Hi,

I am about to finish a diorama this week but something is holding me back from it. I will describe what the diorama will consists of, I need opinions on this one, ére we go:

I am making a diorama in a wintersetting. It consist of a ruin of a house in which there is a Wespe hiding with crew that are loading the gun of the Wespe..but...I am also painting an infantry group for the diorama which I wanted to support the Wespe; it consist of 8 infantrymen. I personally think when the diorama is done with all figures(12!..), the ruin and the Wespe in it that it will be way too crowded(besides that the base isn't all that big). The initial idea was that it would be a final and last stand of german troops on the eastern front.
The thing I always enjoyed from diorama's is that the strength and appeal lies in the simplicity of the diorama.
Opinions please?
greetz,


Alco

No easy answer to this one as it depends on the story you are trying to show.
For my part though it doesnt want to be to cluttered or you might miss the highlights of your dio, and on the other hand you dont want too much space.
What i would do is add to it slowly and then ask your self is this what i want? if your not sure then add the other figures, but not permanantly and trhen if you do feel once they are on that it is too cluttered you can always take it off.
Why not post some photos of your dio with the minimum, medium and maximum amount of figures on if your not sure and get feedback from every one at the site, were all here to help where we can.
But most important is to have fun and enjoy the fruits of your labour.
Keep us posted, im looking forward to seeing it!

Alco

First I want to say that some of the most awesome dio`s I have seen were terribly crowded and everytime you looked at it you discovered something new. I like that stuff ( but that`s pure my opinion about it) One of the main things you might keep in mind is composition that often looks easier to a dio.. A lot of figs in one dio is possible but they have to be there for a purpose. What`s the role of every fig in the dio. If you use that rule you really can add a lot of figs in it.
Mar was right about this moving and testfitting of figs because that is the start for your composition. You already have the base and you know how big it is, you know where the building comes. what the position of the Wespe is, now put that onto the base but not glue them and go testfitting with the figs,, Add figure for figure every soldier in place and keep moving them untill you have the composition you are happy with

This is the way how I do it

From the description I would comment with this.
You need to look at the diorama from the perspective of "would this happen in real life?" If you have 8 infantrymen supporting the Wespe in such close proximity. Maybe - I don't know. It depends on if they are loading more ammo, or helping build a protective emplacement.

My gut tells me that if you think it's crowded then it may be.

One thing I do is to dry run the diorama a number of time throughout the building process to test fit and coverage and placement etc.

You can also 'imply' the presence of more guys that are just off scene with the one you do have on the base. You can position one guy waving other 'up' or motioning positions etc.

Pictures, sketches etc would really help (I know equipment for that can be hard to come by).

I agree with Faust on this one but I also feel that this rule applies to more than just figures. I think that vehicles, ruined structures, weapons strewn around, etc. need to have a purpose. For example; would you put a donkey in a middle of a street fight? Live one would be out of place but a dead one would have a purpose. As far as the number of figures is concerned, do some testing and moving around. See what feels natural.

The number of figures on the diorama is not as important as if the numbers there belong. I hate to see a diorama with one crew working while there is another guy over in the corner eating. I also think equipment strewn around just to fill empty spots is a mistake. We have all seen dioramas with live rounds just lying about. I like to see a diorama that all fits together, no matter how many figures are included.

Patrick

excellent..now I know this I am hurrying back to my pillbox to continue my work, really can't wait to show you guys my first diorama, with a bit of luck I will have it done next week, borrow a very good digicam and post the pics!!!


Alco

Someone just said purpose fpr things is important. That goes along with my main complaint of many dios, consistencey. Too ooften, you'll see a firefight in one corner of the scene while in the other corner some guy is just strolling along at port arms.

You've said the crew is loading the Wespe, that means there's a target in range and visible, therefore, everything and everyone in your scene is also a potential target and has to be acting accordingly. NO one is at resat or walking upright, they should all be heading for cover. and/or be in position to take aim.

If you can get hold of a digital camera, take a few shots of the figures in various positions and see how they look from different angles. That'll give you a really good idea of how the final product is going to look. :-)

well, I just did a dry fit and saw and agreed with myself that the crew is sufficient and more than fullfilling, thus I will leave the remaining infantry out...I will put that infantry in another dio..something with a last stand in trenches while a T34 approaches through the dead trees..so I will be going onwards, I just did some more painting and to my most pleasant surprise all is going well...I will keep you all posted

Crowded is OK when the enemy is out of sight, but not in tactics. Unless you want to commit collective suicide, it is wise to spread. One hand grenade mustn't be able to wipe out a whole platoon !

G.F.'s comment is very true about it being tactically unsound to group together in a combat situation, but anybody who has ever undertaken any infantry training knows full well that is in human nature to group together. If you can convey in the dio that this is an unprepared, desperate final stand, then overcrowding could help to show how dire the situation is. If the troops could be shown to be in a very bad way with injuries and battle fatigue,maybe a couple of corpses. But if you are going for a planned defensive position then the troops would be spread out as a building with a SPG in it would attract alot of fire from the enemy.

Robbo

PS: I would like to take this oppotunity to apoligise for my failure to complete a dio for the campaign, I only got as far as an orderly with a wounded civvy and then work and family commitments took over. Ilook forward to seeing all the entries.
Sorry

Most Dio's that i do focus on a story... i want the viewer to understand what is happening, why the situation exists, and the "tone" of the moment (desperation, relaxation, sadness, etc.). Anything that doesn't contribute OR that adds in another story-line is overkill in my book.

In my large diorama (ORDERS) there are about 25 figures... the vast majority are listening to an officer, while civilians nearby clean up the mess from recent action. Around the corner, a wounded soldier is chatting with children, unaware or uncaring that battle preparations are going on. For him the war is over. The diorama is crowded, but because of the park, has a good viewing alley, and let's you observe a single theme from multiple angles.

In the long run, this is a judgement call on your side. If YOU like it, and have fun with it, then it serves the purpose- enjoyment!