How I build large scale dioramas! (4 Viewers)

Thanks guys! Your comments are really appreciated.I will try do dig out a picture of HMS Victory.:)
 
Here you go!
Victory1.jpg
 
John,

That is just beyond magnificent! How big is the 1:72 model of the Victory? I can only imagine how big this model would be in 1:30 scale!
 
John,
That photo you've just posted fairly takes the breath away.
Absolutely magnificent. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Cheers
H
 
JohnReid said:
Over on another website there was a lot of excitement about museums that display what is basically dollhouse rooms and furniture,without the dolls.

As you guys know 1/12 scale is considered doll house scale.A lot of people who are model makers let the word "dollhouse" turn them off to the wonderful things these guys and gals do both in scratchbuilding and in their use of kits.Some of the nicest modeling I have ever seen has been done by the dollhouse people.I make sure that I attend at least one show a year just to see what is going on.
I think that I have mentioned before that it was a dollhouse show that really inspired me to blend what I saw there, with other types of modeling, to create something new(at least I had never seen it done before).When I saw the effects that could be created with indoor lighting ,it blew me away.
I don't have the tools,patience or the skills required to do Louis the 14th furniture etc..but building and furnishing an old barn or hangar only requires basic carpentry skills,so that is when I decided to give it a go.A lot of 1/12 accessories and tools etc can easily be adapted to 1/16th scale.Especially tools that normally come in a variety of sizes in 1:1 scale.My hangar lighting is all dollhouse inspired with old brass Xmas bells for fixtures.In the office I used dollhouse overhead and table lamps to good advantage.
Another advantage is that it doesn't have to be expensive ,I use standard pine wood from hardware stores along with tongue depressors and coffee stir sticks of various sizes for most of my lumber requirements.Sandpaper for roofing material ,salvaged plexiglass for windows etc,etc.... being creative and using your imagination to find stuff is half the fun!
Click to expand...
John, I started out building Dollhouse's for family and friends. I have built about 15 or 20 over the years. But my real passion was always to get back to my Toy Soldiers, which is what I do now. I like useing Dollhouse lighting, whenever I can. Great pics,love that Ship,Mike:)
 
Proud to be a dioramist!
The next time that someone would have you believe that miniatures and dioramas cannot be ART have them check this out!Makes me proud to be part of this artform and something we could all aspire to!

The Art Institute of Chicago: http://www.artic.edu/aic/collections/thorne/index.php

Click on the picture for more pictures!
Cheers! John.
 
This is a pic of the parts of an old crate that I made for shipping the OX5 engine.I say shipping because I realized that I would have to make up my mind as to whether I would show nail holes or not.(No nail holes means the engine is being crated)
I guess that on a nice day in November grating the engine outdoors is not beyond the realm of possibility.The pic is not a very good one but it does show a creative way of showing the sides and top of the crate.(the base is attached to the engine)These parts are leaning up against the engine shop outside wall and the grate is about to be nailed together.I played around awhile to get what I think is a nice arrangement but it still needs an address label or an upside down" this end up" sign or at least a few identifying numbers .The upside down "this end up" would be a nice Ken Hamilton touch,stolen from his book "How to Build Creative Car Dioramas".
 
plasmapulse said:
Lucky bast#rd. I never got the KV bite of approval:).

To be totally honest, I thought the first pic posted was a 1:1 scale model in some aircraft museum with a manequin flanking it.

So the bite is deserved:cool:
Click to expand...

Do not vorry Joachim your bite iz koming...... MUAHAHAHAHHAHhahaaaaaaaaa:eek:
 
Holy Mackeral!

The rigging alone on the HMS Victory looks like it would have taken 10 year to tie! Those are really amazing! I am very glad you shared your work with us. Have you done any other eras?

Thanks again!

All the best

Dave
 
Hi John,

Amazingly beautiful stuff! Thanks for sharing your incredible talents and highly skilled craftsmanship with us.

Warmest personal regards,

Pat
 
Wow!
That could be a photo. The lighting makes it even more realistic. Excellent work and thanks for sharing.

Simon
 
Thanks guys,I really appreciate your kind comments.They are really encouraging on a long project such as this. Cheers! John.:)
 
Taking pictures,the fun part!
If there is one thing that I enjoy as much as diorama making ,it is taking pics of the diorama.In some ways I enjoy it even more, as it is a very creative activity and instantly rewarding with todays digital cameras.
I have revised my plans for the lighting,everything will be hooked up to a simple on/off switch with a control for the lighting intensity.I figure in a museum setting on or off will be all that is required.The bulbs will burn out and changing them is possible but not easy.If they are used sparingly though they should last for awhile.I will suggest to the museum staff that they also devise an alternate way of lighting the display case for daily use so the interior lights will only be turned on for the kids during the educational sessions.Until I ship it off their will be plenty of opportunity to creatively play with the lights,leaving some rooms lit while turning others off for all kinds of different effects.
 
Hi John, I checked out your entire photo album - I am amazed! Talk about shock and awe.

How long did it take to assemble that workshop dio? How much in the way of scratch built parts did you make?

Looking at the "through the windows" shots of the workshop I really felt like I was going to get grabbed by the ear for "peeping".

Welcome to the board.
 
Hey John,
Your work is top notch.
FANTASTIC!!!!
I love it!....Nick (from his recovery room) LOL:)
 
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