Hello all I just need to know what determines if a base is nolonger a base and can be called a Dio-“Diorama” I have see what is called a base with the vehicle on it and some soldiers in the Vehicle., and some with the a soldier or soldiers standing next to the vehicle. I’m lost can any one help. Before I build a Dio when all I want right now is a simpel base.
I.m sure that Al LaFleche or someone else who judges at contests could answer this one. IMO, if you go past a basic ground cover, ie: grass, cobblestones, sand, mud, then you’ve gone beyond a base. I agree with you on the figures, once they are off the AFV and standing beside it, it becomes a dio.
That is just what I thought thanks. I’ll try to keep what ever soldier I add the my model will be in the vehical.
Each event may have slightly different interpretations, but Wirraway pretty much covered it. At times, a singel figure may be outside the vehicle to give it scale. This may allow it to be enterred in the general armor category. Typically, judges are instructed to ignore any figures and ground work when judging armor.
When judging a diorama, the strength and clarity of the story is part of the criteria. Thus, a tank with a figure standing next to it is not liklely to fare very well against a complex scene.
Well right now I’m trying to get my skill up on painting figures so once I start my first Dio/Base I will put all my work in here so you all can tell me what I need to work on. Cool? An thanks for the help and info. Well I must go for not I think I need to get to Hobby Lobby for some thing like grass and such.
…elements of a story…
This is what I was told…or something like it. The guy at the IPMS event said "are you trying to tell a story?..if not, then it’s not a dio’ ". The number of figures makes a difference too. some contests allow 2 or fewer, others up to 5.
IMO, a “diorama” tells a story; says something is happening.
A base is just that–a place to display the model, sometimes wthout any “action” per se, and nothing more.
Ok once i get the hang of painting my figure for my Sd.Kfz. Kettenkrad I will start on the base here. The only things that will be on the small wooden base will be the soldier the kettenkrad and a mid size rock and grass. Hay I will go set up the base with what I have so far to show you all what I want. I’ll be back soon.
Also, I dio has a title, such as, “Death in the Courtyard”…a base should have no such title—at most the nomenclature of the vehicle being displayed:“Mk IVJ, 1944”…
Ok here’s my idea:“Brake Time” Oh I see no title just the name on the vehicle: Sd.Kfz.2 Kettenkraftrad. will do thanks man!
The rock comes from a OH scale rubber mold for OH train modeling by woodland scenics same as the desert or field grass that I will be using. The grass has a peal yellow or light sand look. It’s like ded grass or winter grass. Any way this will be my first try at one a base that is.
Title, name or nothing, that really makes no difference, certainly not in where it is placed at a show. While a title makes sense for a dio, it is not required at any level of competition. You could tell a good story but have the thing labeled Kettekraftrad. Or call it “Taking a Break” and put it in gthe appropriate vehicle category withthe judges ignoring the setting and the figure. And if you don’t plan on entering this in a contest, you can do absolutely anything you want regarding what you call it.
Suggestion: Before you lay down any ground work material, place a thin layer of Celluclay or similar product to give a more natural feel to your setting. Build the base material up against the rock so it looks like it’s coming out of the ground, rather than laying on top of it. Grasses around the rock should be a bit taller than the grass on the rest of the base.
Also, stain the edge of the base with wood stain. Let it dry, then tape off the stained part before applying the ground work. Remove the tape when you’re completely done with the ground work.
I did a step by step a couple years ago about landscaping. While it’s for a woodland scene, the proncipals apply to any base. Here’s a link to it. Here’s another.
The reason I say add a layer of material is your wood base is too flat to look natural in any setting other than the green of a golf course. All natural settings, ecept maybe the Utah Salt Flats, have some undulations from roots, animal burrows, accumulations of dead plant amterial, etc.
Believe me, you don’t want my opinion on this!
Awwww…c’mon…[;)]
ajlafleche your right the wood base is to flat and I have have seen some of the things you pointed out in ARMOR mag So I see what your talking about. As I don’t have any wood stain yet so I’ll go out and get some tomorrow along with more clay. I dont realy know what Celluclay is yet but if I cant get that I will have to use just plane Modelers clay.
[#welcome]An to the guy that thinks I won’t want to see his comments. Man it’s up to you what you want to type here, this is a free speech on Modeling Topics Forum so if you don’t like it that’s cool but remember if you plan to put up anything that has bad works in it you may get your self kicked out and if you post any of your work there after posting your bad comments here some one may feel that it’s your time to feel a little put-down and it may be on some realy good work.
So think before you type just how you feel about some ones work, as it may come back at you later on. [BH]
{ajlafleche} thanks for the links. Oh yeah did not point out this is just my idea and this is not done yet. An not realy started as I need to finish my soldier. [banghead]mmmmmm what a day…
You can get this at any Michaels or AC Moore arts and craft store. You probably also find it where school supplies are sold.
I mix mine with Elmer’s type glue, brown acrylic paint, railroad ballast and other textured railroad ground material with just enough water to get it to the consistency of thick oatmeal. I also drill a bunch of 1/8 inch holes in the base to give it more to attach to and reduce the likelihood of its peeling back from the base. Keep it to a thickness of about a quarter inch and it should dry overnight under a regular desk lamp.
Easy big fella. You dont have to worry about Vespa Boy trashing your work…he’s no troll. He just has an opinion on how much has to be in a scene before it qualifies as a diorama. No biggie.
Hay ajlafleche I think I have seen that stuff at Hobby Lobby and I’ll go and see if they still have it. Yhanks for the images and link. this should get me started off well. This small desert sean should come out grate.
Wirraway that’s cool as this may not be in any show I just for now want to try my hand at it so once I get good as mini of you, I can do just what I want and I will know what the difference between the two are. See I have a cool looking halftrack and an IDF MUTT that I think would look even better on a mini base or small dio.
Thanks for all the help to day guys. Oh I had some goofs and I’m uploading all my photos of my work on the clean up on the men and later to night I will give you all a full repport on the progress.
White R34: Please don’t take what I said the wrong way. I think your dio is terrifc. Not long ago we went through a long discussion of this forum about what makes a diorama vs a base and it got heated at moments.
I have a very open idea of what makes a diorama, and what you have here is certainly a diorama in my books.
The first rule of any diorama base is to remember nothing is flat and level. Ground always has a 3-d topography. Good luck with the build.
About 40 hours…
Thank you! That’s my time, you’ve been great, don’t forget to tip your waitress…