hi guys, i was looking at the some books online about building dioramas and things like that, but none of them had any reviews so i don't know how good they are. so thought i'd ask if anyone knows any useful ones?
much appreciated stan

Shep Paines How to Build Dioramas is a great book, there are others, Let's Build a Diorama 1 & 2 are excellent books for the beginner.. (Search on here for more info).

Generally asking questions on here will get you answers from some very knowledgable modellers with some excellent dioramas to look at in the forums..

The Shep paine books are great. Certainly recommended

Aside from that You might want to look into these titles
Let's built Diorama's I
Let's built Diorama's II
I rate those books as probably my best purchases from last year. Great tips and a whole bunch of eyeopeners. Book I deals with urban diorama building and book two deals with groundworks.

Also these two are good resources for the dioramists bookshelves
Terrain modelling
Advanced Terrain Modelling

With friendly greetz

Robert Blokker

Shep Paines "how to build dioramas" is in my opinion the bible of basic diorama theory and design. I have 2 copies and before any new project i read it cover to cover, and make a mental checklist of things to keep in mind.

It points out so many classic noob screwups that are just inexcuseable in thi day and age of available reference.

Although the book is dated , I have not read a better one written in simple terms for the first timer and experienced alike. I have the other books mentione d above and would happily trade them for a third spare copy of Shep's book.

His stuff was written before the explosion of aftermarket stuff was available so does not rely on expensive accesory purchasing but rather explains techniques the masters used to scrath their own stuff and its easy to see how imaginative they were.
I respect his work because he wasnt constrained by only being skilled enough to make dioramas using aftermarket accesory kits, but rather anything was possible and they did it the hard way and this is shown in the book.

my 2 cents.

yes I am a fan.

adam

All of the above for sure and
DVD Review Building
DVD Review 2 -Terrain
Master Building Book Review

thanks so much for all the suggestions, i'll be sure to keep them in mind

LOL, just kidding around

Greets to you Robert

Claude

You know claude... I actually should apologize to you as I should have thanked you earlier... as your book was also one of my best purchases last year. very good book too. Have read it multiple times. Showed it to my colleagues at work and they were very impressed. And I have to say... hurry up with your next book as that is one I want to have on my shelves as well
Thanks for signing it too.

The Verlinden books,though 'old school', are still of value for technique,design, and inspiration. Most likely to be found on the secondary market such as e-Bay.
Cheers!
Rick