We all show our support for the currently occurring military action in Europe in whatever way we possibly can. The Canadian hobby shop Hobby Sense decided to sell off its “made in Russia” models instead of just removing them from the store shelves, and then donate the profits to the Red Cross Emergency Humanitarian-Aid relief for Ukraine. I then decided to do what I could, and to support as many “made in Ukraine” model companies as possible by making a diorama showing several different generations of Ukraine civilians fighting to protect both their homes and their lives. I had purchased many 1/35th scale MiniArt, ICM, Roden and other kits over time, as well as several with the intended diorama in mind, and now was the right time to use all of these 32 kits.

The MiniArt buildings, figures and diorama accessories are some of the finest ever made, and Hobby Sense was the perfect online source to get them fast. All figures were heavily altered or re-sculpted to help narrate the story visually. I also used many broken scale plaster buildings and a lot of street-curb rubble for the debris of the bombed-out buildings and various groundwork throughout the scene.

 The best way to emphasize the making, lighting and throwing of the Molotov cocktails, and to show the roaring barrel fire, was to set the scene at night. All lighting used was 12-volt LED and “Grain of Wheat” colored bulbs. One “night-blue” colored fuse-bulb was inserted down center above the scene. Five “fire”- colored bulbs were inserted inside the barrel, and placed where needed. The lit Molotov cocktail being thrown at the tank by the young Ukrainian girl was caught in mid-air by a nifty theatrical trick. The above night-blue bulb gives the general illumination to the entire scene, creating its own wonderfully colored shadows. The only other light in the scene is from all the “fire” bulbs. I will admit to designing the scene with the lighting in mind.

The buildings all have painted shadows and highlights on them, as do all the figures. After the scene was finished, I continuously went back in to pull back or add more shadows and highlights. The box diorama took on an unexpected Expressionistic quality, which I was quite happy with.

 The stalled Russian tank in the background with the broken track, two wounded and one surrendering figures were built to show only what you see. What you don't see isn’t there, so as to reduce the overall size of the finished diorama when placed in its outer case. I learned this from my lifelong friend and mentor Sheperd Paine over countless talks with him, and repairing some of his world-famous shadow box dioramas.

 All items, including the buildings, figures, ground work and trees in the background were painted with a combination of artist and hobby acrylics, gouache, enamels, artist oil paints, and finally powdered pigments. The downed power and communication lines are black steel thread and thin solder coated with clear mat wax.

 The finished box-diorama with 17 converted or re-sculpted figures, heavily modified buildings, and picture frame on the front measures a total of 21” L x 15” W x 15” H. I wanted an “in your face documentary look,” so the front of the scene is pushed right up against the picture frame glass with just a black inner mat to hide all the “behind the scenes” wires and stuff.

The entire project took three weeks to finish to be ready for photography. The Ukrainian owner of Hobby Sense came up with the most fitting title: Glory to Ukraine. — Darryl Audette, May 2022