Anyone recommend a good diorama book?

[Jeff the 57th]

Hi again.

Can anyone recommend a good book to pick up for improving groundwork and dioramas?  I'll be the first to admit that (and figure painting) have to be the weakest of my modelling skills.  Looking at the fantastic model of the year candidates inspired me to improve upon my skill in that department.  Maybe I'll make that my modelling new years resolution.


Cheers


#57 

[John Everett]

Honestly, I wouldn't recommend a book. The interwebs being what it is, your very best source of diorama information will be right on the screen in front of you. All of the leading, new, edgy, fabulous things being done in just about any hobby will be found first in a computer. By the time it's in a book, it's at least 2 years old. That being said, books are a convenient way to keep good info all in one place. For diorama scenics, I still stand by that first copy of Gutenberg's Bible which we all owned, and probably still own, Shepard Paine's, How To Build Dioramas. Good, solid, ever-truthful information about scene layout and design permeate its pages. But much good diorama stuff can be found in many model railroad books as well. Try to stick with the 1/48 (O gauge) if you can. It's just more relevant.

For figures, I again stand by Shepards Paine's well-worn publication. But there are many good figure books by Bob Horan and Mark Bannerman as well. There are hundreds of good books on both of these topics. But the ones mentioned above are the literary classics, the "required reading" for any modeling desk.

Best of luck in building better scenes.

[dupes]

I have "Diorama Addicted", a book put out about four years ago by AK Interactive (pre-Mig, maybe?). It's all in 1/72, but it's all spectacular. Really inspiring stuff. Review here:

www.armorama.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Reviews&file=index&req=showcontent&id=5535

[sturmbird]

I think Shepard Paine's book is a great start. There are also several books in the model rail road community that are very nice.
gary

[coro69]

here i fully agree with john, you can find all the infos in the net... some info's are dealt a little bit deeper in books, cause some people just share their basics and sell their advanced wisdom through their books...

in my opinion a very very good blog about dioramas is skolil-diorama.blogspot.cz. it is in Czech, but if you read it through googles translator you will get the grip...

also try to find some info's about Emmanuel Nouaillier. he builds in O gauge, but his buildings are a masterpiece... he wrote a book i absolutely devoured, but it  is only available in German.

www.ghostsigns.co.uk/2012/01/the-devil-is-in-the-detail-emmanuel-nouaillier-masterclass-2.html


follow johns tip looking after dio builders in O gauge is every time worth a peek... the really build nice stuff for model trains.

i am quite new to diorama building, but there are so many aspects in this field of modelling... if you wanna build some urban scene or wanna build a scene based in free nature... but i really got addicted with this stuff...

but nevertheless after studying you have to get your feet wet and your hands dirty... ;-)

[rm6239]

As said above the Internet will provide most of your information but the Richard Windrow books, Terrain Modelling and Advanced Terrain Modelling are well worth their money.

cheers
Rossco