Modellers Illustrated Guide to Building Dioramas
W.S. Marshall
Part 1 of 2
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Index: PART 1 Introduction What does a diorama consist of? Sourcing Ideas for Diorama’s Types of Dioramas: 1. Super or Mega Diorama. 2. Lightbox. 3. Traditional Diorama. 4. Vignette. 5. Model on a base. What constitutes a good diorama and some of its governing principals. 1. Punchline. 2. Superbly built models. 3. Depth in the diorama. 4. Action (Warfare of fighting. 5. Realism. End of Part 1
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PART 2 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18.
Central Focus Point. Realism. Realism - photo used as evidence. Realism - historic event. Realism - fiction. “A slice of Life”. Tactical realities. Movement, running and flying. Humor. Explosions, dust and smoke. Model figure movement. Realistic water and snow scenes. Keep it simple.
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19. Bases. 20. Blood, gore and nudity. 21. Clever use of materials. Checklist for diorama planning. Acknowledgements.
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Photo Credits: Photo’s were sources from the Intrenet of a period of many years, it is impossible to keep track of each photo, therfor I would like to pay tribute to all the modellers of which the photo’s appear in this article, thanks guys, your models are great!
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Introduction The building diorama’s is one of the finer aspects of model building which not all of us has the ability to do. Its one of the “fine arts” within the modelling domain. It usually encompasses all the artistic aspects of model building. Just like figure modelling and painting it is something that needs to be practiced to really become proficient in this specific art form. The word diorama can either refer to a 19th-century mobile theatre device, or, in modern usage, a three-dimensional full-size or miniature model, sometimes enclosed in a glass showcase or lightbox for a museum. Dioramas are often built by hobbyists as part of related hobbies such as military vehicle modeling, miniature figure modeling, or aircraft modeling. As a noun the word diorama has different meaning: Ÿ
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A scene, often in miniature, reproduced in three dimensions by placing objects, figures, etc., in front of a painted background. A life-size display representing a scene from nature, a historical event, or the like, using stuffed wildlife, wax figures, real objects in front of a painted or photographed background. A spectacular picture, partly translucent, for exhibition through an aperture, made more realistic by various illuminating devices. A building or room, often circular, for exhibiting such a scene or picture, especially as a continuous unit along or against the walls.
The word "diorama" originated in 1823 as a type of pictureviewing device, from the French in 1822. The word literally means "through that which is seen", from the Greek di- "through" + orama "that which is seen, a sight". The diorama was invented by Daguerre and Charles Marie Bouton, first exhibited in Paris in July 1822 and in London in September 29, 1823. The meaning "small-scale replica of a scene, etc." is from 1902.
Daguerre's diorama consisted of a piece of material painted on both sides. When illuminated from the front, the scene would be shown in one state and by switching to illumination from behind another phase or aspect would be seen. Scenes in daylight changed to moonlight, a train travelling on a track would crash, or an earthquake would be shown in before and after pictures. The current, popular understanding of the term "diorama" denotes a partially three-dimensional, full-size replica or scale model of a landscape typically showing historical events, nature scenes or cityscapes, for purposes of education or entertainment. One of the first uses of dioramas in a museum was in Stockholm, Sweden, where the Biological Museum opened in 1893. It had several dioramas, covering three floors. They were also implemented by the National Museum Grigore Antipa in Bucharest, Romania and constituted a source of inspiration for many important museums in the world (such as the Museum of Natural History of New York and the Great Oceanographic Museum in Berlin). Miniature dioramas are typically much smaller, and use scale models and landscaping to create historical or fictional scenes. Such a scale model-based diorama is used, for example, in Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry to display railroading. This diorama employs a common model railroading scale of 1:87 (HO scale). Hobbyist dioramas often use scales such as 1:35 or 1:48. Sheperd Paine, a prominent hobbyist, popularized the modern miniature diorama beginning in the 1970s.
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What does a diorama consist of: A diorama may consists of a name, base, models and some elements of modelling. Elements of modelling could be groundwork, grass, trees, bridges, houses, railway lines, etc. and also a backdrop (not always necessary). Elements are anything other than the main model or figures which is added to the diorama. Herewith an image of a typical scale diorama showing most of the components.
Figures
Element paving Main model Element sand/dirt/grass Element - brick wall Element - water Figures Base Name
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Sourcing Ideas for Diorama’s Diorama’s are usually based on an actual event of photo taken during the war or campaign. These are usually the best source and would depict an actual event with figures in natural poses because they are in actual fact a “slice of life/history”. Dioramas constructed from memory or but ones gut feeling usually comes across as “flat” or lacking the spark which makes a good diorama special. Today we are fortunate in having the Internet available which many sites such as Facebook, Ebay, Flicker, etc who have authentic photo’s from the many wars which would make suitable diorama’s. One just has to look around and many possibilities can be found. Not all photo’s will make a good diorama so one has te be selective in one’s choice. A photo showing people depicted in some sort of drama situation usually makes for a great diorama. The elements to lookout for in such a photo you intend to use as a diorama is: a. b. c. d. e. f. g.
Realism. Clarity (photo clear and crisp) Human element. Drama. Action. Movement by figures of main subject. One central theme - only one punch line.
