How I Build Dioramas(step-by-step)

JohnReid

Member since
February 2004
From: Montreal/Canada

Posted by JohnReid on Saturday, March 11, 2006 7:52 AM

Montreals finest wrote:
Mr.Reid

i really enjoy your use of the odds and ends to fill the odd corner , are you scratch-building most of your shop gear and table top goodies!??

is that a lathe,in miniature?

very nice!!

Hi! Most of what you see in the workshop is scratch.The woodturners lathe is a casting from a dollhouse supplier but has been extensively modified and weathered.
I dont really worry about scratchbuilding or not,I only build what I have to build which is most of it but as you can see I use plastic car kits or even diecasts if I have to.My goal is not so much in the building of the diorama but in telling a story.
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/

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JohnReid

Member since
February 2004
From: Montreal/Canada

Posted by JohnReid on Saturday, March 11, 2006 7:28 AM

In the top pic are 3 of the 4 cars that I have collected so far for this dio.
The Franklin mint parade car will be only slightly weathered in keeping with its duty as a dignitaries transport.
The Gearbox truck will be extensively modified and weathered to become an airfield runabout for mechanics and staff.The logos will be changes to the Red Indian Gas Co.
The 1919 Hispano-Suisa will become a 2nd airshow car.It has yet to be built.
The Mercedes-Benz showcar(not shown but already built) is car #4.

The bottom pic is of a few new additions.The gas pump is in the process of being changed into a Red Indian pump.The new hangar door and hinged window is where the future engine shop module will be joined to the main structure.
Where the pump is now will be the side wall of the shop extending to the corner of the hangar.The new engine shop will have a partial plexiglass roof for viewing.
The shop will contain an OX5 engine undergoing a re-build.In addition there will be an old Mercedes engine in storage.

Thi

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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JohnReid

Member since
February 2004
From: Montreal/Canada

Posted by JohnReid on Saturday, March 11, 2006 6:52 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/

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Montreals finest

Member since
February 2006
From: montreal

Posted by Montreals finest on Friday, March 10, 2006 11:19 PM

Mr.Reid

i really enjoy your use of the odds and ends to fill the odd corner , are you scratch-building most of your shop gear and table top goodies!??

is that a lathe,in miniature?

very nice!!

the only place to go when your down,...is back up!

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JohnReid

Member since
February 2004
From: Montreal/Canada

Posted by JohnReid on Friday, March 10, 2006 4:22 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/

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JohnReid

Member since
February 2004
From: Montreal/Canada

Posted by JohnReid on Friday, March 10, 2006 8:25 AM

The above pics were an experiment in lighting.The top pic is taken using just a florescent light.
The other pic was taken using only one 40W overhead bulb.
Although there is no question that I prefer the warm light of the bottom pic, I am glad that I took the other because I discovered a great way to create moonlight.Most of what you see here is scratchbuilt except for the lathe which I modified from a dollhouse piece.The rack of woodcarving tools are actually belaying pin handles that I had left over from my shipbuilding days.Behind the lathe there is also a rack of lathe turning tools made the same way.

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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JohnReid

Member since
February 2004
From: Montreal/Canada

Posted by JohnReid on Friday, March 10, 2006 7:38 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/

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JohnReid

Member since
February 2004
From: Montreal/Canada

Posted by JohnReid on Thursday, March 9, 2006 5:55 PM

Back to the Jenny.

Boy,its amazing how difficult it can be to get back in the swing of things.After these past months of being away from the modeling of Jenny ,I am having a hard time figuring out just where I left off and where to begin again.I have so many things going, in various stages ,its hard to keep all the parts and sequence of build located in my head.The sequence of build is critical as many areas become inaccessable once the airplane is rigged.In order to save myself the same problem when I go back to finishing the hangar, I left myself notes on the various parts.Jeez I must be getting old but then again this has been the biggest project I have ever attempted.
I figure that the best thing I can do right now is check that Jenny is sitting corrrectly in her jig,line everything up and dive in and finish the wing rigging.Then will come the rigging of the controls and the installation of the control surfaces.Next will be to get her standing on her wheels and tailskid and prepared for installation in the hangar.I havent yet decided on just what work will be underway in this scene or whether she will be sitting on the tailskid or raised to flight position as in my other dioramas.

__________________
It has been said that the difference between a "pilot" and an "aviator" is that a pilot is a technician,and an aviator is an artist in love with flight.
JohnReid (Aviator)
Guide my hand in your work today.

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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JohnReid

Member since
February 2004
From: Montreal/Canada

Posted by JohnReid on Thursday, March 9, 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/

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JohnReid

Member since
February 2004
From: Montreal/Canada

Posted by JohnReid on Thursday, March 9, 2006 7:55 AM

"Harley is such a good boy,he hasnt moved since I told him to sit on the chair!

"

In the next few pics I was playing around with the lighting to see the effects.This first pic was taken with just the one overhead dollhouse fixture on.I must say that it gives a nice warm glow to the office module.
The next pic will be with just the table light on and a over head 40w bulb in the background.The light shining on the outside door is from a overhead floresent bulb that I forgot to turn off.But I kind of like the idea for a moonlit nite scene.

