How to Build Military Dioramas
Military dioramas are a great way to depict a military battle or a specific moment in military history. There are several steps involved in building a military diorama that not only looks nice, but is also historically accurate. This article will describe the steps involved in building a military diorama.
Before You Start Building the Diorama
Before you start building the diorama, it is important that you do research to make sure that your diorama is accurate in every detail. You'll also need to decide how big you want to make your diorama. If it's for a school project, you'll want to make it small enough to transport on a school bus so it can be displayed in your classroom. On the other hand, if you're making a diorama that will be on display in a museum where thousands of people will be viewing it, you may want to make it larger.
Building the Diorama
Supplies:
- For the base: wood, slate, wood with bark intact, a study cardboard box or pre-made backdrop
- Scale model soldier pieces
- Acrylic, oil, or some other type of paint, according to the instructions for the model parts
- Different size paint brushes as needed for the different things that will go in the diorama
- Clamps
- Work light
- Small stones
- Paper mache, plaster cloth or scenery kits
- Turf and tree material
- Tweezers
- Adhesive
- Magnifier light (optional)
- Model tanks, jeeps, wagons, horses or military vehicles
Preparation
Find photos, historical books and paintings that will help you develop your diorama.
Plan your diorama and make a sketch of where the different parts and characters will go.
Decide which characters and vehicles you'll need to complete the scene. You may have to order them from crafting websites if you're unable to find them locally.
Select a base to serve as a support piece for your diorama from the list above.
Set up a workspace and table that will hold your project for the length of time you plan to work on it. If you will be working on it for a long time, the work space should be in an area that will not need to be used during that time.
Collect small stones, sticks and other natural material that can be used for the diorama.
The Process
Place your base on the work surface. If you're using wood, be sure to sand out any rough spots. Glue felt rounds to the bottom so it doesn't scratch any other surfaces it might touch.
Build your scene according to the package directions. Add pre-made trees to the scene you have planned.
Add stones to the scene.
Use acrylic paint to paint the ground.
Use a clamp to secure one of your figures and paint with a 0 series paint brush and oil or acrylic paint.
When all characters and figurines are fully painted, set them aside into another set of clamps. Paint any vehicles or horses on your work surface.
Once all figurines and vehicles are dry, adhere to the scenery with the adhesive recommended by the manufacturer.
Add any finishing touches to your diorama, and a name plate if you want.