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How I Build Dioramas(step-by-step)

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  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Montreal/Canada
Posted by JohnReid on Friday, May 19, 2006 10:46 AM
Iknow it is not an airplane but.....Here is an example of a great little diorama.It tells an interesting,humorous story that nearly everyone can relate to.It is the perfect example of a creative mind at work.
Dioramas do not have to be big and showy to be effective but they do have to make that emotional connection between the artist and the viewer.
Thank you Ken Hamilton for allowing me to use that pic.
(from "How to Build Creative Dioramas" by Ken Hamilton)
Guide my hand in your work today.JWRR. My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am. My Photoshop: http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Montreal/Canada
Posted by JohnReid on Friday, May 19, 2006 10:32 AM
Guide my hand in your work today.JWRR. My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am. My Photoshop: http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Montreal/Canada
Posted by JohnReid on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 9:02 AM
Guide my hand in your work today.JWRR. My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am. My Photoshop: http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Montreal/Canada
Posted by JohnReid on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 8:52 AM
Guide my hand in your work today.JWRR. My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am. My Photoshop: http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Montreal/Canada
Posted by JohnReid on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 7:12 AM


Harley airshow bike (modified diecast)
Guide my hand in your work today.JWRR. My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am. My Photoshop: http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Montreal/Canada
Posted by JohnReid on Monday, May 15, 2006 4:19 PM
Guide my hand in your work today.JWRR. My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am. My Photoshop: http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Montreal/Canada
Posted by JohnReid on Monday, May 15, 2006 7:39 AM
The above 2 pics are of the under and topside of the unfinished R/H wing assemblies.
The wingtips of both wings have been damaged in an accident.I made no attempt to tighten the fabric covering as i was afraid to distort the underlying delicate wing structure and anyway the wings would have been overstressed due to the accident.
I made no attempt to feather-in the rib tapes as it would be a waste of time due to their placement up against the hanger wall where they will only be seen across the hangar floor in dim light.The access holes and any portions that I decide to expose will be fitted with drag and anti-drag wires etc...and the whole thing needs more weathering.I plan to build only the R/H set of wings as the others could have been damaged beyond repair and sitting in a future junkyard out back of the hangar.
Guide my hand in your work today.JWRR. My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am. My Photoshop: http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Montreal/Canada
Posted by JohnReid on Monday, May 15, 2006 7:12 AM
Guide my hand in your work today.JWRR. My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am. My Photoshop: http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Montreal/Canada
Posted by JohnReid on Monday, May 15, 2006 6:47 AM
Guide my hand in your work today.JWRR. My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am. My Photoshop: http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Montreal/Canada
Posted by JohnReid on Sunday, May 14, 2006 7:00 PM
The above figure is a combination of 120mm Model Cellar figures.The body is an extra Eddie R. figure that I had and the head is from a Manfred von R. piece.
I am converting the whole thing to a RFC pilot.I removed the emblems from the collar and from the hat and will replace them with the RFC type.The head will be glued down slightly lower than shown.
At present I am painting and weathering the portable gas/water mobile unit.I will post a pic when it is finished.
Guide my hand in your work today.JWRR. My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am. My Photoshop: http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Montreal/Canada
Posted by JohnReid on Sunday, May 14, 2006 10:47 AM
Guide my hand in your work today.JWRR. My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am. My Photoshop: http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Montreal/Canada
Posted by JohnReid on Saturday, May 13, 2006 8:41 PM

I took a little off the hat,what do you think?
Guide my hand in your work today.JWRR. My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am. My Photoshop: http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Montreal/Canada
Posted by JohnReid on Saturday, May 13, 2006 10:14 AM
Hey,using this scanner for taking in progress pics is fun.
The above 2 pics when joined together are the L/H side of the JN4A fuselage which is being robbed for parts for the Canuck.I have left the sides pretty much completely covered with fabric, with the fuselage metal cowling on.I cheated a bit here as I really didnt want to install all the wires and fittings on the fuselage as I had done on the Canuck.It also gives the viewer an idea of how the airplane would look covered with its fabric and cockpit cowling.(anyway that is my story and I am sticking to it.
The cockpit combing is real aged leather from an old purse.The tarps are modified Kleenex .The grommet holes in the fuselage sides are where the control wires would pass through and the half moon is the pilots step.The original military insignia has been painted over with blue paint and you can see a few fabric patches here and there.
The weathering is not yet completed.This fuselage section will rest on the hangar floor on wooden blocks.There will be a mechanic working in the rear hole removing instruments from the instrument panel which should bring everything nicely into scale.
Guide my hand in your work today.JWRR. My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am. My Photoshop: http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Montreal/Canada
Posted by JohnReid on Saturday, May 13, 2006 9:40 AM

