Just getting back into modeling after many, many years absence. I've cobbled together a few kits and have many more in the wings, many of which are just crying for a diorama to set them off. Having no experience with dios, I was wondering if there exists something like a dio FAQ. I'm mostly interested in finding out how to make various surfaces (dirt, mud, gravel, snow, etc.) and where to buy the supplies I'll need.

Thanks for your help.

cary, armorama is the faq for dios. you've got plenty of modelers with awsome talent who can answer every question the same way they did with me

Frank

Cary, I suggest you click the features tab and follow it to dioramas. There is a wealth of info there to wet your appetite. Here is a pair of articles that i did. hope they help
https://armorama.kitmaker.net//features/523
https://armorama.kitmaker.net//features/374
Cheers Kevin

Hi Cary,

Have you tried buying the book of Shep Paine its a good one....but for the meantime maybe the links below could help...

By Keith Magee
https://armorama.kitmaker.net//features/70

As compiled by Ronny Noben (RoadKill), BTW you could also go to his web site its full of info

http://users.pandora.be/ronny.noben/website/tips/docdio/

Roadkill's Plaza

Hope this helps...

Cheers
Arvin

Hi Cary,

Just to add....Kevin's (Jackhammer) articles are also a must read for those build or want to build dios...it wont just wet your appetite it would also make you drool :-)

Cheers

I never thought of the Features section! Thanks. There are some very talanted people here for sure. Any tips for where to buy supplies, or do most of the online shops carry them?

Where to get diorama stuff
- Your backyard
- Your neighborhood creek
- The grocery store (kitty litter - the clean kind)
- The hardware store (two part resin, tape, glue)
- AC Moores Micheals Walmart - paint, pencils, detail sets from the doll house isle (don't forget the routine 40% off coupons) Lichen/moss for bushes, dried flowers section for bushes etc. Plaster
- Rail Road section of the hobby store for details or plaster or plastic stock.


Right here for any questions.

Ola Cary

Well I`m not aware that there is some sort of FAQ or "Bible" with the complete knowledge on how to built diorama`s.

I think as is said before Shep paines building Diorama`s is a good start. Also Terrain Modelling Masterclass by Richard Windrow from Osprey Is really worth the buy as that book is completely specialised in making bases and terrain for your dio`s.

One of the best resources you could have are these forums. As there are a lot of people here who are really skilled dio builders. Your question will always be answered. Another good thing is post pictures of work in progress and ask feedback for that. This way you learn to correct earlier mistakes or points of view.

Last but not least the Diorama features section of this site. Some brilliant articles can be found here. good examples of this are the links that Kevin Gardner gave you he is a really skilled modeler and some big things can be learned from him.
Another point is look at other peoples work. Try to figure out how others did certain things and try to do it yourself and/or alter the technique so it works better for you.

For what it is worth I have also written some minor articles of 2 Dio`s I have built
DISTRACTION Greta`s Revenge
Borrowed Goods


Looking forward to your future work. It seems like the Dio bug bit you..

I hope this is of some help for you

The replies have been more than enough help, Robert. I thank you and everyone else who has posted here, as well as those that were kind enough to detail their projects in the Features section. There's some incredible work being produced by the members here.