I am new to Diorama construction. Can You recommend the main supplies and materials that should be on hand before you do a diorama? I have a couple of themes in mind and lots of reference books. What should be on hand and how would you use them?
Thanks!
Leddy
That’s a rather wide open question. What is the story you want to tell? Where does it take place? A Pacific island dio will need significantly different materials than one in Berlin.
a base for the diorama. this is usually wood, which will need to be sealed. plaster bandage is helpful {Michaels and other craft stores, comes in small rolls, me…I buy the stuff by the case[swg]} celluclay is a papermache material for molding hills etc. bulk plaster also used like celluclay, material for grass or snow, foam board if you are going to scratch build buildings
and if you have specifics on the dio that would help narrow the needs.
I have three settings in mind: 1) the Eastern Front in late 1944 as the German’s Central Front collapsed- a possible ambush of Katyushka rocket trucks, 2) Panzer refueling in the Ardennes in December, 1944, and 3) and Russian celebration of the capture and repainting of German Panzers after the battle of Kursk. Two would require snow or late winter follage and the last one would be heavy dust or mud. I am trying to plan purchases so I can do a couple of these over the next year.
Thanks,
Leddy
woodland scenics for the snow, see the doogs tutorial on his field kitchen
Like AJ said, your question is pretty broad. Imagination is the limit to what you can use in building dioramas. Really, anything goes if it right and produces the effect you are looking for. Look around your home and yard and you will probably find most of what you need.
When it comes to man made structures and trying to make things historically accurate, you just have to keep researching and digging for references.
Again, it can’t be emphasised enough to arm yourself with a couple of good diorama ‘how to books’.
Oh, and one more thing, you can always ask the good folks on the Finescale Modeler Forums…[8-][swg].
Enjoy your diorama building…
Boomer…
Right on Leddy, get er done man! Here’s some stuff that I have kickin around my work space.
Kitty litter for rubble. Broken Dry wall for more rubble. Popsicle sticks and tooth picks for more broken rubble. Styrene strip and rod for scratch building certain items. Small diameter wire for making barbed wire and detailing. Masking tape. Styrofoam insolation for making terrain. Woodlands senics vegitation pack (I do scratch build some of my veggies but WLS just has great grass and small trees). Some cheap dollar store acrylic craft paint (Varous Browns, Greys and Blacks) for ground work. Actually, I found dollar stores to be a gold mine of things to use in my dio’s. And you usually only need to go once with a $10 or $20 bill and have enough stuff for 30 dio’s. Good luck man and have fun!
Jaysun
Are you talking about using styrofoam for buildings? Yes? I thought you could use it as foundation for the base. Put it in the middle of the wooden frame and bottom or whatever then drown it in celluclay. You can use styrofoam for that, yes?
I think he’s talking about FOAMCORE, you can buy it at Staples or any craft/office supply store. It’s really easy to work with. I’ve used FOAMCORE for walls before…but these are kind of bulky. Yes you can use styrofoam for bases, the kind you insulate your house with, either blue or pink works great. You can pick it up at any construction site. You just have to be careful about what type of paints you use on it. Certain types of paint will eat the styrofoam away and leave your base in a mess. $ store acrylics work best for this aspect of dio buildin! Good luck!