Scratchbuilding a vignette with a medieval inn
In May 2017, UMS Agram held a Diorama Building Workshop. The topic was how to scratchbuild a vignette with a medieval building on it. The tutor was Marko Paunović and this article follows the steps done during the workshop.
BALSA WOOD
First task was to draw the outlines of the walls on a piece of 4 or 5 mm thick balsa wood (you will notice a little later in the article, that there was a blueprint made for the workshop with all the dimensions), then using a scalpel blade cut out the wall pieces. Make sure the wood grain is in correct position relative to the position of the wall on the vignette. Using superglue, fix the walls together. Next up was carving the wood planks using a simple ice pick. Once done, carve the 1mm thick balsa wood into several 5mm wide planks and glue them in place using superglue. To finish the rough part of building the inn, add the texture of the façade using PVA glue and chinchilla sand (smallest grain sand you can find).
PLASTER
We then proceeded to make the base and stone parts of the building. For the base, we needed a mould that we made from clear plastic foil and some 1mm thick balsa wood leftovers glued with superglue (just to speed the process). When the mould was dry, we mixed some plaster and cast it into the mould. The stone wall was cast directly onto the balsa wood structure of the building and once the plaster was dry, it was carved again using a simple icepick. The building was then glued to the base using PVA glue.
DAS CLAY AND SAND
Using DAS air-drying clay we made stones for the cobble stone path. The blobs of clay were glued in place using PVA glue and sprinkled over using sand in two different sizes.
CARD AND PINS
Final, metal parts were done using ordinary card (or thicker paper) and some metal pins.
PAINTING
To paint the vignette we used PEBEO DECO colours: White, Antique White, Ash, Ocre, Brown, Grey and Black.
ROOF AND VEGETATION
Straw roof was made from 12mm long beige static grass. The vegetation used was: 2mm, 5mm and 6mm tufts; flower tufts and poison ivy on the walls.
Latest articles
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Agram Group Build #7 – Amon Hen, pt.8
array(2) { ["Article"]=> array(10) { ["id"]=> string(3) "535" ["member_id"]=> string(2) "35" ["title_eng"]=> string(39) "Agram Group Build #7 – Amon Hen, pt.8" ["title_hrv"]=> string(40) "Agram Group Build #7 – Amon Hen, dio 8" ["mask_eng"]=> string(32) "agram_group_build_7_amon_hen_pt8" ["mask_hrv"]=> string(34) "agram_group_build_7_amon_hen_dio_8" ["content_eng"]=> string(3235) "Marko Paunović, 3th November 2026Agram Group Build is back. For this seventh installment, the team decided to create a gaming board/diorama for Amon Hen. To that end, we fulfilled a childhood dream and acquired the original Forge World Amon Hen terrain (released around 2000) along with the accompanying set of miniatures. This series of articles will document the entire project—from crafting the terrain to assembling and painting the miniatures.
In this article, we continue our work on the figures. Last time, we prepared the plastic components; now, it is time to pin the metal ones. For this, we need a mini electric drill and some paperclips or pins. Additionally, you will need superglue.
Select a drill bit about the size of a pin—in our case, 0.8 mm in diameter. Carefully drill holes approximately 2–3 mm deep into the feet, using at least one pin per figure.
Apply a drop or two of superglue to the pin and push it as deep as possible into the hole. Let it dry, then reattach the head.
Once we had prepared all the figures in this way, we mounted them onto balsa wood strips. We pushed pins into the balsa, and the figures were ready to be spray-painted black.
After spraying, the figures are ready for painting.
" ["content_hrv"]=> string(3194) "
Agram Group Build se vraća. U svojoj sedmoj instalaciji, ekipa je odlučila izraditi igraću tablu / dioramu za Amon Hen. Za tu potrebu, ispunili smo si dječačke sne i nabavili originalni Forge World teren Amon Hena (izašao negdje cca 2000.) sa setom pripadajućih figura. Ova serija članaka pratit će izradu cijelog projekta – kako izrade terena, tako i sastavljanja i bojanja figura.
