Diorama

Watch this video series to learn how to make the base shell, terrain, trees, bushes, tufts of grass, and cast plaster rocks for a fantasy landscape diorama. Part 1 of 6 - How to Make a realistic looking landscape diorama. Part 2 of 6 - How to Make a realistic looking landscap ...more

You can paint your plaster blue and coat it with a gloss, but there are easier ways to make artificial water for miniature dioramas, architectural models and war game terrain. Easy Water is a product made up of small plastic pellets that need to be melted and poured onto the m ...more

Here's how to place grass into your diorama scenery. These tactics may be familiar to model train builders, but there are endless fibers that can create texture for miniature landscapes. Make grass for dioramas, Warhammer, architectural models and other miniatures.

If you are planning on making a diorama for a school project or anything else, using real like effects can be a big boost. Water effects can have a great looking effect, but using actual water can be messy and won't get the job done. So in this tutorial, you'll find out how t ...more

If your son or daughter is planning on making a diorama for a classroom project or just because, making a cool water feature can be a great idea. Using real water may be fine and all, but if you want to prevent any kind of mess from happening, you can build one using materials ...more

Want to put some electronics into your terrain piece or diorama? LED lights are great. You can use tiny watch batteries, which are small and efficient. LED lights are cheap, they come in colours, and you can find them in all kinds of broken gadgets. Watch this instructional vi ...more

Papa Tom teaches viewers how to build a diorama of a cave, complete with stalagmites and stalactites. Part 1 of 5 - How to Build a cave diorama. Part 2 of 5 - How to Build a cave diorama. Part 3 of 5 - How to Build a cave diorama. Part 4 of 5 - How to Build a cave diorama. ...more

Game terrain dioramas are an essential playing field for miniature war games, like Warhammer 40K or Lord of the Rings games. While these terrains can be purchased ready-made, make your own to get the exact look desired. Watch this hobby how-to video and learn how to build a ga ...more

If you've got a school science project coming up, or are looking for something fun to do with the kids, you can make this awesome solar system diorama that's shaped like a telescope so you can view the planets by looking into the telescope! In this video you will learn how to ...more

Build a tepee diorama. Watch Papa Tom build a Native American Indian tepee using the Scene-A-Rama Building and Structures Kit. He'll then show you how to place it on a realistic wooden diorama.

Here are some examples of brickwork for dioramas or war game terrain. Create a fine grit coating for foam carvings using a mixture of white glue, paint and fine sand. Press in brick patterns into foam, or if working in smaller scale, you can coat cardboard with a thin coat of ...more

In this tutorial, we learn how to make mud and rubble in a WW2 diorama. You can use corks as the rubble after you paint it and rip it into different pieces to make it look like destroyed buildings. You can purchase realistic water and gloss gel medium to look like water that i ...more

Papa Tom teaches viewers how to build a beautiful life-like desert oasis using the Desert Oasis Diorama Kit. Building this diorama is a fun, easy, and great experience. Part 1 of 2 - How to Build a desert oasis diorama. Part 2 of 2 - How to Build a desert oasis diorama.

Papa Tom shows viewers how to build a cut-away volcano diorama using a Scene-A-Rama Mountain Diorama kit. Use masking tape, yesterday's newspaper, and scissors. Wow! Part 1 of 2 - How to Build a cut-away volcano diorama. Part 2 of 2 - How to Build a cut-away volcano diorama.

putting glass in small diorama windows. These miniature windows give the illusion of a stain glass window or wrought iron window bars. Create the effect of real glass using products such as Weldbond,Crystal Clear, Water Effects from Woodland Scenics, clear RainGlo, or clear si ...more

Watch Papa Tom show you how to build an erupting volcano and you can build it the night before it's due! Use plaster cloth, masking tape, newspaper, and scissors.

Build a log home diorama. Papa Tom shows viewers how to build a log cabin home for a diorama using the Building and Structures Kit. Simple and easy to make a realistic miniature log cabin.

This video shows how to make a small scale Hobbit's hole. This example is for the Lord of the Rings game, but you can use this in your dioramas too. Use a yogurt container, a piece of board, and then decorate it however you want. Watch this instructional video and learn how to ...more

Make a breathtaking meteor diorama that will blow the competition away! This five part video series will show you everything you need to know about making a diorama, from setting up the box to placing dolls. This diorama is sure to impress! Part 1 of 5 - How to Make a meteor d ...more

Here is a quick and easy tutorial on making miniature trees. Watch this instructional model making video to get started with the traditional method using Woodland Scenics and learn some alternatives using found materials like wire and scouring pads. They look great and are per ...more

Watch this instructional model making video to make miniature roof thatching and tree material for dioramas, architectural models, Warhammer and game terrain. There are several kinds of scouring pads, craft fiber sheets, and fibers for constructing miniature trees and bushes. ...more

Dioramas are a fun way to illustrate all kinds of scenes, whether from nature, history, sports or entertainment. The possibilities are endless. Learn how to make a diorama in this free crafts video series. Part 1 of 15 - How to Make a diorama. Make a diorama - Part 2 of 15. Cl ...more

This tutorial shows an easy way to make trenches for dioramas. This is very useful for war and battle dioramas. Lay out the diorama on paper first so you know where the trenches are then build the structure out of cardboard. Build miniature trenches for war game terrain, minia ...more

The motor from an old remote control car can be used to make an automated drawbridge on a castle diorama. This is a nice project and a great way to add special effects to a diorama. Dioramas are great for war games like Warhammer 40K, and add a slightly more realistic touch. W ...more

Papa Tom teaches viewers how to build a realistic looking diorama replicating an American Indian home site from early American history. Part 1 of 3 - How to Build an American Indian diorama. Part 2 of 3 - How to Build an American Indian diorama. Part 3 of 3 - How to Build an ...more

Papa Tom teaches users how to build a cliff diorama for a cliff dwelling adobe looking house. You'll need a hobby knife, water, and sticks. Part 1 of 2 - How to Builds a diorama for a cliff dwelling. Part 2 of 2 - How to Builds a diorama for a cliff dwelling.

