What is the best thing to use for diorama bases. I have heard that picture frames are tacky and that round solid bases are better. I have also heard that drywall is another alternative. i am new to the diorama world and want to do the best job I can. I need some feedback from all you highly experienced diorama buffs!

Hi,

Well, there are really a lot of sources. For example:

1. Picture frames. These are really nice considering that they have already a nice border. A minor problem is that the size is already fixed. Also, you have to make a wood base in case the back of the picture frame is made of flimsy cardboard.

2. Old plaques. Just like picture frames, they have a nice border around the edges. You will have to remove or take out the embedded/embossed writing by filling it up with spackle or covering with styrofoam.

3) Rock slates and tiles. They are also good expecially rock slates that are rejects and broken at the edges. Use the flat side. One of my friends used a broken slate as a stand for his 1/16th figure. It worked extremely great as the stand/vignette also depicts a few debris and a broken wall.

4) Plywood bordered with veneer. Very simple and effective.

5) A thick piece of wood at least a quarter of an inch thick. This is what I used for my Ardennes Offensive dio. The whole area can be made into a dio base. You have the option of adding moulding to it.

6) Check this out for more interesting ideas:

https://armorama.kitmaker.net//features/79

I also remember that guy in the link I gave you made a small vignette out of a McDonalds cup. Then, I also saw a very nice vignette (I forgot the site) featuring a field kitchen set on a base made out of an old mess kit container.

The most important thing to remember is to make the base waterproof or else it will warp when you cover it with a water-based substance. I usually coat the base with varnish for this purpose.

Hope this helps.

Angela

Thanx Angela, that's exactly the information I was looking for. You are awesome!!!!!!!!!! :-)

Some more info here at Missing-Lynx on the same topic.

Another idea is to check out the Thrift Stores - Goodwill, Am Vet etc. - The have lots of donated items including

1. bases & Plaques
2. wooden Cutting board - Solid woood andthe edges can be sanded or routered and stained.
3. wooden bases for those glass snowballs
4, Wooden bowls
5. sal & pepper shakers

the list goes on nad on...

the bases I used on the Trench Campaign was a Teak wood salad bowl.




Neill

Angela nailed that topic!
The others have great additions. Get creative if you want. I've seen a German field kitchen vignette done on the lid of a 1:1 field ration tin. I've seen one done on a recycled rifle stock where the barrel channel was a trench.

Yes Scott, the rifle diorama was absolutely an ingenious work made by "Roadkill"..
And here is the link of that topic with th e pictures. One of my favorites.

Since I usually go small I use a lot of plaques from the craft store. Slap a coat of sealant on them and you are ready to go. Another interesting option is ceramic tile for small dios. The six inch square tiles come in every color and texture under the sun and samples can be had at Lowes or Home Depot for $.70. I buy a couple of white tile samples every time I am there, to mix paint on, fold PE on, assemble Indy track links, etc.

HTH,

Shaun

The perfect base is what is perfect in your eyes. Picture frames are an ideal base ... what you heard is an opinon (IMO), and not one Id agree with. Take a look in in your local shops where they sell them and check out the amount of shapes and sizes that are available. Ok, some could be tacky, but generally a nice wooden frame with a plain routed edge is perfect. Some cheaper plastic version are also nice. Dont let the colour throw you, as these can be painted over and nicely finished. I build up the middle with polystyrene, as I like to have the dio base higher than the frame.

If you have the skills and the tools, buying a sheet of thick MDF is a good option, so you can get the base size to perfectly suit your project. Dry wall on its own .. looks like dry wall, I wouldn´t recommend it.
Check out my gallery ... nearly every base I have is made from a picture frame, .... you could say Im happy enough with them! Good luck