A disappointed astronaut on a deserted red planet calling Earth—a black-and-white cartoon

The initial idea for this diorama came from the purchase of 190mm articulated figures from the ART ASYLUM brand's STAR TREK series.

The goal was to create outfits similar to those worn by the astronauts (at least one of them) in the excellent adventure film *Planet Red* (which is much better than *Mission to Mars*, which tried to be *2001*)...

Astronaut figurine in a brown and gray spacesuit, displayed on a base Figurine of an astronaut in a brown and silver spacesuit, viewed from the back, with a backpack tank

One of the two original figurines. The moving parts are glued together, and all traces of the joints have been removed...

Figurine of a cosmonaut in a blue-and-white spacesuit with a brown chest plate, front view Figure showing a character from behind wearing a blue-and-white jumpsuit and a backpack

The second man's outfit is almost identical to the one in the movie. It was created by adapting the chest plate from a third figure. The chest plate was cut, sanded, and re-sculpted. Now the detailing can begin...

Cosmonaut figurine in a gray spacesuit with an orange chest plate; detailed painting in progress Rear view of an astronaut figurine in a gray spacesuit with a detailed backpack

The parts are added based on photos from the movie... The complete outfit is finished. The helmet has been modified, and a metal grille has been installed on the back...

Two miniature cosmonaut helmets, one unpainted gray, the other painted bronze with a hose

The two helmets. The one on the left has been redesigned based on the ones in the movie. The one on the right has been left as is...

Two astronaut figurines in brown and gray spacesuits at different stages of painting

Painting

Two astronaut figurines currently being painted, wearing blue suits and helmets, placed in front

The miniatures waiting to be painted... After a white primer coat, the spacesuits are airbrushed using two different shades of blue...

A soldier figurine currently being painted, wearing blue armor and a white jumpsuit Character figurine currently being painted, featuring shiny blue armor and a white jumpsuit

The diving suits are painted a dark color to provide shade... You can clearly see the modifications to the equipment in the photo above...

Science-fiction soldier figurine in blue armor and a gray jumpsuit, seen in profile

Figure of a soldier seen from behind with a blue backpack, currently being painted

View from the back... Progress on the painting: the uniform is based on black and various shades of gray...

Pilot figurine in a weathered gray jumpsuit with blue armor and case Two figurines of astronauts in blue spacesuits, wearing helmets and carrying briefcases, standing on ochre-colored Martian soil

Painted figurine bust depicting a man in blue armor, seen in profile

...Painting faces and hair with Winsor & Newton oil paints...

The Setting

Two figurines of astronauts in blue spacesuits next to an animal skeleton on pedestals currently being made

The scene is set. Very sparse. Just a few bones in the sand...

A hand sprinkling sand through a sieve onto a terrain model near a bottle of Volvic

A sheet of plywood serves as the base. It is covered with a layer of white acrylic paint to protect it from moisture. After applying wood glue to the scenery, the entire surface is dusted with modeling clay. The skeleton is incorporated. The footprints are made at the same time...

Fossilized animal skeleton displayed on a sand diorama with footprints