In this tutorial, we learn how to use foam to make diorama terrain. Foam will make a realistic diorama because it comes in so many different shapes and sizes. You can buy this from hobby shops and even online. To put these together, you will simply use some wood glue. You can ...more

A diorama is an attractive craft to present a school science project or book report. You'll need some boxes, paint, glue, and a few small figurines. Pick a theme, and use these tips so your kids can make an A+ project!

Watch this two-part instructional video to begin carving gaming terrain and various art projects out of high density foam. This type of pink foam is called Styrospan. It's easy to carve, inexpensive and can be easily repaired with glue. Part 1 of 2 - How to Begin to carve foam ...more

Watch this instructional video to make cheap molds for casting miniatures. You can then duplicate pieces for building your diorama or game terrain. Sculpt original forms using polymer clay, and layer on latex to make a cheap rubber mold. Or, you can use pre-made forms to press ...more

Build stones & cinder blocks for a diorama. Papa Tom teaches viewers how to make a building look like it is made of stone or cinder blocks using the Building and Structure Kit from Scene-A-Rama. This is super easy and tons of fun for all ages. It's great for school or class pr ...more

In this amazing video, you'll see, from start to finish, the construction of a great fantasy wall diorama with miniatures all over the place. He'll go into detail on the materials, supplies, and other great things that he used to make this amazing masterpiece! Part 1 of 11 - H ...more

Watch this instructional video to paint realistic finishes on miniatures for dioramas, architectural models, and game terrain. This model maker begins with an introduction to washes and dry brushing. When working towards a tarnished or deep finish on your miniatures, you must ...more

Will from stormthecastle.com shows you how to make a very detailed World War II diorama. Made at a 1:72 scale, it's still incredibly lifelike and realistic. Part 1 of 4 - How to Make a WW2 diorama. Part 2 of 4 - How to Make a WW2 diorama. Part 3 of 4 - How to Make a WW2 dior ...more

This video shows you how to add trees to your 300 diorama. It seems like a fun and quirky way to make trees.

This instructional video provides examples various supplies for war game terrain and diorama making. Most of these supplies for miniatures can be found at a local dollar store. Look for cardboard tubes, plastic sheeting, high density foam, metal foils and wires, plaster, sand ...more

In this part of the tutorial, I show how to apply some basic cast rock structures to the diorama and give you a basic idea of how to apply the base coat of colored paints.

If you are a dedicated model maker, watch this instructional video to make a handy tool for sculpting and working with miniatures. These homemade wood tools are good for a variety of purposes. It can be made from wood as small as match stick stock up to 1/2'' by 1'' stock. Use ...more

The scene for this diorama is the Spartan Warrior Battle of Thermopylae. The diorama is two feet by three feet and wired for lighting and sound. This episode of the tutorial shows you how to cast the plaster shell with either plaster cloth or hydrocal. (You can do this with Pl ...more

Papa Tom teaches viewers how to build the perfect pyramid for any school project. This is super easy and fun too. It looks great on any desert diorama.

A quick and inexpensive method of making highly detailed miniature landscapes for model railways, diorama's or garden sculptures. This is a vivid scenery design lesson perfect for your train scenes or other mountain scapes.

In this series of model train layout videos, our expert diorama builder will share his experience of building his re-creation of Verde Valley. Part 1 of 17 - How to Create model train layouts. Create model train layouts - Part 2 of 17. Click through to watch this video on expe ...more

Papa Tom teaches veiwers how to easily make a terra cotta roof for a realistic looking house for a diorama or school project. This is easy to do and provides incredibly realistic finishing touch to any plain old miniature building.

Watch this instructional model making video to make miniature plaster tile flooring for war game terrain. Add a thin layer of plaster for a smooth level floor for your game piece or diorama. The layer of plaster simulates concrete as is, or you can etch in tiles while the plas ...more

this miniature catapult really works and can be used as a toy or in a diorama. You'll need the following materials: Matchstick 1/8" stock: 4 pieces 1-1/2 inches (36mm)long - 5 pieces 5/8" (15mm) long - 4 cross brace pieces 1/2" (10mm)long (45 degree cuts) 1 piece at 9/16" roun ...more

Here are some of necessary the tools for hobby crafting and diorama making. This model maker uses wood rasps, sanding pencils, wire cutters, small pliers, a box cutter, a wood carving knife, and a Japanese pull saw. When building miniatures you may find yourself making your ow ...more

Papa Tom teaches viewers how to build a cliff dwelling that you can place right on a cliff diorama for a neat replication of early Native American life.

Here are some examples of metal for detailing your miniature diorama or gaming terrain piece. Watch this instructional video for some quick tips on making metal handles, swords, and decorations for miniature architectural scenes, Warhammer, dioramas and dollhouses.