How would you start a Diorama?

[SpitfireAce]

I've only done a few dioramas. I don't have the imagination or experience to build as I go, so I draw out the scene (very rudimentary) and even some separate section drawings in a bit more detail. Having said that, by the time I'm finished, the diorama turns out quite different to the initial drawings, so in effect the original drawings turned out to be more of a rough plan/guide.

[rtfoe]

Great feedbacks from many of you. Looks like a large proportion plan their builds from an image that comes up in a thought...put pen to paper and try as much to replicate that into 3 dimensional form on a base estimated to fill that scene. The difficult part for most even for me is whether it's going to be a tight squeeze or just too much room on the base. Most likely the end result differs from the initial concept unless its following a particular historical scene. Sometimes the end result is disappointing and we have to remember we're not the fellow who created the earth in 7 days but enjoyed it non the less.
For those that have replied and not shown their work, please do. A Tiger tank or a Spitfire will always look like what they are but placed in a diorama will always look different from an individuals perspective.

What's your favorite material when making a diorama base, foliage or building?

Cheers,
Richard

[GerryW]

This might sound strange, with dios I think that the main 'tool' isn't so much imagination, but observation - details are the 'secret ingredient' where observation comes into play, sometimes it's 'little' things, like muddy footprints, tyre tracks through grass/mud or where a tank has 'scraped' round a sharp corner. Then there's the ones that can break a scene, like two flags supposedly being blown in different directions, a vehicle sat in the middle of a prestine field of grass/muddy area, a perfectly surfaced road in the middle of a wrecked town, a perfectly flat steam of water (guilty). To be fair, some come from the kits, as there aren't many that (unless you build to a dio) you can change the suspension to fit the base, so it'll mean that the vehicle has to sit on a flat surface or have a wheel/three quarters of a track in the air, rather than molded to the ground as it should.
Sorry to ramble on.

[rtfoe]

You're not wrong about observation as being key to details. Many take for granted these observations and simply miss them but makes a dio stand out from the rest.

Cheers,
Richard

[JR]

Kappa Line Foamboard for buildings, Sea Grass for trees. roots, soil, sand filler, Sculpey Mould for bases as well as insulation foam .

[Guest]

I have built 3 8foot long dioramas. First thing is to plan what hardware is to go on your diorama.

How big you can afford to build it.

Put in say Spitfire about to take off pictures in browser search. This will give a good clue. Did that with both Afghanistan Falklands Diorama. This gives you an idea on terrain vegetation & in Falklands tracks & how they are worn. Fences barns so much information. So lots of vital information from pictures.

This will give a first class start. After that it depends on your imagination in 3d. Close eyes & just think.

A great way is to undulate the ground. I have used polyfiller to create bumps mounds etc before covering with what ever the finish.

Put in as much detail as possible as it makes it interesting. Depending on the size a backdrop makes a better diorama. Many backdrop pictures sky mountian etc are available.

I have a basic plan but will build & change as I go along. One thing it is for me very exciting free to do & change as you wish no rules..

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You can also have a bit of fun

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[minitnkr]

Was reading a book about late WWII action in the Tyrol area of Europe & thought how difficult recovery would be in that topography with that eras' under powered vehicles. I also had this large chunk of packing foam & had recently attended a seminar on WWII German recovery methods. The result was depicting a difficult recovery around this lump of styrofoam. The star of the show for me was the eight cable block and tackle using the bergepanther as a fulcrum. PaulE

[Guest]

Place a topic on how I built the Falklands barn.

Depicts difference between kits & DIY. DIY was so enjoyable.

Laurie

https://www.scale-models.co.uk/threads/falklands-barn.37230/

[rtfoe]

Kappa Line Foamboard for buildings, Sea Grass for trees. roots, soil, sand filler, Sculpey Mould for bases as well as insulation foam .

Ah!...the secrets are out John Some familiar and others will need some local versions identified.

Cheers,
Richard

[Mini Me]

Yes...yes, now we know why John is always faffing about in the garden.....90% of his dioramas are edible!! :tongue-out3: :tongue-out2: :tongue-out: Rick H.

[rtfoe]

Paul....that is nice and dramatic landscaping.

Cheers,
Richard

[rtfoe]

Laurie, when it comes to scratching buildings there's no running away from a good set of scale drawings for measurements.
Funny how certain vehicles are never the versions you want in a kit. I still haven't found a series 3 with a separate cab hard top in 1/35 scale.

Cheers,
Richard

[rtfoe]

Yes...yes, now we know why John is always faffing about in the garden.....90% of his dioramas are edible!! :tongue-out3: :tongue-out2: :tongue-out: Rick H.

Still gardening in miniature I suppose. :tears-of-joy: :tears-of-joy: :smiling6:...will need trimming from time to time.

Cheers,
Richard

[Guest]

Laurie, when it comes to scratching buildings there's no running away from a good set of scale drawings for measurements.
Funny how certain vehicles are never the versions you want in a kit. I still haven't found a series 3 with a separate cab hard top in 1/35 scale.

Cheers,
Richard

Ha Ha spent 50 years to the day in architecture Richard. First 30 with pencil next 20 on CAD.

Do what I did Richard. The series 2 & 3 depicted are Military Snatch. New roof windows on sides new back window & door new reformed bonetts & diy grilles.

Laurie

[minitnkr]

Been waiting half a century for a decent 1/87 Hellcat Richard. I use real dirt & rocks, cigarette ash & tobacco, sawdust, Woodland Scenics ground foam of various colors & sizes, sedum for tree armatures, Noch, Faller, & Busch for other gardening stuff.