqPE I want to make all of the things!
Awesome project! Anyone have any luck finding US based city skylines? Very cool stuff Norm!
Here is another place selling the buildings. Good price and US based. https://rotofugi.com/products/geocraper-tokyo-scenery-volume-1-blind-box-or-set?variant=14104001030
Of course Frank watches AvE
I’ve ordered one kit, will maybe get more in the future. Now I just have to figure out how to do the walls around it, and how this resin stuff works.
Confirmed, Package arrived today. They are available in several sizes as well. Thanks again
Really like these but I have a question about the paints and dremel used, are the washes Com-Art weathering? I recently got a set but have not tried yet and that Dremel Micro how do you guys like it am looking for a new Dremel and like the light on the front of it.
I love that Frank has an AvE shirt. That channel is awesome!
Very inspiring! Would a reinforced milk carton work for the walls?
These are AMAZING! I want to 3d-print all the old buildings in my town and do this now.
Found an importer for Australia, but one blind box is $44… so probably cheaper to get some 3d printed instead.
So cool! I ordered all 8 already, but where do you find those little sea creatures?
ayyyy that AvE swag! RELEASE THE SCHMOO!
Frank Ippolito – “You gotta have an elaborate back story, but I’m making it up as I go along”
anybody know what foliage they are using with the branches? Also looking for miniature sea creatures.
Love Frank’s crest-crossed shirt!
After watching this I couldn’t go look up the original artist fast enough!
I would like to see Tested contact the artist in some way, because that creator seems surprised and confused about this! Perhaps not offended, but rather …. a cultural difference in communication? I appreciate that they were credited, but it seems like someone should have tried to reach out and let them know what Tested was going to do, just to be courteous.
Also, having seen much more of what they do on their blog, I REALLY would love seeing them featured again! The biggest art piece they did with this technique was INCREDIBLE! The lighting effects were AMAZING!