Nastavak rada na figurama pratimo u ovom članku. Prošli put smo pripremili plastični dio figura, a sada je na redu piniranje metalnih. Za to nam je potrebna mini električna bušilica i spajalice/špenadle. Osim toga, bit će potrebno i superljepilo.
Izaberemo svrdlo veličine špenadle. U našem slučaju to je promjer 0,8mm. Pažljivo izbušimo rupe dubine cca 2-3 mm u stopala. Barem jedan pin po figuri.
Kapnemo kap dvije superljepila na pin i nabijemo ga što dublje u rupu. Pustimo da se osuši i održemo glavu.
Kada smo tako pripremili sve figure, postavili smo ih na letvice od balze. Pinove smo zabili u balzu i figure su bile spremne za sprejanje u crno.
Nakon sprejanja, figure su spremne za bojanje.
" ["created"]=> string(19) "2026-11-03 13:24:18" ["modified"]=> string(19) "2026-11-03 13:24:18" } ["Member"]=> array(10) { ["id"]=> string(2) "35" ["group_id"]=> string(1) "1" ["first_name"]=> string(5) "Marko" ["last_name"]=> string(9) "Paunović" ["first_name_mask"]=> string(5) "marko" ["last_name_mask"]=> string(8) "paunovic" ["username"]=> string(5) "marko" ["password"]=> string(40) "3bd37b326d19d1880d3b93a4b32e8fb3a90fa122" ["born"]=> string(19) "2033-03-07 20:35:00" ["created"]=> string(19) "2009-06-02 20:37:03" } } -
Back to Basics Workshops for kids in Medveščak Library - Autumn 2026
array(2) { ["Article"]=> array(10) { ["id"]=> string(3) "534" ["member_id"]=> string(2) "64" ["title_eng"]=> string(70) "Back to Basics Workshops for kids in Medveščak Library - Autumn 2026" ["title_hrv"]=> string(81) "Back to Basics radionice bojanja minijatura u Knjižnici Medveščak - jesen 2026" ["mask_eng"]=> string(68) "back_to_basics_workshops_for_kids_in_medvescak_library_-_autumn_2026" ["mask_hrv"]=> string(78) "back_to_basics_radionice_bojanja_minijatura_u_knjiznici_medvescak_-_jesen_2026" ["content_eng"]=> string(5920) "Krunoslav Belinić, 30th October 2026This autumn, we once again held our "Back to Basics" miniature painting workshops for children at the Medveščak Library.
Over the course of three weeks, our youngest participants painted our "Agramers" and learned the ropes of miniature painting.
A big thank you to the parents for their trust, and to the Children and Youth Department of the Medveščak Library for their support!
See you next spring!
You can find more photos on our social networks!
" ["content_hrv"]=> string(5773) "I ove jeseni održali smo Back to Basics radionice bojenja minijatura za najmlađe u Knjižnica Medveščak.
Kroz tri tjedna naši najmlađi polaznici su bojali naše Agramere i upoznali se sa bojanjem minijatura.
Veliko hvala roditeljima na povjerenju i Odjelu za djecu i mlade Knjižnice Medveščak na podršci !
Vidimo se sljedeće godine na proljeće
Više fotografija možete pronaći na našim društvenim mrežama!
" ["created"]=> string(19) "2026-10-30 09:12:21" ["modified"]=> string(19) "2026-10-30 09:12:21" } ["Member"]=> array(10) { ["id"]=> string(2) "64" ["group_id"]=> string(1) "1" ["first_name"]=> string(9) "Krunoslav" ["last_name"]=> string(8) "Belinić" ["first_name_mask"]=> string(9) "krunoslav" ["last_name_mask"]=> string(7) "belinic" ["username"]=> string(5) "Kruno" ["password"]=> string(40) "eb3fda45fbec0258e90d809803b10491c548b22f" ["born"]=> string(19) "2015-01-18 09:19:00" ["created"]=> string(19) "2015-01-18 09:20:39" } } -
Agram Group Build #7 – Amon Hen, pt.7
array(2) { ["Article"]=> array(10) { ["id"]=> string(3) "533" ["member_id"]=> string(2) "64" ["title_eng"]=> string(39) "Agram Group Build #7 – Amon Hen, pt.7" ["title_hrv"]=> string(40) "Agram Group Build #7 – Amon Hen, dio 7" ["mask_eng"]=> string(32) "agram_group_build_7_amon_hen_pt7" ["mask_hrv"]=> string(34) "agram_group_build_7_amon_hen_dio_7" ["content_eng"]=> string(6275) "Krunoslav Belinić, 30th October 2026Agram Group Build is back. For this seventh installment, the team decided to create a gaming board/diorama for Amon Hen. To that end, we fulfilled a childhood dream and acquired the original Forge World Amon Hen terrain (released around 2000) along with the accompanying set of miniatures. This series of articles will document the entire project—from crafting the terrain to assembling and painting the miniatures.
