I was an avid collector as a kid, mainly POTF2, although I went a bit for the Episode 1 stuff. It took a while (about 10 years, in fact) before I got interested in Star Wars toys again, this time for the Clone Wars series. The advantage to collecting this time around is I can do what I always wanted to with a true commitment to the cause - make kick-ass dioramas, like the kind catalogues and toy boxes showed back in the days when everything was rose tinted...
Anyway, my first additions were an ARF Trooper (because these guys are, much like their descendant the Scout Trooper, extremely cool) and some Jawas. Because, you know. Utini.
And my first natural reaction? Make a scene! Using the packaging from my girlfriend's steamer, and a half-finished canvas as a back drop, I began to create scenes for Tattoine, some little story of a Clone Wars era Jawa troupe finding a perished Trooper. This just piqued my interest, and following a brief look online, I was able to find these rather superb backdrops... (backgrounds found here)
And so, with some neutral lighting from above (don't compare the trooper's shadow with the shadow on the dunes in the background!), a simple and effective scene is made. Admittedly, not much making has been done yet. But patience, padawan! I have big plans...