Guide my hand in your work today.JWRR. My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am. My Photoshop: http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Montreal/Canada
Posted by JohnReid on Saturday, May 13, 2006 9:17 AM

Unfinished section of the JN4A fuse (basketcase)

Guide my hand in your work today.JWRR. My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am. My Photoshop: http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Montreal/Canada
Posted by JohnReid on Friday, May 12, 2006 9:07 AM

Unfinished towbar assembly.

Guide my hand in your work today.JWRR. My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am. My Photoshop: http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Montreal/Canada
Posted by JohnReid on Friday, May 12, 2006 8:45 AM

This is a scanned pic of the unfinished portable gas/water unit.

Guide my hand in your work today.JWRR. My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am. My Photoshop: http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Montreal/Canada
Posted by JohnReid on Thursday, May 11, 2006 9:00 AM
In the above scanner print I used the standing Tamiya tank figure(the kit contains 2 figures)and the other arm from the turret guy and the head from I not know from where.Although I do think that it was maybe from a WW2 figure of some kind.
I took the high peak off of the cap and removed any emblems.The body is wearing your basic set of coveralls so no changes here.His right arm I moved slightly forward and I lowered his head.I will be positioning him standing in the the fuselages rear hole and removing instruments from the Jenny's instrument panel.Only the upper portion of his body and his feet sticking thru the the bottom will be easily visible.This figure will give a nice sense of scale to the fuselage assembly.His right gloved hand will not be seen.
Guide my hand in your work today.JWRR. My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am. My Photoshop: http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Montreal/Canada
Posted by JohnReid on Thursday, May 11, 2006 8:25 AM

Guide my hand in your work today.JWRR. My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am. My Photoshop: http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Montreal/Canada
Posted by JohnReid on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 5:55 PM
This figure required only minor modification.I took the basic Legends and Lore figure of a Vegas mobster and added an arm from Tamiya's tank crewman.
I wanted a civilian figure dressed in a suit and tie that I could use standing alone and leaning up against a car or whatever I finally decide.The minor differences in suit styles of the different eras is really unimportant when viewed at a distance in this diorama.The only change to the tank members arm was to remove the cuff at the wrist.
With his clenched fist and frown he looks like an impatient driver waiting to get the show on the road.
As you can see only a small modification such as this can make for a completely different figure and help to add to the telling of the story.His relaxed pose means I can put him just about anywhere in the diorama as a supporting player.
Fun eh!
Cheers! John.
Guide my hand in your work today.JWRR. My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am. My Photoshop: http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Montreal/Canada
Posted by JohnReid on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 5:23 PM