The first thing we did this week was finish painting the terrain. All that remained were the stone statues and the temple. A light drybrush of grey and white paint was all that was needed, following the layers of washes we had applied the week before.
Next came the aging process using oil paints. We used several shades of green, as well as black and a beige/white tone. First, we coated the surfaces with Odourless Thinner, then applied a few small dots of each shade, and finally used a dry brush to blend them and remove any excess pigment.
Meanwhile, the other part of the team continued the work of cleaning the plastic Uruk-hai.
Next came the pinning of the plastic miniatures. For the quickest results, you will need: pliers, sewing pins, and a lighter.
First, use a lighter to heat a sewing pin until it is red-hot, then press it into the Uruk-hai's leg. As the metal enters the plastic, the heat causes the plastic to expand, allowing the pin to slide in easily. However, as it enters, it also cools down; the plastic then contracts, holding the pin firmly in place. You do not need any glue. Once you have inserted the pins, use pliers to snip off the ends—the parts with the heads.
The final task for this week was to remove the tabs from the metal figures and prepare them for pinning. Unfortunately, the previous method cannot be applied to metal figures, so we will have to use an electric drill—but more on that next time.
In the end, we arranged the trees on the painted base so we could admire them a bit.
" ["content_hrv"]=> string(6205) "
Agram Group Build se vraća. U svojoj sedmoj instalaciji, ekipa je odlučila izraditi igraću tablu / dioramu za Amon Hen. Za tu potrebu, ispunili smo si dječačke sne i nabavili originalni Forge World teren Amon Hena (izašao negdje cca 2000.) sa setom pripadajućih figura. Ova serija članaka pratit će izradu cijelog projekta – kako izrade terena, tako i sastavljanja i bojanja figura.
Prvu stvar koju smo ovaj tjedan napravili je dovršavanje bojanja terena. Ono što je ostalo jest kameni kipovi i hram. Lagani drybrush sive i bijele boje je bilo sve što je bilo potrebno nakon slojeva washeva koje smo odradili tjedan ranije.
Zatim je uslijedilo dodavanje starenja uljnim bojama. Koristili smo nekoliko zelenih, crnu i bež/bijelu nijansu. Prvo smo površine prekrili Odourless Thinnerom, zatim nanijeli po nekoliko točkica svih nijansi, i onda suhim kistom pomiješali i maknuli višak pigmenta.
Za to vrijeme, drugi dio ekipe je nastavio posao na čišćenju plastičnih Uruk Haia.
Zatim je uslijedilo piniranje plastičnih minijatura. Za najbrže rezultate potrebni su vam: kliješta, špenadle i upaljač.
Prvo upaljačem zagrijete špenadlu do usijanja, zatim ju utisnete Uruk Haiju u nogu. Kako metal ulazi u plastiku, toplina širi plastiku tako da pin može lagano ući. Međutim, kako ulazi tako se i hladi pa se plastika skuplja i drži pin na mjestu. Nikakvo ljepilo vam nije potrebno. Kad ste utisnuli špenadle, vrhove s glavom odrežite kliještima.
Zadnji zadatak za ovaj tjedan bio je maknuti tabove sa metalnih figura i pripremiti ih za piniranje. Prethodna metoda na žalost nije primjenjiva na metalnim figurama pa ćemo morati koristiti električnu bušilicu, ali o tome više sljedeći put.
Na kraju smo posložili drveće na obojanu bazu da se malo divimo.
