🎯 What is Diorama FX and why use it?
Diorama FX is Vallejo's range of textures, clays, water effects and auxiliaries designed for setting scenes in scale models and miniatures: from beaches and deserts to ruined cities or fantasy settings. It includes sands, gravels and rocks in various shades and granulometries, as well as water gels and terrain pastes designed for fast, clean work with a realistic finish.
👉 At Mr Resin you'll find the complete range: Diorama FX Vallejo
🪨 Landscape & Earth Textures — Mineral textures with realism
Ranges with seven colors and three granulometries to recreate natural ground surfaces. Applied with a spatula or brushes and can be mixed together.
Alkaline White
Dry calcareous terrain: from very light grey to intense white that reflects sunlight. Ideal for arid scenes, ruins and minimalist vignettes with high contrast.
Vulcan Black
Very dark mineral tone for arid volcanic terrain. Works for both fertile, wooded environments and high-contrast desert landscapes.
Arid Yellow
Perfect for dry ground with erosion-formed textures. Accepts dusty tones with an airbrush or natural pigments.
Moss Green
Subtle greenish tone for damp areas, riverbanks, moss or grass. Conveys a sense of vegetation and rainy climate.
Mars Red
Inspired by Mediterranean soils rich in hematite or the sands of Mars. Ideal for vehicles, historical figures and science fiction.
Warm Orange
One of the most versatile sand tones. From landing beaches to classic deserts and WWII African settings.
Granite Grey
Textures of grey granite of volcanic origin, useful for buildings, quarries, urban ground surfaces and rocky landscapes.
Pro tip: Combine two granulometries to break up monotony. Fine for the base layer + medium/coarse gravel on transitions and edges.
🧴 Terrain Fixer (Terrain Fixer 26.322)
Matte and transparent acrylic fixer with high capillary action. Ideal for setting sand and gravel on bases and dioramas.
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Apply with a pipette or dispenser.
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Can be diluted 3:1 with Airbrush Thinner 71.161 if needed.
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Drying time approx. 24 h. Preserves tones and textures.
👉 Apply by capillary action at the end to reinforce the entire piece.
🌊 Water Textures — Realistic Water Gels
Dense gels in various tones to simulate deep water, waves, currents, puddles and calm surfaces. Applied with brushes or a spatula, and accept multiple layers.
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Pacific Blue 26.203: tropical waters with great depth on dark bases.
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Atlantic Blue 26.204: characterful ocean, perfect for waves and open seas.
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Mediterranean Blue 26.202: Mediterranean tones, ideal for historical coastlines or coastal urban scenes.
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Still Water 26.235: transparent and self-levelling water for calm water surfaces.
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Transparent Water 26.201: transparent gel for ripples, currents and moving surfaces.
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Stagnant Water 26.220: green gel for swamps and still water.
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Brown Water 26.222 / River Water 26.224: brown gels for murky rivers and muddy puddles.
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Muddy Water 26.221: dense brown for churned-up water.
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Foam 26.231: high-density white paint for foam on wave crests (applicable with a brush, dry brush or sponge).
Tip: You will achieve more depth by applying the gels over a dark base and working in layers (12–24 h between layers depending on thickness).
🟤 Ground & Thick Mud Textures — Mud and dense pastes
Designed for muddy, urban and vehicle terrain.
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Light Brown Mud 26.810 and Brown Mud 26.811: clay browns of different intensities.
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Dark Mud 26.218 / European Mud 26.807 / Russian Mud 26.808: dark tones with vegetal traces (depending on reference) for wet environments.
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Black Mud 26.812 / Industrial Mud 26.809: urban/industrial greys and blacks.
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White Pumice 26.212 / Coarse Pumice 26.213: dense textures for reliefs and rocks.
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Grey Sand 26.215: adhesive sand for dunes, anti-slip surfaces, corrosion or rust.
Series and sets: There are sets for wet mud and puddles (e.g., Mud & Puddles 73.189) that combine several complementary textures.
🧪 Safety and regulations
Diorama FX complies with European regulations and ASTM D-4236 for art materials. Labels include warnings and usage precautions.
🧰 How to choose and combine (quick guide)
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Define the biome: desert, forest, urban, volcanic, coastal…
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Choose the base texture (Earth/Landscape or Mud) and the grain size according to scale.
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Layers and nuances: add stones, gravel, pigments or airbrush for variations.
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Fix by capillary action with Terrain Fixer.
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Water and foam: apply Water Textures in layers and finish with Foam 26.231.
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Drying sequences: allow 12–24 h to avoid cracking or milky residue.
🧪 Mini step-by-step — Deep water (summary)
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Dark base (paint) to gain depth.
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Layer 1 of gel (e.g., Pacific Blue 26.203).
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Layers 2–3 to increase optical volume (allow to dry between layers).
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Shape waves/currents with a flat brush.
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Add Foam 26.231 on crests and shores.
🔗 Useful links (Mr Resin categories)
🏁 Conclusion
With Diorama FX you can take your dioramas to the next level: believable terrain, water with volume, and mud with realistic texture. Mix references, work in layers, and seal properly for long-lasting results.
👉 Explore the full collection at Mr Resin and start your next project today.
✨¡Happy Printing & Happy Painting! 🚀