Alexandre Zart
Member
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- Jan 11, 2008
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- 15
Hi guys.
What's the difference between a diorama and a vignette?
What's the difference between a diorama and a vignette?
Diorama? Vignette?
- Thread starter Alexandre Zart
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Sambaman
A Fixture
Honestly, I suppose there's really not that much difference. I would say a vignette would likely have less figures, maybe 2 or 3 vurses a diorama which would hove more figures, like 5 to 10 or so. I would say the vignette is a more intimate setting, and a diorama is a bit more on the grand scale and is intentionally telling a story with the over all layout. In a vignette the focus could be more on just the couple figures and a "story" is not the main intention. HTH,
Jay H.
OKC
Jay H.
OKC
Chevalier de Malte
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- Mar 21, 2006
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- 302
No really big difference, they both tell a story, according to many vignette is a small based scene, lets say 2/3 figures and diorama a largeer complex picture ... but both work well if they tell a story!
Ivan
Ivan
tonydawe
A Fixture
Hi Alexandre,
There are no fixed "rules" about the difference between a diorama and a vignette, however for practical purposes there are a couple of "rules of thumb" that I use when deciding whether to enter a piece as a diorama or a vignette in a competition.
Firstly, in my opinion a diorama needs to tell a story. It's simply not enough to place a few figures on a bit of groundwork and call it a diorama. There needs to be a narrative that explains who the figures are and what they are doing. They need to have a context and be viewed as a whole, not as a collection of individual pieces.
Vignettes generally comprise two or more figures, and don't necessarily have to tell a story.
Ultimately this question only really applies when you are entering into competition, and it depends on what criteria the organisers of the comp choose to apply. I've seen models entered in diorama categories in one comp and vignettes in another.
To avoid any confusion, I suggest you ask the competition organisers to clarify their criteria for you, before you enter yourmodels to be judged.
Cheers
There are no fixed "rules" about the difference between a diorama and a vignette, however for practical purposes there are a couple of "rules of thumb" that I use when deciding whether to enter a piece as a diorama or a vignette in a competition.
Firstly, in my opinion a diorama needs to tell a story. It's simply not enough to place a few figures on a bit of groundwork and call it a diorama. There needs to be a narrative that explains who the figures are and what they are doing. They need to have a context and be viewed as a whole, not as a collection of individual pieces.
Vignettes generally comprise two or more figures, and don't necessarily have to tell a story.
Ultimately this question only really applies when you are entering into competition, and it depends on what criteria the organisers of the comp choose to apply. I've seen models entered in diorama categories in one comp and vignettes in another.
To avoid any confusion, I suggest you ask the competition organisers to clarify their criteria for you, before you enter yourmodels to be judged.
Cheers
Chevalier de Malte
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- Mar 21, 2006
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Hi guys ... I do not totally agree with you that vignette is just putting two figures beside each other, I can still see a story between the lines. Check Bill Horans or van Gils excellent vignettes with just 2/3 figures he manages still to do a story, might be just simple but still a story!
I have also seen single figures that alone tell a million story, what comes in mind is van Gils excellent Great Escape ...
Ivan
I have also seen single figures that alone tell a million story, what comes in mind is van Gils excellent Great Escape ...
Ivan
PJ Deluhery
A Fixture
The actual definition often depends on show/club rules. I was involved in writing the definition for our club. Generally, the above is correct: a scene with 1-3(or 4) figures that TELLS A STORY. The reason for the distinction is for judging purposes. It's easier to compare/judge 2 vignettes or 2 dioramas(ae?) than a 2-person vignette vs. a diorama that shows the entire Normandy Invasion in 10 sq. feet! 
. Check the rules for the shows at which to plan to exhibit if you have questions.
. Check the rules for the shows at which to plan to exhibit if you have questions.
Einion
A Fixture
What he said.PJ Deluhery said:
Other than general definitions we might use informally (small = vignette, big = diorama) there are some shows that specifically lay out a difference for the purposes of subdividing entries by size and intent. Is that why you were asking Alexandre, in relation to a show or shows?
Einion
Uruk-Hai
PlanetFigure Supporter
All to often Vignette is used to determine a limit of figures in a scene. On the other hand there could be other objects as well at bigger Shows. AFV´s, Autos, Airplanes etc.
Depending on the niche, every modeller autmatically thinks that their own favourite should be in focus.
Id like to see a Vignette with no limits, just a scenic setting. While a Diorama should tell a story. And in many shows, at least here in the land of the Aurora Borealils, Idea & Composition is one of the Judging criteria where 20-35% av the total amount of points could be collected.
But yet again a single figure could tell an very interesting story while a 4.000 figure diorama doesnt.
Cheers
Depending on the niche, every modeller autmatically thinks that their own favourite should be in focus.
