HOW TO BUILD AIRCRAFT DIORAMAS

[JohnReid]

[Kitboy]

Wow!!

More pic's of that?

Nico

[JohnReid]

Figure Positioning
The above pic is of the finished Neiuport diorama of the American forces in France during WW1.
It is a barnlike structure, in a modified shadowbox style, and is completely finished in 3D for picture taking purposes.
The positioning of the figures is such that there is a main storyline with other sub-stories as well.As I explained earlier the instructor pointing to the engine is the main story.The sub-story is the delivery of parts by Model T truck.A 3rd sub-sub story is a mechanic at a workbench along the back wall.I leave it to the viewers imagination to fill in the blanks.
When positioning figures there should be something that immediately draws the viewers attention into the scene,in this case the pointing figure provides that element.You dont have to point out the obvious , try to be subtle in your presentation.The trick is to get the viewer to suspend his disbeleief if only for a few seconds.To get him invovled in your little world,the world of your imagination.
I try to be as historically correct as I can and say to myself "could this scene have happened" If it passes that test I am satisfied.
I try to have my figures in a animated but relaxed position as I find it more beleivable that way.I admire the artist who can pull off action in mid flight but its not for me.I want something that I can look at for a long time and not be waiting for the other shoe to drop.Relaxed,peaceful everyday slices of life is what I am looking for.I want my viewer to have peace of mind when looking at my work and not be overwhelmed with action.That way I think it gives the viewer time to contemplate the scene.
When positioning figures I try not to have them in rows or 90deg to one another or positioned in such a way as to draw attention away from the main subject (unless the figures themselves are the main subject matter.)It is best to have them looking into the scene so that your viewer just becomes another observer of the this little world.
Also keep in mind lighting and how it does its magic in bring a scene to life especially in a closed set such as this.Remember this is a one scene movie that you are creating here and a silent movie at that so lighting will be your primary creative tool. to be cont.......

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

This is a pic of the main storyline.
Note: the nuts and bolts spilled on the floor.This actually was one of those happy accidents that happens sometimes.I had spilled the box off the table by accident and was busy doing something else and planned to pick them up later.Sometime later my son came by and said "hey dad I really like that idea".So I decide to glue them down just as they lay, and he is right they really do add something special to the whole scene.
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[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

Substory
Delivery of supplies and a
quiet conversation between driver and mechanic.
It does not overpower main storyline and yet it is an interesting little scene even on its own.The Model T is an old Lindberg car kit modified to become a delivery truck.The wood on the truck was weathered much the same way as I did for the hangar siding.

[JohnReid]

Well yesterday I made my first committment to an expanded "Memories of Flight School "diorama.I purchased a nice Model T Ford truck in 1/16th diecast as well as a Wayne type gas pump from the 20s.I thought that I had better pick them up while I can as they seem to fit into what is now my expanding diorama.
I hope that I am not making a mistake by taking some of the action outside the main hangar.As you guys know who have been following this thread up until now I have tried to keep all of the main storyline within the confines of the main hangar and now it has recently evolved into something more with the modular add-ons idea.

Anyway this new truck is a Gearbox Texaco limited edition with theTexaco logo on the side which I can easily change to my imaginary Red Indian gasoline company.
It is a 1913 version that I would like to modify into something more like in the 20s.My question is ,was there a lot of changes in the Model T truck design in the following 10 years?(1913-23)Electric headlites for example?

The Wayne 1920 gas pump is actually 18th scale but I can modify that if need be.It is the old glass bottle type that was pumped up by hand and gravity fed into the car gas tank.Should be a nice addition.

I know that my recent postings have been jumping around quite a bit from figures to Harleys to buildings etc..When I post something from the past I will try to identify it as having been previously posted.
Right now on the "Memories of Flight School " I am just finishing off the last of the main hangar doors and windows and am about to start permanently placing the workshop furnishings into the workshop.When this module is finished it will be screwed down to the hangar floor although it will be removable for future maintenance.
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It is one thing to read History in a book but another to hold it in your hand. J.R.

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[JohnReid]

I finally finished the doors and windows in the main hangar and all the modules that I have built so far.That took about 3 times longer than expected.Its just impossible to estimate how long things will take.I thought that I would be back on to the airplane by now but of course there really is no rush.
The rest of the how I make ,modify,position and paint figures will have to wait until I can get around to painting John Dillinger ,the offce manager.Until then I will just say that I use JoSonja waterbased acrylics over a air sprayed gesso base.Shep Paines painting method seems to work for me and if anything I use less paint than most painters.I like to let the lighting bring the figures to life and if I overpaint them they look like just that,overpainted when subjected to the lighting.It would be interesting to find out what they use for makeup in the movies and the stage and how they account for the lighting in real life.

[JohnReid]