Diorama composition that is.
I know about not putting roads/buildings diagonally to the base frame but is there a book/web page where I can learn more on the composition of a diorama?
I remember reading that even numbers are perceived as unnatural. I want to learn more.

The Shep Paine modeling books have sections in them regarding composition and IMHO are very well done.

You can also research painting the same composition of color and overall elements transfer to diorama building.

Envar is very close to you. If you want to see it first hand drop him a note and take a trip to Helsinki. I'm sure he'll be more than helpful...

Grab an art history book and study the paintings. Shep's book is a good one specific to modeling.

Shep Paines book is the best modeling resource that deals with composition, not to sound like a broken record. It is important to remember that compostion and design is also as individual as each person. A good exercise for your eye is to view other work, study it by asking yourself what you like and what you don't. Look at the compositon, keep track of your eye movement, scan the diorama and ask your self why your eyes were directed to each area. Observation is the key to good compostion, you can develop an eye for it by looking at photo's (subject related or not, everyday exposure to magazines, newspapers, advertisements ect. ect.). The most important design element to incorperate is, eye movement for the viewer, visual interest.

I mostly build architectural models myself and a lot of things are already predetermined but I feel like thre are things that I could use. Think I will have to get that book.

Helsinki is a six hour drive away so I don´t think I will be going there anytime soon

I agree about Shep Paines books.I think that one of the most important things in composition is to strive not to line things up or have everything 90 degrees to each other.If you have 3 figues in a group do not space them evenly etcc....Look around you in nature,only man plants trees in rows.When I plan a diorama ,I first place things in some kind of order and then start moving things around until it looks right to me.It may take some practice .I sometimes spend hours on this .Look at other peoples work and try to see what appeals to you.Try to tell a story.Leave some space for the viewer to become involved in your work by leaving some things to their imagination.Remember there are no mistakes in art.Have fun.Be creative. Cheers! John Reid.

nato308 made a good point in that composition equals observation. When you look around you at things going on, or even look at fotos they tend to be more 'in the moment' and less pre-arranged, ie nothing is set in specific places, arranged in order and so on. In combat things happen at a terrific pace so you will rarely get an 'organized/arranged' scenario - especially if action is still taking place. Perhaps its a matter of making a scene look more 'natural/everyday' rather that 'fixed/set'.

kitbasher

I forgot to mention that 1did a couple of articles on diorama making where I go into the subject of composition .If you would like to take a look go to www.largescaleplanes.com click on Articles,then click on the Golden Era,scroll down to Nieuport 28 or Albatros DVa by JohnReid.Cheers! John.

Hi
Can someone explain to me what composition means?

Thanks
Yonaton

composition is basically how the diorama "looks". Where things are placed, the positions of certain things, the existance of things (or the lack of them).

It is not how things are made. Yes this may affect How something comes across so it does ultimately affect composition.

Composition is not so concerned with whether something was scratch built vs. OOTB .

Is there a story in the diorama? Does the dio include enough 'stuff' to support the story? For example, if there is an ambulance in the dio - is there a medic? Is he treating a patient? Does he have a red cross on his helmet or his arm?

Scott told us words of wisdom ;

Before you start a diorama, you should have a story. The story will tell you what needs to be in the diorama.

Those things that got to be in there (don't overdo it) got to be in there in a sort of balance....don't put all the figures on one side of the dio, but put a little group on one spot and a individual on another spot. Be careful in what direction your vehicle drives and your figures walk. In the western world we read from top to bottom and from left to right.... in the same way we look at a diorama....top to bottom and left to right... when a figure walks from left to right it's walking in the natural direction our eyes follow....therefore it's less interesting than letting him walk from right to left... This way you attrackt the viewers eyes toward something that looks unnatural to him (walking in a different direction than the eyes and the brain expects).....

You can talk hours about this subject. I agree with those who pointed out the Sheperd Paine book... this book provides some excellent information about this subject.