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Agram Group Build #7 – Amon Hen, pt.6
array(2) { ["Article"]=> array(10) { ["id"]=> string(3) "532" ["member_id"]=> string(2) "35" ["title_eng"]=> string(39) "Agram Group Build #7 – Amon Hen, pt.6" ["title_hrv"]=> string(40) "Agram Group Build #7 – Amon Hen, dio 6" ["mask_eng"]=> string(32) "agram_group_build_7_amon_hen_pt6" ["mask_hrv"]=> string(34) "agram_group_build_7_amon_hen_dio_6" ["content_eng"]=> string(7024) "Marko Paunović, 22nd October 2026Agram Group Build is back. For this seventh installment, the team decided to create a gaming board/diorama for Amon Hen. To that end, we fulfilled a childhood dream and acquired the original Forge World Amon Hen terrain (released around 2000) along with the accompanying set of miniatures. This series of articles will document the entire project—from crafting the terrain to assembling and painting the miniatures.
As we announced, this time we are starting with the painting process. The first step was applying a black primer (via spray), followed by white to highlight the details.
Next came the painting of the terrain. As always, we used a palette of brown and gray paints from the Pebeo Deco brand. These are acrylic paints—relatively affordable and quite thick—which allow for easy coverage or a quick drybrush, should the need arise. We started with the brown tones, beginning with the darker shades and finishing with the lighter ones.
Next, we highlighted the stone surfaces with black paint, then lightened them using shades of gray, ranging from darker to lighter tones. We left the temple and the statues covered only with the spray paints applied in the first step.
Once the base was finished, we turned our attention to the temple and the statues. The first layer of paint we applied over the black-and-white undercoat consisted of washes. We took 5 or 6 different shades and randomly dabbed them across all the surfaces.
Since our time was running out, we decided to stop painting there and give the washes a chance to dry thoroughly. The final step for the board was applying a thick layer of PVA glue to the corner where the river would be. We did this to smooth out the surface, as we had decided to simply paint the river rather than adding any "depth."
Meanwhile, Kruno set to work preparing the newly arrived Uruk-hai figures. He removed the first half of the figures from the sprue and cleaned off the flash.
He organized them and removed the tabs for the bases. Next time, he will continue with the second half.
" ["content_hrv"]=> string(6871) "
Agram Group Build se vraća. U svojoj sedmoj instalaciji, ekipa je odlučila izraditi igraću tablu / dioramu za Amon Hen. Za tu potrebu, ispunili smo si dječačke sne i nabavili originalni Forge World teren Amon Hena (izašao negdje cca 2000.) sa setom pripadajućih figura. Ova serija članaka pratit će izradu cijelog projekta – kako izrade terena, tako i sastavljanja i bojanja figura.
Kao što smo najavili, ovaj put započinjemo sa bojanjem. Prvi korak bio je nanošenje crne temeljne boje (sprejem) i onda bijele da istakne detalje.
Zatim je uslijedilo bojanje terena. Kao i uvijek, koristimo paletu smeđih i sivih boja marke Pebeo Deco. To su akrilne boje, relativno pristupačne cijenom, a dosta guste tako da omogućava lagano prekrivanje ili brzi drybrush ako nam zatreba. Prvo smo odradili smeđe nijanse, krenuvši prvo od tamnijih i završivši sa svjetlijim nijansama.
Zatim smo kamene plohe istaknuli crnom bojom i onda posvjetljavali sivim nijansama od tamnijih do svijetlijih. Hram i kipove smo ostavili prekrivene samo sprejevima iz prvog koraka.
Kad je baza bila gotova, okrenuli smo se hramu i kipovima. Prvi sloj boje koje smo stavili na crno-bijeli undercoat bili su washevi. Uzeli smo 5, 6 nijansi i nasumično tapkali po svim plohama.
S obzirom da nam se termin bližio kraju, tu smo odlučili stati sa bojanjem i dati washevima priliku da se pošteno osuše. Zadnji korak na tabli bilo je dodavanje debelog sloja PVA ljepila na kut u kojem će biti rijeka. To smo napravili da izgladimo površinu s obzirom da smo odlučili da rijeku samo obojamo, bez dodavanja „dubine“.
