Dioramas are a way to create a scene in a small room. Dioramas are usually displays of past periods, natural scenes or fictional situations, and are usually spaces for creativity and innovation. It doesn't matter if your diorama is a school assignment, as a model or just to fill your spare time, making one is very easy. Try this technique to make awesome dioramas yourself!
Step
Method 1 of 2: Creating Your Diorama
Step 1. Choose your theme
Dioramas are small situations made of layers of material, all depicting the same theme. Think of a topic or idea you'd like your diorama to be -a situation from a book? time period? an example of an ecosystem from a group of animals/plants? The options for dioramas are endless.
- The theme you choose can vary depending on the size you want and the amount of equipment you have. A broad theme may not suffice in a small shoebox, whereas a specific theme may be difficult to create in a large space.
- Take into account the availability of tools and materials. If you want to make a diorama with a marine theme, but don't have anything that can depict water or fish, it will be difficult to achieve.
Step 2. Design your diorama
Make a list of ideas to include in the diorama. How's the background? Are you going to use only existing materials, or do you have to print pictures as well? Do you need to buy items to make them or can they be made with items you have in your home and garden? Thinking through ideas before making them will help you to come up with better dioramas.
- Try to come up with a rough outline of how you want the diorama to look. Think about the composition of the sections and where each item is placed in it.
- Gather as many tools and materials as you can for this project before you install it. Organizing tools and materials ahead of time will make it easier for you to find them as you work.
Step 3. Choose a frame
Since dioramas have a background layer, they need a box or frame that is a few centimeters thick. If you're making a basic diorama, the shoebox or box can be turned over and used. Larger dioramas can be made from large wooden boxes or frames mounted into boxes. Anything that gives the illusion of a small open space can be used as a frame for your diorama.
- If you already have an idea of your diorama, you can make a wooden box that fits the size you want.
- Be creative with your diorama frames. For example, a diorama about a family or people scene could be made in a disused dollhouse.
Step 4. Create the background
Your diorama should be made from back to front. As you work, you will add layers of details and images that will add depth to your scene. Create a background on the far side of your box. Paint the back or print a picture to glue on the part. You can also make a design with a cut out of a magazine section that acts as the background for your diorama.
- Don't forget to add a background on the inside side and back.
- If you want, you can paint your box a different color for a finished look. This should be done before you add layers or figurines to your diorama.
Step 5. Make a plain
Realistic dioramas don't go beyond the making of the plains. Add details to the terrain using paint or clay. Paper pulp can be used to create the illusion of a real mountain or hill to add a background.
Step 6. Add details
First add the first layer of details and objects on the back and sides of the diorama. At this time, you can add large objects such as trees, stones or furniture. Start from the diorama side, as you will work inward and forward.
Step 7. Finish the display
Finish off the diorama background by adding any additional objects you want to place. If you're creating a nature scene, add something that depicts trees, grass, flowers, rocks, etc. The same should be done for the other views -add other details to make your diorama look real.
Step 8. Add the toys
Although you don't have to, to complete your scene with additional toys or models. If you use a nature theme, for example, you can add animal toys or insects to your frame. Hang objects such as birds or small airplanes above the frame using fishing line and a little glue or staples. Photos of simple objects can also be printed and cut out and pasted on the scene. This is the last step of your diorama so make it whatever you want!
Method 2 of 2: Creating more details
Step 1. Make the soil textured
Even if you want simple and smooth soil in your diorama, you can create realistic, textured soil with ease. Try sticking sand or gravel at the bottom of the frame to give it the appearance of a rough terrain. Spruce leaves, small leaves and grass clippings can be pasted to give a natural lawn finish.
- Make rocks and other details out of clay or papier-mâché and glue them into the box using a hot glue gun.
- You can use paint or print the photo you want to make the terrain if you don't have much time.
Step 2. Create a tree
To give the appearance of a tree in your diorama, collect tree branches or branches from your yard or surroundings. branches without leaves will look like trees in winter, while branches from shrubs or trees with needles will look like trees. Glue small balls of clay to the bottom of the branch to make it stand or glue it into your box.
- If you want to make it more like a toy, use tree toys instead of children's toys. These are usually sold separately at some toy stores or sold in sets.
- Consider cutting out the tree from a photo or magazine. You can cut a little extra paper at the bottom of the tree and fold it backwards so the tree will still stand upright when it's not glued to the sides.
Step 3. Create water
If you want to feature water in your diorama, try using glass, cellophane, paint or nail polish. To make a small pond, use glass at the bottom of your diorama with gravel or grass glued around it. You can also apply a metallic blue or green nail polish and let it dry in a puddle at the bottom of your frame.
- If you want to show a scene in water, spread blue cellophane across the entire frame. With this you will see all the scenes with shades of blue like being in water and will add an extra dimension to your diorama.
- Water photos can be added to the background or pasted at the bottom of the diorama for a watery area.
- Use an acrylic or basic tempera paint to add a water background to your scene. Small waves can be painted or drawn too. Paint the paper with a water image and spread it out in a grid to add dimension.
Step 4. Add objects in the sky
To make the sky look more real, try adding objects to the sky, such as clouds, sun, moon or stars. Cotton can be glued to the background or roof to depict clouds. Stars can be made with glitter glue or silver or metallic nail polish. To make a sun by painting a ball of styrofoam and hanging it with fishing line or hot glue. The sky is the limit where you can paste celestial objects.
Step 5. Done
Tips
- Put the big part behind and the small one in front.
- Coloring the cardboard with a marker will make it look dark. Cut out colored paper and stick it on the square for better color.
