Making a diorama Chapter 1: Materials
You will need to gather these materials to complete your diorama. Many of the materials are optional and many materials have substitutes that are suitable. I will explain this as we go. Most of these materials can be purchased at a hobby store. In particular, a hobby store that specializes in model railroads will have all the materials you need.
- 1 piece of wood approximately 1 foot by 1 foot, the type of wood is unimportant. It should be sturdy enough to hold some weight. The diorama will cover the complete surface of the wood.
- Tools: a wide variety of handtools will make the job easier but here is a list of the bare necessities:
- needle nose pliers/small hand cutters
- scissors/masking tape
- hob-e-tac glue or strong, fast setting glue
- wood glue or elmers glue
- bottle with holes in top for shaking out materials (this has the green material in it)
- scenic cement
- empty all purpose spray bottle (blue)
- markers and pencil
- razor knife or blade
If you are going to add electrical components to your scene you will also need:
- electrical wire and tape
- soldering pencil and solder
- miniature lightbulbs
- a switch
- a battery appropriate to light the bulb(s)
The needed materials for wiring your diorama are covered more in depth in the relevant chapter.
Paints - You will also need a
variety of paints and brushes.
Consider the scene you will be making.
You should have plenty of earthy colors
like brown, red, grey etc. a variety of
brush sizes is also desired.
Materials Needed for the Rough Landscape
To rough out the major terrain you should have the following materials:
- lightweight hydrocal (purchase at hobby shop) you can also use plaster of paris as an alternate
- plenty of newspapers
- sheets of thin cardboard (cereal boxes are great)
- pieces of sponge and styrofoam (optional)
- several containers to hold water and plaster (various sizes)
- Roll of paper towels (not shown)
Continue with the Diorama Making Tutorial...
RESOURCES
Dinosaur Dioramas to Cut & Assemble
If you are looking for a way to get everything you need to make a beautiful diorama without spending a lot of money this kit is perfect. Available at amazon.com
Scene-A-Rama Basic Diorama Kit
This is another great basic starter kit for diorama making that will give you everything you need to get started in learning how to make a good looking diorama.
MiniArt Diorama Bases on Amazon
This is a Storm The Castle Website
Table of Contents for this tutorial
More Diorama Stuff
- Index - Diorama Home
- What is a diorama?
- A short history of Dioramas
- Diorama Books
- Painting Miniatures
- Diorama Ideas
- Diorama Examples
- Diorama Making for the artist
- Diorama Making supplies & Tools
- Dioramas by Web Visitors
- Printable diorama box
Types of Dioramas to Make
- Make a WW2 Diorama
- How to make a Paper Mache Diorama
- Diorama inside a lightbulb
- Insect Maker Diorama
- Mississippi River with Indians
- Really creative shoebox diorama
- Dinosaur Diorama
- Make a secret diorama
- Firefly Diorama with real blinking lights
- Rainforest Diorama
- Ocean Diorama
- Shadowbox diorama
- Make a shoebox diorama
- Massive Castle Diorama
- Diorama Examples
- Polymer Clay
- The Battle of Thermopylae Spartan Warrior Diorama - A tutorial
- HALO Diorama
- Wizards Tower Foam Diorama
- Cemetary Diorama
- Trench Warfare
- Simple Nature Diorama
- Water Woman Diorama
STORES
- Diorama Making Books
- Sideshow Collectible Lord of the Rings Dioramas
- Plastic Scale Dinosaur Diorama Kits
- Harry Potter Dioramas
- Diorama Foam
Check out the Diorama and Miniature store
Short Diorama Tutorials
- How to Make realistic tufts of grass
- How to make trenches
- Creative terrain shell making
- How to make Miniature Trees
- How to Make rubber rock and wall molds
- Motorize a drawbridge on your diorama
- Using foam to make a diorama
- How to make good looking rubble using cork
- Creative Shoebox Diorama Ideas for School
- A foam based diorama with water from start to finish
OTHER PROJECTS
Make a cardboard Samurai Sword
Make a Cardboard Medieval Shield
How to make a fantasy shadowbox
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All Materials, unless otherwise stated are Copyright©2001-2009
Kalif Publishing and StormtheCastle.com
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