Za to vrijeme, Kruno se bacio na pripremu novopridošlih figura Uruk Haia. Prvu polovicu figura je maknuo sa okvira (sprue) te očistio srhove.
Složio ih je i maknuo tabove za baze. Sljedeći put nastavlja s drugom polovicom.
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Lizardmen Sauropod – part 1
array(2) { ["Article"]=> array(10) { ["id"]=> string(3) "531" ["member_id"]=> string(3) "100" ["title_eng"]=> string(29) "Lizardmen Sauropod – part 1" ["title_hrv"]=> string(27) "LIZARDMEN SAUROPOD - dio 1." ["mask_eng"]=> string(25) "lizardmen_sauropod_part_1" ["mask_hrv"]=> string(26) "lizardmen_sauropod_-_dio_1" ["content_eng"]=> string(3455) "Mario Grgurev, 19th October 2026While printing a sauropod model—which I intended to use for a kitbash of a Lizardmen Bastiladon—one of the printed torsos ended up with defects in the legs. Around the same time, I was playing Pokémon Crystal; having fallen in love with some of the concepts in that game, I decided to merge the two worlds into one.
Taking the Pokémon Meganium as a starting concept, I wanted to create a dinosaur on a large base emerging from a lake, surrounded by skinks that are grooming it.
To achieve this, I decided to cut off the lower part of the torso—excluding the legs—position the model so it "lies" on the base, place a couple of Skinks around it, and pour resin over the base to create the effect of lake water.
The first step was to create flower petals around the dinosaur's neck. I used slightly thicker paper, cut into the shape of petals. Afterward, I glued them together with super glue to form a flower shape. I coated each petal with wood glue—applying about 6 layers—to set them into a form that would be both flexible and sturdy enough for painting. I applied each coat using a small brush, with outward strokes, to create texture on the surfaces of the petals.
I glued the dinosaur's torso to the base using superglue and filled the gaps.
Preparation for painting was the easier part of the job; the primer used was a light-grey spray, followed by a single coat of a purple 'contrast' paint. After that, I dry-brushed the entire model with white. This created a strange, sickly base for the subsequent layers of green. This concludes the first part of the tutorial; in the second part, I will continue with painting, casting resin, and adding the final details to the model.
" ["content_hrv"]=> string(3240) "
Prilikom printa modela sauropoda kojeg sam mislio koristiti za kitbash Lizardmen modela bastiladona, ostao je jedan printani model trupa sa greškama u nogama. U slično vrijeme sam igrao Pokemon Crystal i obožavajući neke od koncepata u toj igri, odlučio sam spojiti dva svijeta u jedan.
Uzevši pokemona Meganium-a kao početni koncept, želio sam napraviti dinosaura na velikoj bazi koji izranja iz jezera, okruženog skinkovima koji ga timare.
Da bih to izveo, odlučio sam odrezati donji dio trupa bez nogu, postaviti model da "leži" na bazi, postaviti par skinkova oko njega i preliti bazu sa rezinom kako bih stvorio efekt jezerske vode.
Prvi korak je bio napraviti latice cvijeta oko vrata dinosura. Koristio sam malo deblji papir, izrezan u oblik latice. Nakon toga sam ih zalijepio super ljepilom u oblik cvijeta. Premazao sam svaki list drvofixom u cca 6 slojeva, kako bih učvrstio listove u formu u kojoj će biti elastični i čvrsti za bojanje. Sve premaze sam radio s manjim kistom potezima prema van, kako bih stvorio teksturu na stranicama latica.
Trup dinosaura sam zalijepio na bazu sa superljepilom i zapunio rupe.
Priprema za bojanje je bila lakši dio posla, primer je bio svijetlosivi sprej, sa jednim slojem ljubičaste contrast boje. Nakon toga sam drybrushem bijele prekrio cijrli model. Ovime sam dobio čudnu bolesnjikavu bazu za slojeve zelene. Ovime završavam prvi dio tutoriala, nastavljam u drugom sa bojanjem i lijevanjem rezinske mase, uz završne detalje modela.
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