What makes a good diroama?

[kittykat23uk]

Ok, following on from the discussions about plinths, display bases and dioramas, what in your humble opinions makes a good, effective diorama and/ or scenic base? I\'ve made a good number of display bases for single minis and also dioramas for groups of minis. Sometimes I have been told that the scenes are too busy. Are there different things to aim for if it\'s going to be photographed rather than viewed at in real life? A discussion is invited

Regards

Kat

 

[Fizl]

I only get to see diorama\'s on line, so I can only tell you my opinion of photographed diorama\'s!

I\'m definately of the not too busy category....if I can\'t distinguish too well what is going on I will generally knock a point off. The other problem I occasionally see is base colours a little to close to miniature colours, i.e a similar shade of green for grass and cloak, making the mini disappear. Even if going for camoflage, you should be able to distinguish the mini, otherwise there is no point it being there! I feel the same about mini\'s in general with the busy schemes. Too many colours and bits and bobs makes it difficult to distinguish individual parts and breaks the outline into strange shapes.

I prefer a fairly clear diorama, and love a water base (personal favorite).

Now if only I had the skill to do the diorama thats stuck in my head, but I\'ve never even done conversions let alone a big project!

Shaz

 

[kittykat23uk]

Thats interesting so you\'re not so keen on things like Victoria\'s Squabble diorama then?

For me, I like to se quite a lot of things going on, but not swamped with detail.

Kat

 

[Dragonsreach]

I prefer a fairly clear diorama, and love a water base (personal favorite).

I agree, but I also like one that tells a concise story and the Victoria Squabble discussed I love. I used to be a scout leader...Oh boy does that bring back memories.!
I\'m not a great diorama builder, or bases for that matter, but I have a couple in mind to do, aiming for next years Golden Deamon and the primary intent will be simplicity. Both of colour scheme and depiction

 

[kittykat23uk]

yeah, I\'m trying to think of a good setting for Trogdor, so any ideas would be useful!

Regards

Kat

 

[Fizl]

I like squabble, but I prefer the rescue of sister Joan, less on the base to look at, so you can really take in the detail, whereas squablle, i have to work out what belongs to who etc.

BTW who or what is Trogdor? I can sometime come up with ideas, but never the real thing

Shaz

 

[U5-Boubou]

Sometimes you see huge dioramas, with lots of minis fighting each other, and you just have to read the comment to understand what it\'s all about. A good neat diorama will always be better. (Everybody wil agree with that)

Then, you can distinguish the comic ones (I have a slight preference for them) and the serious ones. I\'d say serious means respect, comic means fun... You can\'t seriously gice a golden demon to a goblin juggling on front of sisters of battle. If you want to impress, go serious (sob).

I think there is one big rule that can makes the difference. If you choose the right minis, and if you do the apropriate modifications, your diorama will look like a picture of an event. Sadly, most only look like minis displayed on a worked out base. I\'ll always give my favour to the diorama which seems to be \"natural\".

 

[Tuubje]

There has to be a story to the diorama and it has to be worked out as a \"screenshot\" all else will just look like a scenic base

 

[U5-Boubou]

This has nothing to do with the topic

Damnation, mister Tuubje, what is that picture you have as a signature ??

 

[frenchkid]

Go see the thread I am a freak for the explanation of mr Tuubje\'s weird signature.
And for diorama I like fairlly open dioramas, witch mean not to many minis. And the scene has to be moving or telling a story. Most of the time when I see duel dioramas they are just nor realistique the minis just look like they ran into each other. making the diorama dynamique will greatly improve it in my opinion.

 

[Chrispy]

Since I\'m from an artsy art background, I like to think that making a dio is like making a big panel in a comic book. Some action is etheir underway or you need to feel like something\'s going to start. Example: Glaidiators/pitfighters, with one raising his axe on a half fallen enemy, not realizing he has picked up his knife again. You also need to see everything that\'s important, so you can\'t put things down and hope they look right, you\'ll have to plan out the action in your head, if not on paper first. Hope this helps!

 

[sivousplay]

I definitely have to agree with simple, clean, \"tell a story\", and \"well thought out.\" If your diorama doesn\'t meet those things, it\'s likely that some viewers will be confused and your diorama will be thought more \"minis on a display base\" then a diorama.

jim

 

[DennisMech]

Originally posted by Fizl
BTW who or what is Trogdor?

TROGDOR! Trogdor was a man. He was a dragon man! But he was still Trogdor!!!
Trogdor is by far one of the awsomest dudes around! He\'s from a hilarious episode of Homestarrunner.com, oh man that is a good episode... here\'s the cartoon for those interested: http://www.homestarrunner.com/sbemail58.html

 

[Chrispy]

ROTFLMAO!!!!! lol

 

[Trevor]

God, please, no, make it stop...

Boy some people have WAAAAY too much time on their hands...

 

[Tuubje]

I have found a new hero and his name is TRogdooooooooooooor! lol

, btw kittykat note that I did try the constructive post thing, it was constructive but just couldn\'t resist this one

 

[kittykat23uk]

Ahhh.. not to worry Tuubje, In answer to Fizl\'s question, Trogdor is the tongue in cheek name that I have given to \"he who must not be mentioned on pain of pain!!!\" (AKA my forge world dragon)
:innocent:

Well Fizl did ask and I do need some ideas before I start work on him so no one yell at me ok?

Cheers!

Kat

 

[tooshy]

He was a dragon-man.....

loool lol lol funny cartoon or wot! Hey Kitty-kat, I\'ll give your diorama some thought - the dragon is already pretty huge, so god knows what to put with him!

 

[Seer]

hmmm...

You could go classic, with him (or her) on a huge pile of lucre, dealing with some meddlesome adventurers... In a suitably visceral fashion...

Or you could have it rampaging through a half-ruined castle, or why not a town?

Or (too much free time, I know), you could put a maiden tied to a stake in front of it with a valiant knight creeping up behind it or something like that... Or the knight could be crushed under its talons, depending on your preference...

Hope to see the finished product some say...

 

[supervike]

love the trogdor!

My brother turned me on to Trogdor quite a while ago. Very funny indeed.


Onto the Diorama concern.

I really like diorama\'s. They have been the reason I have been interested in anything miniature since the third grade, when we had to make a diorama out of a shoebox.

I think a good diorama is like a good painting. The choice of colors that work together is a big consideration, but I feel that composition is the most important aspect. The colors, the way things are positioned, even the shape of the terrain should lead the eye to a focal point.

The best dioramas are a snapshot of a story.

To me, anyhow, a great diorama is infinitely more impressive than a great painted miniature.


Bad dioramas usually consist of thing just being set up, helter skelter, with neither rhyme nor reason.