Id like to see a Vignette with no limits, just a scenic setting. While a Diorama should tell a story. And in many shows, at least here in the land of the Aurora Borealils, Idea & Composition is one of the Judging criteria where 20-35% av the total amount of points could be collected.
But yet again a single figure could tell an very interesting story while a 4.000 figure diorama doesnt.
Cheers
captnenglish
A Fixture
When I first started figure modelling way back when, I was told that a Vignette was diorama of two to four figures, while a Diorama was comprized of five or more figures; while I doubt anyone really looks at quite so strictly anymore, I think the idea is as Einion states Vignette= small Diorama=big. IMHO both need to tell a story otherwise, they are just a group of figures on a base
herbwf
Well-Known Member
I agree with the idea that both should tell a story. Then the size thing should come into play. I think the word actually has root in photography and literature. In photography it was an image that was in sharp focus while the background faded away. In literature it was a sharply defined segment of a whole story.
Hope this helps,
Herb
Hope this helps,
Herb
Uruk-Hai
PlanetFigure Supporter
Well in this case, size could be meassured in several different ways.
In the number of figures involved which still could be a large base depending on the scene.
The size in real life, the actual meassuerments.
But also how big its in its own scale. Which could make a 1/72 scene being called large even if its actually smaller in size than a 1/32 diorama.
If we look at the entries at shows there are great scenes displayed, especially in the AFV category, that isnt seen as dioramas by the modellers, visitors or judges.
I think that diorama should have its focus of the story and vignette more of scenic setting.
Cheers
In the number of figures involved which still could be a large base depending on the scene.
The size in real life, the actual meassuerments.
But also how big its in its own scale. Which could make a 1/72 scene being called large even if its actually smaller in size than a 1/32 diorama.
If we look at the entries at shows there are great scenes displayed, especially in the AFV category, that isnt seen as dioramas by the modellers, visitors or judges.
I think that diorama should have its focus of the story and vignette more of scenic setting.
Cheers
Instructorrob
Well-Known Member
As we are discussing this exact issue for our upcoming show, this is an interesting topic.
The only thing that we have concluded so far is that it's a matter of size really.
Anyone remembers Marijn van Gils' "Godverdomme", the church ruin with a destroyed tank and................2 figures in the corner? It's not exactly a small diorama, but it would apply as a vignette if you only go by things like: max. 1 vehicle (a jeep or a massive modern Army Truck with trailer is both 1 vehicle, but considerably different in size) or max 2-3 figures.
If a show/competition decides for a need to diversify into dioramas and vignettes in the first place, keeping things simple would be a good point to start from.
You can define all kinds of things, up to the size of the represented elements other than the figures, but luckily our hobby is not rocket science. (Although some seem to think so )
However, the message/story is another thing, I suppose. If you have no story to tell, why not stick to a single figure or stand alone vehicle in the first place? Saves you time and gives you the benefit of having time to finish more models.
My two cents.
The only thing that we have concluded so far is that it's a matter of size really.
Anyone remembers Marijn van Gils' "Godverdomme", the church ruin with a destroyed tank and................2 figures in the corner? It's not exactly a small diorama, but it would apply as a vignette if you only go by things like: max. 1 vehicle (a jeep or a massive modern Army Truck with trailer is both 1 vehicle, but considerably different in size) or max 2-3 figures.
If a show/competition decides for a need to diversify into dioramas and vignettes in the first place, keeping things simple would be a good point to start from.
You can define all kinds of things, up to the size of the represented elements other than the figures, but luckily our hobby is not rocket science. (Although some seem to think so
)However, the message/story is another thing, I suppose. If you have no story to tell, why not stick to a single figure or stand alone vehicle in the first place? Saves you time and gives you the benefit of having time to finish more models.
My two cents.
Dan Morton
A Fixture
Could one or two of the show organizers, judges talk about this please? IMHO pretty good question with respect to specific shows and judges.
All the best,
Dan
All the best,
Dan
Anders Heintz
A Fixture
In my view it is as follows, size and number of figures/vehicles are irrelevant.
A Vignette tells one story.
A diorama shows many small stories put together to tell one big story.
Bill Horan is a master when it comes to composition and story telling. And his work is a perfect example to illustrate my definitions above. For example, look at his vignette "Albuhera", 3 figures telling one solid story, or "The Last Request". Now look at his "Gandamak", a series of small vignettes (or stories) all put together to form one big story. Perfect examples.
Vignettes
The Last Request
Albuhera
Diorama
Appologies for poor picture of Gandamak
A Vignette tells one story.
A diorama shows many small stories put together to tell one big story.
Bill Horan is a master when it comes to composition and story telling. And his work is a perfect example to illustrate my definitions above. For example, look at his vignette "Albuhera", 3 figures telling one solid story, or "The Last Request". Now look at his "Gandamak", a series of small vignettes (or stories) all put together to form one big story. Perfect examples.
Vignettes
The Last Request
Albuhera
Diorama
Appologies for poor picture of Gandamak
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