Hello, even though I'm a master sergeant, I have no ideas on how to make a diorama. Now, on my diorama, I plan to have a two-story battered (not destroyed, just used for years and years by different people.) building, a corner of a building that has been hit by light artillery. There will be a Hanomag and a Kommeuderwagon with men standing and sitting around waiting for their orders to go off to battle and die for a cause that they don't believe. It's Russian Front, Fall of '42. Anything would be helpful. Thanks for your time.

A good start would be in the "FEATURES" section of this website. Another good site is Doc Dios (sorry, don't have the url handy).

You also might want to pick up a copy of Shep Paine's "How to Build Dioramas, 2nd Edition" published by Kalmback Books. It's an excellent reference you'll go back to many. many times.

Definitely agree with you Bob. The book does help a beginner like me to build my own diorama with limited resources.

Remember to keep your story simple, obvious an dunified. Ideally, you shouldn't need a title to tell the viewer what the story is. From you description, you seem to be on the way. Try sketching it out on paper first, or cut out shaped of the vehicles and position them. You might use the drawing tool in word to move things around, too. When you have the vehicles assembled, try taking digital pics of them in various positions to get a feel for how it's going to look. Try to keep things diagonal to the edges, rather than in straight lines.

Welcome to the world of our addiction! There are many resources for your diorama habbit... first - what is your scale? 1:35 or 1:72? Are you going to "scratchbuild" or do you prefer commercial kits?

If you are looking for pre-made building kits in the 1:35 range, then look to Verlinden, Custom Dioramics... or if you are interested, click my link below to see what we offer!

If you have any questions, you have come to the right place... there are some TREMENDOUSLY talented diorama folks here on the board. Go to the FEATURES>Dioramas section, or the GALLARY>Dioramas section and take a look around. Most of the builders will gladly answer questions about techniques, reference materials, and sources for their work.

Well Said. Keep it simple.

I generally sketch out my idea from every angle I thinkwill be important on one sheet of paper. My dioramas tend to look like my initial sketches, but the details vary greatly. In my work, I generally look for a simple story of the common soldier. Generals fight war, soldier fight battles… I tell soldier’s stories. You can get a flavor for what I mean by looking at my webpage at www.johnneill.com

Like models... RESEARCH. I am artist by passion, a teacher by profession and a Historian for life. So if you want the Russian Front in ‘42, get some great pictures, find some soldiers stories, lots on line now, get a feel for it before you recreate it. I am not a perfectionist, but bad research (a wrong plant, building style or whatever error in detail) can kill a great diorama.

Details are important. They will make or break a diorama. This does not mean you have to minutely recreate everything--- particularly if it can not be seen. I love detail, but cannot get into spending hours recreating something that will never be seen unless you use a 1mm fiber optic camera.

Another thing that can be a pet peeve for me… put it on a nice base. It is hard to enjoy a diorama on a cheap thin base… Example: Hard to get the feel of a 44 ton tank if you plop it atop a ¼ inch piece of plywood with unfinished exposed edges. It looks thin and it makes the tank look and feel thin and unsubstantial. And there are lots of option for us ona tight budget. Some will say the base is only secondary, but in a diorama, you are acting more as an artist and storyteller, then just a modeler. Unless you are simply building a place to park your tank, the base becomes a part of the presentation and conveys a message to the viewer.

Just some thoughts,

John
www.johnneill.com

This is what can happen if "you are simply building a place to park your tank".

Hey you can create a Parking lot for me anytime! Nice work!
John
http://www.johnneill.com

Hey, thanks, guys! Oh, and I'm doing a 1:35 scale diorama. Oh yeah... what how much of a "tight budget" do you mean? Right now my tight budget is 8 bucks! And knowing me, it will somehow have gone down to 7 bucks, the dollar just growing legs and walking away right before my eyes. #:-) Thanks for your time.

MEBM - I've never set a dollar figure to my dios. I build what I can when I can. If the dio isn't complete, it isn't complete. It may take a while to get all the pieces, but if your out to capture an event or idea, who's to say when it has to be finished ? If 7 bucks is your budget limit, okay build what you can for 7 bucks, if YOU are satisfied fine if not YOU decide what needs to be done. Build away and see what happens, it's supposed to be fun, I think. #:-)

Thanks. I guess you're right...I have a year to get it done. Once again, thanks. Thanks for your time.

Hi MEBM. As hollowpoint mentioned ... I think you need to go to Docs Dios and spend a while there. Excellent site with first rate tips and all explained really well with pictures alongside. This was my first site, that i found and still look in now and again for tips or just inspiration. If there are certain things you would like to attempt, place that word in the search here at the top of the page and you will find loads of tips and info. Another good method is look through the gallery and if theres something you like, ask the person who made it as they are all members or ask here in this forum. Good luck with your dios!

Would someone be as kind as to post the url for Docs Dios? I did a google but nothing clear cut has come up (Im at work and dont wish to inadvertantly look at something risque!)

Cheers

Sorry Hip-priest --- I meant to include the link in my previous message.
Here goes:
Doc´s Dios

Hey, thanks! As soon as I get some things to make it, and I make it, and I learn how to use my scanner, and this post thingy isn't gone, I'll post it! Thanks for your time.

Doiramas don't HAVE to be expensive! Just take a look at the GALLERY>DIORAMAS>WINDOWS ON WAR campaign entries... not a single one of these beauties cost more than $15US to build... just takes a keen eye for what can be salvaged and used to imitate desired effects... ie, a kleenex for a tarp, gauze for camo netting, etc.... great place to look for ideas!

MEBM

I have to agree with the others that Doc Dio is a very good site for starters in Dio world.

Also The FEATURES section Of armorama (the DIO features especially) Will give You an amoun t of ideas and good tips

As Far as the 7 or 8 dollar I think that that is really a big amount of money... See what can be done with a little more then 2 Euro
DISTRACTION greta`s revenge go to the last page of the feature and see a list of things I used to cut down the cost
These are only a couple of tips And if you have questions about something somehow then don`t be afraid and post cause there are plenty of really good dio builders around here who are always willing to share knowledge

Wow, the panzer 4 dio looks great

thanks! was given an old Monogram Panzer IV and thought I would mess with it... you can see other pictures of it at Frostbite

Thanks Again!

john
www.johnneill.com

FAUST: Thank you,thank you,thank you! You've given me a lot of great ideas! Once again, thanks!

Umm...guys, I can't get into the gallery. Is it under construction, or what? Thanks for your time.

Hello Fellow Beginner,
Some cheap tricks. 44 cent acrylic paint at Wal-mart. 40% off coupons almost every Sunday paper for Michaels. Bottom of cake covers (same as top of salad bar containers) from grocery store for paint pallettes.
Start small and practice. Expect to be disappointed. Base paint can use cheap auto spray cans. Scenery can use real (fine) dirt and small twigs, dried spices. Get ideas from model railroading, doll-house as well as the great web sites like this one and other ones named. Is there an IPMS Chapter near you.
Don't quit. I started on my first diorama 10 years ago and am still building it. Remember its the journey not the destination. Time for me to get off the soapbox and spill some paint.
Sealhead

Wow...ten years. I can't wait to get started on my diorama! :-) I'm fifteen, so I should have it done by the time I'm thirty (I'm still a novice!) Sealhead: thanks.