Where do I start on a diorama?

Hmmm... Now there's an open question!
I would have to say the first step is research. Do you already have a model built? Do you have an Idea for your Dio Yet? Have you sketched out the base?
If you can give us a bit more info on what you want to build, The many pro's (not including myself there) and otherwise helpful folks on this site will be more than happy to get you off on the right foot!

Oh, & welcome to the Big 'A'!! Best site on the Net!!!

Mike...first and foremost, welcome to Armorama, sir, the best thing going for us modelers...Please
participate in as much as you can on the site, for it has alot to offer to you..As ar as your Dio question goes, I'll have to agree with Bob's recommendations...research your subject, draw it out, find your models, and start building! This site has alot of Dio tutorials on it, and any other questions that you may have will be promptly answered in our forums...So get busy, Bro!!!

Gunny

I will have to say that it has to either start from research or from a simple idea. You need an idea to start, you can get it while researching or from your imagination.

OK, The idea itself is what makes a good diorama and a bad diorama. The idea has to be able to be represented on a diorama as there are many ideas that are just out of proportion.
Also, your idea must be strong enough, it should give the viewer a message, if it doesn't then it is just a model display.

Once you have your idea it is time for more research. Look for what you will need for your diorama, and get it. Make vehicles, houses, and figures similar to a common time or theatre of war.

A common mistake is to try to make a diorama with something that you already have. This is again a display and not a diorama. Of course there is nothing wrong with using some of the stuff you have if you have a big stash, but don't try to use a king tiger for an early 1941 diorama just because that is what you have. (don't put Germans in guadalcanal!!!)

Good luck

i started building a diorama, and its a lot more work than you think, first gather ALL your resources(research) so you dont have to keep going back to looking up info or keep going back to the store and buying different supplies everytrip.

you should have already started on thinking what your dio is about ie a break in the fighting on the eastern front showing german soldiers resting or something.....

now you have to draw out the scene, start off small believe me, once you get to more detailed things you can go to the big stuff. do you want this break in the fighting to be in the city or in the field....if a city, you're going to need to get pictures of eastern front cities w/ architucture styles etc....
if in a field, you're gonna need to look at the landscape.

now you should decide on what kits to use, if you're doing something like this, then a good kit would just be the "german soldiers seated" figure set by tamiya.
(not saying you have to use tamiya this is just an example)

next thing you need to do is build your kit(s) then your diorama, will you have the soldiers resting in a trench? or will you have them huddled around a destroyed building?

you get what i'm sayin? just makesure you get all your resources together, makes it much better in the long run.

thanks for your time
-Shain

Research is important, but artistic license also makes dioramas great. Research should simply be on architecture, plant and soil types, geographical features, etc... After that, let your imagination soar (within the guidelines of your research ) and come up with your own idea. This is just my opinion, some of the best dioramas are also made on the exact specifications of a battle, or even modeled after photos. Take your pick

Dioramas modeled after photos are very interesting, because you're taking something that you know happened, and you're creating each person in that event, if you know their names...that makes it even more fun. I'd like to try modeling a Dio after a photo one day. there are some dios like this on the big A. ask around and see if someone has made one, i believe one was made w/ a StuG a little bit ago...

Inspiration......

Start with an idea. KIS - Keep It Simple. Start with a manageable project one AFV a few figures.
Make some decision up front -Urban, rural, what are you willing to scratch build vs buy - what's the budget.

Then based on those few things, draw out a few ideas on paper in the correct scale to get a really firm idea of scale and scope.

Then start asking around and putting together a game plan on how each piece is going to be made and the incorporated.

Ask all the questions you want, that's how you get better

Mike,

Welcome to Armorama. As previously stated a little research does wonders for inspiration. I read a great deal, that helps creates ideas and I try to find photographs that develops the mental image. One other very useful resource is the many creative and talented members of this site. Ask the question, you will generally find that the answer to one problem generates the inspiration for another project.

Once again, welcome.

Jay