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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JohnReid

Member since
February 2004
From: Montreal/Canada

Posted by JohnReid on Thursday, March 9, 2006 7:27 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/

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JohnReid

Member since
February 2004
From: Montreal/Canada

Posted by JohnReid on Thursday, March 9, 2006 7:01 AM

Dioramas as backdrops
I bet you were surprised to see this pic!!
Diorama scenes can be used as backdrops for pics. You can also change things around if you get bored with a certain scene.I usually end up liking the pics more than the actual diorama anyway.
While under construction I plan to use this diorama as much as I can for my own photography using airplanes ,cars or whatever as subject matter.

Today I plan a major change in direction.I will be going back to finish Jenny before the arrival of summer when it is difficult to work on delicate airplane structures outside.The summer I will reserve for the hangar and its modules.Maybe even build the new engine workshop where I plan to have an OX5 and a Mercedes undergoing buildups.

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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JohnReid

Member since
February 2004
From: Montreal/Canada

Posted by JohnReid on Wednesday, March 8, 2006 5:33 PM

Using the hangar as a backdrop for classic cars.

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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JohnReid

Member since
February 2004
From: Montreal/Canada

Posted by JohnReid on Wednesday, March 8, 2006 9:08 AM

Here is a wonderful ,prize winning, build of a difficult project.Congrats to my friend Jim!

http://www.wwi-models.org/Images/Landon/Ni.../index.html#p10

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/

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JohnReid

Member since
February 2004
From: Montreal/Canada

Posted by JohnReid on Wednesday, March 8, 2006 7:41 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/

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JohnReid

Member since
February 2004
From: Montreal/Canada

Posted by JohnReid on Tuesday, March 7, 2006 10:28 AM

Hi! Todays pics are taken from the same roll of overexposed pics that I took the other day.I hope to get around to taking some new ,better ones today.
First pic from the top
thats Mr. John Dillon ,the unpainted,armless office manager,giving you an idea of scale.
next,the office,note calendar on the wall is set for Nov 11
Pics 3&4.The woodworkers workshop(engine shop to come later)and view into office beyond.
Harley loves to get his picture taken!
Last pic I thought I would include for the stovepipe and roof assembly.Yes,I left a frying pan to cook up a few eggs and coffee on those cold Canadian mornings.

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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JohnReid

Member since
February 2004
From: Montreal/Canada

Posted by JohnReid on Tuesday, March 7, 2006 10:03 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/

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JohnReid

Member since
February 2004
From: Montreal/Canada

Posted by JohnReid on Tuesday, March 7, 2006 9:38 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/

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JohnReid

Member since
February 2004
From: Montreal/Canada

Posted by JohnReid on Tuesday, March 7, 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/

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JohnReid

Member since
February 2004
From: Montreal/Canada

Posted by JohnReid on Monday, March 6, 2006 9:24 AM

Hi guys! well that is it for now.Unfotunately most of these pics are overexposed.In the next couple of days I will try to take some better ones and cut down on the lighting.I have the office wired for lighting the over head and table lamps so maybe I will give that a try.None of these pics represent in any way the finished product.Most of the modules require more weathering and the placing of figures etc....Mr.Dillon ,the office manager will eventually be standing beside Harley looking out through the door into the activity going on in the hanger.

For those who may be interested the blue and white sign that is next to the stove says "Chewers and smokers will please spit on each other and not on the stove or floor".
Chester,the black cat,can barely be seen curled up on top of the blue box .under the bench ,in the workshop.
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/

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JohnReid

Member since
February 2004
From: Montreal/Canada

Posted by JohnReid on Monday, March 6, 2006 8:49 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/

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JohnReid

Member since
February 2004
From: Montreal/Canada

Posted by JohnReid on Monday, March 6, 2006 8:27 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/

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JohnReid

Member since
February 2004
From: Montreal/Canada

Posted by JohnReid on Monday, March 6, 2006 7:48 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/

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JohnReid

Member since
February 2004
From: Montreal/Canada

Posted by JohnReid on Sunday, March 5, 2006 3:13 PM

Hi! C'mon in! the boss is out right now.I hope that you dont mind a little dog hair."

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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JohnReid

Member since
February 2004
From: Montreal/Canada

Posted by JohnReid on Sunday, March 5, 2006 9:34 AM

Unfinished workshop and WC modules.

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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JohnReid

Member since
February 2004
From: Montreal/Canada

Posted by JohnReid on Sunday, March 5, 2006 8:47 AM

Unfinished office module.

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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JohnReid

Member since
February 2004
From: Montreal/Canada

Posted by JohnReid on Saturday, March 4, 2006 4:59 PM

This is a pic of Harley the company mascot sitting on his chair in the office module.
These new pics were taken just today but I think the light was a little too strong.I plan to take more tomorrow using only the interior lighting.
This view of the office is from the side that normally faces the hangar and would not normally be seen without removing the module.The swivel chair is scratchbuilt,the rest is modified dollhouse furniture.Harley is a pewter casting that I found in the dollar store,the rest is a combination of scratch and modified stuff.

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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JohnReid

Member since
February 2004
From: Montreal/Canada

Posted by JohnReid on Saturday, March 4, 2006 4:27 PM

New pics

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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JohnReid

Member since
February 2004
From: Montreal/Canada

Posted by JohnReid on Saturday, March 4, 2006 8:58 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/

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JohnReid

Member since
February 2004
From: Montreal/Canada

Posted by JohnReid on Saturday, March 4, 2006 7:55 AM

Jenny at home.

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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