How I build dioramas Part 2

[JohnReid]

Gap & Seam Repairs
When I was building this base for a diorama I made, somehow (but I can't remember why ),there was this gap in the plywood that now needs to be filled.This is a common modeling problem so I thought that you guys might like to follow along as I try to fix it.The gap shown in the pic is similar to the one I am working on now maybe a little smaller.
It is now crunch time so I can't put it off any longer ! Normally this would be an easy job,just fill the gap and blend the terrain.My dioramas are different though ,as they were designed to come apart and be broken down into modules.This was done for maintenance purposes and ease of moving or storage if required.
Well anyway now I have to find a solution for this problem.My usual method of doing basic landscaping is the glue,water and sand over plywood kind, as described by Ken Hamilton in his book "How to do creative car dioramas".It is now out of print but is available on line.This repair will be using the same basic methods .

 

[JohnReid]

See my Albatros Dv album in photobucket for the following pics:

08-2 The gap.Double check that the plywood edge has been well sealed as this fix requires the use of water.I use lacquer for this.

06-1 2 sided carpet tape.

07-1 cut the tape in strips.

05-1 tape is applied along plywood edge.A second layer of tape was applied over the first beause of the width of the gap to be filled.

01-1 all materials are soaked in achohol before applying

02-1 apply your earth or fine sand'

03-1 apply your thin glue/water mix.

04-1 add turf then more of the thinned glue mix.

05-1 remove tape backing and de-stick the surface using dry earth or fine sand as you want the panel to be removable from the other panel edge.If this is a permanent fix carefully line up both edges and stick the panels together. to be cont........

 

[JohnReid]

11-1 put wax paper under both panels.

12-1 add more wax paper between the edges of the two panels and begin laying down your soil or sand.

13-1 continue filling until gap is filled and level,then spray with alcohol.

14-1 apply glue/water mix drop by drop.

15-1 fold over wax paper and fill the other side .

16-1 both sides should now be level,let dry overnight.

 

[JohnReid]

Some of you guys must be wondering why does he keep posting this stuff when hardly anyone ever responds ? Well in the beginning ten years ago I wondered the same thing myself and almost gave up.I build every day so I don't have a lot of time to socialize on the net, other than sharing my work and techniques with you guys, which I find extremely rewarding.So why is it I don't quit ? well my photobucket tells me a different story.Sometimes over a five month period I can get up to a million hits ! Recently it has been running around 600,000.I post my stuff on about 35 websites; aircraft ,RR,cars and ships, some more than others depending upon what I am working on at the time.It is very time consuming but I love the opportunity to do it.You see I am almost 70 years old and I remember how it used to be years ago when most modelers built in isolation from one another, except for the occasional phone call or snail mail.Now I can instant communicate with other modelers, on a day to day basis, and show my stuff in real time.Until now this was never possible, before the era of computers, digital cameras and photobucket etc....I show it, if you like it fine, if you don't that is fine too ,but at least the majority of the official gatekeepers, as I new them,are pretty much irrelevant today and thank goodness for that. Cheers! John.

 

[Wheels]

How I see your work....

John,

I have no doubt that many hobbyists on all the different sites are enjoying
your work immensely. I suspect something may be happening here that you
may not realize, at least as I see it.

On a lot of these sites, it is obvious that there are very talented people who
would like to talk about their work just as much ( or more ) than doing it. In
fact, some of them "need" constant attention and stroking to be their most
productive. Many of these people are young and grew up in the virtual world.
Your work and your interaction does not give off that vibe.

When I look at your work and your written documentation, I feel like I am
reading your how-to book that you happen to be writing one chapter at a
time in the virtual arena. Your subject matter, approach and classical respect
for the hobby shows through. I think that affects the reader's response.
Despite this being an interactive medium, it doesn't quite feel that way with
your work. I feel like I am reading a good book. I'd almost rather not see
the presentation broken up by a lot of random postings.

To look at it another way, I think a lot of the quiet is actually respect. If you
poke around and read a lot of blogs, you will find that frequently the author
makes it about himself, not the work. That's understandable; there is a level
of narcissism to many hobbies. What is also common in this environment IMO
is that those who respond to blogs, step-by-steps and tutorials will also
frequently make it "about" themselves as well. It can be distracting. It can
just be noise. It can be annoying, quite frankly. You aren't getting that!
The interest is there as you know, based on the photo hits.

I think a lot of us are just watching a prolific and highly productive master at
his craft and, quite frankly, don't want to disturb him. It's the quiet you can
sometimes hear in an art gallery. I am speaking only for myself, but it's more
than enough just to watch.

Before reading your latest posts here, I can honestly say that it had occurred
to me that if the communities at all your posting sites were deluging you as
I see happen frequently on CMON...you couldn't possibly be as productive as
you are. Perhaps that's another reason you aren't getting swamped. I think
there are at least some of us who would rather enjoy your work as you do
it than draw you into any self-serving discussion.

That's my take, anyway.