Not all of these have to be present in the photo but I think a good choice would be to have a couple of these elements present.
A Bf109 fighter being started, the pilot is battling to get into his parachute while the mecanics are starting his plane. This photo has all the elements needed for a good diorama. (Photo: Internet)
A diorama should have one central theme or one puchline. Becareful not to add more than one as this will distract the viewer from your main theme.
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Types of Dioramas There may be more types of dioramas but I have group them into basically five groups:
1. Super or Mega Dioramas These are large format dioramas which may be defined as a couple of smaller dioramas into one, your eye is drawn to different scenes (mini-diorama as each one can tel a story on its own) withing the overall diorama. It usually has a number of models and quite a lot of figures and elements of modelling.
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2. Lightbox A light box is a diorama which is enclosed within a box and will in all probability have some form of lighting to focus the viewer on the punch line. The viewer looks into the box to see and experience the diorama.
Boxed dioramas lend themselves well for lighting to create the correct atmosphere.
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3. Traditional Diorama The classic diorama in scale modelling terms is a model (aircraft, armour or ship) with posed figures mounted on a base to create a “slice of life”. It usually it has a “punch line” or “story to tell” simular to a good joke. The viewer immediately sees the “punch line” and then his eyes will drift to the other aspects and elements of the diorama.
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4. Vignette The definition of a vignette is a small impressionistic scene, an illustration, a descriptive passage, a short essay, a fiction, or non-fiction work focusing on one particular moment or giving impression about an idea, character, setting, mood, aspect or an object. Literally, vignette is a French word that means little vine. The printers, during nineteenth-century, would decorate their title pages with drawings of looping vines. Hence, the derivation of this term is that source of drawings. A vignette is also a small scale model. Over the centuries a vignette has taken on different forms. Originally it was one of those small sketches you find in the front of old books, often with decorative bands of ivy around its edges. When cinema came along, a vignette became a quick portrait in film of a character. Some films, like Robert Altman's Short Cuts, are essentially just a compilation of individual vignettes. Today, architecturally speaking, a vignette loosely refers to a small freehand sketch, a thumbnail drawing, or a photograph with or without a definitive frame of reference or edge. Vignette has also been heard as a reference to smallscale models, and also describing a sudden glimmer of insight. For out purposes a vignette constitutes two or three figures with other modelling elements posed on a base. More about this in the photo illustrations.
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5. Model on a base Model on a base (strictly not a diorama) has been added to show the difference in models on a base and a diorama. As the name suggest it mainly revolves around the model and the base was added to prevent the handling of the model. The base may be cover my ground, cement or tarmac but does not form a diorama.
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What constitutes a good diorama and some of its governing principles applicable Name or Description added to the Diorama. It is good practice to give your diorama a name or tell the story behind your effort. This places it in context and the viewer immediately knows where it fits into history and/or time frame. The name may also describe a particular event or model being portrayed. By adding a picture will also give context to the diorama. A name to the diorama may also create some atmosphere for the diorama.
Here by adding an original uniform cuff title the viewer will immediately know that it is Africa during the desert campaign.
By just reading the title to this diorama it creates that cold windy atmosphere only possible over the Russian Steppes.
12 Punchline. I am a firm believer that the “puchline” will make or break your diorama. If you have a weak “punchline” nobody will understand your diorama and it then just becomes a “model on a base”. The event depicted in the diorama may also create a natural “punchline” and it would not be necessary to add a title to explain it. A “punchline “ may create the WOW factor in a diorama, similar to a joke, if it has a very good “punchline” the viewer will laugh and enjoy your diorama. The punchline may be humouristic, historic or descriptive by nature. The overall principle is that when the viewer sees the diorama for the first time he must be able to know what it is all about. If he has to search within the diorama or read the title of the “punchline”, the diorama would have failed.
Just by looking at this diorama you can see what has happened, no title is necessary.
Two more diorama’s with self explaining “punchlines”.
13 Superbly Built Models. The object of a diorama is to show a “slice of life� and only superbly built models with a high standard of craftsmanship will make it a success, here all the elements of the diorama will be scrutinized, each blade of grass, leaf, stone will make or break your diorama. Your base and title card as well as the backdrop/ground will add or subtract from your diorama. A good model with a sloppy base will not suffice. The other way round is also applicable, a sloppy base will kill your diorama.
14 Adding Depth to your Diorama. Its always a good thing to try and add depth to your diorama as it will add to the overall realism and atmosphere of the diorama.
The modellers of these dioramas was successful in creating depth and realism in their dioramas.
The building and stairs create depth in this diorama.
15 Action (Warfare or Fighting). One of the most difficult principles to execute in a realistic manner. The modeller must be experienced in animation to get the figures correctly and realistically posed. Lifelike qualities must be created in the figures. There being a number of figures in the diorama makes it difficult to create a “punchline�. It is easy in such a diorama to have many focus points which distract the viewer from the original concept. Sometimes modellers are able to get it just right.
16 Realism - in general The diorama must be realistic, this can be achieved by adding a photo as the backdrop or a name plate to depict the historic event. Many dioramas are pure fiction but if executed realistically they work well.
End of Part 1