Guide my hand in your work today.JWRR. My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am. My Photoshop: http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Montreal/Canada
Posted by JohnReid on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 10:18 AM
Figures in Dioramas
I agree they add so much life and a real sense of scale to any diorama.I am not one for action poses but I admire those who can pulll it off .It is a great way to let your imagination take off and at the same time really personalize your piece.They are really not that hard to do and there is a much greater choice now out there on the market.So many wonderful artists contributing their skills to your dioramas.Why not take advantage of the opportunity? If we had to scratchbuild everything (assuming we could) it would take forever.
To be a productive dioramist you just have to use anything that it available to you.I like to think of myself more like a one frame movie director who is gathering all the elements together to tell a great story.Not only is it a lot of fun but it takes all the pressure off of having to be outstanding at any one thing.To be a good dioramist your dont have to be a great painter,sculpturer or modelmaker for that matter. This is not your goal.You only have to do as much as you think you need to, to get your viewer invovled in the story you are trying to tell, and maybe pass on a little historical information to the younger crowd in at interesting way.Kids may not be as interested in building models as much as they used to be but they always seem to be intrigued by looking at them.
Guide my hand in your work today.JWRR. My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am. My Photoshop: http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Montreal/Canada
Posted by JohnReid on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 9:20 AM
This is an image of the figure that I am working on at present.The resin head is from a Model Cellar figure of Eddie R.The plastic body is from an Eduard figure of Baron von R.There was very little altering of this figure other than slightly changing Eddie facial features and giving him a carved in moustache.I had to do this facial surgery as I have already used this head before on another figure.
The body parts were glued together using ultra thin superglue and the head was glued on with A+B epoxy paste and trimmed with a power burr.
I cleaned the figure with an old soft toothbrush and Ivory detergent(99%pure soap)
Brown gesso was thinned with distilled water and a little flow medium and applied evenly with a soft cats tongue brush.Sometimes I will use an airbrush for this but a brush seems to work just as well if carefully applied in even coats.
One thing that I forgot to mention before is that the JoSonja brand of flow medium seems to contain a little varnish that can add a some shine to an otherwise totally flat finish .It is not advisable to use a hair dryer to force dry gesso unless you use very little low heat as the paint surface can leave little cracks .
As you can see I have begun to underpaint the figure using acrylics.The leather coat is an burnt sienna(sort of oxblood color) with thin burnt umber washes over top.The pants are an olive green with burnt umber washes.
This pic was taken using my scanner so the colors are very dark and the image a little blurry but it gives you a rough idea.When the figure is finished I will take some 35mm shots.
Guide my hand in your work today.JWRR. My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am. My Photoshop: http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Montreal/Canada
Posted by JohnReid on Tuesday, May 9, 2006 8:30 PM

Guide my hand in your work today.JWRR. My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am. My Photoshop: http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Harrisburg, PA
Posted by Lufbery on Tuesday, May 9, 2006 12:16 PM
John,

Your figures look outstanding!

Regards,

-Drew

Build what you like; like what you build.

  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Montreal/Canada
Posted by JohnReid on Monday, May 8, 2006 7:19 PM
I bet you thought it was the pointing guy but actually it is the rag guy!


Guide my hand in your work today.JWRR. My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am. My Photoshop: http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Montreal/Canada
Posted by JohnReid on Monday, May 8, 2006 9:54 AM

Does this guy look familiar?

Guide my hand in your work today.JWRR. My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am. My Photoshop: http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Montreal/Canada
Posted by JohnReid on Monday, May 8, 2006 8:56 AM

Guide my hand in your work today.JWRR. My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am. My Photoshop: http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Montreal/Canada
Posted by JohnReid on Sunday, May 7, 2006 9:48 AM
I hope that I am not boring you guys with all this but I like to show the newcomers how a diorama can be a living ,work-in-progress type thing rather than a long boring build of something already completely preplanned.When you are working on a piece for such a long time you have to make things interesting for yourself too.That is why I like to keep my options open as long as possible.Over the 20 year period of building HMS Victory I found that the most fun I had with this build was when I was working on other things than the actual ship.ie: making the dolphin stand and making and placing all the figures. I got all the" working to plans" out of my blood then and hope I never go back as I find it just too restricting and can in the long run be quite boring.If I ever again find this hobby boring,I'm gone.
Guide my hand in your work today.JWRR. My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am. My Photoshop: http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Montreal/Canada
Posted by JohnReid on Sunday, May 7, 2006 8:57 AM
The above pic shows where I plan to put the new radioshack/ops module between the garage door ramp and the area behind the hangar door structure.
Although I will lose the 2 windows,the garage door provides ample viewing from this side.The windows will be simply boarded up from the inside as would probably happen when any new addition like this was made to the original structure .I havent yet decided whether to have 2 doors in this module or just one.Two doors tend to cut down a lot on options for the furnishings within the module due to lack of wall space.Or course it will have to have some sort of heating stove as well.
Yesterday,I began to work on the mobile fuel/water/oil unit.The barrel is made from an old plastic pill bottle and the spoked wheels are a spare set I had .This is not difficult to scratchbuild and should add a lot of interest because you just dont see these old handpumps around any more.A friend gave me a set of spoked wheels from an old Ford build in 1/24 scale and I added these to the aircraft towbar.After a little tire re-shaping and painting they look ok and seem to be just the right size.
Guide my hand in your work today.JWRR. My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am. My Photoshop: http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/
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