Chris Wheeler

 

[JohnReid]

Some of you guys must be wondering why does he keep posting this stuff when hardly anyone ever responds ? Well in the beginning ten years ago I wondered the same thing myself and almost gave up.I build every day so I don't have a lot of time to socialize on the net, other than sharing my work and techniques with you guys, which I find extremely rewarding.So why is it I don't quit ? well my photobucket tells me a different story.Sometimes over a five month period I can get up to a million hits ! Recently it has been running around 600,000.I post my stuff on about 35 websites; aircraft ,RR,cars and ships, some more than others depending upon what I am working on at the time.It is very time consuming but I love the opportunity to do it.You see I am almost 70 years old and I remember how it used to be years ago when most modelers built in isolation from one another, except for the occasional phone call or snail mail.Now I can instant communicate with other modelers, on a day to day basis, and show my stuff in real time.Until now this was never possible, before the era of computers, digital cameras and photobucket etc....I show it, if you like it fine, if you don't that is fine too ,but at least the majority of the official gatekeepers, as I new them,are pretty much irrelevant today and thank goodness for that. Cheers! John.
************************************************** **
__________________________________________________ __________
Sorry guys this was not meant to be posted here but only to some of the newer sites that I post to .I had gotten some inquires recently so I answered them.

 

[JohnReid]

Thank you Chris Wheeler for your kind words.Makes this old guy happy !
Recently I have joined some new sites as I am presently doing a RR car diorama.They are not familiar with the way I do things so I thought I had better set the record straight.
Cheers! John.

 

[tonydawe]

No need to set the record straight here John. As Chris eloquently stated, our silence is respect for your artistry and not wanting to disturb a master at work. I for one enjoy reading your "stream of consciousness" posts where you share your inner thoughts on the process of solving modelling problems and tackling tricky challenges. Above all you've shown me the value of patience and being methodical, which is something I often struggle with. Your threads are inspirational to me, and I'm sure many other Planeteers.

 

[JohnReid]

I had a long awaited visit from the museum tech services director and a electronic technician gentleman today and we finally got things straightened out,so I can go ahead and finish the first three dioramas now.They have decided to move them themselves in the finished state ,as is, no crate.On their way to Montreal they surveyed the road conditions between the museum ,which is located on the east side of Ottawa,just a short drive to the Trans-Canada highway,and from the Trans Canada to my home, which is also a short drive and decided it would be the safest way.When they contacted their regular movers that are supposedly used to moving art and delicate pieces,after accepting to do it the next question was "and how much insurance would you like to buy?" That gave them a bad feeling.
Now I have to do the old jiggle test and a couple of 90 deg tips to ensure everything remains in place,then it will be up the steps and out the door and not my responsibility anymore.
Now that I know where I am going ,it should be just a matter of a couple of weeks to finish all three dioramas and sent them on their way.If the 90deg tip test fails and something comes adrift ,well all bets are off !
The fourth diorama, the backyard flyer, will be picked up sometime next year after it is finished.This is modular and can easily be broken down into five separate units for transport.(I did learn something over the years)
Cheers!

 

[JohnReid]

 

[JohnReid]

Finishing seams,gaps and screw heads.

The pics in photobucket are almost self explanatory on the final cosmetic stuff.
The screw heads are covered using round felt pads the tops of which were covered with white glue and then dipped in the original earth soil,glued on using contact cement and blended into its environment with the materials shown in the pics.You just have to play around with this until it looks right to your eye.
__________________

 

[JohnReid]

 

[JohnReid]

I woke up this morning to a hairline crack about half way along the repaired gap.Rather than re-do anything I think that I will just take a little of the vegetation, soak it in alcohol,place it on the crack in a random manner,and add a little of the glue/water mix which should take care of it.Because of changes in humidity there will always be a tendency for the wet soil type of repair to crack a bit.The overlying vegitation will expand and contract with the wood and should make it totally invisible.

 

[JohnReid]

I have mentioned this book before and it is now out of print but my good modeling bud Ken Hamilton has given his permission to put it on the internet.
Ken encouraged me to get into doing landscaping,making good looking junk and super weathering when I needed a lot of encouragement.Ken's work along with Shep Paine are the two rocks that my stuff is built upon. Thanks guys!

See Ken's book here:

http://s8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/mercman51/DIO Book/

Enjoy!
__________________
"Once upon a time......." Storyboard dioramas by JohnReid.
My photobucket:
http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/

 

[JohnReid]

 

[JohnReid]

Today was the official door opening day for the Albatros dio.The bases are glued but the door holders are not glued to the hanger, just in case they wanted to close it up again someday.
My workstation now is reduced to a little mobile table as I work my way around finishing the dioramas.The last thing to be permanently installed is the wood stove's chimney ,which I have avoided till now as it easily knocked off.Then it is on to the Jenny.

 

[JohnReid]

 

[JohnReid]

I have added a bunch of new pics to the Albatros album.They will probably be among the last ones I take with the lighting as I intended it to be.I installed it years ago with the intention of doing the maintenance myself.Well things have changed and the museum will be lighting them from now on to suit their own purposes.

 

[JohnReid]

Final Niuport 28 pics
I have added about 140 new detail pics to the Nieuport 28 album.While not yet a shadowbox that is one of the options they will have for displaying it.My original idea was to light it both inside and out, just because I always loved the natural lighting in old barns.It is a little artistic license that I took but personally I wouldn't want to work in such a drafty environment.

 

[JohnReid]