WBritain
First Sergeant
- Joined
- Oct 20, 2005
- Messages
- 1,353
I recently built a number of small displays featuring various figures and accessories made by W. Britain in 1/30th scale to show how various releases can be used together to tell stories. The small scale of the dioramas allows me to finish them fast and just a few scenic elements ties all of the components together. I only posted one photo of this last year without any explanation on the construction and I thought some of you might enjoy hearing a little more about the techniques. This diorama is inspired by a wartime German propaganda Kompanie newsreel featuring members of Kampfgruppe Knittle in the early phases of the Ardennes offensive in December of 1944. It features a Type 166 Schwimmwagen and a some German Grenadiers wearing reversible Camouflage smocks. The last two figures featured on this diorama, the kneeling grenadier and the one advancing low in the left front of the display, are now on the way in to our warehouse here in Ohio. I like to add lacey looking tall grass so the figures are not obscured and I have found that the best method for me is to “plant” it into the still wet groundwork medium. Various natural materials, including hair are clipped to length, then a small planting is held in your fingers and the ends dipped into white glue (PVA). The bunch is immediately pushed into the wet groundwork and the excess glue wicks away and dries clear. The best advice is to keep a similar pallet as far as color in a small display so it is not too distracting. Larger dioramas lend themselves better to dramatic color shifts in plantings, but smaller ones always look better with some color harmony. The pine trees are made with the spun wire technique used by model railroaders, with green static grass in different lengths applied producing realistic results. The lower trunks were extended with small hedge trimmings and extra branches added to give height. These less dense lower branches are also helpful visually so the pine trees do not overwhelm the figures and small vehicle.
I have been working on a “How to” diorama book for some time now and hope to get it finished for printing next year.
Ken
I have been working on a “How to” diorama book for some time now and hope to get it finished for printing next year.
Ken
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