HOW TO BUILD AIRCRAFT DIORAMAS

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

This gives you an idea as to just how rough the underlying terrain is at this point.If you desire you can always smooth it out using dirt and fine sand later on.

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

OK now,the 1st mixed grass layer is on thinly and everything is completely dry.The ground looks very clay -like to me,slightly on the gray side.The grass is very sparse even a little mossy looking,perfect for a well used WW1 airfield I think.
This panel is out back of the hangar,a good spot to experiment a bit.

[JohnReid]

Unfortunately at this point I have no idea where these dioramas are to be displayed in the museum.Why do I say unfortunately? because the type of lighting will ultimately make a huge difference.The museum is in re-design mode right now and I have been told that there is a good possibility that at least one will be going in a high traffic area of the museum(whatever that means)
Anyone who has been to a aviation museum will know just how greatly lighting conditions can vary.Natural VS artificial light, which also can vary from soft to hard ,cool to warm etc....If I knew at this point I could adjust my colors accordingly.
The above pictures' slightly mauve color is actually my cameras doing not the lighting which of course is another variable.
I remember when I was involved with decorative bird carving and painting some of the guys would bring their own lighting to the competition Others would carve and paint their birds under lighting that gave them the most dramatic shadows and colors and bring the exact same lighting to the exhibition hall.(most of these large halls were lit like a school gym)Proper lighting truly makes all the difference especially for 3D art.

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

but a great example of what a single low wattage bulb can do for a 3D hi-relief sculpture.I did this piece as a commission about 20 years ago.It is made from a single panel of basswood and carved with chisels.If I remember correctly it is about 30X40 inches.

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

Here is the same panel with the pic taken indoors.I have added some course turf of three different colors,light green,burnt grass and earth and re-soaked the panel with the 75% water and 25% glue mix.I have noticed that with each successive soaking of glue the dirt darkens again slightly.