HOW TO BUILD AIRCRAFT DIORAMAS

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

I searched the hobby store and finally found something that looks like it 1/16th scale grass.They are actually RR type small fir trees in HO scale.The bristles are attached to a twisted wire which should make for easy installation.The only problem is that they are dark green in color and I am trying to represent a late Fall scene.Looks like a little experimentation is in order, maybe using the airbrush or pastels .

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

This is the part of diorama making that I agonize over the most. The proper placement of the different objects in their environment ,so it looks natural.
Too much and it looks overdone ,too little at it looks unfinished.What to leave in and what to leave out is critical to the overall composition.
I don't follow any rules in regard to this but just let my eye tell me when it looks about right.The little bit of foliage and objects that you see here took hours to place but I still am not completely happy with it.
The whole area needs more weathering and some of the grass is still too green.Rather than the airbrush which I find adds too much color too quickly, I think that I will experiment a bit with the old toothbrush flicking method of subtly adding some straw (Fall) color to the green.

[JohnReid]

[Fee2b]

John,

From personal experience, if you have a horse and sparse clumps of tall grass within reach, it will soon be short grass. Especially since your scene depicts a ground of gravel or dirt... unless there is an abundance of grass then the horse will have too much to choose (chews) from.
If your horse is on a lead tied to the hitching post, then the grass beyond his reach will still be tall.

observing,

Fee2b
Michael
grew up on a horse ranch in Colorado

[JohnReid]

Wow!!!!! Thanks Michael,I never thought of that! I guess I better keep him on a short leash.

[JohnReid]

I think that with a few minor changes I can discourage Commanche from eating the shrubbery and grass.

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]