I recently started planning a new diorama and I was thinking of trying out an urban scene. I liked the idea of a ruined Berlin street scene with some Russian soldiers. So after doing some research and mental planning I created a rough mock up of my layout in card board. But now I have reached a problem. Having very little experience with modeling buildings, especially destroyed urban ones, I am trying to figure out the best way to build my structures. Does anyone have a good recommendation for what materials or techniques I can use to build stone buildings typical of a city? (mind you, they will be in a state of fairly high damage)
I am yet to scratchbuild my first building but some peole use foamboard and/or featherboard I think it’s called then coat it in plater or a similar medium. I won’t go into further detail. I don’t want to give you the wrong idea.
If possible, purchase How to Build Dioramas by Sheperd Paine. There is a lot of elaborate detail and illustrations in that book and a whole section dedicated too making buildings and how to replicate destruction.
HTH
I use sheetrock drywall for my scratch-built buildings. I takes a lot of work cutting out windows, doors, and getting the paper off.
This project is currently still under construction. The building is constructed of white foam sheets which I believe came from a box a new Tv or some other appliance was in.There are several different thicknesses ,you just have to scrounge or check out your local packaging/shipping stores.
The foam was pegged and glued to the base before the glue and rockhard mixture was added to the outside. The Rockhard mixture was tinted with a mudstone dollar store acrylic paint. The interior walls are made of basswood,and built using the stud wall with the planks attached using wood glue. The wallpaper is real wallpaper,a samples book I picked up from a paint shop. They usually throw them away.
I will advise you to start out simple,agarden wall or something of that nature.This project here was not my first attempt and at times I quizzed myself as to why I embarked on such a time consuming project!. Use your imagination,the materials are your choice. Most of all have fun and enjoy it…And check out Shep Paines book,a great guide.
almost forgot the pics.
Greg"Detailfreak"Rowley[Y]
Thanks for all of the recommendations, It seems like ill have to test out a few different methods before I begin work on my actual diorama. Now time for some scrounging in the recycling bin!
My advice is to repliate the technique of the 1:1 structure in scale as closely as possible. It will give the best results.
I just found this link off another site that may help you.
They use the white foam board but i have found in the past that the all black version is easier to work with and a lot easier to remove the paper surface from.